Switchable Laminate With Integrated Capacitive Touch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing glazed area in vehicles has limited the available interior surface area for mounting traditional control devices, making it difficult to implement cost-effective and intuitive control mechanisms for embedded electronic content in automotive glazing.
Innovation Solution
Integrate a capacitive touch sensor into automotive glazing with structured electrode layers, allowing touch control at any convenient location, using a laminate structure with isolated electrode portions connected to a controlling means that detects capacitance changes for intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the glazed area is increased to reduce vehicle weight and improve visibility, then weight reduction and vision quality are improved, but the available interior surface area for mounting control devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control function with the glazing surface itself by integrating capacitive touch sensors into the electrode layers of the switchable glazing. This allows the glazing to serve dual purposes: providing visibility/window function and serving as the control interface, thereby eliminating the need for separate control mounting surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The glazing structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides optical transparency/occlusion control, serves as the control interface through integrated capacitive sensors, and maintains structural integrity. The electrode layers serve both as functional elements for light control and as touch sensor elements.
2Ease of operation
If traditional control devices are mounted on the interior surface, then control functionality is provided, but the available surface area is reduced and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is merged directly into the glazing structure. Capacitive touch sensors are integrated into the electrode layers, eliminating the need for separate control devices and their associated mounting hardware, wiring, and installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical buttons and switches are replaced with capacitive touch sensors that have no moving parts. The control mechanism is substituted from mechanical contact-based systems to field-based capacitive sensing, simplifying the overall system and eliminating mechanical wear issues.
3Ease of operation
If touch control is implemented on the glazing surface, then control accessibility is improved, but the cost and manufacturing difficulty increase due to limitations on fitting components between glass layers
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive touch sensors are merged with the existing electrode layers of the switchable glazing. By using the same electrode structure for both light control and touch sensing functions, the patent avoids adding separate sensor components that would increase manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode layers serve dual purposes: they function as the active elements for variable light transmittance control and simultaneously serve as the capacitive sensor elements for touch input. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized components.
4Ease of operation
If embedded wires or sensors are placed in the laminate to provide control, then control functionality is achieved, but the vision quality is distorted and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control sensors are merged with the electrode layers that are already part of the glazing structure. This integration ensures that the sensors are positioned in a way that minimizes optical interference, as they are part of the transparent conductive layer rather than separate embedded wires that would scatter or block light.
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
Provides a cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, and intuitive control mechanism for vehicle electronics, reducing part count and weight while maintaining undistorted vision.
Implementation Method 1
a user contact with said at least one isolated portion causes a change in capacitance detected by the controlling means which produce a control response
Implementation Method 2
Many automotive windows also function as complex antenna systems. Displays are being incorporated into automotive windshields... variable light transmittance... the level of tint can be controlled electronically
Data Source
AI summary
Automotive glazing, with electrically controlled light transmittance, has been available for a number of years. Growth has been steady as the public recognizes the added utility provided. While a number of means of implementation are in use, all require a set of electrodes spanning opposite faces of the switchable portion of the glazing. As automotive electronic content has proliferated and the glazed area of the vehicle has increased, it is becoming more and more of a problem finding a suitable location for the controls, for the switchable glazing as well as for other functions. By structuring the electrodes, touch sensitive regions can be formed on the laminate and utilized for control.