Touch Sensor With Integrated Piezoelectric Layer for Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensors lack tactile feedback functionality, leading to complex manufacturing processes and suboptimal user experience due to the need for additional tactile sensors, which affect device thickness, light transmittance, flexibility, and weight.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor structure incorporating a transparent silver nanowire or carbon nanotube emitting layer, a piezoelectric PVDF thin film, and a receiving layer, sandwiched between the emitting and piezoelectric layers, with a flexible substrate, enabling integrated tactile feedback without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an extra tactile sensor is added to provide tactile feedback, then the tactile feedback function is improved, but the device thickness, weight, and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tactile sensor functionality directly into the touch sensor structure by integrating a piezoelectric layer between the emitting and receiving layers. This combination eliminates the need for separate tactile sensors and their associated manufacturing processes, thereby providing tactile feedback while reducing overall device complexity and manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both touch detection and tactile feedback capabilities through the integrated piezoelectric layer. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate touch sensor and tactile sensor assemblies, reducing thickness and manufacturing complexity
2Reliability
If an extra tactile sensor is added to provide tactile feedback, then the tactile feedback function is improved, but the device thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile feedback function is merged into the touch sensor structure through the piezoelectric layer, eliminating the need for separate tactile sensor components. This integration significantly reduces the overall weight of the device while maintaining full tactile feedback functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film structures for the piezoelectric layer and other sensor components, enabling tactile feedback functionality with minimal additional weight. The thin film approach allows the sensor to remain lightweight while providing the necessary mechanical and electrical functions
3Reliability
If an extra tactile sensor is added to provide tactile feedback, then the tactile feedback function is improved, but the light transmittance and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses transparent thin film materials for the piezoelectric layer and other sensor components, ensuring that the integrated tactile feedback structure maintains high light transmittance. The thin film approach minimizes optical interference while providing necessary mechanical and electrical functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs transparent piezoelectric materials and optimizes the optical parameters of the sensor layers to maintain high light transmittance. By carefully selecting materials with appropriate optical properties, the tactile feedback function is achieved without compromising display visibility or light transmission
4Device complexity
If the touch sensor structure is simplified by integrating tactile feedback, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but additional process steps are required for the piezoelectric layer
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric layer is integrated into the touch sensor structure during the initial manufacturing process, with the piezoelectric material being applied and processed along with other sensor layers before final assembly. This preliminary integration avoids the need for separate post-assembly steps to add tactile feedback 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 solution simplifies the touch sensor structure and manufacturing process, providing cost-effective tactile feedback while maintaining flexibility and light transmittance, enhancing user experience by integrating tactile feedback directly into the touch sensor.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between the emitting layer and the receiving layer
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor comprises a substrate, and a conductive thin film, the conductive thin film comprising an emitting layer, a receiving layer, and a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between the emitting layer and the receiving layer; the conductive thin film is provided with a conductive pattern region and a conductive channel region. By sandwiching a piezoelectric layer between an emitting layer and a receiving layer, the touch sensor integrates a touch feedback function, the structural technology is simple, and the cost is low.