Flexible Touch Sensor Layering for Curved Vehicle Controls

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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

The implementation of a flexible material layer surrounded by a capacitive touch sensor layer and an auxiliary layer, with a flattening material layer to enhance flexibility and reduce noise, along with a heating layer that uses a constant voltage to minimize switch noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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 adaptability to fit the size and shape of the vehicle control device deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to fit size and shape

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces non-flexible conductive fabric with a flexible material layer that can be bent and conform to the curved surface of the steering wheel. This flexible layer maintains structural integrity while adapting to the device's shape, directly resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of multiple layers including the flexible material layer, sensor layer, and flattening material layer. This composite design combines the flexibility of the flexible material with the functional properties of the sensor layer, achieving both adaptability and structural stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If non-flexible material is used for the sensor layer, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to assembly difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidease of assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible material layer can be easily stretched and molded to fit the steering wheel's surface during assembly, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process compared to rigid materials that require precise pre-forming and complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible material layer is designed to be pre-formed with a general shape that can subsequently be easily adjusted and molded to the final configuration during assembly, reducing the precision requirements of initial manufacturing while maintaining final assembly quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a heating layer is added to the device, then the functionality is improved, but the noise interference from the heating circuit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidnoise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flattening material layer serves as an intermediary between the heating layer and the sensor layer, providing electrical isolation that prevents noise from the heating circuit from interfering with the sensor signals, while still allowing thermal energy to pass through for heating functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the noise interference problem by separating the heating function into a distinct layer that is electrically isolated from the sensing circuitry, allowing the heating functionality to be maintained without compromising signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution allows for easier fitting of the touch sensing device to the vehicle control device's size and shape, while reducing noise interference from the heating circuit, thereby improving assembly efficiency and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The capacitive touch sensor layer comprises at least one first driving electrode and at least one first sensing electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

The heating layer has at least one heating electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12480787B2Touch sensing system, multi sensor device and vehicle control device

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 PIXART IMAGING INC

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.