Electronic Device Having Direction-Dependent Strain Elements
First Claim
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1. An electronic device, comprising:
- an enclosure;
a display positioned at least partially within the enclosure;
a transparent cover positioned over the display; and
an opaque force-sensing layer positioned beneath the display, comprising;
a substrate; and
an array of force-sensitive structures disposed on the substrate, a force-sensitive structure of the array comprising;
a strain-sensitive element configured to produce a first electrical response in response to a deflection of the transparent cover;
a first reference element positioned proximate to the strain-sensitive element and configured to produce a second electrical response in response to the deflection of the transparent cover; and
a second reference element positioned proximate to the strain-sensitive element and configured to produce a third electrical response in response to the deflection of the transparent cover;
wherein a magnitude of each of the second and third electrical responses is smaller than the first electrical response.
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Abstract
A force sensor is disclosed. The force sensor includes a force-sensitive structure that compensates for temperature and other environmental changes through the use of a strain-sensitive element and one or more reference elements. An array of such force-sensitive structures forms a force-sensing layer.
68 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An electronic device, comprising:
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an enclosure; a display positioned at least partially within the enclosure; a transparent cover positioned over the display; and an opaque force-sensing layer positioned beneath the display, comprising; a substrate; and an array of force-sensitive structures disposed on the substrate, a force-sensitive structure of the array comprising; a strain-sensitive element configured to produce a first electrical response in response to a deflection of the transparent cover; a first reference element positioned proximate to the strain-sensitive element and configured to produce a second electrical response in response to the deflection of the transparent cover; and a second reference element positioned proximate to the strain-sensitive element and configured to produce a third electrical response in response to the deflection of the transparent cover; wherein a magnitude of each of the second and third electrical responses is smaller than the first electrical response. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A force-sensing layer for sensing a force applied to an electronic device, the force-sensing layer comprising:
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a substrate; an array of force-sensitive structures arranged on the substrate, each force-sensitive structure comprising; a strain-sensitive element positioned on the substrate and configured to produce a first change in resistance in response to strain along a direction; and a reference element positioned on the substrate proximate to the strain-sensitive element and configured to produce a second change in resistance in response to strain along the direction that is smaller than the first change in resistance;
whereinthe strain-sensitive element and the reference element are disposed in an interlocking spiral pattern. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An electronic device, comprising:
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a component forming an exterior surface of the electronic device; a force-sensing layer positioned below the exterior surface and comprising; a substrate attached to the component and configured to, in response to a deflection in the exterior surface, produce strain along a series of radial paths extending between a middle region of the substrate and a perimeter of the substrate; an array of force-sensitive structures disposed on the substrate, each force-sensitive structure comprising; a first strain-sensitive element configured to exhibit a primary sensitivity to strain along a first direction substantially aligned with a respective radial path; and a second strain-sensitive element positioned adjacent the first strain-sensitive element and configured to exhibit a primary sensitivity to strain along a second direction that is transverse to the first direction;
whereinin response to the deflection in the exterior surface, the first strain-sensitive element exhibits a first change in resistance and the second strain-sensitive element exhibits a second change in resistance that is smaller than the first change in resistance. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electronic device, comprising:
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a component forming an exterior surface of the electronic device; a force-sensing layer positioned below the exterior surface and comprising; a substrate attached to the component and configured to strain in response to a deflection in the exterior surface; a first force-sensitive structure comprising; a first strain-sensitive element disposed on a first surface of the substrate and configured to exhibit a first primary sensitivity to the strain along a first direction; and a second strain-sensitive element disposed on a second surface of the substrate and aligned vertically with the first strain-sensitive element; a second force-sensitive structure comprising; a third strain-sensitive element disposed on the first surface of the substrate and configured to exhibit a second primary sensitivity to the strain along a second direction different from the first direction; and a fourth strain-sensitive element disposed on the second surface of the substrate and aligned vertically with the third strain-sensitive element, wherein the first direction is based on a first location of the first strain-sensitive element on the first surface of the substrate; and the second direction is based on a second location of the third strain-sensitive element on the first surface of the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification