Interface pressure sensor system for electronic device
An interface pressure sensor includes a fluid pressure sensor disposed in a volume defined by a shear wall. The volume is enclosed, and the fluid pressure sensor is encapsulated by, an infill material. The infill material defines a sensing surface that, when pressed, can impart a force that is detectable by the fluid pressure sensor.
1. An input pressure sensing system for detecting a magnitude of a force applied normal to a surface, the input pressure sensing system comprising:
a substrate;
a first annular member formed from a rigid material and coupled to the substrate defining a first volume;
a set of pressure sensor modules, each disposed on the substrate within the first volume, and each comprising:
a respective second annular member defining a respective second volume; and
a respective barometric pressure sensor disposed within the respective second volume;
an infill material filling the first volume and each respective second volume.
2. The input pressure sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the infill material defines a uniform surface across the set of pressure sensor modules.
3. The input pressure sensing system of claim 2 , wherein at least one pressure sensor modules defines a surface that is proud of the uniform surface.
4. The input pressure sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the first annular member extends a first height from the substrate and each respective second annular member extends a second height form the substrate.
5. The input pressure sensing system of claim 4 , wherein the first height is equivalent to the second height.
6. The input pressure sensing system of claim 4 , wherein the first height exceeds the second height.
7. The input pressure sensing system of claim 4 , wherein the second height exceeds the first height.
8. The input pressure sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the set of pressure sensor modules are disposed in a pattern.
9. The input pressure sensing system of claim 8 , wherein:
the pattern defines a first row and a second row; and
the first row is offset relative to the second row.
10. The input pressure sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the set of pressure sensor modules comprises more than three individual pressure sensor modules.
11. An input pressure sensing system for detecting a magnitude of a force applied normal to a surface, the input pressure sensing system comprising:
a substrate defining a face;
a first annular shear support coupled to the face and defining a first volume and an axis parallel to the face;
a second annular shear support coupled to the face and defining a second volume, the first annular support intersecting the axis;
a first application specific integrated circuit coupled to the face within the first volume;
a second application specific integrated circuit coupled to the face within the second volume;
a first barometric microelectromechanical pressure sensor operably and mechanically coupled to the first application specific integrated circuit;
a second barometric microelectromechanical pressure sensor operably and mechanically coupled to the second application specific integrated circuit;
a third annular shear support circumscribing the first annular shear support and the second annular shear support, the third annular shear support coupled to the face; and
a cured potting material filling the first volume, the second volume, and a third volume defined between the third annular shear support and the first and second annular shear supports.
12. The input pressure sensing system of claim 11 , wherein the third annular shear support is formed from metal.
13. The input pressure sensing system of claim 11 , wherein the third annular shear support has a rectangular profile.
14. The input pressure sensing system of claim 11 , wherein the cured potting material defines a single surface over the first and second annular shear supports.
15. The input pressure sensing system of claim 14 , wherein the single surface is positioned within an electronic device to receive an input force from a body part of a user.