Conductive Touch Coating for Large-Area Surface Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch-sensitive technologies for substrate surfaces, such as walls and floors, are limited in their ability to differentiate between various touch sequences and locations without requiring multiple linked touch screens or devices, and they lack efficient methods for producing commercially viable and advanced conductive coatings.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive system comprising an electrically active layer applied to a substrate with an electronic controller that detects differentiated touches, such as single, sequential, or prolonged contacts, allowing for control of connected devices without the need for multiple linked touch surfaces, using a conductive coating that can be applied as a liquid or sheet, and featuring a thin, aesthetically integrated active layer with capacitive, resistive, or inductive properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple linked touch screens or devices are used to achieve large area touch sensitivity, then the touch sensitivity coverage area is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple touch-sensitive regions into a single integrated substrate surface. The conductive coating is applied across the entire substrate, creating a unified touch-sensitive area that functions as one continuous surface rather than multiple separate devices, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining large area coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate surface is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the structural base and the touch-sensitive interface. The conductive coating enables the entire substrate surface to detect touches, eliminating the need for separate touch screen components and achieving multi-functionality in a single element
2Measurement precision
If multiple linked touch screens or devices are used to differentiate touch sequences and locations, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive coating is applied in specific patterns or regions on the substrate, creating zones with different electrical properties. This allows different areas of the substrate to be differentiated based on their local electrical characteristics, enabling precise touch location and sequence detection without requiring multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive coating acts as an intermediary layer that translates physical touch interactions into detectable electrical property changes. This coating mediates between the user's touch and the control system, enabling precise differentiation of touch sequences and locations through electrical measurements rather than complex mechanical or electronic structures
3Ease of manufacture
If a conductive coating is applied to achieve touch sensitivity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the coating must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies particular ranges for coating thickness and conductivity parameters that ensure functional performance while accommodating normal manufacturing variations. By defining acceptable parameter ranges rather than requiring exact values, the system achieves both ease of manufacture and sufficient precision for touch detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive coating is formulated as a composite material combining conductive particles or materials with a suitable binder matrix. This composite structure provides both the necessary electrical properties and mechanical adhesion to the substrate, achieving reliable touch sensitivity through a manufacturable coating formulation that balances ease of application with functional precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables large-area touch sensitivity on substrates without linking individual devices, providing a commercially viable and aesthetically pleasing solution for controlling electrical devices through varied touch interactions, enhancing applications in safety, security, and energy management.
Implementation Method 1
a differentiated touch on the substrate disrupts the electrical property of the electrically active layer... selected from: a capacitive property (capacitance)
Implementation Method 2
a differentiated touch on the substrate disrupts the electrical property of the electrically active layer... selected from: a resistive property (resistance)
Implementation Method 3
a differentiated touch on the substrate disrupts the electrical property of the electrically active layer... selected from: an inductive property (induction)
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensitive control system is disclosed, capable of providing touch activated control for use on substrate surfaces such as walls, flooring, doors, furniture, cabinetry, vehicles and machinery. The system may find particular application in large area substrates such as building walls, floors or ceilings, but may alternatively or additionally find application in any other non-active, non-electronic substrate such as furniture, cupboard doors or drawers, or tables for example.The touch sensitive system comprises at least one electrically active layer having at least one electrical property and configured to be applied to the substrate and an electronic controller. The electrically conductive active layer is configured to have an electrical connection with the electronic controller wherein a differentiated touch on the substrate disrupts the electrical property of the electrically active layer; and wherein the disruption is detected by the electronic controller to provide a control signal. The differentiated touch is selected from: one or more of multiple sequential touches, and/or one or more touches of extended duration.