Vehicle Covering Pressure Sensor With Single-Side Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pressure detection systems for motor vehicle passenger compartments are complex and costly to manufacture, primarily due to the need for two electrodes covering opposite surfaces of the material layer to measure pressure-induced deformation.
Innovation Solution
A pressure detection system where two electrodes are located on the same side of the material layer, with conductive paint or ink deposited in a pattern to cover a shared surface, reducing the amount of conductive material required and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two electrodes are placed on opposite sides of the material layer to measure pressure-induced deformation, then pressure detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the two electrodes onto a single substrate layer, eliminating the need for separate substrates for each electrode. This consolidation reduces the number of manufacturing steps while maintaining the functional capability to measure pressure-induced deformation through changes in electrical resistance between the two electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The single substrate layer serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for both electrodes, acts as an insulating layer, and enables the electrical connection between electrodes through the deformable material layer. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the manufacturing process
2Reliability
If two electrodes are placed on opposite sides of the material layer, then pressure detection capability is maintained, but the amount of conductive material required doubles
Solution Approach 1:
By merging both electrodes onto a single substrate layer, the patent reduces the total amount of conductive material needed from what would be required for two separate electrode assemblies. The conductive material is deposited only once on the substrate, significantly reducing material consumption while maintaining full pressure detection functionality
3Area of stationary object
If electrodes are deposited on opposite surfaces of the material layer, then complete surface coverage is achieved, but the deposition process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the deposition of both electrodes into a single process step on one accessible surface. This eliminates the need for complex multi-step deposition processes that would be required to coat both sides of a thin material layer, significantly simplifying manufacturing while achieving complete electrode surface coverage
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
This configuration allows for effective pressure detection while reducing manufacturing costs by using half the amount of conductive material and simplifying the electrode deposition process, maintaining the sensitivity of the pressure measurement.
Implementation Method 1
The material layer is adapted so that the electrical resistance is variable as a function of a deformation (30) of the material layer resulting from a pressure (P) exerted on the aspect layer (16) in the thickness direction (E)
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle coating component (10) comprising a backing layer (12), a pressure sensor (14), and a surface layer (16) stacked successively along a thickness direction (E), the pressure sensor (14) comprising at least two electrodes (26A, 26B), and a material layer (24) forming an electrical resistance between the two electrodes, the electrical resistance being variable as a function of a deformation of the material layer resulting from a pressure (P) exerted on the surface layer in the thickness direction. The two electrodes are located against the same surface (42) of the material layer situated on the same side of the material layer along the thickness direction. Each of the two electrodes is distributed on this surface without touching the other.