Force Sensor Edge Placement for Display Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current force sensors cannot be applied to display devices due to electrical interference with other components, causing malfunctions and failing to effectively recognize force inputs from users.

Innovation Solution

A force sensor design that includes a first sensing region, a second sensing region, and force concentration bumps, positioned adjacent to the edges of a display panel, with a recess and electrode layers to minimize interference and enhance sensitivity, allowing for accurate force input recognition without malfunction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a force sensor is integrated into a display device, then force input recognition capability is improved, but electrical interference with other components occurs causing malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce input recognition capabilityVSAvoidelectrical interference causing malfunctions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The force sensor is segmented into multiple sensing regions (first sensing region and second sensing region with different areas) that can independently detect force inputs. This segmentation allows the sensor to recognize different types of force inputs (e.g., light press vs. hard press) at different locations, improving recognition capability while maintaining electrical stability through distributed sensing elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sensing regions are designed with different areas to detect different magnitudes or types of force inputs. The first sensing region and second sensing region have distinct characteristics that allow them to respond to different force conditions, enabling the display device to recognize various user inputs (such as different pressing forces) while maintaining reliable operation in each local region

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the sensing region area is increased to improve sensitivity, then force input detection capability is improved, but electrical interference with other components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce input detection capabilityVSAvoidelectrical interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single large sensing region that would cause excessive electrical interference, the force sensor is divided into multiple smaller sensing regions. Each region can be optimized for specific detection purposes while the distributed architecture reduces overall electrical interference with other display device components, maintaining measurement precision through multi-region coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The force sensor utilizes the thickness direction (z-axis) by positioning sensing regions at different depths or layers within the display device structure. This dimensional arrangement allows force detection without requiring large planar areas, thereby improving sensitivity through three-dimensional sensing while minimizing electrical interference by reducing the footprint area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 prevents electrical interference, enabling improved sensitivity and effective recognition of force inputs, thus enhancing the functionality of display devices by integrating force sensors without causing malfunctions.

Implementation Method 1

a first force concentration bump overlapping the first sensing region and a second force concentration bump overlapping the second sensing region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce concentration:

Data Source

PatentEP4047463B1Force sensor and display device including the same
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4047463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4047463B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4047463B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel and a force sensor. The force sensor is disposed adjacent to a first edge of the display panel and extends along the first edge. The force sensor includes a first sensing region, a second sensing region, a first force concentration bump, and a second force concentration bump. The second sensing region is located on a side of the first sensing region and has a larger area than the first sensing region. The first force concentration bump overlaps the first sensing region. The second force concentration bump overlaps the second sensing region and is spaced apart from the first force concentration bump.