Touch Electrode Layout With Piezo Haptics and Force Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch-sensitive user input devices face challenges in providing haptic feedback without increasing thickness or complexity, as they require additional layers for force sensing and haptic output, which is undesirable in space-constrained devices like smartphones and laptops.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating piezoelectric transducers coupled with the electrode layers, allowing the drive/sense circuitry to sense position and force/pressure changes and generate haptic outputs without an additional haptic transducer layer, thereby maintaining device thickness while providing tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional layers are added for force sensing and haptic output, then haptic feedback capability is improved, but device thickness and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines force sensing and haptic output functions with the existing electrode layers by integrating piezoelectric transducers into the first electrode layer. This merging approach allows the same structural elements to serve multiple functions (touch sensing, force sensing, and haptic feedback) without adding separate dedicated layers, thereby improving haptic capability while avoiding increased structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The first electrode layer is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the touch sensing electrode and the force sensing electrode, while also providing the haptic feedback interface. The piezoelectric transducers integrated into this layer enable it to both sense force/pressure and generate haptic outputs, making the structure universal and multi-functional
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional layers are added for force sensing and haptic output, then haptic feedback capability is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges force sensing and haptic output functions into the existing electrode layer structure, specifically integrating piezoelectric transducers into the first electrode layer. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated force sensing and haptic layers, thereby achieving haptic feedback capability without increasing device thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric transducers are nested within or integrated into the first electrode layer structure. This nesting approach allows the haptic and force sensing functions to be embedded within the existing layer rather than adding external layers, thus maintaining compact device thickness while enabling advanced 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 the detection of user input position and force/pressure, along with haptic output, in a compact form factor, reducing the overall thickness and complexity of the user input device.
Implementation Method 1
at least one piezoelectric transducer, wherein an electrode of the at least one piezoelectric transducer is coupled to the first plurality of electrodes of the first electrode layer
Implementation Method 2
the drive/sense circuitry to sense position and force/pressure changes and generate haptic outputs
Data Source
AI summary
A touch-sensitive user input device comprising: a first electrode layer comprising a first plurality of electrodes; a second electrode layer comprising a second plurality of electrodes; an insulating layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and at least one piezoelectric transducer, wherein an electrode of the at least one piezoelectric transducer is coupled to the first plurality of electrodes of the first electrode layer.