Flexible Touch Sensor Layering for Curved Vehicle Control Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch sensing devices for vehicle control devices, such as steering wheels, face challenges in assembly and manufacturing due to the use of non-flexible materials, which hinder the ability to fit the size and shape of the device effectively.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensing system is developed with a flexible material layer surrounded by a capacitive touch sensor layer, an auxiliary layer, and a flattening material layer, allowing for easier fitting and assembly, while reducing noise from heating circuits by using a driving circuit that does not switch on and off to generate driving current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If non-flexible material such as conductive fabric is used for the sensor layer, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of manufacture and assembly is worsened due to poor flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible material layer (e.g., flexible polymer substrate) instead of rigid conductive fabric for the sensor layer. This flexible substrate can be bent and conformally mounted to the curved surface of the steering wheel, significantly improving ease of assembly while maintaining structural integrity through proper material selection and layer configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flattening material layer that can dynamically adjust the flexibility of the flexible material layer. By controlling the flexibility characteristics of different layers, the system achieves optimal balance between structural stability during operation and ease of assembly during manufacturing, allowing the sensor assembly to adapt to the steering wheel's curvature.
2Shape
If the touch sensing device is made rigid to maintain shape, then the shape stability is improved, but the adaptability to fit different sizes and shapes of vehicle control devices is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible material layer as the base substrate for the sensor assembly, enabling it to conform to various shapes and sizes of vehicle control devices such as steering wheels. The flexible nature allows the device to be customized for different applications while maintaining stable sensor functionality through proper material and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sensor assembly into multiple independent layers (flexible material layer, sensor layer, flattening material layer, auxiliary layer). This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the flexible material layer provides adaptability to different shapes, while the sensor layer maintains its functional integrity, achieving both shape adaptability and sensor stability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If switching circuit is used to generate driving current for heating circuit, then the energy control is improved, but the noise generation is worsened due to on-off switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulse-width modulation (PWM) signaling for the heating circuit instead of simple on-off switching. This periodic action allows precise energy control through duty cycle adjustment while the high-frequency nature of the PWM reduces audible noise compared to low-frequency switching, effectively addressing both energy control and noise reduction requirements.
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
The system enables easier fitting of the touch sensing device to the vehicle control device's size and shape, simplifies the assembly process, and reduces noise interference from heating circuits.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitive touch sensor layer comprises at least one first driving electrode and at least one first sensing electrode
Implementation Method 2
The heating layer has at least one heating electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensing system comprising: a frame work; an auxiliary layer, surrounding the frame work; a capacitive touch sensor layer, surrounding the auxiliary layer; a flexible material layer, located between the capacitive touch sensor layer and the auxiliary layer, and surrounding the auxiliary layer; and a flattening material layer, located between the capacitive touch sensor layer and the flexible material layer or located between the auxiliary layer and the flexible material layer, wherein the flattening material layer flattens the flexible material layer. The capacitive touch sensor layer comprises at least one first driving electrode and at least one first sensing electrode. The auxiliary layer comprises at least one electrode. Similar structure can also be used to a multi-sensor device and a vehicle control device. By this way, the assembling or the manufacturing can be simplified.