Patent · US Active

Compliant material for protecting capacitive force sensors and increasing capacitive sensitivity

US10921943B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
62References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 30, 2019
Grant dateFeb 16, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 30, 2039

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/0445
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A compliant material, such as a conductive foam, is positioned in the dielectric or capacitive gap between drive and sense electrodes and/or other conductive elements of a capacitive and/or other force sensor, such as a TFT or other display element and a sensor assembly. The compliant material prevents damage by preventing and/or cushioning contact. The compliant material may be conductive. By being conductive and being positioned between the electrodes while still being separated from one or more of the electrodes, the compliant material also shortens the effective electrical distance between the electrodes. As a result, the force sensor may be more sensitive than would otherwise be possible while being less vulnerable to damage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.