Capacitive touch controls and in-mould electronics for automotive applications

Quad Industries from Belgium designs and produces versatile and robust capacitive touch sensors and in-mold electronics (IME) that are specifically designed for automotive applications. The company delivers tailor-made control solutions, PTC heating elements, film antennas and printed sensors to enhance innovation in car interior and exterior surfaces.

Touch controls for automotive applications

Touch control technology and smart surfaces rapidly become the new standard in car interior interfacing. Not surprisingly, because they bring a variety of benefits to automotive controls:

  • Innovative design: Mechanical knobs and buttons can be replaced by sleek and smooth tablet-like touch interfaces.
  • Reduced complexity: The production process of touch controls is more cost-effective compared to the production of mechanical parts.
  • Increased robustness: the one-piece design of touch technology reduces the risk of impact damage such as loose components or broken connections.
  • Smart surfaces: By adding touch control technology, vehicle interior modules become ‘smart surfaces’ that offer additional functionality and comfort.

Quad Industries’ touch sensors can hold a combination of graphic printing (colours and diffusors) and conductive printing for touch buttons, sliders, wheels, etc. They develop capacitive touch sensors to match any automotive HMI application, from HVAC controls to steering wheel commands to overhead panels. When designing a capacitive touch panel, Quad’s team takes the clients specific requirements into account.

Touch sensors of the next generation

For the development of its capacitive touch sensors, Quad Industries uses the most innovative inks that offer the highest sensitivity. Its conductive inks are well suited for fine line printing and high resolution. They excel in cost vs. performance ratio. By integrating thin, flexible sensors behind dark, yet translucent cover materials you can create a visually stunning ‘black panel effect’. It allows you to create sleek touch controls with symbols and icons that remain hidden until the engine is started or the corresponding touch sensor is activated.
By applying backlighting to your touch panel, you communicate with occupants through a clear visual feedback.
Quad Industries screen-prints capacitive touch sensors with both transparent- and non-transparent conductive inks. The combination allows to transmit light from the underlying LEDs. It enables you to achieve an aesthetically attractive touch HMI with clear and effective visual feedback. It is the perfect cost-effective solution for all car manufacturers.

Exquisite design

Capacitive touch sensors are compatible with most cover materials, such as glass, plastic, leather and wood. The integration of sensors in these materials makes surfaces really come to life. The company’s flexible design approach allows it to deliver the touch sensor solution that is really needed.

 

In-Mold Electronics

Together with their partner, Novares, Quad Industries develops In-Mold Electronics for automotive applications. IME parts are thin, stylish, 3D shaped functional parts. Each part is a seamless one-piece structure that replaces multipart assemblies of traditional electronics. It is a great way to add freedom to your HMI design.
The manufacturing process includes, printing, pick-and-place (SMT) assembly, thermoforming and injection moulding. Within the partnership of Novares and Quad Industries, a complete manufacturing process can be offered. Quad Industries participates in Novares’ open innovation lab, Nova Car, by integrating printed touch controls that lead to an advanced user experience.

PTC heating elements

PTC heating elements are used in a wide variety of radiative car interior heating systems, ensuring a sufficient and comfortable temperature in the passenger compartment. They can be easily built into customized modules and surfaces, for example for steering wheel or armrest heating. PTC elements enable fast and even heating of the surface, while avoiding any risk of overheating. Because they are extremely thin, they are built into small, flat or curved spaces and surfaces. Heating elements are also integrated in more technical parts, such as battery packs and in the motor compartment of vehicles. Quad’s flexible PTC elements can be integrated in any fluid tank containing oil, cooling liquid, AdBlue, or another liquid. That way, motor fluids can be kept at the ideal temperature, improving the overall performance and fuel economy of the vehicle.

Quad Industries PTC Heater

Printed sensors

Modern vehicles are equipped with different sensors to measure and manage the performance and driving conditions of the vehicle. Battery packs of hybrid and full electrical vehicles are equipped with heat and humidity sensors. The company’s printed sensor technology is compatible with all the latest car manufacturing technology. They develop flexible sensors that can be efficiently integrated into any surface or component.

Film antennas

Printed film antennas are extremely thin, allowing them to be easily integrated into the roof or under the spoiler of the vehicle. Because of their flexibility, the film antennas can be adapted to any form or design, without the hassle of complex cable harnesses. The antennas can be designed to support different signaling technology such as GNSS, FM and DAB.

Read the complete article here.

 

 

Article by Martin Hirschmann for OPE Journal.