Transparent Strain Sensors for Force Detection in Touch Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch-sensitive electronic devices are limited to positional input modes and lack sensitivity to force or pressure variations, which restricts additional input modes beyond simple touch and multi-touch inputs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating transparent strain sensors with nanostructures, such as nanomesh or nanowire structures made of nickel or nickel alloys, into the display stack of electronic devices to detect force and pressure applied to the input surface, allowing for enhanced input sensitivity beyond positional constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If touch sensing techniques are used to detect user input, then position identification is provided, but force and pressure variations cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transparent strain sensors with the display stack, merging force sensing capability with the existing touch display structure. The strain sensors are integrated into the display assembly, allowing simultaneous detection of both touch position and applied force/pressure, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability of input modes
2Adaptability or versatility
If transparent strain sensors with nanostructures are incorporated into the display stack, then force and pressure detection is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent strain sensors serve multiple functions: they detect force and pressure variations, maintain optical transparency for display visibility, and integrate within the existing display stack architecture. This multi-functionality approach allows force sensing capability to be added without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-film nanostructured strain sensors that can be deposited as transparent layers within the display stack. These thin-film structures minimize the added complexity and thickness while enabling force and pressure detection across the display surface
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 force and pressure variations, providing additional input modes and enhancing user interaction by correlating strain sensor signals with force applied to the input surface, thereby expanding input sensitivity and interaction capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Each transparent strain sensor can be configured as a strain gauge formed with an optically transparent material... the strain sensor(s) are configured to detect strain based on an amount of force applied
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes one or more transparent strain sensors configured to detect strain based on an amount of force applied to the electronic device, a component in the electronic device, and/or an input surface of the electronic device. The one or more transparent strain sensors may be included in or positioned below an input surface that is configured to receive touch inputs from a user. The area below the input surface can be visible to a user when the user is viewing the input surface. The one or more transparent strain sensors are formed with a nanostructure, including a nanomesh or nanowires.