Multifunctional Textile Sensor With Shielded Touch and Lighting Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile-based sensing and lighting technologies face challenges in maintaining comfort, mechanical flexibility, and seamless integration due to issues like large open areas in the textile web and electric interference between capacitive sensors and electroluminescent devices, which affect printing steps and sensor functionality.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a self-capacitive sensor with a polymeric membrane layer to fill gaps and a grounded conductive track between the electroluminescent and sensing devices, using a Jersey or double textile structure with conductive yarns, and embedding temperature/humidity sensors within the textile structure to maintain mechanical stability and comfort, while employing hybrid solutions like SMD LEDs and printed conductive tracks for control and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a self-capacitive sensor with polymeric membrane layer is integrated into the textile structure, then manufacturing precision and sensor functionality are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the self-capacitive sensor, polymeric membrane layer, electroluminescent device, and textile structure into a single integrated multifunctional textile. The sensor electrode is printed directly on the textile, and the polymeric membrane is laminated to fill gaps and provide a smooth surface, merging multiple functional layers into one cohesive structure that improves manufacturing precision while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The textile structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the substrate for the self-capacitive sensor, provides mechanical support, enables lighting through integrated electroluminescent devices, and maintains comfort and flexibility. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while improving overall system precision and functionality.
2Illumination intensity
If electroluminescent devices are integrated into the textile structure, then illumination intensity is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to electric interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a grounded conductive track as an intermediary element positioned between the electroluminescent device and the self-capacitive sensor. This conductive track acts as a shield that intercepts and redirects electric interference to ground, preventing it from affecting the sensor's operation. This allows the electroluminescent device to provide strong illumination while the conductive track mediates the harmful electric interference.
3Manufacturing precision
If a polymeric membrane layer is applied to fill gaps in the textile web, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric membrane layer is applied in advance to the textile structure before the printing of the self-capacitive sensor electrode. This preliminary action fills the gaps and irregularities in the textile web, creating a smooth, uniform surface that facilitates precise printing. By performing this surface preparation step beforehand, the subsequent printing process achieves higher manufacturing precision without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
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 approach enables the creation of a multifunctional textile with enhanced mechanical stability, touch comfort, and effective sensing capabilities, allowing for seamless integration of lighting and sensing functions without compromising the textile's properties, suitable for various applications including automotive and aeronautics.
Implementation Method 1
The technology now disclosed uses a different operation principal, typically named as self-capacitance, which allow the use of only one electrode and one type of ink
Implementation Method 2
The present application describes a textile structure with sensing and lighting capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application describes the creation of a flexible textile structure with sensing and lighting capabilities without the loss of important features of a typical textile, for instance, comfort, seamless and mechanical flexibility. As sensing applications are described three different approaches that may or may not work together in the same system: a directly printed self- capacitive sensor, a knitted textile sensor and the integration of temperature/humidity bulk capacitive sensors directly on the textile. As lighting applications for decorative and signage purposes are used two different approaches that could work individually or together: an electroluminescent sensing device and the use of a hybrid sensor that includes the use of SMD LEDs and a printed self-capacitive sensor. The sensing and lighting applications previously described can be used, as an example, inside an automobile passenger compartment since they are easily integrated on seats with different geometries, armrests and central panels to substitute common mechanical buttons and sensing devices, and create a cleaner and seamless environment, following current tendencies in car interiors.