Position detection device

• US 8,184,106 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2004
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited)
• Inventors: Serban, Bogdan
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chanh
• Assistant Examiner(s): STONE, ROBERT M
• Application Number:
  US10/553,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20060209050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,961 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-178, 178/18.05
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

A position detection device including a substrate; a first ohmic resistor applied to the substrate and extending along an active surface of the position detector, whereby the first ohmic resistor is connected between a first terminal and a second terminal of the position detection device; a plurality of electric conductors connected to the first ohmic resistor at places that are distinct therefrom, the electric conductors extending from the first ohmic resistor inside the active surface alternating between the first electric conductors, whereby one first end of the conductor elements is connected to a third terminal of the position detection device. The conductor elements are configured as ohmic resistors extending through the active surface of the device and a second end of the conductor elements is connected to a fourth terminal of the position detection device.

Claims

1. A position detection device, comprising:

a first substrate;

a first ohmic resistor applied to said first substrate and extending along an active surface of said position detector, said first ohmic resistor connected between first and second terminals of said position detection device;

a plurality of electrical conductors connected to the first ohmic resistor at discrete points thereon and said electrical conductors extending from the first ohmic resistor within the active surface; and

a plurality of conducting elements arranged, within said active surface, so as to alternate between said electrical conductors, a first end of said conducting elements being connected to a third terminal of said position detection device;

wherein said conducting elements are configured as an ohmic resistor extending over the active surface of the device and a second end of said conducting elements is connected to a fourth terminal of said position detection device.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first substrate comprises an elastic support sheet.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first substrate comprises a printed circuit board.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conducting elements are made of a same material as said electrical conductors.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second substrate and a layer made of resistive or semiconductor material applied to said second substrate, said second substrate being arranged on top of the first substrate such that said layer of resistive or semiconductor material faces said electrical conductors and conducting elements within the active surface.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second substrate comprises an elastic support sheet.

7. The device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a pressure-distributing layer applied to said second substrate.

8. A data input device including a position detection device, said position detection device comprising:

a first substrate;

a first ohmic resistor applied to said first substrate and extending along an active surface of said position detector, said first ohmic resistor connected between first and second terminals of said position detection device;

a plurality of electrical conductors connected to the first ohmic resistor at discrete points thereon and said electrical conductors extending from the first ohmic resistor within the active surface; and

a plurality of conducting elements arranged, within said active surface, so as to alternate between said electrical conductors, a first end of said conducting elements being connected to a third terminal of said position detection device;

wherein said conducting elements are configured as an ohmic resistor extending over the active surface of the device and a second end of said conducting elements is connected to a fourth terminal of said position detection device.

9. A position detection device having an active surface and at least a first and a second terminal, said position detector comprising:

a first substrate;

a first ohmic resistor applied to said first substrate and extending along said active surface, said first ohmic resistor being connected between said first and second terminals;

a plurality of electrical conductors connected to the first ohmic resistor at discrete points thereon and said electrical conductors extending from the first ohmic resistor within the active surface; and

a plurality of conducting elements arranged, within said active surface, between said electrical conductors so as to alternate with said first electrical conductors, a first end of said conducting elements being connected to a third terminal of said position detection device;

wherein said conducting elements are configured as an ohmic resistor extending over the active surface of the device and a second end of said conducting elements is connected to a fourth terminal of said position detection device.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first substrate comprises an elastic support sheet.

11. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first substrate comprises a printed circuit board.

12. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said conducting elements are made of a same material as said electrical conductors.

13. The device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a second substrate and a layer made of resistive or semiconductor material applied to said second substrate, said second substrate being arranged on top of the first substrate such that said layer of resistive or semiconductor material faces said electrical conductors and conducting elements within the active surface.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said second substrate comprises an elastic support sheet.

15. The device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a pressure-distributing layer, applied to said second substrate.

16. A data input device including a position detection device having an active surface and at least a first and a second terminal, said position detection device comprising:

a first substrate;

a first ohmic resistor applied to said first substrate and extending along said active surface, said first ohmic resistor being connected between said first and second terminals;

a plurality of electrical conductors connected to the first ohmic resistor at discrete points thereon and said electrical conductors extending from the first ohmic resistor within the active surface; and

a plurality of conducting elements arranged, within said active surface, between said electrical conductors so as to alternate with said electrical conductors, a first end of said conducting elements being connected to a third terminal of said position detection device;

wherein said conducting elements are configured as an ohmic resistor extending over the active surface of the device and a second end of said conducting elements is connected to a fourth terminal of said position detection device.