Heatable Composite Pane with Integrated Capacitive Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heatable composite panes with capacitive switching regions are not easily integrated into composite panes without hindering vision and require additional components, leading to complexity and visibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A heatable composite pane with a capacitive switching region is designed, featuring a substrate, cover pane, and intermediate layers with an electrically conductive layer that includes a capacitive switching region, heating wires, and busbars, where the capacitive switching region is integrated into the pane without separate components, allowing for minimal visual interference and precise control of switching signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate capacitive switching components are added to heatable composite panes, then capacitive contact detection function is achieved, but device complexity increases and visual interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive switching region is merged with the heating wire structure by integrating the capacitive electrode directly into the heating element. The heating wire serves dual purposes: providing thermal heating functionality and acting as the capacitive electrode for contact detection. This eliminates the need for separate capacitive switching components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining both heating and capacitive detection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating wire is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal heating when electrical current flows through it, and it serves as the capacitive electrode for contact detection. By making the heating element multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving capacitive contact detection capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If capacitive switching regions are integrated into composite panes, then capacitive contact detection is enabled, but visual interference through the pane increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive switching region is designed with localized electrode patterns that are optimized for contact detection while minimizing visual impact. The electrode structure uses specific geometric configurations and spacing that allow capacitive sensing functionality in certain areas while maintaining optical transparency in other areas, thus achieving local optimization of both functional and visual properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are added for capacitive switching, then switching function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive electrode is merged with the heating wire structure, allowing both capacitive switching and heating functions to be achieved using the same physical component. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled and connected, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the switching function.
4Measurement precision
If the capacitive electrode is made larger for better detection, then detection precision improves, but visual interference and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive electrode is segmented into multiple discrete heating wire sections rather than using a single large continuous electrode. Each wire segment acts as an independent capacitive sensing element, providing distributed contact detection coverage across the pane surface. This segmentation achieves good detection precision through multiple sensing points while keeping individual electrode elements simple and maintaining optical transparency.
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 enables reliable and precise capacitive contact detection with minimal visual impact, preventing unintended triggering by external objects or environmental factors, while maintaining the heatable functionality of the composite pane.
Implementation Method 1
When an object approaches the switching region, the capacitance of the surface electrode against ground or the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the two coupled electrodes changes. The capacitance change is measured by a circuit arrangement or a sensor electronics system
Implementation Method 2
The heating wires run between the busbars such that after application of an electrical voltage, an electrical current can flow through the heating wires, by which means the heating action is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
A pane arrangement directed to a heatable composite pane having a capacitive switching region, including a substrate and a cover pane is disclosed. At least one intermediate layer is arranged between the substrate and the cover pane. A carrier film having an electrically conductive layer is arranged between the substrate and the intermediate layer or between the cover pane and the first intermediate layer. The electrically conductive layer forms a capacitive switching region having a contact region, a supply line region, and a connection region. The supply line region electrically connects the contact region to the connection region that can be electrically connected to a sensor electronics system. A heating wire and at least two busbars are arranged between the substrate and the cover pane, wherein one end of the heating wire is electrically connected to one of the busbars. A capacitive sensor electronics system is electrically connected to the connection region via a first input and to the heating wire or to the busbars via a second input.