Pressure sensor

A pressure sensor, comprising:

• a base layer;
• a supporting structure arranged on the base layer;
• an elastic layer disposed above the base layer and the supporting structure, the elastic layer having a curved lower surface that is recessed away from the base layer, wherein the curved lower surface, the supporting structure and the base layer define a cavity with an arched top wall;
• a first electrode arranged on the curved lower surface of the elastic layer, a second electrode, and a variable resistance elastic body, wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, and the variable resistance elastic body are all arranged within the cavity such that when the elastic layer is elastically deformed in a direction of the base layer, the variable resistance elastic body electrically connects the first electrode with the second electrode, so as to generate a first signal related to the elastic deformation of the variable resistance elastic body;
• and
• a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, wherein:
• the first electrode layer comprises a plurality of first sub-electrodes, one of which is the first electrode, and the second electrode layer comprises a plurality of second sub-electrodes, one of which is the second electrode, the first sub-electrodes and the second sub-electrodes being alternately arranged on the curved lower surface of the elastic layer, and
• the variable resistance elastic body is disposed on the base layer, opposite to lower surfaces of all the first sub-electrodes and the second sub-electrodes.

A method of generating a key press signal, comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a pressure sensor comprising a base layer, a supporting structure arranged on the base layer, an elastic layer disposed above the base layer and the supporting structure, the elastic layer having a curved lower surface that is recessed away from the base layer, wherein the curved lower surface, the supporting structure and the base layer define a cavity with an arched top wall, and a first electrode arranged on the curved lower surface of the elastic layer, a second electrode arranged on the curved lower surface of the elastic layer and spaced apart from the first electrode, and a variable resistance elastic body arranged on lower surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, and the variable resistance elastic body are all arranged within the cavity;
• applying a force to the elastic layer to move the elastic layer towards the base layer;
• compressing the variable resistance elastic body in response to the force;
• and
• contacting the first electrode and the second electrode to generate a signal in response to elastic deformation of the variable resistance elastic body.