Contact detection device

Abstract

A contact detection device is provided. In a steering wheel, when an occupant grips a rim portion and a capacitance between the occupant and a conductive fabric of the rim portion is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity, a control device detects gripping of the rim portion by the occupant. Here, the terminal portion is electrically connected to the conductive fabric from the back side, and the conductive fabric is connected to the control device via the terminal portion. Therefore, the conductive fabric can be easily connected with the control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a contact detection device for detecting occupant contact with the steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] In the steering wheel disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-165940, the contact between the occupant and the wheel rim is detected in a detection substrate based on the electrostatic capacitance between the occupant and the conductive layer of the wheel rim.

[0003] Here, in the steering wheel, the terminal portion of the conductive layer is connected to the detection substrate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention aims to provide a contact detection device that can easily connect the detection electrode to the detection section.

[0005] The first aspect of the contact detection device of the present invention includes: a steering wheel, which is used to steer a vehicle by contacting and operating it; a detection electrode disposed on the steering wheel; a terminal portion that is connected to the detection electrode from the back side; and a detection unit that is connected to the detection electrode via the terminal portion, and detects the contact of the occupant with the steering wheel based on the electrostatic capacitance between the occupant in contact with the steering wheel and the detection electrode.

[0006] In the second aspect of the contact detection device of the present invention, based on the first aspect of the contact detection device of the present invention, the terminal portion clamps the detection electrode.

[0007] The contact detection device of the third aspect of the present invention, based on the contact detection device of the first or second aspect of the present invention, includes: an outer peripheral layer that forms the outer periphery of the steering wheel; an adhesive layer that bonds the detection electrode to the outer peripheral layer; and a limiting layer that is disposed at the terminal portion of the detection electrode to limit the adhesion formed between the detection electrode and the outer peripheral layer by the adhesive layer.

[0008] The fourth aspect of the contact detection device of the present invention is based on the contact detection device of any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, and includes an outer peripheral layer, which constitutes the outer periphery of the steering wheel, and does not have the terminal portion.

[0009] The fifth aspect of the contact detection device of the present invention, based on the contact detection device of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, includes: an outer peripheral layer that forms the outer periphery of the steering wheel and is formed by connecting multiple components at a connecting portion; and a recess that is provided on the steering wheel and is used to insert the connecting portion and the detection electrode when the detection electrode is arranged along the connecting portion.

[0010] In the contact detection device of the first aspect of the present invention, the vehicle is steered by the occupant contacting and operating the steering wheel. Furthermore, a detection electrode of the steering wheel is connected to a detection unit, which detects the occupant's contact with the steering wheel based on the electrostatic capacitance between the occupant and the detection electrode.

[0011] Here, the terminal section is connected to the detection electrode from the back side, and the detection electrode is connected to the detection unit via the terminal section. Therefore, the detection electrode and the detection unit can be easily connected.

[0012] In the contact detection device of the second aspect of the present invention, a detection electrode is clamped between the terminal portion and the detection electrode. Therefore, the terminal portion can be properly connected to the detection electrode.

[0013] In the contact detection device of the third aspect of the present invention, the outer peripheral layer constitutes the outer periphery of the steering wheel, and the adhesive layer bonds the detection electrode to the outer peripheral layer.

[0014] Here, the limiting layer at the terminal position of the detection electrode restricts the adhesion between the detection electrode and the outer peripheral layer formed by the adhesive layer. Therefore, the rigidity at the terminal position of the detection electrode can be improved by the limiting layer.

[0015] In the contact detection device of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the outer peripheral layer constitutes the outer periphery of the steering wheel, and no terminal portion is provided on the outer peripheral layer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the situation where the terminal portion hinders the assembly of the outer peripheral layer.

[0016] In the contact detection device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the outer peripheral layer constitutes the outer periphery of the steering wheel, and multiple components are connected at a connecting portion to form the outer peripheral layer. Furthermore, with the detection electrode arranged along the connecting portion, the connecting portion and the detection electrode are inserted into a recess of the steering wheel. Therefore, the situation where an air layer exists between the connecting portion and the detection electrode can be suppressed, and the accuracy of the electrostatic capacitance between the occupant in contact with the connecting portion of the outer peripheral layer and the detection electrode can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a front view of the steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front.

[0018] Figure 2AThis is an unfolded view of the cover of the steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the back side.

[0019] Figure 2B This is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (Sectional view along line 2B-2B).

