Touch Sensing Apparatus With Varying Trigger Forces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels cannot sense touch force along the Z-direction due to the lack of piezoresistive characteristics in their transparent electrode materials, limiting their ability to detect force in addition to touch position on the XY plane.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensing apparatus with multiple unit regions, each comprising a first substrate with a first electrode layer, a second substrate with a second electrode layer, and a spacer structure between them, where the sensing units within each region have varying sensing trigger forces, allowing for the estimation of touch force by analyzing the triggered units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If transparent electrode material is used in conventional touch panels, then transparency and touch position sensing are achieved, but piezoresistive characteristics are lost and touch force sensing capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel is divided into multiple sensing units with different sensing trigger forces. Each sensing unit has unique piezoresistive characteristics, allowing the system to segment the sensing capability across different force thresholds while maintaining transparency through the use of transparent conductive materials in each unit
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the touch panel have sensing units with locally optimized piezoresistive characteristics. Each sensing unit is designed with specific piezoresistive properties tailored to its function, enabling localized force sensing while the overall panel maintains transparency through transparent electrode materials
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional touch panel manufacturing method is used, then simple structure and ease of manufacture are achieved, but ability to sense touch force along Z-direction is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel is segmented into multiple sensing units that can be manufactured using conventional processes. Each sensing unit is designed independently with specific piezoresistive characteristics, allowing standard manufacturing techniques to be applied while achieving advanced force sensing capabilities through the segmented architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel employs composite structures combining transparent conductive materials with piezoresistive elements. This composite approach integrates the transparency of conventional materials with the force-sensing capability of piezoresistive materials, maintaining manufacturing compatibility while adding Z-direction sensing functionality
3Stability of the object's composition
If sensing units with identical trigger forces are used, then uniform response is achieved, but touch force estimation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensing unit is assigned a specific sensing trigger force based on its local function and position. This local quality differentiation allows the system to maintain overall stability through systematic design while achieving precise touch force estimation by comparing responses across units with varying trigger forces
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing units dynamically respond to applied force based on their individual trigger force thresholds. This dynamic response characteristic enables the system to estimate touch force by analyzing which units are activated, transforming the static uniformity into a dynamic measurement mechanism that preserves stability while enabling force estimation
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 touch force in the Z-direction in addition to touch position on the XY plane, enhancing the sensitivity and applicability of touch sensing systems in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The transparent electrode material of the touch panel does not have a piezoresistive characteristic, so that when the user touches the touch panel, the touch panel can only sense a touch position on an XY plane, and cannot sense a touch force along a Z-direction
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensing apparatus has a plurality of unit regions, and each of the unit regions includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a spacer structure. The first substrate has a first electrode layer thereon. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate and has a second electrode thereon. The spacer structure is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. In particular, there are plural of sensing units in each of the unit regions, and sensing trigger forces of the sensing units in the unit region are not completely the same.