Force Sensor with Capacitive Gap Sensing

A force-sensitive structure for an electronic device, comprising:

• a first substrate;
• a first electrode disposed on the first substrate;
• a second substrate separated from the first substrate by a gap;
• a second electrode disposed on the second substrate;
• and
• a compliant medium disposed within the gap, the compliant medium operative to displace as the first substrate deflects in response to a received force.

An electronic device, comprising:

• a cover glass;
• a display component;
• and
• a force-sensitive structure comprising:
• a first substrate;
• at least a first electrode disposed on the first substrate;
• a second substrate separated from the first substrate;
• at least a second electrode disposed on the second substrate;
• a compliant medium disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate;
• and
• capacitive sensing circuitry coupled to the at least the first electrode and the at least the second electrode and operative to detect a change in capacitance between the at least the first electrode and the at least the second electrode as the first substrate deflects relative to the second substrate in response to a force provided on the cover glass.

An electronic device, comprising:

• a display component comprising a force-receiving surface;
• and
• a force-sensitive structure comprising:
• a first substrate comprising an array of electrodes;
• a second substrate comprising at least one electrode, the second substrate separated from the first substrate by a gap, wherein the first substrate is operative to deflect relative to the second substrate in response to a force provided on the force-receiving surface.