Integrated Touch Sensing Unit Merging Force and Touch Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch sensing units in electronic devices require separate force sensors to detect pressure input, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Integration of force sensor electrodes within the touch sensing unit's force sensing area allows for the detection of both touch and pressure input without the need for additional force sensors, reducing manufacturing costs by forming these electrodes in a single layer with touch sensing electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate force sensors are used to detect pressure input, then pressure detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines force sensor electrodes and touch sensing electrodes into a single integrated touch sensing unit structure. The force sensor electrodes are formed in the same layer as the touch sensing electrodes, eliminating the need for separate force sensor components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining both pressure and touch detection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated touch sensing unit performs multiple functions: it detects both touch input (through touch sensing electrodes) and pressure input (through force sensor electrodes) within a single structure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated force sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate force sensors are used to detect pressure input, then pressure detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensor electrodes and touch sensing electrodes are merged into a single integrated structure formed in the same layer during the same manufacturing process. This consolidation reduces the number of manufacturing steps, materials required, and assembly operations, thereby lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining pressure detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated touch sensing unit provides multi-functionality by detecting both touch and pressure input through a single structure. This eliminates the need for separate force sensor manufacturing, reducing material costs, fabrication costs, and assembly costs associated with integrating separate 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
Enables cost-effective and simplified detection of touch and pressure inputs, reducing the complexity and cost of manufacturing the touch sensing unit while maintaining effective input detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
force sensors capable of detecting force applied by a user have been employed in the small-size electronic device as input devices
Implementation Method 2
The touch sensing unit detects touch input from a user and returns the location of the touch input as touch input coordinates
Data Source
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AI summary
A touch sensor includes touch electrodes in a first area and a second area, a first force sensor electrode on a same layer as the touch electrodes and spaced from a first touch electrode in the first area, a first force sensor line on a same layer as the touch electrodes and electrically connected to the first force sensor electrode, the first force sensor line being at a second side of the first touch electrode, and touch lines on a same layer as, and connected to, the touch electrodes, the touch lines including a first touch line connected to the first touch electrode and at a first side of the first touch electrode.