Design, Fabrication, and Optimization of a Printed Ag Nanoparticle-Based Flexible Capacitive Sensor for Automotive IVI Bezel Display Applications

Since printed capacitive sensors provide better sensing performance, they can be used in automotive bezel applications. It is necessary to fabricate such sensors and apply an optimization approach for choosing the optimal sensor pattern. In the present work, an effort was made to formulate interdigitated pattern-printed Silver (Ag) electrode flexible sensors and adopt the Taguchi Grey Relational (TGR)-based optimization approach to enhance the flexible sensor's panel for enhanced automobile infotainment applications. The optimization technique was performed to derive better design considerations and analyze the influence of the sensor's parameters on change in capacitance when touched and production cost. The fabricated flexible printed sensors can provide better sensing properties. A design pattern which integrates an overlap of 15 mm, an electrode line width of 0.8 mm, and an electrode gap 0.8 mm can produce a higher change in capacitance and achieve a lower weight. The overlap has a greater influence on sensor performance owing to its optimization of spatial interpolation.

Automated summary

This study focuses on fabricating printed capacitive sensors and optimizing the sensor pattern for automotive bezel applications, aiming to enhance the performance of automobile infotainment systems. The optimization technique helps to derive better design considerations and analyze the influence of sensor parameters on capacitance change and production cost. The fabricated sensors show improved sensing properties, and a design pattern with a 15mm overlap, 0.8mm electrode line width, and 0.8mm electrode gap achieves a higher capacitance change and lower weight, with the overlap having a greater impact on sensor performance.