Piezoelectric Electrostatic Touch Terminal for Multi-Mode Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch type input terminals can only accept inputs through a direct touch on the operation surface, limiting them to single-point interactions and preventing other forms of operation inputs.

Innovation Solution

A touch type input terminal combining a piezoelectric sensor and an electrostatic sensor with a displacement detecting unit and an operation content analyzing unit, allowing for input detection through both touch and displacement (bend or twist) interactions, utilizing a piezoelectric film made of L-type polylactic acid (PLLA) with uniaxial drawing and biaxial drawing for enhanced sensitivity and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If only an electrostatic capacity detection type touch sensor is used, then the structure is simple, but only touch position can be detected and other operation inputs cannot be accepted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation input capabilityVSAvoidsensor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines an electrostatic capacity detection type touch sensor and a pressure sensitive sensor into a single touch panel structure. The electrostatic sensor detects touch position through capacitance changes, while the pressure sensitive sensor simultaneously detects pressing force through mechanical deformation. This merging allows the device to accept both touch position inputs and pressing force inputs, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch panel is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting touch position via the electrostatic sensor and detecting pressing force via the pressure sensitive sensor. This multi-functional design enables the single device to accept various operation inputs including both positional information and force information, achieving versatility without requiring separate devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a pressure sensitive sensor and electrostatic sensor are superimposed, then both touch position and pressing force can be detected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor layer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrostatic capacity detection type touch sensor and the pressure sensitive sensor into a superimposed structure where both sensors are integrated within the same touch panel assembly. This allows simultaneous detection of touch position and pressing force through a unified sensor system, achieving precise multi-parameter detection while managing structural complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The superimposed sensor structure provides multi-functional detection capabilities within a single touch panel device. The electrostatic sensor layer detects touch position through capacitance changes, while the pressure sensitive sensor layer detects pressing force through mechanical deformation. This universal design enables one device to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional touch sensors are used, then the structure is simple, but bending or twisting operations cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation type detectionVSAvoidsensor system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines electrostatic capacity detection and pressure sensitive detection in a single integrated touch panel system. This merged structure enables detection of multiple operation types including touch position, pressing force, bending, and twisting by utilizing the complementary capabilities of both sensor types working together in superimposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch panel achieves universal detection capability for various operation types including touch, press, bend, and twist operations. The electrostatic sensor detects positional information while the pressure sensitive sensor detects force and deformation information, together providing comprehensive operation detection across multiple interaction modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 various operation inputs, including control commands for remote control functions like channel switching and volume adjustment, by detecting touch positions and displacement states, thereby expanding input capabilities beyond simple touch interactions.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric sensor (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

an electrostatic sensor (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacity detection: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2816453B1Touch-style input terminal
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 MURATA MFG CO LTD
  • EP2816453B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(C)
  • EP2816453B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3(B)
  • EP2816453B1 patent drawingFigure 4(A)~5

AI summary

Provided is a touch type input terminal capable of carrying out various operation inputs. A touch type input terminal (1) includes a base substrate (501), a piezoelectric sensor (12) and an electrostatic sensor (13) which are flat membrane-shaped, respectively. The electrostatic sensor (13) includes a plurality of segment electrodes (401) on a first main surface of a base film (301) and a plurality of common electrodes (402) on a second main surface. The piezoelectric sensor (12) includes a piezoelectric film (101) formed of PLLA drawn uniaxially. Displacement detecting electrodes (201, 202, 203, 204) are formed on a third main surface to be one of main surfaces of the piezoelectric film (101) so as to divide the third main surface into four portions. Displacement detecting electrodes (201R, 202R, 203R, 204R) are formed on a fourth main surface to be the other main surface of the piezoelectric film (101) so as to be opposed to the displacement detecting electrodes (201, 202, 203, 204) on the third main surface.