Flexible Sensor Device with Sub-Electrodes for High Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices face challenges in improving operation sensitivity, particularly in detecting precise input operations and minute pressing forces, especially when used with gloved fingers or fine-tipped styluses, and in maintaining high detection accuracy without compromising display quality.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device configuration featuring a flexible conductor layer and electrode substrate with intersecting electrodes, including sub-electrodes, allows for increased electrostatic capacitance difference detection by changing the relative distance between layers, enabling improved sensitivity and accuracy in detecting input operations, including multi-touch and minute pressing forces, without direct capacitive coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional sensor device configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but the operation sensitivity is insufficient for detecting minute pressing forces and multi-touch operations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes are divided into multiple sub-electrodes (first sub-electrodes and second sub-electrodes) that are arranged in a matrix pattern. This segmentation allows each sub-electrode to independently detect pressing forces at specific locations, enabling multi-touch detection and improving operation sensitivity without requiring a completely complex device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer electrode structure to a three-dimensional arrangement with conductor layers positioned above and below the electrode substrate. This dimensional change creates multiple capacitance detection paths (upper conductor layer to electrode, and electrode to lower conductor layer), significantly improving sensitivity to minute pressing forces while maintaining a manageable device structure
2Measurement precision
If direct capacitive coupling between operant and electrode substrate is used, then detection accuracy is high, but display quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces conductor layers as intermediary elements between the operant (finger or stylus) and the electrode substrate. These conductor layers are positioned above and below the electrode substrate and serve as mediators that transmit capacitive changes from the operant to the electrodes, enabling accurate detection while preventing direct contact that would cause display quality deterioration
3Measurement precision
If the conductor layer and electrode substrate are placed close together, then detection sensitivity increases, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (thickness direction) by positioning conductor layers above and below the electrode substrate in a stacked configuration. This allows the creation of multiple detection interfaces within a compact vertical space, achieving high detection sensitivity through multiple capacitance measurements without requiring excessive device thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode substrate is designed with flexibility, allowing it to deform slightly in response to pressing forces. This flexibility enables the maintenance of small gaps between the conductor layers and electrode substrate, achieving high detection sensitivity while keeping the overall device thickness minimal
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances operation sensitivity, allowing for accurate detection of input operations with gloved fingers or styluses and maintains high detection accuracy while preventing display quality deterioration, enabling the sensor device to function as both a touch sensor and input device.
Implementation Method 1
a relative distance between the first conductor layer and the electrode substrate is changed, and thus an input operation such as pressing can be electrostatically detected based on the change in the distance
Implementation Method 2
capable of electrostatically detecting an input operation
Data Source
AI summary
[Object] To provide a sensor device capable of detecting an operation position and a pressing force with high accuracy.[Solution] A sensor device includes a first conductor layer, an electrode substrate, and a plurality of first structural bodies configured to separate the first conductor layer from the electrode substrate. At least one of the first conductor layer and the electrode substrate has flexibility. The electrode substrate includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes intersecting the plurality of first electrodes. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a plurality of sub-electrodes.