Mutual Capacitance Touch Force Sensing Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional force touch control panels are costly and difficult to assemble, with complex processes required for effective force sensing, and existing technologies struggle to improve force touch control panels effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mutual capacitance integral sensing apparatus comprising multiple electrode layers and a resilient dielectric layer, with a capacitance sensing module that applies touch and force driving signals to select electrodes to detect touch and force events, utilizing a protection layer and a substrate for enhanced sensing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional microelectromechanical sensors are integrated at edge or corner of display panel, then force sensing capability is achieved, but cost increases and assembling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines touch sensing and force sensing functions into a single integrated sensing apparatus using mutual capacitance measurement. The same electrode layers (first electrode layer with plurality of first electrodes, second electrode layer with plurality of second electrodes) and capacitance sensing module serve dual purposes: detecting touch position and measuring applied force, eliminating the need for separate microelectromechanical sensors and simplifying assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing apparatus achieves multi-functionality by using the electrode layers and capacitance sensing module to perform both touch detection and force measurement. The system can identify touch events and simultaneously measure touch force intensity, allowing a single component to serve multiple sensing functions that previously required separate specialized 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 complex mechanical deformable resilient microstructures with an electrical sensing approach based on mutual capacitance measurement. Instead of relying on mechanical deformation of specialized microstructures, the system uses changes in capacitance values between electrode layers to detect force, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects force by measuring changes in capacitance parameters rather than mechanical deformation. The capacitance sensing module monitors capacitance variations between the first and second electrode layers, which change in response to applied force, providing an electrical measurement approach that avoids complex mechanical structures
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrode layers with resilient dielectric layer are used, then touch and force sensing capability is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a third electrode layer to the traditional two-layer mutual capacitance structure, creating a three-dimensional sensing architecture. This third electrode layer, positioned between the first and second electrode layers with resilient dielectric material, enables force sensing capability while maintaining the mutual capacitance measurement approach, effectively adding a new sensing dimension without completely redesigning the system
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 apparatus provides improved touch and force sensing capabilities with reduced complexity and cost, effectively identifying touch and force events by using a capacitance sensing module to differentiate between touch and force signals through strategically arranged electrodes and a resilient dielectric layer.
Implementation Method 1
in touch sensing operation, the capacitance sensing module configured to select a plurality of second electrodes and a plurality of first electrodes, the capacitance sensing module configured to sequentially or randomly apply a touch driving signal to the selected second electrodes and sequentially or randomly receive a touch sensing signal from the selected first electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a resilient dielectric layer arranged between the second electrode layer and the third electrode layer; in force sensing operation, the capacitance sensing module configured to perform force sensing by using the second electrodes and the at least one third electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A mutual capacitance integral sensing apparatus for touch and force sensing includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a protection layer, a resilient dielectric layer and a capacitance sensing module. The first electrode layer includes a plurality of first electrodes extended along a first direction; the second electrode layer includes a plurality of second electrodes extended along a second direction; and the third electrode layer includes at least one third electrode extended along the first direction; where the first direction is substantially vertical to the second direction. In touch sensing operation, the capacitance sensing module sequentially or randomly applies a touch driving signal to selected ones of the second electrodes, and sequentially or randomly receives a touch sensing signal from selected ones of the first electrodes. In force sensing operation, the capacitance sensing module senses applied force through the second electrodes and the third electrode.