Rear Face Pressure Sensor Using Capacitive Conductive Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices lack effective integration of pressure sensors on rear and side faces for input functionality, limiting their use as input devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating pressure sensors with conductive patterns and dielectric layers on the rear and side faces of electronic devices, utilizing changes in capacitance to generate outputs, allowing for pressure sensing and input operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pressure sensors are mounted on the rear face and side face of the electronic device, then input functionality is enhanced and user interaction is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensor integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rear face and side face of the housing are equipped with pressure sensors that serve multiple functions: they detect pressing inputs, determine pressing positions, and enable various input operations. This multi-functional use of the pressure sensing system enhances adaptability while managing complexity through unified sensor integration across different surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends pressure sensing capability from the traditional front face to the rear face and side faces of the housing, adding spatial dimensions for input. This dimensional expansion allows users to interact with the device from multiple orientations, enhancing versatility without requiring additional internal components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pressure sensors are integrated on the rear face and side face, then additional input capabilities are achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to precise sensor placement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensing system is segmented into multiple independent sensing regions: front face pressure sensor, rear face pressure sensor, and side face pressure sensor. Each sensor can be independently integrated into the housing structure, allowing for modular manufacturing and assembly, which simplifies the overall manufacturing process despite the multiple sensing locations.
3Measurement precision
If conductive material and dielectric layer are added to the housing structure for pressure sensing, then pressure detection accuracy is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensing structure utilizes thin film dielectric layers and conductive patterns integrated into the housing. These thin-film components provide the necessary capacitive sensing functionality with high measurement precision while minimizing additional weight, as the dielectric layer and conductive material are applied as thin coatings rather than bulk materials.
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 the use of pressure sensors on rear and side faces for input functions, enhancing user interaction and simplifying device design by eliminating the need for additional input keys.
Implementation Method 1
The second pressure sensor may be configured to generate an output on the basis of a change in capacitance associated with the conductive pattern, the conductive material, and the dielectric layer
Implementation Method 2
a dielectric layer disposed between the conductive pattern and the conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an electronic device equipped with a pressure sensor according to various embodiments. The electronic device may include: a housing including a first face facing a first direction and a second face facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and including a conductive material provided on at least a portion of the second face; a touch screen display disposed between the first face and second face of the housing and exposed through the first face; a first pressure sensor disposed between the touch screen display and the second face of the housing and configured to sense pressure of an external object for the touch screen display; a second pressure sensor coupled to the second face of the housing and configured to sense pressure of an external object for the second face of the housing; and a support member spaced apart from the second face of the housing in the second direction. The second pressure sensor may include: a conductive pattern disposed between the support member and the conductive material; and a dielectric layer disposed between the conductive pattern and the conductive material. The second pressure sensor may be configured to generate an output on the basis of a change in capacitance associated with the conductive pattern, the conductive material, and the dielectric layer. Various embodiments may be possible for the pressure sensor.