Wearable Touch Sensor Structure for Wet Contact Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors in wearable devices, such as capacitive and inductive sensors, fail to function effectively in environments exposed to liquids like water or sweat, leading to interference and reduced touch sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A sensor design that includes a conductive structure penetrating the housing, with one end exposed to the external environment, allowing human body impedance to be connected to the measurement circuit, distinguishing between liquid and human contact to enhance touch sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capacitive or inductive sensors are used for touch operations, then touch control functionality is achieved, but the sensors fail to function when exposed to liquids such as water or sweat
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into two separate sensing elements: a capacitive sensing element and an inductive sensing element. Each sensing element responds differently to liquid contact versus human body contact, allowing the system to distinguish between the two through comparative analysis of their outputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the different electrical parameters (capacitance and inductance) of the two sensing elements to detect touch operations. By monitoring changes in both capacitance and inductance values simultaneously, the system can differentiate between liquid contact (which affects both similarly) and human body contact (which creates distinct patterns in both parameters).
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are exposed to liquid environments, then wearability in sports and swimming scenarios is improved, but touch sensitivity is reduced due to liquid interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the outputs of both capacitive and inductive sensing elements and uses feedback processing to determine whether a detected change is caused by liquid or human body contact. This allows the device to maintain accurate touch sensitivity even in wet conditions by compensating for liquid interference through comparative analysis.
3Measurement precision
If a conductive structure penetrates the housing to enable human body impedance connection, then touch detection capability is improved, but the sensor becomes more vulnerable to liquid interference
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive structure is designed with specific local properties: it penetrates the housing to enable human body impedance connection for touch detection, but its configuration and material properties are optimized to minimize liquid adhesion and interference. The local quality of the conductive structure allows it to serve its detection function while reducing vulnerability to liquid contact.
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 sensor effectively excludes the influence of liquids on touch operations, improving sensitivity by differentiating between human body and liquid contact, thus maintaining functionality in wet conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the conductive structure may be electrically connected with the sensing element
Implementation Method 2
The capacitive sensing element may include a first electrode and a second electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a sensor and a wearable device. The sensor includes a sensing element. The sensing element is applied to a housing. The housing is configured to carry the sensing element. The sensing element includes an electrode and a detecting end, each electrode corresponding to a detecting end. One end of the detecting end is connected with the electrode, and the other end of the detecting end is connected with a circuit of the sensor. The electrode connects an impedance of the body of a user into the sensor when the user is in contact with the electrode or the housing in a region corresponding to the electrode.