Touch Sensor with Integrated Strain Gauges for Pressure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices lack the capability to simultaneously detect the pressure and position of a touch input, relying on separate physical buttons which are being replaced by touch sensors.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor design that incorporates a base layer with first and second electrode members, strain gauges, and signal lines to sense both the pressure and position of a touch input, allowing for integrated pressure detection within a display device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch sensor is used to detect touch position, then the convenience of touch input is improved, but the capability to detect pressure magnitude is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a touch sensor and a pressure sensor into a single integrated sensor structure. The touch sensor detects touch position through electrode intersections, while the pressure sensor detects pressure magnitude through strain gauge resistance changes. Both sensing functions are merged in one device, eliminating the need for separate physical buttons and providing both position and pressure information simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor serves multiple functions: it detects both touch position (through the touch sensor electrodes) and pressure magnitude (through the strain gauges). This multi-functional design replaces what previously required separate components, allowing the single sensor to provide comprehensive input information for various user interactions.
2Measurement precision
If separate physical buttons are used for pressure detection, then pressure magnitude can be detected, but the device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using separate physical buttons for pressure detection, the patent merges the pressure sensing function into the touch sensor structure. The strain gauges are integrated with the touch sensor electrodes, allowing both touch position and pressure magnitude to be detected by a single unified structure, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible strain gauge structures that can deform in response to applied pressure. These thin, flexible sensing elements are integrated into the touch sensor structure, allowing pressure detection without adding significant bulk or complexity to the device. The flexible nature of the strain gauges enables them to conform to the touch sensor structure while providing accurate pressure measurements.
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 display device to accurately detect touch pressure and position, enhancing user interaction by replacing physical buttons with a more intuitive and responsive touch interface.
Implementation Method 1
a first strain gauge comprising a portion located in the first opening and disposed in a first electrode row among electrode rows of the first electrode members; a second strain gauge comprising a portion located in the second opening and disposed in a first row among rows of the second touch electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a touch sensor and a display device. The touch sensor includes a base layer; first electrode members arranged on the base layer in a first direction and spaced apart from one another in a second direction intersecting the first direction, each of the first electrode members including a first opening and a plurality of first touch electrodes electrically connected to one another in the first direction; second electrode members arranged on the base layer in the second direction and spaced apart from one another in the first direction, each of the second electrode members including a second opening and a plurality of second touch electrodes electrically connected to one another in the second direction intersecting the first direction; a first strain gauge including a portion located in the first opening and disposed in a first electrode row among electrode rows of the first electrode members; a second strain gauge including a portion located in the second opening and disposed in a first row among rows of the second touch electrodes; a first signal line connected to one end of the first strain gauge; a second signal line connected to another end of the first strain gauge and spaced apart from the first signal line; a third signal line connected to one end of the second strain gauge and the second signal line; and a fourth signal line connected to another end of the second strain gauge and spaced apart from the third signal line.