Printed Conductive Sensor on Plastic Glazing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental sensors mounted within a vehicle compartment face challenges in blending with aesthetics, performance, and accuracy due to inadequate space and electrical connection integrity in harsh automotive environments.
Innovation Solution
A system integrating sensors into the vehicle window assembly using conductive inks printed on transparent glazing panels, allowing for resistive or capacitive sensing of environmental changes, with a controller to manage vehicle subsystems like wipers and climate control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensors are mounted within the vehicle compartment, then they can be easily installed and connected, but they do not blend with the aesthetics of the vehicle and their performance and accuracy are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is merged with the window assembly itself, where the window serves as both a structural component and the sensor substrate. The conductive ink is printed directly onto the window surface, combining the window's aesthetic function with the sensor's measurement function, eliminating the need for separate mounting while improving measurement accuracy by placing the sensor at the optimal location.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor properties are localized to specific areas of the window where measurement is needed. The conductive ink is applied only in specific patterns or regions on the window surface, creating localized sensing zones that maintain the overall aesthetic appearance of the window while providing accurate environmental measurements at critical locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If commercially produced sensors are used, then they are readily available, but their mounting requirements do not blend with aesthetics and their space requirements are inadequate for the harsh automotive environment
Solution Approach 1:
The window assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the structural window function, the aesthetic surface, and the sensor substrate. The window itself becomes self-sufficient by integrating the sensing capability directly into its structure, eliminating the need for separate sensor housings, mounting brackets, and connection assemblies that would be required for commercial sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor's physical form is changed from a discrete commercial component to a printed conductive pattern on the window surface. This parameter change allows the sensor to conform to the harsh automotive environment by being directly bonded to the window, which provides protection and stability, while maintaining adaptability through flexible sensor design patterns.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into the window assembly using printed conductive inks, then aesthetic compatibility and sensor performance are improved, but additional manufacturing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical process of mounting discrete sensors with brackets, adhesives, and electrical connections is replaced with a printing process. Conductive ink is printed directly onto the window surface in the desired sensor pattern, eliminating complex mechanical assembly steps while achieving the same or better sensor performance and aesthetic integration.
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 solution enhances sensor performance and accuracy by integrating sensors seamlessly into the window assembly, improving their ability to detect environmental changes and control vehicle systems effectively while maintaining aesthetic compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may comprise a resistive or capacitive sensor and may be configured to detect changes in one or more environmental conditions
Implementation Method 2
The sensor may comprise a resistive or capacitive sensor and may be configured to detect changes in one or more environmental conditions
Implementation Method 3
a resistive element and capacitive element are arranged in parallel electrical connection forming a time constant. The controller may detect changes in the time constant to interpret changes in one or more environmental conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A system for sensing environmental conditions on a window assembly. The system includes a transparent panel and a sensor integrated onto the panel. The sensor being configured to sense environmental changes on the panel. The sensor may comprise conductive inks that are printed onto the window assembly. The window assembly may comprise a plastic panel, such as a multilayer polycarbonate panel such that a portion of the sensor may be located on the one layer of the panel while another portion of the sensor overlaps the first portion on a second layer of the window. The sensor may be a resistive or capacitive sensor and may be configured to detect changes in one or more environmental conditions, such as temperature or moisture. Further, the sensor may be in electrical communication with a controller configured for control various vehicle subsystems based on the sensor.