Exhibition Report of 6th CAR-ELE JAPAN, Int’l Automotive Electronics Technology Expo Nagoya

1.Decorating technology using ink for sensor

1.Touchless & touch sensor switches

Touchless & touch sensor switches are physical switches with a built-in infrared sensor that detects a hand held over the switch and turns the switch on and off without contact.

Our sensor-compatible ink (IR Transmittable Ink) is used for the infrared sensor part.

It can be used as a normal switch, but it can also be operated touchless with wet hands or gloves.

The range of applications is unlimited, including switches for medical equipment, kitchen equipment, and water-related equipment.

(1) Cover on which sensor ink was printed  
(2) Sensor body (IC chip)
(3) Infrared rays sensor receives and emits

Exhibition cooperation: Chugai Co., Ltd., Meieisha Co.

2. Sensor compatible inks that expand the possibilities

Sensor-compatible inks can adjust the transmission wavelength and transmittance to suit the type of sensor built in. Therefore, they can be used for a variety of products with built-in sensors.

What sensor-compatible ink can do

*Free design of switches can be created by taking advantage of screen-printing features.
*Designs that hide sensors are possible (seamless).
*Combined with Dead front printing, information can be displayed only when necessary.

3.Application to products with built-in sensors (non-contact buttons)

In recent years, non-contact has become popular in places that are touched by an unspecified number of people to prevent infectious diseases.

Below are printed materials that allow non-contact selection for buttons on elevators, etc.

An IR sensor is built into the bottom of the arrow, and when a finger is placed close to it, the sensor reacts and a buzzer sounds and the button glows at the same time to confirm that it has worked.

Exhibition Cooperation: Elevisor Japan Inc., TOA Electronics, Inc.

2.Electromagnetic wave shielding ink

1.What is electromagnetic wave shielding ink?

Electromagnetic wave shielding ink is a kind of conductive ink which makes a conductive printed ink layer block (shield) intrusion or leakage of electromagnetic wave.

Compared to other shielding materials such as metal plate, it is lighter, thinner, and has superior functionality such as high moisture resistance.

Prototype electromagnetic shielding case

Exhibition cooperation: Nanbu Plastics Co., Ltd.

Reference ：Conductive ink that allows free setting of resistance value

2.What is electromagnetic wave shielding ink?

Electromagnetic shielding ink has four characteristics.

• Light weight and thinning can be achieved by combination with resin materials.
• Adhere to a wide range of materials
• Pattern print, only necessary part, is possible.
• With only one type of ink can shield a wide range of frequencies (from 0.1MHz to 90GHz). 

Unlike other electromagnetic shielding materials, this product has both electromagnetic shielding effect and screen printing merits.

3.How to use electromagnetic wave shielding ink

（1）Screen printing: Shield function can be printed in the shape of the required area.

（2）Spray Painting: It is possible to add electromagnetic shielding function by spraying ink directly on the product.

3.Collaboration of sensors and Dead front printing technology (Shy Tech)

1.Non-contact switch and Dead front printing

Non-contact switches using sensor-compatible inks and dead front printing can be used to create products that display the necessary information when needed.

The following may look like a carbon pattern, but when you hold your hand over it, a non-contact switch is activated and the hidden information is displayed.

Exhibition cooperation: Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc., Nagayama Screen LLC.