COVERING FOR TOUCH SENSOR ELECTRODE
A touch sensor includes a sensor electrode, a touch panel overlying the sensor electrode, and a dielectric covering separating the sensor electrode from the touch panel. The dielectric covering may be configured to inhibit electrostatic discharge through the sensor electrode.
1 . A touch sensor comprising:
a controller;
a sensor electrode connected to the controller;
a touch panel overlying the sensor electrode; and
a dielectric covering separating the sensor electrode from the touch panel.
2 . The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein:
the dielectric covering is configured to protect the controller from electrostatic discharge.
3 . The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein:
the sensor electrode comprises a spring.
4 . The touch sensor of claim 3 , comprising:
a dielectric cap comprising:
the dielectric covering; and
a dielectric ring surrounding at least a portion of the spring.
5 . The touch sensor of claim 4 , wherein at least one of:
the dielectric covering has a first circular cross-section; or the dielectric ring has a second circular cross-section.
6 . The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein:
the controller detects a change in capacitance relative to the sensor electrode to sense a touch.
7 . The touch sensor of claim 1 , comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB) to which the sensor electrode and the controller are mounted.
8 . The touch sensor of claim 7 , wherein:
the PCB comprises at least one of:
a trace; or
a via; and
the sensor electrode is connected to the controller via at least one of the trace or the via.
9 . The touch sensor of claim 8 , comprising:
a display mounted to the PCB and connected to the controller.
10 . The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein:
the controller comprises a microcontroller unit (MCU).
11 . The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein:
the dielectric covering comprises polyethylene.
12 . The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein:
a thickness of the dielectric covering is at least 0.1 millimeters.
13 . The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein:
a breakdown voltage of the dielectric covering is at least 10 kilovolts.
14 . A touch sensor comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB);
a sensor electrode mounted to the PCB;
a touch panel overlying the sensor electrode and the PCB; and
a dielectric covering separating the sensor electrode from the touch panel.
15 . The touch sensor of claim 14 , wherein:
the dielectric covering is configured to protect the PCB from electrostatic discharge.
16 . The touch sensor of claim 14 , wherein:
the sensor electrode comprises a spring.
17 . The touch sensor of claim 16 , comprising:
a dielectric cap comprising:
the dielectric covering; and
a dielectric ring surrounding at least a portion of the spring.
18 . The touch sensor of claim 17 , wherein at least one of:
the dielectric covering has a first circular cross-section; or the dielectric ring has a second circular cross-section.
19 . A touch sensor comprising:
a sensor electrode;
a touch panel overlying the sensor electrode; and
a dielectric covering separating the sensor electrode from the touch panel.
20 . The touch sensor of claim 19 , wherein:
the dielectric covering is configured to inhibit electrostatic discharge through the sensor electrode.