Single sided capacitive force sensor for electronic devices
First Claim
1. A capacitive force sensor, comprising:
- a substrate having at least one electrode pair defining a capacitance fixedly disposed thereon;
a drive circuit configured to apply a voltage relative to a circuit ground to the at least one electrode pair;
a first rigid plate, fixed relative to the substrate;
a second plate electrically coupled to the circuit ground;
a compliance member disposed between the first plate and the second plate, configured to mechanically separate the first plate and the second plate and to oppose a compression force while allowing the first plate to physically move relative to the second plate in response to the compression force; and
a capacitance detection circuit configured to detect a change in the capacitance when the compliance member is compressed, wherein the change in the capacitance is dependent upon a change in distance between the first plate and the second plate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A capacitive force sensor (100) includes a substrate (101) having at least one electrode pair (102,103) defining a capacitance disposed thereon. The substrate (101) is fixed relative to a first plate (106). A drive circuit (104) is configured to apply a voltage relative to a circuit ground (105) to the electrode pair (102,103). The first plate (106) is separated from a second plate (107) that is coupled to circuit ground (105) by a compliance member (108,109). The compliance member (108,109) is configured to oppose a compression force (110) while allowing the first plate (106) to physically move relative to the second plate (107). A capacitive detection circuit (111) is then configured to detect a change the capacitance when the compliance member (108,109) is compressed. The compression force (110) is then determined from the change in capacitance and the spring constant of the compliance member (108,109).
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A capacitive force sensor, comprising:
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a substrate having at least one electrode pair defining a capacitance fixedly disposed thereon; a drive circuit configured to apply a voltage relative to a circuit ground to the at least one electrode pair; a first rigid plate, fixed relative to the substrate; a second plate electrically coupled to the circuit ground; a compliance member disposed between the first plate and the second plate, configured to mechanically separate the first plate and the second plate and to oppose a compression force while allowing the first plate to physically move relative to the second plate in response to the compression force; and a capacitance detection circuit configured to detect a change in the capacitance when the compliance member is compressed, wherein the change in the capacitance is dependent upon a change in distance between the first plate and the second plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification