Integral Touch Force Sensing Apparatus with Resilient Dielectric Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional force touch control panels face challenges due to high sensor costs, complex assembly processes, and limited sensitivity, necessitating an improvement in force sensing technology for compact and lightweight mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
An integral sensing apparatus with a substrate having polygonal touch sensing electrodes and a resilient dielectric layer, combined with a capacitance sensing circuit that sends specific signals to both touch and force sensing electrodes to enhance sensitivity and reduce interference, allowing for precise touch and force detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional microelectromechanical sensors are integrated at edge or corner of display panel, then force sensing capability is achieved, but sensor cost is high and assembling is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges touch sensing and force sensing functions into a single integrated sensing apparatus. The same capacitance sensing circuit and electrode structure are used for both touch detection and force measurement, eliminating the need for separate microelectromechanical sensors and their complex assembly processes
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing apparatus performs multiple functions using the same components. The capacitance sensing circuit can operate in different modes (touch sensing mode and force sensing mode) by selectively activating different electrodes, making the system universal and eliminating the need for dedicated force sensors
2Measurement precision
If deformable resilient microstructure with complicated process is used, then relevance between force and deformed degree is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical deformable resilient microstructure with an electrical field-based sensing mechanism. Instead of measuring physical deformation through complex microstructures, the system uses capacitance changes caused by dielectric layer deformation, which can be detected electrically without requiring complicated mechanical sensor fabrication
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects force by measuring changes in capacitance parameters rather than direct mechanical deformation. The resilient dielectric layer's deformation under force changes the capacitance between electrodes, and this electrical parameter change is easier to measure and process than mechanical displacement
3Measurement precision
If augmented physical variation is used to improve force sensing, then sensing precision is enhanced, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing apparatus uses its own existing structures (electrodes and dielectric layer) to perform force sensing without requiring additional external components. The same capacitance sensing circuit that detects touch also detects force through appropriate signal processing, making the system self-sufficient
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 provides improved sensitivity and precision in touch and force sensing operations by minimizing interference and deforming influence, enabling more accurate detection of touch and force events with reduced complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient dielectric layer arranged between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the resilient dielectric layer being compressively deformed under pressure and restoring to original shape and volume if pressure is not present
Implementation Method 2
a capacitance sensing circuit electrically connected to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer
Data Source
AI summary
An integral sensing apparatus includes an upper substrate having a first electrode layer with a plurality of polygonal touch sensing electrodes staggered to each other, a second electrode layer having at least one force sensing electrode, a dielectric layer, and a capacitance sensing circuit. In touch sensing operation, the capacitance sensing circuit sends a touch capacitance-exciting signal to a selected touch sensing electrode and obtains a touch sensing signal therefrom, wherein an auxiliary signal with same phase as the touch capacitance-exciting signal is sent to at least one corresponding force sensing electrode. In force sensing operation, the capacitance sensing circuit sends a force capacitance-exciting signal to the at least one corresponding force sensing electrode and obtains a force sensing signal from the force sensing electrode.