Force Sensor Power Controller Duty Cycle Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices often lack the necessary power resources to amplify and filter the output of force-sensitive elements, which are crucial for accurately detecting deformations caused by user input, limiting their operational precision and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A force-responsive sensor system with a power controller that adjusts the performance characteristics of the amplifier and selectively enables strain-sensitive elements based on touch events, optimizing power consumption by modifying duty cycles, sampling rates, and activating only necessary segments of the sensor array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the amplifier is used to amplify the output of force-sensitive elements, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier's performance characteristics are dynamically adjusted based on touch event detection. When a touch event is detected by the touch sensor, the power controller modifies the amplifier's duty cycle, sampling rate, or supply voltage to optimize power consumption while maintaining necessary measurement precision during active input states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic sampling of the force-sensitive element output rather than continuous amplification. The power controller adjusts the duty cycle to activate the amplifier only during specific time intervals when touch events are detected, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If all strain-sensitive elements are activated, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force-responsive sensor is divided into multiple independently controllable strain-sensitive elements. The power controller selectively activates only the subset of elements associated with the touched region, rather than activating all elements simultaneously. This segmentation allows precision maintenance in the active region while conserving power in inactive regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensor array have different activation states based on touch location. The power controller enables only the local subset of strain-sensitive elements that correspond to the touched area, providing high measurement precision locally while minimizing overall power consumption across the entire sensor array.
3Measurement precision
If filtering and amplification are applied to force sensor output, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power controller serves multiple functions: it monitors touch events, determines which strain-sensitive elements are associated with touched regions, selectively enables those elements, and adjusts amplifier performance characteristics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining signal quality.
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 approach enhances the power efficiency of force-responsive sensors while maintaining signal quality and precision, allowing electronic devices to effectively detect and respond to user input without sacrificing performance.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor coupled to the input surface is configured to generate a signal corresponding to a deformation of the input surface that results from the exerted force. The sensor includes a force-sensitive element in order to measure minute physical changes in the input surface as a result of the deformation caused by the exerted force.
Data Source
AI summary
A force-responsive sensor incorporating a force-sensitive element is in communication with a power controller. The power controller changes one or more performance characteristics associated with the force-responsive sensor. A performance characteristic can include a bias voltage or current, a duty cycle, a sampling rate, and so on. The performance characteristic(s) can be changed in response to a touch event or based on an operational setting of the force-responsive sensor (or an electronic device incorporating the force-responsive sensor). Regulation of the performance characteristic(s) reduces power consumption of the force-responsive sensor.