Movable Floating Electrode Layer for 3D Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch devices, particularly capacitive touch devices, are unable to detect pressure applied during a touch event, as they only sense two-dimensional touch locations without incorporating third-dimensional pressure sensing capabilities, leading to increased manufacturing costs and bulk due to additional component requirements for pressure sensing modifications.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensing display panel is designed with a floating electrode layer on one substrate and a driving and sensor electrode layer on another, where the floating electrodes are movable relative to the driving and sensor electrodes, causing detectable capacitance changes in response to pressure, allowing for three-dimensional touch detection without significant redesign or bulk increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional capacitive touch devices are used to detect two-dimensional touch locations, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot detect pressure applied during touch events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pressure sensing capability with the existing capacitive touch display structure by integrating a floating electrode layer into the display panel. This merging allows the display panel to perform both display and pressure sensing functions simultaneously, enabling three-dimensional touch detection without requiring separate pressure sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating electrode layer serves multiple functions: it acts as part of the display structure and simultaneously functions as a pressure sensing element. By making the electrode layer movable, it can detect both touch location (through capacitance changes) and pressure magnitude (through distance changes), providing universal touch detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If additional components are added to enable pressure sensing, then pressure detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure sensing function with the existing display panel structure by making the electrode layer movable rather than adding separate pressure sensing components. This integration eliminates the need for additional parts, simplifies manufacturing processes, and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining pressure detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable electrode layer serves dual purposes as both a display element and a pressure sensing mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated pressure sensing components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and device bulk while enabling accurate pressure detection.
3Measurement precision
If additional components are added to enable pressure sensing, then pressure detection capability is improved, but device bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates pressure sensing functionality within the existing display panel thickness by making the electrode layer movable. This approach eliminates the need for additional separate pressure sensing layers or components that would increase device bulk, maintaining a thin profile while enabling three-dimensional touch detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable electrode layer performs both display and pressure sensing functions within the same structural layer, eliminating the need for additional components that would increase device thickness. This multi-functional design maintains device compactness while enabling accurate pressure detection.
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
This solution enables highly sensitive three-dimensional touch detection with minimal modification to existing display panels, integrating pressure-sensing components for thinner, lighter, and cost-effective devices.
Implementation Method 1
the floating electrode layer, the driving electrode layer, and the sensor electrode layer are configured so that at least one of the plurality of floating electrodes is movable relative to at least one of a corresponding driving electrode and a corresponding sensor electrode in response to a pressure from a touch, resulting in a detectable capacitance change between the corresponding driving electrode and the corresponding sensor electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a display panel having a first display substrate and a second display substrate facing the first display substrate, the display panel includes a floating electrode layer including a plurality of floating electrodes on the first display substrate; the floating electrode layer being spaced apart from the second display substrate by a distance; a driving electrode layer including a plurality of driving electrodes on the second display substrate; and a sensor electrode layer including a plurality of sensor electrodes on the second display substrate; each of the plurality of floating electrodes corresponding to a pair of driving electrode and sensor electrode. The floating electrode layer, the driving electrode layer, and the sensor electrode layer are configured so that at least one of the plurality of floating electrodes is movable relative to at least one of a corresponding driving electrode and a corresponding sensor electrode in response to a pressure from a touch, resulting in a detectable capacitance change between the corresponding driving electrode and the corresponding sensor electrode.