Piezoelectric Display Touch and Haptic Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices with integrated touch sensing and haptic feedback functions tend to increase weight and size, necessitating a solution that maintains a slim form factor while ensuring uniform haptic feedback strength.
Innovation Solution
A display device incorporating a display panel with piezoelectric elements, where pressure sensors and haptic devices are arranged on one surface, utilizing piezoelectric polymer layers and electrodes to detect pressure and generate vibration, and a main processor to identify and drive the appropriate piezoelectric elements for optimal haptic feedback based on sensed voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If touch sensor and haptic device are additionally provided in the display device, then touch sensing and haptic feedback functions are actualized, but weight and size of the display device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure sensor and haptic device into a single integrated piezoelectric element structure. The pressure sensor includes first and second electrodes with a first piezoelectric polymer layer, while the haptic device includes third and fourth electrodes with a second piezoelectric polymer layer, both sharing the same structural footprint on the display panel. This merging eliminates the need for separate touch sensor and haptic device components, achieving both functions without increasing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric elements serve dual functions: the first piezoelectric polymer layer between the first and second electrodes acts as a pressure sensor for touch sensing, while the second piezoelectric polymer layer between the third and fourth electrodes functions as a haptic device for generating vibration feedback. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated components, maintaining slim form factor while providing both touch sensing and haptic feedback capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If touch sensor and haptic device are additionally provided in the display device, then touch sensing and haptic feedback functions are actualized, but size of the display device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure sensor and haptic device into a single integrated piezoelectric element structure. The pressure sensor includes first and second electrodes with a first piezoelectric polymer layer, while the haptic device includes third and fourth electrodes with a second piezoelectric polymer layer, both sharing the same structural footprint on the display panel. This merging eliminates the need for separate touch sensor and haptic device components, achieving both functions without increasing size.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic device is positioned on the pressure sensor, creating a nested arrangement where the third electrode includes a third stem electrode and third branch electrodes, and the fourth electrode includes a fourth stem electrode and fourth branch electrodes, with the haptic device structure containing the pressure sensor structure within its footprint. This nesting allows both functions to coexist in the same spatial envelope without increasing the overall device size.
3Device complexity
If piezoelectric elements are arranged on one surface of the display panel, then integration is achieved, but uniform haptic feedback strength throughout the display area must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs branch electrodes that are branched out from stem electrodes in specific patterns. The first branch electrodes and second branch electrodes are arranged in parallel and alternately arranged, while the third branch electrodes and fourth branch electrodes follow similar branching patterns. This local variation in electrode configuration allows customization of vibration characteristics at different locations on the display panel, enabling uniform haptic feedback strength across the entire display area despite the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric polymer layers enable dynamic response to applied voltages. The first piezoelectric polymer layer detects pressure through voltage generation, while the second piezoelectric polymer layer generates vibration through voltage application. This dynamic electromechanical coupling allows real-time adjustment of haptic feedback strength across different regions of the display panel, ensuring uniformity throughout the display area while maintaining integration.
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 enables integration of touch sensing and haptic feedback in a slim display device with uniform haptic feedback strength across the entire display area, enhancing user experience without increasing size or weight.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure applied to a surface opposite to the one surface of the display panel... the first piezoelectric polymer layer between the first electrode and the second electrode
Implementation Method 2
the haptic device includes a third electrode, a fourth electrode, and a second piezoelectric polymer layer between the third electrode and the fourth electrode... configured to generate vibration according to a driving voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display panel, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged on one surface of the display panel, wherein each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements includes a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure applied to a surface opposite to the one surface of the display panel, and a haptic device configured to generate vibration according to a driving voltage.