Touch Sensor Layer Openings for Metal-Housing Wireless Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with metal housings interfere with wireless charging performance, affecting user satisfaction due to disrupted charging power transmission.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a touchpad with a sensor layer, electrode patterns, and openings, along with a ground layer aligned with the electrode patterns, and a wireless charging coil positioned below the touchpad to transmit charging power through these openings, enhancing wireless charging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal is used for the housing of the electronic device, then the housing provides structural strength and aesthetic appearance, but the transmission of charging power produced by a wireless power transmission coil is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into metal portions and non-metal portions, allowing the metal housing to provide structural strength while the non-metal portions (with openings) allow wireless charging power transmission. The touchpad structure is divided into electrode patterns and openings, creating pathways for electromagnetic waves to pass through the otherwise blocking metal housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing has different material properties in different locations - metal material in most areas for strength and appearance, and non-metal material with openings in specific areas where wireless charging transmission is needed. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of structural integrity and wireless charging functionality.
2Measurement precision
If a continuous electrode pattern is used in the touchpad, then the touch detection function is improved, but the transmission of charging power is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous electrode pattern is segmented into discrete electrode segments separated by openings. This segmentation allows the electrode pattern to maintain touch detection functionality through the segments while creating pathways for wireless charging power transmission through the gaps between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchpad electrode pattern is designed with a porous structure containing multiple openings distributed throughout. This porous design allows electromagnetic waves to pass through the touchpad structure while the remaining electrode material maintains sufficient connectivity for touch detection sensing.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ground layer is not aligned with the electrode pattern, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but capacitance changes occur affecting touch detection and wireless charging
Solution Approach 1:
The ground layer is aligned with the electrode pattern to create equipotential regions that stabilize capacitance values. This alignment ensures that the ground reference potential is consistently positioned relative to the sensing electrodes, preventing unwanted capacitance variations that would affect both touch detection accuracy and wireless charging performance.
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
Improves wireless charging performance by preventing capacitance changes and ensuring uninterrupted power transmission, thus enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the electronic device may be capable of charging a battery via a wireless charging function without using a separate charging cable. For example, the electronic device may be capable of charging a battery of the electronic device via electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic resonance that is produced between a wireless power transmission device (e.g., a wireless power transmission coil) and a wireless power reception device
Implementation Method 2
The performance of the battery-sharing function may be related to the quality of the material of the electronic device (e.g., the quality of the material of the housing). For example, if metal is used for the housing of the electronic device, the transmission of charging power produced by a wireless power transmission coil may be disturbed.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a wireless charging function and a method thereof, and the electronic device that supports the wireless charging function may include a housing, a first sensor layer, disposed inside the housing and including a first electrode pattern and a plurality of first openings formed in the first electrode pattern, a second sensor layer, disposed below the first sensor layer and including a second electrode pattern and a plurality of second openings formed in the second electrode pattern, and a wireless charging coil, disposed below the second sensor layer and configured to transmit power via the plurality of first openings and the plurality of second openings in a wireless manner.