Force Sensor Driving Electrode Protrusion for Touchscreen Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touchscreens lack effective integration of force sensors to provide both touch position detection and pressure sensing, limiting their functionality in modern display devices.
Innovation Solution
A force sensor design comprising first and second substrates with a driving electrode, a sensing electrode, and a force-sensitive layer, where the driving electrode includes a protrusion to enhance capacitance between electrodes, allowing for precise force detection and integration with display panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional touchscreen design is used, then the device structure remains simple, but force sensing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving electrode and sensing electrode into a single touchscreen structure, where the driving electrode serves dual purposes: as the actuating element for touch detection and as part of the force sensing mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate force sensor structures while enabling both touch position and pressure detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving electrode is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as the control electrode for touch input detection and simultaneously serves as one element of the capacitive force sensing mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the touchscreen to detect both touch position and applied pressure without adding separate dedicated components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If force sensor is integrated into touchscreen, then touch position and pressure detection are enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensing structure is merged with the existing touchscreen electrode layers, using the same substrate and manufacturing processes. The driving and sensing electrodes are formed using standard touchscreen fabrication techniques, eliminating the need for separate force sensor manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure is designed to serve both touchscreen operation and force sensing functions simultaneously. The same driving electrode pattern is used for both touch activation and force measurement, allowing a single manufacturing process to produce both functionalities without requiring additional specialized steps.
3Measurement precision
If protrusion is added to driving electrode, then capacitance between electrodes is enhanced, but electrode fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion is added only to specific portions of the driving electrode where enhanced capacitance is most beneficial for force detection. This localized modification focuses the geometric complexity only where needed, rather than requiring precision across the entire electrode structure. The protrusions are strategically positioned to maximize capacitive coupling with the sensing electrode during force application.
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 positions and pressures, enhancing user interaction by allowing for force-based inputs and haptic feedback, thereby improving the overall user experience.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of force sensitive cells includes a driving electrode, a sensing electrode, and a force sensitive layer at least partially overlapping both the driving electrode and the sensing electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A force sensor includes first and second substrates. The second substrate faces the first substrate. A driving electrode is disposed on a first surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate. A sensing electrode is disposed on the first surface of the first substrate and is spaced apart from the driving electrode. A force sensitive layer is disposed on a first surface of the second substrate, facing the first substrate. The driving electrode includes a main driving protrusion that protrudes from a side surface of the driving electrode, facing the sensing electrode.