Automotive
Flexible electronics in the automotive industry
In2tec is the UK’s leading flexible electronics (FE) specialist, and is based in Northamptonshire, with manufacturing facilities in China. FE are a rapidly evolving set of technologies, involving electronics that conform in situ and dynamically. Standard flexible circuits using polyimide and copper components such as sensors and displays and special fabrics that perform the function of various electronic parts are either available today or in the first stages of production. In2tec has worked with this new technology since its early stages, developing increasingly advanced versions for the last 29 years. In2tec has unique expertise in applying FE to electronic design issues and ideas for customers in diverse industries, with highly skilled engineers whose expertise extends far beyond FE, and it is In2tec’s specialism. William Davis, In2Tec tells us more
F
E are increasingly relevant in the automotive industry, as the list of electronic elements in vehicles steadily
grows and fully electric vehicles become increasingly common. The benefits of FE (compared to traditional electronics) include conformability, saving weight and space, cutting costs and removing design barriers and are amplified by the amount of electronics expected in cars.
Interior
The major benefit drawing automotive companies to appoint In2tec as their design and manufacturing partner to implement FE in their upcoming projects is the removal of existing design barriers. Due to the flexible conformability, thinner form and lighter weight, automotive interior designers must no longer form dashboards around chunky electronics and displays. Now, designers can create interiors that look how they want, and In2tec will form the electronics and displays around the design. With advanced Iflex technology, In2tec’s market-leading flexible circuitry, complex conductive assemblies can even be printed onto transparent substrates, allowing see-through instrument panels or door cards, highlighting otherwise hidden design elements.
Exterior
Outside the vehicle, the removal of design barriers is equally appealing. One of the
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most problematic, yet essential electromechanical components in cars are the external lighting systems such as headlights, stop and reverse lights, and wingmirror illumination features. Despite companies spending fortunes on making the most of every millimetre of space, this part seems to have been ignored.
Iflex technology, it is possible to eliminate the lamp casing, meaning the system uses a fraction of the valuable space. By removing this long-accepted design barrier, designers can experiment with new shapes that are strikingly different, while reducing wind resistance and therefore increasing speed and fuel economy.
Connected cars Connected cars (CC) are here and, although the vision of a driverless, fully- automated road system is still some time away, every major automotive brand is experimenting with variations that take the effort out of driving. This idea is made possible by a multitude of sensors on the car’s exterior, sensing the road conditions as a driver would, then reacting accordingly. Even more sensors and transmitters are being developed to connect these self-driving cars in a network (along with other vehicles such as trucks and busses, traffic lights, drive- through restaurants and parking spaces), to further automate activities such as avoiding traffic, picking up fast food and going to the closest empty parking space to your destination. All this added functionality comes at a cost however; a whole extra system of computers, sensors, transmitters, connectors and displays on top of the already long list of automotive electronic elements.
dashboards, door panels or roof linings. Antenna and sensor systems can conform in shape for easier integration. In fact, with Iflex they can be formed into complex curves and embedded into door and roof panels, bumper systems and even headlight optics. This also enables brands to retain the look and feel expected in their interiors. Mitigating the weight and space difference between unconnected and connected cars is vital to convince drivers to upgrade. Customers excited by the concept may be put off if it comes at the expense of speed, fuel economy and interior space. In2tec’s expertise in this area is proven by our involvement with various motorsport teams, who put their trust in In2tec for their lightweight, advanced electronics.
Sustainable electronics E-waste is a growing problem that is just waiting to erupt. Not only are there environmental concerns, but there’s humanitarian issues around this as well. As consumers start to lobby for change, and government recycling initiatives increase, sustainability is becoming a major focus of the automotive sector. Flexible electronics offer the potential to significantly impact the reduction of e- waste and improve recycling capabilities of the vehicles. With solutions like In2tec’s ReUse, a circular economy is on its way. ReUse uses unzippable substrates and adhesive technologies within proprietary manufacturing processes, to allow an increase of recyclability of electronic circuit assemblies from the current three to five per cent to an astonishing 85+ per cent. In2tec is enabling automotive companies to lead the charge on cleaning up the sectors environmental reputation, while adding features and futureproofing against regulations.
Headlights essentially consist of bulbs or LED boards cased in a durable, see-through plastic or glass outer shell, that takes up significant volumetric space. With the development of LEDs and the integration of electronics and interconnects, distributed on the surface of the lamp with
Components in Electronics
Fortunately, with In2tec’s advanced FE, all those necessary components will weigh a fraction of outdated counterparts. The systems and infrastructure will be integrated seamlessly into the same available space, without need for bulk on already busy
Even if full CC technology stays conceptual, we already experience a level of autonomy in vehicles. From parking proximity sensors to cruise control and semi-self-driving cars, the technology is already being worked into In2tec projects. From flexible 3-dimensional printed antenna systems to flat shielded twisted pair data communication technologies, In2tec is helping the automotive industry push the boundaries, so that when CC’s arrive, our customers will be in the driving seat.
www.in2tec.com
www.cieonline.co.uk
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