[0020] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the cover of the steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a perspective view taken from the upper right, showing the assembly state of the steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the cover of the steering wheel according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] [First Embodiment]

[0024] Figure 1 The diagram shows a steering wheel 10 according to the first embodiment of the contact detection device of the present invention, viewed from the front. In the diagram, arrow FR indicates the front of the steering wheel 10, arrow UP indicates the top of the steering wheel 10, arrow RH indicates the right side of the steering wheel 10, and arrow C indicates the circumferential direction of the steering wheel 10.

[0025] In this embodiment, the steering wheel 10 is positioned opposite the front of the driver's seat of the vehicle, and is located in front of the occupant (driver) seated in the driver's seat. The front, top, and right sides of the steering wheel 10 face the rear upper, front upper, and right sides of the vehicle, respectively.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the central part of the steering wheel 10 is a hub 10A, and the periphery of the steering wheel 10 is a rim portion 10B that serves as a grip portion and is in the shape of a main viewing ring with a circular cross-section. Three spoke portions 10C are provided between the hub 10A and the rim portion 10B as connecting portions. The spoke portions 10C extend from the hub 10A to the left, right, and downward and connect with the rim portion 10B.

[0027] The wheel hub 10A is fixed to the rear end (upper end) of the cylindrical steering shaft 12, which serves as a support member in the vehicle. The steering shaft 12 and the wheel rim 10B are coaxially configured. The steering wheel 10 is supported by the steering shaft 12 and can rotate integrally with the steering shaft 12. By having the occupant hold the wheel rim 10B and rotate the steering wheel 10 circumferentially, the steering shaft 12 rotates around its central axis, thus steering the vehicle.

[0028] The outer periphery inside the rim portion 10B constitutes the rim base material 14 (see reference). Figure 4 The rim substrate 14 is made of polyurethane. Grooves 14A, which are rectangular in shape and serve as recesses, are formed on the outer periphery of the portions of the rim substrate 14 located diagonally above, diagonally below, diagonally above, and diagonally below the left. (Refer to...) Figure 2B The groove 14A opens to the outer periphery of the wheel rim substrate 14 and is disposed on the circumferential (circumferential direction around the steering wheel 10) integral of the wheel rim portion 10B.

[0029] A ring-shaped and strip-shaped cover 16 is assembled on the outer periphery of the rim base material 14 (see reference). Figure 2A , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The cover 16 covers the outer periphery of the rim substrate 14.

[0030] A ring-shaped and strip-shaped piece of leather 18 is provided on the cover 16 as an outer peripheral layer. The leather 18 forms the outer periphery of the rim portion 10B, and the leather 18 is made of an insulator. The leather 18 is composed of a plurality of generally rectangular sheets 18A as constituent parts (four in this embodiment), and the plurality of sheets 18A are connected to form a ring. The ends of the sheets 18A are connected to each other by sewing in a state where they are bent toward the back side of the leather 18 and overlap (see reference). Figure 2B The connecting portion 18B between the sheets 18A and 18A is formed by the ends of a pair of sheets 18A. The leather 18, while wrapped around the rim base material 14 along the circumference of the steering wheel 10 and the circumference of the rim portion 10B, has its two ends (the two ends on the inner circumference of the steering wheel 10) joined together by sewing and assembled onto the rim base material 14. The connecting portion 18B of the leather 18 is inserted into the groove 14A of the rim base material 14.

[0031] On the back side of the leather 18, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) long rectangular sheet-shaped conductive cloths 20 are provided as detection electrodes. The conductive cloths 20 are made of conductive cloth (fabric). The conductive cloths 20 extend circumferentially along the leather 18 and are disposed on the rim portion 10B on the left and right sides of the steering wheel 10.

[0032] A double-sided adhesive tape 22, which is an insulator, is bonded to the surface of the conductive fabric 20 as an adhesive layer. The surface of the double-sided adhesive tape 22 is bonded to the back of the leather 18, thus bonding the conductive fabric 20 to the leather 18. The conductive fabric 20 is bonded to the leather 18 by the double-sided adhesive tape 22 before the leather 18 is assembled to the rim substrate 14. At the joint portion 18B of the leather 18, the conductive fabric 20 is arranged along the joint portion 18B (see reference). Figure 2BThe conductive cloth 20 is wound together with the leather 18 and assembled onto the rim substrate 14. The conductive cloth 20 and the connecting part 18B are inserted into the groove 14A of the rim substrate 14.

[0033] A protrusion 20A is provided at one end of the conductive cloth 20 along its long side (the end near the lower side of the steering wheel 10). The protrusion 20A protrudes into the width direction of the conductive cloth 20 (the rear side of the steering wheel 10) and into the width direction of the leather 18. On the surface of the protrusion 20A, a release paper 22A, which serves as a limiting layer, remains on the surface of the double-sided tape 22. The release paper 22A restricts the protrusion 20A from being bonded to the leather 18 by the double-sided tape 22, and the release paper 22A is an insulator. A circular through hole 24 is formed through the protrusion 20A, and the through hole 24 also passes through the double-sided tape 22 and the release paper 22A.

