Foldable Digitizer Coil Layout for Higher Sensing in Hinge Areas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with digitizers face challenges in maintaining sensing sensitivity, particularly in the folding area of foldable devices, due to design constraints and space limitations.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a digitizer with a unique coil configuration, including first and second loop coils, and folding coils, which are driven in different modes to enhance sensing sensitivity in the folding area. The coil configuration includes non-folding coils and folding coils, with the folding coils being driven in a multi-channel mode to improve input detection precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional digitizer coil configuration is used in the folding area, then the device structure is simple, but the sensing sensitivity deteriorates due to space limitations and design constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The digitizer is divided into three distinct portions: a first non-folding portion, a folding portion, and a second non-folding portion. Each portion contains specifically configured coils (non-folding coils in first and second directions, and folding coils) that are optimized for their respective functional requirements. This segmentation allows the folding area to have enhanced sensing sensitivity through dedicated folding coils while maintaining simple conventional configurations in non-folding areas.
2Measurement precision
If the folding area is made smaller to accommodate folding mechanisms, then the device thickness is reduced, but the sensing precision in the folding area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different coil configurations are applied to different portions of the digitizer based on their functional requirements. The folding portion contains folding coils specifically optimized for detecting inputs in the folded state, while non-folding portions contain conventional coils. This local optimization ensures high sensing precision in the folding area regardless of its size, as each region has coils tailored to its specific operational characteristics.
3Reliability
If multiple coil types are used to improve sensing in the folding area, then the sensing performance is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digitizer is segmented into distinct portions with specific coil types in each: non-folding coils in non-folding portions and folding coils in the folding portion. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes for each coil type while maintaining overall system reliability. Each segment can be manufactured and tested independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing complexity despite the variety of coil configurations.
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 configuration significantly improves sensing sensitivity in the folding area, allowing for precise input detection and addressing design restrictions associated with space limitations, thereby enhancing the overall performance of foldable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
A digitizer may include various sensing coils to be activated by an electrical signal. An area where the sensing coils are activated responds to a signal applied from the outside.
Implementation Method 2
The digitizer may detect an external input using electromagnetic resonance.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a display panel including a folding area and first and second non-folding areas spaced apart from each other with the folding area between the first and second non-folding areas, and a digitizer including a first non-folding portion overlapping the first non-folding area, a second non-folding portion overlapping the second non-folding area, and a folding portion overlapping the folding area and including holes. The digitizer includes first loop coils in a first direction and second loop coils in a second direction and insulated from and intersecting with the first loop coils. The second loop coils may include non-folding coils respectively in the first and second non-folding portions and folding coils, at least one of which is in the folding portion. The non-folding coils are driven in a first mode, and the folding coils are driven in a second mode.