Force sensor for use in an input device and methods for constructing and using the sensor
First Claim
1. A force sensor, comprising:
- a first support;
first and second capacitive plates, the first capacitive plate coupled to the first support;
a first deflection member that comprises a first elastomer movably coupling the first and second capacitive plates;
a second support;
third and fourth capacitive plates, the fourth capacitive plate coupled to the second support and positioned outside of a plane bisecting the first capacitive plate; and
a second deflection member that comprises a second elastomer movably coupling the third and fourth capacitive plates;
wherein;
a force exerted on the force sensor causes deflection between the first support and the second support;
the first deflection member and the second deflection member allow deflections of less than 1 millimeter; and
an amount of the force is determinable at least based on a change in capacitance between the first and second capacitive plates or the third and fourth capacitive plates.
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Abstract
The disclosure addresses a force sensor that is scalable in size and adaptable to a variety of form factors, including those suitable for use in an input device for a computer or other processing system, and in some cases including those of the configuration normally referred to as a computer mouse. The force sensor will include at least two structural members that are cooperatively attached one another as to be displaced from one another in response to a force acting upon one of the structural members. In some examples, the engagement between the two structural members will be specifically configured to allow such displacement in response to forces acting laterally on the force sensor. The force sensor will also include one or more sensing mechanisms to provide a measurement of the sensed deflection.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A force sensor, comprising:
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a first support; first and second capacitive plates, the first capacitive plate coupled to the first support; a first deflection member that comprises a first elastomer movably coupling the first and second capacitive plates; a second support; third and fourth capacitive plates, the fourth capacitive plate coupled to the second support and positioned outside of a plane bisecting the first capacitive plate; and a second deflection member that comprises a second elastomer movably coupling the third and fourth capacitive plates; wherein; a force exerted on the force sensor causes deflection between the first support and the second support; the first deflection member and the second deflection member allow deflections of less than 1 millimeter; and an amount of the force is determinable at least based on a change in capacitance between the first and second capacitive plates or the third and fourth capacitive plates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A force sensor, comprising:
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a first structure; first and second capacitive plates, the first capacitive plate coupled to the first structure; a first deflection member that comprises a first elastomer movably coupling the first and second capacitive plates; a second structure; third and fourth capacitive plates, the fourth capacitive plate coupled to the second structure such that a first plane bisecting the first structure passes through the first, second, third, and fourth capacitive plates and the third capacitive plate is misaligned with a second plane bisecting the first capacitive plate; and a second deflection member that comprises a second elastomer movably coupling the third and fourth capacitive plates; wherein; a force exerted on the force sensor causes deflection between the first structure and the second structure; the first deflection member and the second deflection member allow deflections of less than 1 millimeter; and an amount of the force is determinable at least based on a change in capacitance between the first and second capacitive plates or the third and fourth capacitive plates. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A force sensor, comprising:
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a first structure; first and second capacitive plates, the first capacitive plate coupled to the first structure; a first deflection member that comprises a first elastomer movably coupling the first and second capacitive plates; a second structure; third and fourth capacitive plates, the fourth capacitive plate coupled to the second structure such that the third and fourth capacitive plates are misaligned with the first and second capacitive plates in a plane bisecting the first structure; and a second deflection member that comprises a second elastomer movably coupling the third and fourth capacitive plates; wherein; a force exerted on the force sensor causes deflection between the first structure and the second structure; the first deflection member and the second deflection member allow deflections of less than 1 millimeter; and an amount of the force is determinable at least based on a change in capacitance between the first and second capacitive plates or the third and fourth capacitive plates. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification