Smart Leather with Flexible Circuits for Wireless Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Luxury vehicle interior components made of natural leather lack functionality, necessitating an improved top layer that combines aesthetics with smart, functional capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a leather sheet with a flexible electronic circuit and pigmented coating applied to its surface, allowing for the integration of light sources, sensors, and connectivity to vehicle electronic systems, creating smart functional vehicle components that are aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If natural leather is used as the top layer for vehicle components, then aesthetics and luxurious look are improved, but functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges natural leather with electronic circuitry by integrating flexible circuits, light sources, and sensors directly into the leather layer, creating a composite structure that simultaneously provides aesthetic appearance and smart functionality. The leather serves as both the visual surface and the substrate for electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system combining natural leather with electronic components, conductive inks, and functional layers. This composite structure allows the leather to maintain its aesthetic properties while gaining electronic functionality through the integrated components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are integrated into the leather surface, then functionality is improved, but visibility of components may compromise aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pigmented coatings that can change appearance based on activation state. When electronic components are inactive, the pigmented coating maintains a uniform aesthetic appearance. When activated, the coating can display different colors or patterns to indicate functionality, thus hiding components when not in use while revealing them when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pigmented coating acts as a visual layer that can replicate or mask the underlying electronic circuitry patterns. When not activated, the coating creates a uniform visual field that hides the electronic components beneath, maintaining aesthetic appearance while preserving functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible electronic circuits are applied to the leather sheet, then smart functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible electronic circuits and thin-film technologies to create lightweight, conformable electronic layers that can be applied to the leather surface. These flexible components maintain the leather's pliability while adding functionality, avoiding rigid structures that would complicate manufacturing and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic functionality is divided into separate modular components (sensors, circuits, light sources) that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the leather. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of each component while simplifying the overall assembly process.
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 provides a dynamic, comfortable, and informative driving experience by enabling real-time feedback and functionality while maintaining a clean, uncluttered appearance, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality of vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless transmitter configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field when supplied with power from the power source
Implementation Method 2
a flexible electronic circuit contacting an A-surface of the leather sheet and including a printed and cured conductive ink
Implementation Method 3
a micro light emitting diode that emits light when electrical power is supplied to the micro light emitting diode from the vehicle power system
Data Source
AI summary
A smart functional vehicle component includes a vehicle component, a leather sheet fixed over a surface of the vehicle component, a flexible electronic circuit contacting an A-surface of the leather sheet and including a printed and cured conductive ink, and a pigmented coating arranged over the electronic circuit. The circuit includes a wireless transmitter, which is configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field when an associated portable electronic device is within a predetermined distance from the wireless transmitter. The circuit may also include an electronic element such as a light source, a sensor, or a switch. When the circuit includes a light source, the pigmented coating inhibits or prevents the circuit and the light source from being visible through the pigmented coating, but light emitted by the light source is visible through the pigmented coating.