Touch Sensor Integrating QTC Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch sensors lack the ability to effectively detect and differentiate the force applied during touch events, which limits their functionality in applications requiring varying responses based on touch intensity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating force detection circuitry and resistive force sensitive elements, such as Quantum Tunneling Composite (QTC) materials, into touch sensors to measure the force applied and differentiate between touch events by quantifying the resistance changes, allowing for threshold-based actions and proportional responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional capacitive touch sensors are used, then touch position detection is achieved, but force detection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines capacitive touch sensing and force sensing into a single integrated sensor structure. The same conductive elements and insulator layers serve both capacitive coupling for touch detection and force-sensitive resistance measurement, eliminating the need for separate sensor systems and reducing overall device complexity while adding force detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive elements and insulator structure perform multiple functions: they provide capacitive coupling for touch position detection and simultaneously act as force-sensitive resistors for force magnitude detection. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to deliver both touch location and force intensity information
2Adaptability or versatility
If force detection circuitry is added to touch sensors, then force differentiation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force detection circuitry is integrated with the existing capacitive touch sensor circuitry. The same conductive elements and control circuits used for capacitive sensing are also employed to measure resistance changes in the force-sensitive composite material, eliminating the need for completely separate detection circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures both capacitance changes (for touch position) and resistance changes (for force magnitude) using the same physical structure. By monitoring different electrical parameters of the same components, the system achieves multiple sensing functions without proportionally increasing circuit complexity
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 differentiation of touch events based on force, allowing devices to perform specific actions or adjust functions according to the applied force, enhancing user interaction and functionality in touch-sensitive devices.
Implementation Method 1
resistive force sensitive elements, such as Quantum Tunneling Composite (QTC) materials, into touch sensors to measure the force applied and differentiate between touch events by quantifying the resistance changes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a touch position sensor. Force detection circuitry can be included with the position sensor, for example, to determine an amount of force applied to a touch panel of the sensor.