[0034] A terminal portion 26 is provided at the protrusion 20A. A metal rivet 28, serving as a locking member, is provided on the terminal portion 26. The leg of the rivet 28 is inserted into the through hole 24, and the head of the rivet 28 is disposed on the surface of the release paper 22A. A circular metal terminal 30, serving as a terminal, is provided on the back side of the protrusion 20A. The leg of the rivet 28 is inserted into the annular plate-shaped end portion of the circular terminal 30. On the side of the circular terminal 30 opposite to the protrusion 20A, a metal push nut 32, serving as a locking member and generally in the shape of an annular plate, is provided. The leg of the rivet 28 passes through the push nut 32. The push nut 32 elastically engages with the leg of the rivet 28, thereby preventing the movement of the push nut 32 to the side opposite to the circular terminal 30. The head of the anti-reverse nut 32 and the rivet 28 clamps a circular terminal 30, a protrusion 20A, a double-sided adhesive tape 22 and a release paper 22A. The circular terminal 30 contacts the protrusion 20A from the back side and conducts electricity.

[0035] A wire harness 34 is connected to the base of the circular terminal 30, and the wire harness 34 is connected to the control device 36 (ECU), which is a detection unit. Therefore, the conductive cloth 20 is connected to the control device 36 via the terminal portion 26 (circular terminal 30) and the wire harness 34. In addition, the protruding portion 20A of the conductive cloth 20 (including the double-sided tape 22, release paper 22A, terminal portion 26 and wire harness 34) is covered and protected by a protective tape 38.

[0036] Next, the function of this embodiment will be explained.

[0037] In the steering wheel 10 with the above structure, when the electrostatic capacitance between the occupant's hand and the conductive cloth 20 of the cover 16 of the occupant's ...

[0038] Here, the circular terminal 30 of the terminal portion 26 is connected from the back side to the protrusion 20A of the conductive cloth 20, and the conductive cloth 20 is connected to the control device 36 via the terminal portion 26 and the wire harness 34. Therefore, the conductive cloth 20 can be easily connected to the control device 36.

[0039] Furthermore, in the terminal portion 26, a conductive cloth 20 is sandwiched between the circular terminal 30 and the head of the rivet 28. Therefore, the circular terminal 30 and the conductive cloth 20 can be properly connected.

[0040] Furthermore, release paper 22A remains on the protrusion 20A of the conductive cloth 20 (the location where the terminal portion 26 is positioned). Therefore, the release paper 22A can improve the rigidity of the protrusion 20A of the conductive cloth 20, and can improve the assemblability of the terminal portion 26 (rivet 28, circular terminal 30 and anti-reverse nut 32) to the protrusion 20A.

[0041] Furthermore, in the cover 16, no other conductive cloth or insulator is provided on the back side of the conductive cloth 20. Therefore, the cover 16 can be made thinner, the rigidity of the cover 16 can be reduced, and the cover 16 can be easily rolled and assembled onto the rim base material 14 of the rim portion 10B.

[0042] Furthermore, no terminal portion 26 is provided on the leather 18 in the cover 16. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the terminal portion 26 from obstructing the assembly (winding) of the leather 18 to the rim substrate 14.

[0043] Furthermore, with the conductive cloth 20 disposed at the connection portion 18B between the sheets 18A of the leather 18, the connection portion 18B and the conductive cloth 20 are inserted into the groove 14A of the rim substrate 14. Therefore, the situation where an air layer exists between the connection portion 18B and the conductive cloth 20 can be suppressed, improving the accuracy of the electrostatic capacitance between the occupant holding the leather 18 at the connection portion 18B and the conductive cloth 20, and improving the detection accuracy of the occupant's grip on the rim portion 10B. Moreover, by properly inserting the connection portion 18B and the conductive cloth 20 into the groove 14A, the situation where the leather 18 protrudes due to the connection portion 18B and the conductive cloth 20, thus preventing a decrease in the appearance quality of the leather 18.

[0044] [Second Embodiment]

[0045] Figure 5 The figure shows, in cross-sectional view, the cover 16 of the steering wheel 50 to which the contact detection device of the present invention is applied in the second embodiment.

[0046] The steering wheel 50 involved in this embodiment has almost the same structure as the first embodiment described above, but differs in the following aspects.

