Integrated Touch and Pressure Sensor Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch screens with pressure sensing technology increase device thickness and manufacturing costs due to the addition of separate external pressure sensors, which are not integrated with touch sensors in a single unit.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design that integrates pressure sensing and touch functions by using a substrate layer with a first metal layer containing pressure sensors and metal bridges, an insulating layer, and a second metal layer with touch sensors, where the pressure sensing electrode is disposed below the touch electrodes and connected to a processing chip, allowing both functions to be provided simultaneously through a one-time patterning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate external pressure sensors are added to achieve pressure sensing function, then pressure sensing capability is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pressure sensing and touch sensing functions into a single integrated sensor structure. The pressure sensing electrode and touch sensing electrodes share the same substrate and are fabricated simultaneously, merging two separate sensing functions into one unified component, thereby eliminating the need for additional separate pressure sensor layers that would increase device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect both touch events (through the touch sensing electrodes forming capacitive couples) and pressure events (through the pressure sensing electrode detecting resistance changes). This multi-functional design allows a single sensor layer to replace what would traditionally require separate pressure and touch sensing components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate external pressure sensors are added to achieve pressure sensing function, then pressure sensing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pressure sensing and touch sensing functions into a single integrated sensor structure. The pressure sensing electrode and touch sensing electrodes share the same substrate and are fabricated simultaneously, merging two separate sensing functions into one unified component, thereby eliminating the need for additional separate pressure sensor layers that would increase device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect both touch events (through the touch sensing electrodes forming capacitive couples) and pressure events (through the pressure sensing electrode detecting resistance changes). This multi-functional design allows a single sensor layer to replace what would traditionally require separate pressure and touch sensing components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate external pressure sensors are added to achieve pressure sensing function, then pressure sensing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pressure sensing and touch sensing functions into a single integrated sensor structure. The pressure sensing electrode and touch sensing electrodes share the same substrate and are fabricated simultaneously, merging two separate sensing functions into one unified component, thereby eliminating the need for additional separate pressure sensor layers that would increase device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect both touch events (through the touch sensing electrodes forming capacitive couples) and pressure events (through the pressure sensing electrode detecting resistance changes). This multi-functional design allows a single sensor layer to replace what would traditionally require separate pressure and touch sensing components.
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 integration reduces the thickness and cost of the device while enabling various usage patterns by providing both pressure sensing and touch sensing functions, overcoming the limitations of conventional touch screens with separate pressure sensors.
Implementation Method 1
When an external force is applied to the pressure sensing sensors, the elastic element is deformed, and capacitance values between the two layers of the circuit boards are changed, enabling chips to sense the change of the capacitance values
Implementation Method 2
When an external force is applied to the pressure sensing sensors, the elastic element is deformed, and capacitance values between the two layers of the circuit boards are changed
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel is configured to be disposed on a display panel. The touch panel includes a substrate layer, a first metal layer, an insulating layer covering the first metal layer, a second metal layer, and a protection layer disposed on the second metal layer. The first metal layer includes a plurality of pressure sensors and metal bridges. Each of the pressure sensors includes a pressure sensing electrode. The second metal layer is disposed on the insulating layer and includes a plurality of touch sensors. Each of the touch sensors includes a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes spaced apart and electrically connected to each other through the metal bridges. The pressure sensing electrode is disposed below the first electrodes and the second electrodes and is electrically connected to a processing chip.