Foldable Display Pressure Sensing via Capacitance Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices lack the capability to effectively sense external pressure applied to them, particularly in folded modes, which limits their functionality as multi-modal input devices.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display module with integrated sensor units that utilize capacitance variation to sense pressure, including a combination of first and second touch sensors and a force sensor disposed under the display panel, allowing for pressure sensing in both folded-in and folded-outward modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a flexible display module is folded such that a portion of the display surface faces another portion of the display surface, then the device achieves a compact folded-in mode, but the ability to sense external pressure is reduced or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is divided into multiple first touch sensors and multiple second touch sensors that are separately disposed on the display panel. This segmentation allows the sensors to be strategically positioned so that at least one first touch sensor overlaps with at least one second touch sensor when the display is folded, enabling pressure sensing in the folded-in mode while maintaining the compact form factor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If touch sensors are disposed on the display panel to enable pressure sensing, then the device gains multi-modal input capability, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit incorporates both first touch sensors and second touch sensors that serve dual purposes: they function as touch sensors for detecting user input and simultaneously act as pressure sensors when the display is folded. This multi-functionality enables the device to sense both touch and applied pressure without requiring entirely separate sensor systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatile input capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If multiple touch sensors are disposed on the display panel for pressure sensing, then pressure detection capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first touch sensors and second touch sensors are integrated into a single sensor unit that is disposed together on the display panel. This merging of multiple sensor types into one unified assembly simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate assembly steps required, while still maintaining the pressure detection capability that arises from the overlapping arrangement of the sensor elements when folded.
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
Enables the display device to accurately sense touch and applied pressure across different operational modes, enhancing its functionality as a multi-modal input device.
Implementation Method 1
the first pressure may be sensed by sensing a variation in capacitance between the at least one of the plurality of first touch sensors and the at least one of the plurality of second touch sensors in the folded-in mode
Implementation Method 2
The force sensor may sense second pressure applied to the flexible display module when the flexible display module is in the folded-outward mode. The force sensor may sense a variation in capacitance to measure the second pressure in the folded-outward mode
Implementation Method 3
The force sensor may include a strain gauge
Data Source
AI summary
A display device including a flexible display module and providing a display surface on which an image is displayed. The flexible display module includes a display panel including a light-emitting device and a sensor unit disposed on the display panel. The sensor unit senses pressure applied to the flexible display module in a folded-in mode in which the flexible display module is folded such that a portion of the display surface faces another portion of the display surface.