Capacitive Touchscreen Water Ingress Detection for Smart Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart terminals, particularly watches and mobile phones, face challenges in identifying water ingress risks due to increased design complexity and cost from enhanced waterproofing measures, and existing methods are inadequate in distinguishing between finger touches and water presence on capacitive touch screens.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize the variation in capacitance signals of a capacitive touch screen by connecting and disconnecting a ground wire to the chip ground to differentiate between finger touches and water presence, triggering alerts and reminders to prevent water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If waterproofing measures such as adding waterproof silicone rings are implemented, then waterproofing grade is improved, but design and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical waterproofing structures (silicone rings, seals) with an electrical detection system. The capacitive touch screen detects water ingress through changes in capacitance values, substituting physical sealing mechanisms with electronic sensing to identify water presence and trigger protective responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a detection module as an intermediary between the water ingress hazard and the protective response. This module monitors capacitance changes and serves as a mediator that triggers alerts or protective measures before water causes damage, rather than relying solely on physical barriers.
2Reliability
If waterproofing measures such as adding waterproof silicone rings are implemented, then waterproofing grade is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical waterproofing components with a cost-effective electronic detection system using the existing capacitive touch screen, eliminating the need for additional waterproofing materials and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the existing capacitive touch screen components to perform dual functions: user interaction and water ingress detection. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate waterproofing detection sensors, reducing component costs and simplifying manufacturing.
3Reliability
If waterproofing measures such as adding waterproof silicone rings are implemented, then waterproofing grade is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visible mechanical waterproofing elements with an invisible electronic detection system, maintaining the clean aesthetic design while providing water ingress protection through capacitive sensing without adding visible seals or rings.
4Reliability
If USB port protection measures are implemented, then protection against short-circuiting is improved, but design difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the capacitive touch screen serve multiple functions: user interface operation and water ingress detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate USB port protection mechanisms, reducing design complexity while maintaining protection capabilities.
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
Effectively identifies water ingress risks on smart terminals without increasing design complexity, reducing the risk of component damage by promptly alerting users and recording ingress duration, thus enhancing user awareness and product protection.
Implementation Method 1
a first variation amount of a capacitance signal of a capacitive touch screen caused by connection between a ground wire on the surface of a housing of a smart terminal and a chip ground of a capacitive touch screen chip
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for identifying a water ingress risk of a terminal, a device and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: respectively acquiring a first variation amount of a capacitance signal of a capacitive touch screen caused by connection between a ground wire on the surface of a housing of a smart terminal and a chip ground of a capacitive touch screen chip of the smart terminal, and a second variation amount of the capacitance signal of the capacitive touch screen caused by disconnection between the ground wire on the surface of the housing and the chip ground of the capacitive touch screen chip; and identifying a water ingress risk of the smart terminal according to the acquired first variation amount of the capacitance signal and the acquired second variation amount of the capacitance signal.