Touch Sensor With Elastic Members For Pressure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern touchscreens face challenges in accurately detecting pressure and intensity of touch inputs while maintaining image visibility and minimizing noise interference from the display panel.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensor system comprising a display panel with a touch sensor and a conductive layer, featuring first and second electrodes separated by elastic members, which calculates touch position and intensity by monitoring capacitance variations caused by pressure, and a conductive layer to prevent charge absorption from touch tools, enhancing visibility and reducing noise interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a touch sensor is integrated with a display panel to enable pressure sensitivity, then touch detection capability is improved, but noise interference from the display panel increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure detection accuracyVSAvoidnoise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An elastic member is introduced as an intermediary element between the first electrode and the second electrode. This elastic member deforms in response to touch pressure, causing relative movement between the electrodes that generates a detectable capacitance signal, while physically separating the electrodes to reduce direct noise coupling from the display panel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If electrodes are placed close together to improve touch sensitivity, then detection sensitivity is improved, but charge absorption from touch tools increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection sensitivityVSAvoidcharge absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member serves as a mediator that transmits mechanical pressure from the touch tool to the electrodes without requiring direct contact between the touch tool and the electrodes. This indirect coupling reduces charge absorption while maintaining detection sensitivity through elastic deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct electrical contact between the touch tool and electrodes with a mechanical coupling system using the elastic member. The mechanical deformation of the elastic member converts touch pressure into electrical signals through capacitance change, avoiding direct charge transfer and reducing charge absorption effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a conductive layer is added to prevent charge absorption, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise interferenceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member performs multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits mechanical pressure to generate detection signals, provides physical separation between electrodes to reduce noise coupling, and acts as a mechanical coupling element that prevents direct charge absorption. This multi-functionality avoids the need for additional conductive layers or noise shielding structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

The system provides high touch sensitivity and accurate pressure detection while maintaining image clarity and minimizing recognition errors, effectively addressing the limitations of existing touchscreens.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of elastic members disposed between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

calculate a variation a of capacitance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes that is caused by a transformation of the elastic member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10296149B2Touch sensor configured to detect touch pressure and display device including the same

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel, a touch sensor, and a conductive layer. The touch sensor is disposed on the display panel, and is configured to detect a pressure of a touch and calculate a position and an intensity of the touch. The conductive layer is disposed on the touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes spaced apart from the plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of elastic members disposed between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. The display device is configured to calculate a variation a of capacitance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes that is caused by a transformation of the elastic member in response to the pressure of the touch.