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US 10,871,860 B1Granted
Flexible sensor configured to detect user inputs
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsTyler S. Bushnell, Michael B. Wittenberg, Devon A. Monaco
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible sensor includes a compliant layer positioned between two substrate layers. The compliant layer includes a first compliant material and a second compliant material that is more deformable or compressible than the first compliant material. The flexible sensor can be bent, twisted, shaped, or otherwise manipulated at the section(s) of the flexible sensor that include the second compliant material.
Claims19
A bendable force sensor configured to detect a force input, comprising:
- a first flexible circuit comprising a first electrode;
- a second flexible circuit comprising a second electrode, the first and second electrodes configured to detect the force input based on a change in capacitance;
- a first compliant member positioned between the first and second flexible circuits in a first region of the bendable force sensor, the first region of the bendable force sensor extending along a first surface of an electronic device;
- and
- a second compliant member positioned between the first and second flexible circuits in a second region of the bendable force sensor, the second region of the bendable force sensor extending along a second surface of the electronic device, the second region oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first region;
- wherein:
- the first and second compliant members define a gap between the first and second flexible circuits in a third region of the bendable force sensor, the third region of the bendable force sensor extending along a third, non-planar surface of the electronic device and positioned between the first and second regions of the bendable force sensor;
- the first and second flexible circuits are configured to bend along the third region allowing the bendable force sensor to conform to the third, non-planar surface of the electronic device;
- in response to the force input, the first flexible circuit is configured deflect toward the third, non-planar surface of the electronic device;
- and
- in response to the deflection of the first flexible circuit, the bendable force sensor is configured to detect the force input.
8 more elements
An electronic device, comprising:
- a component;
- and
- a bendable sensor coupled to the component, the bendable sensor comprising:
- a first substrate layer comprising a first set of electrodes;
- a second substrate layer comprising a second set of electrodes;
- and
- a compliant layer positioned between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer, the compliant layer comprising:
- a first compliant member positioned between the first and second sets of electrodes in a first region of the bendable sensor extending along a first surface of the component and formed of a first compliant material having a first spring constant;
- a second compliant member positioned between the first and second sets of electrodes in a second region of the bendable sensor extending along a second surface of the component, the second region oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first region, the second compliant member formed from the first compliant material;
- and
- a second compliant material positioned between the first and second sets of electrodes in a third region of the bendable sensor that is positioned between the first and second regions and having a second spring constant lower than the first spring constant, wherein:
- the bendable sensor is configured to bend along the third region of the bendable sensor that includes the second compliant material to conform to a non-planar shape;
- the bendable sensor is configured to bend along the first region to a lesser degree than along the second region;
- in response to an applied force, the first substrate layer is configured to deform along the third region of the bendable sensor;
- and
- the bendable sensor is configured to estimate an amount of the applied force based on the deformation of the first substrate layer.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.