Tunneling Current Touch Sensor for Glove Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch control devices face limitations in accuracy and sensitivity, particularly when used with non-conductive materials like gloves, and have poor resolution and precision, especially in multi-point touch applications.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor design featuring a first and second electrode with an insulator in between, where a tunneling current is generated when the distance between the electrodes changes due to external stress, allowing for precise touch detection regardless of the conductor or non-conductor nature of the touch object, and enabling more specific touch identification based on the force applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional capacitive touch devices are used, then the device can be operated with conductive touch bodies, but the device cannot be operated when the touch body is non-conductive (e.g., wearing a glove)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical field-based capacitive sensing mechanism with a quantum tunneling-based sensing mechanism. The tunneling current effect allows detection of touch pressure through mechanical deformation of the barrier layer, enabling detection of both conductive and non-conductive touch bodies by sensing the physical pressure-induced distance change between electrodes rather than requiring electrical properties of the touch body.
2Measurement precision
If resistive touch devices are used, then the device can detect touch position through pressure, but the precision and sensitivity are poor especially for drawing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from voltage division (in resistive touch) to tunneling current magnitude. The tunneling current exhibits exponential sensitivity to distance changes between electrodes, providing much higher precision for detecting small pressure-induced distance variations. This enables accurate detection of light touch pressures and precise drawing operations that are difficult with conventional resistive technology.
3Reliability
If conventional touch sensors are used, then the basic touch detection function is achieved, but the operational accuracy and sensitivity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical field-based sensing with quantum tunneling sensing. The tunneling current effect provides exponential sensitivity to distance changes, enabling detection of extremely small pressure-induced deformations. This substitution achieves both high operational accuracy through the stability of the tunneling effect and high sensitivity through the exponential relationship between distance and current magnitude.
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
The touch sensor achieves improved operational accuracy and sensitivity compared to conventional resistor or capacitor-based systems, allowing for precise touch detection and multi-point control without the limitations of conventional technologies.
Implementation Method 1
when the stressed electrode is not stressed, a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is smaller than the energy transmission distance to generate a tunneling current
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor comprises a first electrode, a second electrode arranged spaced apart from the first electrode, and an insulator arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is energized, and an energy difference exists between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a stressed electrode. When the stressed electrode is not stressed, no electrical signal is generated, and when the stressed electrode is stressed, the stressed electrode deforms at a stressed point and changes the distance between the stressed point and the other electrode to generate a tunneling current, and the touch sensor generates the electrical signal according to whether the tunneling current is generated. Therefore, the invention solves a limitation of the conventional touch sensor in touching and provides good touching sensitivity.