Vehicle Switch Control Board With Capacitive Touch and Haptic Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive interior control panels lack integration of interactive and decorative surfaces with light effects, leading to non-user-friendly and non-functional interfaces for controlling vehicle functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A switch control board with an injection-moulded part integrating capacitive touch sensors, haptic feedback, and LED backlighting, produced through insert moulding and lamination processes, featuring a layered structure with decorative and sensor foils, and a printed circuit board for enhanced user interaction and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional switches and buttons are used in automotive interiors, then the control interface is simple and easy to manufacture, but the user interface is not modern or appealing and lacks integrated functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control elements (switches, buttons, capacitive sensors, decorative surfaces, and lighting) into a single integrated control panel assembly. The insert moulding process merges these previously separate components into one unified structure, achieving versatile functionality while managing complexity through integrated manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: capacitive touch sensing, haptic feedback generation, decorative display, and illumination. This multi-functional approach increases adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as all functions are embedded in the same physical structure
2Ease of operation
If capacitive touch sensors and interactive surfaces are integrated into the control panel, then the user interface becomes more modern and appealing, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensor patterns and decorative surface features are pre-formed on separate foils before the insert moulding process. This preliminary preparation allows complex interactive surfaces to be manufactured using standardized foil production techniques, then integrated into the control panel as complete assemblies, reducing overall manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel uses composite construction with decorative foils containing sensor patterns laminated onto the molded plastic substrate. This composite approach allows each layer to be optimized independently (sensor performance, aesthetics, structural integrity) while being manufactured using specialized processes for each material type, then combined through lamination and insert moulding
3Reliability
If insert moulding and lamination processes are used to integrate foils and sensors, then the control panel achieves a fully integrated structure with enhanced functionality, but the production time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct stages: foil preparation with pre-printed sensor patterns, insert moulding of the plastic substrate with embedded foils, and subsequent lamination of additional layers. This segmentation allows each process step to be optimized independently and performed by specialized equipment, improving overall integration quality while enabling parallel processing to maintain productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical assembly methods (screws, clips, adhesives applied post-manufacturing) are replaced with insert moulding technology that embeds foils and sensors directly into the molded plastic during the forming process. This substitution eliminates separate assembly steps, reduces production time, and improves integration reliability by creating permanent mechanical bonds within the molded structure itself
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 modern, comfortable, and appealing interface for controlling vehicle functions like window operation and mirror adjustment, offering tactile feedback and improved visibility through light effects, enhancing user experience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be configured to detect input from the vehicle occupant at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover
Implementation Method 2
The display may be configured to provide illumination at least partially visible through the exterior surface of the cover
Implementation Method 3
The haptic touch panel comprises a decorative side facing toward the interior of the vehicle, an opposite side facing toward the support substrate, and a user interface accessible at the decorative side of the panel that receives manual user input
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a switch control board for mounting to a vehicle interior panel, preferably an interior door panel, comprising an injection-moulded part with diffuser polymer which comprises one or more foils comprising a capacitive sensor or sensors printed on a foil, and a decorative pattern printed on a foil, forming a layered product integrated in the injection-moulded part by insert moulding injection; and also, the method for obtaining said switch control board.