Haptic Touch Screen With Floating Electrodes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch screens lack the ability to convey the feel of objects displayed on them without adding devices that increase cost and complexity, particularly in cellular devices where thickness and weight are concerns, and haptic features may generate unwanted noise.
Innovation Solution
A haptic touch screen design featuring a lower layer of control electrodes and an upper layer of haptic electrodes that are not conductively connected to control electronics, with a middle layer providing mechanical protection and capacitive coupling to create haptic effects without additional components, allowing for haptic feedback without increasing device thickness or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional haptic devices are added to convey touch feedback, then haptic feedback capability is improved, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the haptic feedback function with the existing touch screen structure by integrating haptic electrodes into the touch screen's electrode layers. The haptic electrodes are formed on the same substrate as the control electrodes, eliminating the need for separate haptic devices and reducing overall device weight while maintaining haptic feedback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch screen structure is designed to serve multiple functions: the control electrodes perform both touch sensing and haptic feedback functions. By making the electrodes universal for both sensing and actuation, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated haptic components, thereby reducing device weight and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional haptic devices are added to convey touch feedback, then haptic feedback capability is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic electrodes are nested within the existing touch screen layer structure. The haptic electrodes are formed on the same substrate as the control electrodes, with insulating layers separating them. This nested arrangement allows haptic feedback functionality to be embedded within the thin touch screen structure without adding significant thickness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If haptic devices utilizing sound waves are added, then haptic feedback capability is improved, but resonant noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sound wave-based haptic mechanisms with an electrostatic field-based system. By applying voltages to the haptic electrodes, electrostatic forces are generated directly at the touch surface, eliminating the need for acoustic resonators and the associated resonant noise while providing haptic feedback.
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 haptic feedback on touch screens without adding weight or complexity, maintaining usability and reducing noise, by using capacitive coupling to generate haptic effects through the upper layer of floating electrodes that are not directly connected to signal sources, while maintaining touch sensing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the haptic electrodes are not conductively connected to control electronics
Implementation Method 2
These electrodes are said to be 'floating' because they are not conductively connected to any signal source or to earth or device ground
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic touch screen including a lower layer including a plurality of control electrodes, an upper layer including a plurality of haptic electrodes, a middle layer between the lower layer and upper layer, where the haptic electrodes are not conductively connected to control electronics.