Piezoelectric Touch Panel Force Detection via Charge Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panel technologies face challenges in accurately determining the magnitude of touch force with variable sensitivity across the panel, leading to complex calculations, reduced battery life, and increased processing resources, while capacitive touch-based systems are costly and require calibration.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel incorporating a piezoelectric film with matrix-addressed force determination pixels, which generates a charge to determine the location and magnitude of touch force, reducing processing resources, cost, and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If deflection-based techniques are used to determine touch force magnitude, then force detection capability is achieved, but sensitivity varies across the panel and complex calculations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical deflection-based detection system with a piezoelectric sensing system. Instead of measuring physical deflection of the touch panel and performing complex calculations to derive force magnitude, the piezoelectric film directly converts mechanical stress from touch into electrical signals, providing linear and accurate force measurement without requiring complex computational algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from indirect deflection measurement to direct piezoelectric charge generation. By utilizing the piezoelectric effect, the system transforms the physical quantity being measured from mechanical displacement to electrical charge, which is directly proportional to applied force, thereby simplifying the measurement process and improving accuracy
2Measurement precision
If deflection-based techniques are used to determine touch force magnitude, then force detection capability is achieved, but processing resources are reduced and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical deflection-based detection system with a piezoelectric sensing system. Instead of measuring physical deflection of the touch panel and performing complex calculations to derive force magnitude, the piezoelectric film directly converts mechanical stress from touch into electrical signals, providing linear and accurate force measurement without requiring complex computational algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric film generates its own electrical signal in response to mechanical stress without requiring external power activation for each measurement. The material inherently converts mechanical energy to electrical energy, enabling passive sensing that minimizes active processing and reduces power consumption compared to systems requiring continuous active measurement and computation
3Measurement precision
If capacitive touch-based systems are used, then touch location determination is achieved, but cost is increased and calibration is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the piezoelectric film into the existing touch panel structure, allowing it to serve dual functions: maintaining capacitive touch location determination capabilities while simultaneously providing accurate force magnitude measurement. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate calibration systems and reduces overall manufacturing cost by utilizing a single layered structure for multiple sensing functions
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 provides improved sensitivity, reduced power requirements, and cost-effectiveness by using piezoelectric film-based touch panels, enabling efficient and accurate touch force determination without the need for deflection-based techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The force determination set of layers may include a piezoelectric layer with a set of force determination pixels
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a touch panel. The touch panel may include a cover layer, of a plurality of layers, configured to receive a touch force applied to the touch panel. The touch panel may include a force determination set of layers, of the plurality of layers, to determine a magnitude of the touch force applied to the touch panel. The force determination set of layers may include a piezoelectric layer with a set of force determination pixels. The set of force determination pixels may be arranged in a matrix to address the set of force determination pixels. A force determination pixel may be configured to generate a charge for determining a location of the touch force applied to the touch panel and a magnitude of the touch force applied to the touch panel.