Touch Display Device With Gap Structure For Force Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch-based user interfaces are limited in their ability to provide a wide range of functions and types, as they can only detect touch positions and not the varying forces applied by users, which restricts their functionality and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A touch display device with a gap structure unit between first and second electrodes, allowing the gap size to change with touch force, enabling the detection of both touch position and force, and a backlight unit that integrates this technology to reduce device thickness and prevent warping, which maintains uniform force sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touch display device uses only point detection electrodes, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot detect touch force magnitude, limiting functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The first electrode structure serves dual functions: it acts as both a touch position detection electrode and a touch force detection electrode. By utilizing the same electrode for both capacitance-based position sensing and force sensing, the patent avoids adding separate electrode structures, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while enabling versatile touch functions including both position and force detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent detects touch force by measuring changes in capacitance parameters between the first electrode and second electrode. As touch force magnitude changes the gap distance between electrodes, the capacitance value changes accordingly. This parameter-based detection method enables force sensing without requiring additional complex hardware structures
2Measurement precision
If the gap between first and second electrodes is reduced to improve force sensing sensitivity, then force detection precision improves, but the device thickness is reduced and structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gap structure unit with localized gaps between the first and second electrodes. These gaps are strategically positioned to maintain structural stability in critical areas while allowing controlled capacitance changes in detection regions. The gap structure unit creates local variations in electrode spacing that enable precise force sensing without compromising overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The gap structure unit acts as an intermediary element between the first and second electrodes. It mediates the interaction between these electrodes by providing controlled spacing that allows capacitance changes for force detection while preventing direct contact and maintaining structural stability. The gap structure unit translates mechanical force into electrical signals without requiring the electrodes to be in direct contact
3Length of stationary object
If the backlight unit structure is simplified to reduce device thickness, then overall device thickness decreases, but warping occurs that disrupts force sensing uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the backlight unit structure dynamic by introducing a support structure that can adapt to maintain the gap between electrodes. The support structure allows the backlight unit to flex or adjust locally to compensate for warping, ensuring that the gap distance between first and second electrodes remains consistent across different regions. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains force sensing uniformity even in thinner device configurations
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 a touch display device to sense touch positions and forces uniformly across the screen, enhancing functionality and maintaining device thickness, while preventing warping that could disrupt force sensing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A sensing electrode structure is disposed on the first substrate for producing a first capacitance between the sensing electrode structure and an exterior object... producing a second capacitance between the shielding layer and the sensing electrode structure when the exterior object is pressed and causes the gap to vary
Data Source
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AI summary
Discussed is a touch display device able to sense a touch position of a user touch and an amount of user touching force. A case disposed below the backlight unit is used as a touching force sensing electrode, enabling a touch display device to sense touch force using the case. A gap is formed by an open area in the bottom cover of the backlight unit, enabling the user touching force to be sensed without an increase in the thickness of the touch display device.