Screen-Printed Capacitive Touchpad Integrated Into Artificial Leather
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack the seamless integration of touchpads on flexible textile products, particularly leather applications, with a focus on reducing weight and thickness.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive touchpad device integrated into an artificial leather substrate, comprising a printed electrode set on flexible polymeric substrates with a dielectric layer, and an insulation membrane for protection, using conductive silver ink and polymeric materials, integrated via thermal and pressure processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional external devices or separate screen-based touchpads are used, then touch functionality is achieved, but device weight and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touchpad electrodes directly into the artificial leather substrate by printing conductive ink patterns on the leather surface and applying a dielectric coating, eliminating the need for separate touchpad devices or external mice. This integration merges the tactile interface into the existing structural material, reducing overall device weight while maintaining full touch functionality for cursor control and gesture recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial leather substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural base material, the tactile interaction surface, and the integrated touchpad functionality. By making the leather itself multi-functional, the design eliminates redundant components and reduces weight without compromising ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid touchpad structures are used, then touch sensitivity is achieved, but flexibility and integration with textile products are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible artificial leather as the substrate and applies thin-film printing techniques to deposit conductive ink patterns and dielectric coatings directly onto the flexible surface. This approach maintains the inherent flexibility of the leather while creating a reliable capacitive touch sensor structure that bends and conforms with the substrate, enabling integration with textile and leather products.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchpad structure combines multiple materials with complementary properties: conductive ink (silver or carbon-based) for electrode patterns, polymeric dielectric materials for insulation and capacitance, and flexible artificial leather for structural support and flexibility. This composite construction achieves both touch sensitivity and adaptability to flexible substrates.
3Reliability
If printed electrodes with lower sheet resistance are used, then electrical conductivity improves, but material cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the sheet resistance parameter of the conductive ink to fall within the range of 25-50 kΩ/sq, which provides sufficient electrical conductivity for capacitive touch operation without requiring excessively thin or complex electrode patterns. This parameter optimization balances electrical performance with manufacturing simplicity, avoiding the need for multiple printing layers or specialized low-resistance materials that would increase device complexity.
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 achieves a lightweight, flexible, and durable touchpad fully integrated into artificial leather, enabling touch and gesture recognition, suitable for automotive interiors, with enhanced durability and adhesion.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible polymeric substrate acting as a dielectric layer; wherein the flexible polymeric substrate is arranged in between the top printed electrodes and the bottom printed electrodes
Implementation Method 2
the top printed electrodes and bottom printed electrodes comprise a conductive silver ink
Implementation Method 3
submit the sandwich arrangement simultaneously to a pressure range between 3 to 4 bars and to a temperature range between 130°C to 160°C for a time period of at least 30 seconds
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present application describes a screen-printed laminated multilayer capacitive touchpad seamlessly integrated into an artificial leather substrate, allowing multi-touch interaction to the user. The printed touchpad is meant to provide touch, multi-touch and gestures recognition over artificial leather articles, enabling the possibility of integration in automotive interior applications. The touchpad device comprises an artificial leather articles with a fully physically integrated printed touchpad on its structure resorting to the use of an insulation membrane that also ensures the protection of the device, contributing to its durability.