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, in the steering wheel 50 of this embodiment, a long rectangular sheet heater 52, which serves as a heating mechanism, is provided on the back side of the conductive cloth 20, excluding the protrusion 20A. The heater 52 extends circumferentially along the leather 18 and is provided with heating wires (not shown) by printing.

[0048] Double-sided adhesive tape 54, which is an insulator, is adhered to the surface of the heater 52 as an additional adhesive layer. The surface of the double-sided adhesive tape 54 is adhered to the back of the conductive cloth 20, and the double-sided adhesive tape 54 adheres the heater 52 to the leather 18 and the conductive cloth 20. Before assembling the leather 18 and the conductive cloth 20 onto the rim base 14, the heater 52 is adhered to the conductive cloth 20 by the double-sided adhesive tape 54. At the connection portion 18B of the leather 18, the conductive cloth 20 and the heater 52 are arranged along the connection portion 18B. The heater 52, together with the leather 18 and the conductive cloth 20, is wound and assembled onto the rim base 14 of the rim portion 10B, and the heater 52, together with the connection portion 18B and the conductive cloth 20, is inserted into the groove 14A of the rim base 14.

[0049] A wiring harness 56 is connected to the heater 52 (heating wire), and the wiring harness 56 is connected to the control device 36. Therefore, the heater 52 is connected to the control device 36 via the wiring harness 56.

[0050] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same function and effect as the first embodiment described above.

[0051] Furthermore, under the control of the control device 36, current is supplied to the heater 52 (heating wire), causing the heater 52 (heating wire) to heat up. Therefore, the heater 52 is able to heat the rim portion 10B.

[0052] Furthermore, a conductive cloth 20 and a heater 52 are arranged along the connecting portion 18B of the leather 18. Therefore, the connecting portion 18B, the conductive cloth 20, and the heater 52 can be properly inserted into the groove 14A of the rim substrate 14, and the situation where the leather 18 protrudes due to the connecting portion 18B, the conductive cloth 20, and the heater 52, thereby reducing the appearance quality of the leather 18, can be prevented.

[0053] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the release paper 22A of the double-sided adhesive tape 22 remains at the protrusion 20A of the conductive cloth 20. However, it is also possible not to leave the release paper 22A of the double-sided adhesive tape 22 at the protrusion 20A of the conductive cloth 20.

[0054] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-171479, filed on October 2, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0056] 10... Steering wheel; 14A... Groove (recess); 18... Leather (outer layer); 18A... Sheet (component); 18B... Connecting part; 20... Conductive cloth (detection electrode); 22... Double-sided tape (adhesive layer); 22A... Release paper (restriction layer); 26... Terminal part; 36... Control device (detection part); 50... Steering wheel.

Claims

1. A contact detection device, characterized in that, have: The steering wheel is used by occupants to steer the vehicle. A detection electrode is disposed on the steering wheel; The terminal portion is connected to the detection electrode from the back side; as well as The detection unit is connected to the detection electrode via the terminal portion, and detects the occupant's contact with the steering wheel based on the electrostatic capacitance between the occupant in contact with the steering wheel and the detection electrode.

2. The contact detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal portion clamps the detection electrode.

3. The contact detection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, have: The outer peripheral layer constitutes the outer periphery of the steering wheel; An adhesive layer that bonds the detection electrode to the outer peripheral layer; and A limiting layer is disposed at the terminal portion of the detection electrode to restrict the adhesion formed between the detection electrode and the outer peripheral layer by the adhesive layer.

4. The contact detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adhesive layer is made of double-sided tape, and the limiting layer is made of release paper.

5. The contact detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, It has an outer peripheral layer that forms the outer periphery of the steering wheel, and does not have the terminal portion.

6. The contact detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The terminal portion has: A locking member engages with the detection electrode from the surface and extends through the detection electrode; A terminal, which is conductive to the detection electrode and through which the engaging member passes; and A locking member engages with the engaging member and locks the terminal from the back side.

7. The contact detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The steering wheel is equipped with a heating mechanism located on the back side of the detection electrode and used to heat the steering wheel.

8. The contact detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, It has an additional adhesive layer that bonds the detection electrode and the heating mechanism together.

9. The contact detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, have: An outer peripheral layer, which forms the outer periphery of the steering wheel, and is composed of multiple components connected at joints; and A recess is provided on the steering wheel, and the detection electrode is inserted into the connecting portion when the connecting portion is arranged along the connecting portion.

10. The contact detection device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The steering wheel is equipped with a heating mechanism disposed on the back side of the detection electrode and used to heat the steering wheel. The connection portion, the detection electrode and the heating mechanism are inserted into the recess when the detection electrode and the heating mechanism are arranged along the connection portion.

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