Capacitive Touch Sensor With Suspension Electrodes for Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch sensors and display devices can only sense touch positions in a two-dimensional plane and cannot detect touch force, requiring a separate pressure sensor that complicates the production process and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor design incorporating first and second touch electrodes with suspension electrodes and connecting bridges to form capacitors for pressure sensing, allowing for the detection of touch force without additional pressure sensors, simplifying the production process and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate pressure sensor is added to the touch screen to sense touch force, then the touch force detection capability is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure sensing function with the existing capacitance touch screen electrodes by adding suspension electrodes that form capacitors with the touch electrodes. This integration eliminates the need for separate pressure sensors, thereby reducing device complexity and production cost while maintaining touch force detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch electrodes in the patent serve dual functions: detecting touch position (X/Y coordinates) and detecting touch force (Z-axis pressure) through the suspension electrode capacitors. This multi-functionality allows a single component to perform multiple sensing tasks, reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a separate pressure sensor is added to the touch screen to sense touch force, then the touch force detection capability is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure sensing function into the existing touch electrode structure by incorporating suspension electrodes that form capacitors. This integration eliminates the need for separate pressure sensor components, thereby reducing material costs and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch electrodes themselves serve the dual purpose of position detection and pressure sensing through the suspension electrode mechanism. The existing electrode structure provides the sensing function without requiring additional dedicated pressure sensing components, making the system self-sufficient.
3Device complexity
If only traditional capacitance electrodes are used, then the structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the Z-axis pressure sensing function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode structure by adding separate suspension electrodes that are electrically connected to the touch electrodes through connecting bridges. This segmentation allows the suspension electrodes to specifically detect pressure-induced capacitance changes while the main touch electrodes continue to detect touch position, thereby adding pressure sensing functionality without completely redesigning the existing simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the sensing capability from the two-dimensional X/Y plane to the three-dimensional Z-axis by introducing suspension electrodes that detect vertical pressure. This dimensional extension allows the touch screen to sense pressure force while maintaining the original planar electrode structure for position detection.
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-axis direction, enhancing the functionality of touch screens by integrating pressure sensing into the existing capacitance type touch screen structure, thereby simplifying production and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the first suspension electrode is coupled to one of the first touch electrodes to form a capacitor for sensing pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor and a display device are provided, which include a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode, wherein a border area of the first touch electrode is provided with at least one suspension electrode, and a border area of the second touch electrode is provided with at least one suspension electrode, and the suspension electrodes on the adjacent first touch electrode and second touch electrode are connected by a connecting bridge. Such a touch sensor can realize the sensing of the touch intensity and simplify the production process, thereby saving the production cost of the product.