ECG collecting electrode on automobile steering wheel

Abstract

The invention discloses an ECG acquisition electrode on an automobile steering wheel, and relates to the technical field of ECG acquisition. Comprising a steering wheel body, the steering wheel body comprises a metal framework and a leather layer wrapping the outer side of the metal framework, a flexible electrode is sewn on the outermost layer of the leather layer, an insulating substrate is arranged between the metal framework and a silver-plated copper wire electrode, and the tail end of the flexible electrode is connected with a conductive substrate. The conductive substrate is connected with the ECG signal processing module through a flexible wire, and the flexible wire is arranged in the steering wheel body in a penetrating mode. The flexible electrode is sewn to the outermost layer of the leather layer of the steering wheel, a hard structure of a traditional embedded metal electrode is abandoned, the electrode keeps soft touch and has no touch foreign matter along with the leather layer, no indentation is generated when a driver holds the steering wheel, and the full-flexible fitting holding experience is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ECG acquisition technology, specifically to an ECG acquisition electrode on a car steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of automotive intelligence and health monitoring technology, in-vehicle ECG monitoring systems have become an important research direction in the field of automotive electronics. They can detect physiological states such as abnormal heart rate in drivers in real time, providing important protection for driving safety. As the core component of the in-vehicle ECG monitoring system, the ECG acquisition electrode's acquisition performance directly determines the accuracy and practicality of the monitoring results.

[0003] Currently, automotive ECG acquisition electrodes are mainly located in the steering wheel grip area. The most common solution in existing technology is the embedded metal electrode solution. This solution involves creating a groove in the steering wheel grip area and embedding a circular metal electrode into the groove, allowing ECG signal acquisition through contact between the driver's hand and the metal electrode. However, this solution has several drawbacks: First, the significant difference in hardness between the metal electrode and the steering wheel leather can cause the driver to feel localized hard lumps, leading to indentations and poor grip comfort. Second, the fixed position of the metal electrode means that signal acquisition is only triggered when the driver adopts a specific grip posture; signal interruption occurs when the grip posture shifts, resulting in poor signal acquisition stability. Third, this solution requires precision grooving of the steering wheel, and the processing and assembly costs of the metal electrode are high, resulting in substantial overall manufacturing costs.

[0004] In addition, some existing technologies use conductive leather as ECG acquisition electrodes. Although this can improve the fit of the grip to some extent, the raw material cost of conductive leather is high, and it is prone to wear and tear during long-term use, resulting in decreased conductivity, short electrode lifespan, and insufficient reliability.

[0005] In summary, existing automotive steering wheel ECG acquisition electrodes suffer from technical problems such as poor grip comfort, unstable signal acquisition, high cost, or low reliability, failing to meet the actual usage requirements of in-vehicle ECG monitoring systems. There is an urgent need to propose a new technical solution to address these issues. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ECG acquisition electrode for an automobile steering wheel to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an ECG acquisition electrode on a car steering wheel, comprising a steering wheel body, wherein the steering wheel body includes a metal frame and a leather layer covering the outside of the metal frame.

[0008] The outermost layer of the leather layer is sewn with flexible electrodes;

[0009] An insulating substrate is provided between the metal frame and the silver-plated copper wire electrode.

[0010] The end of the flexible electrode is connected to a conductive substrate, which is connected to the ECG signal processing module via a flexible wire, which passes through the interior of the steering wheel body.

[0011] Furthermore, the flexible electrode has a wire diameter of 0.1–0.3 mm, and there will be no breakage at either end of the flexible electrode.

[0012] Further, the flexible electrode is a silver-plated copper wire, which is sewn onto the leather layer in a double-strand twisted manner, and the wiring pattern of the flexible electrode is wavy, spiral, or sewn along the curvature of the steering wheel.

[0013] Furthermore, the connection between the conductive substrate and the flexible wire is fixed by welding, and the connection between the conductive substrate and the flexible wire, as well as the outer layer of the flexible wire, are covered with insulating silicone.

[0014] Furthermore, the stitching area of ​​the flexible electrode is the grip area of ​​the steering wheel, and the spacing between the stitches is uniform.

[0015] Furthermore, the flexible electrode is replaced with a gold-plated nickel wire electrode.

[0016] Furthermore, the insulating substrate is fixed to the metal frame by adhesive bonding, and the insulating substrate completely covers the metal frame area corresponding to the steering wheel grip area. The insulating substrate is made of polyurethane.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0018] The ECG acquisition electrodes on this car steering wheel are made by sewing flexible electrodes into the outermost layer of the steering wheel leather, which abandons the rigid structure of traditional embedded metal electrodes. The electrodes maintain a soft touch with the leather layer, without any foreign objects in the touch, and will not cause pressure marks when the driver holds them, achieving a fully flexible and fitting grip experience.

[0019] Meanwhile, the flexible electrodes are sewn with wavy or spiral stitches, resulting in a larger contact area. The sewn electrodes can adapt to the deformation of the leather layer and conform to the curve of the driver's hand, achieving full grip coverage and avoiding signal interruption caused by grip deviation, thus ensuring stable ECG signal acquisition.

[0020] Furthermore, this technology uses a sewing process to replace the precision grooving of traditional embedded electrodes. This process is simple, requires no complex processing equipment, and the material cost of flexible electrodes is far lower than that of conductive leather and precision-machined metal electrodes, significantly reducing overall manufacturing costs. The flexible electrodes also possess excellent conductivity and oxidation resistance, making them less prone to conductivity degradation due to wear or oxidation. The welding process, combined with the insulating silicone coating design, ensures stable signal transmission, while the polyurethane insulating substrate prevents short circuits. The overall electrode structure boasts high reliability and a long service life. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible electrode coverage area structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the flexible electrode of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the flexible electrode of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the flexible electrode of the present invention.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Steering wheel body; 2. Insulating substrate; 3. Conductive matrix; 4. Leather layer; 5. Flexible electrode. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a technical solution comprising an insulating substrate 2, a leather layer 4, a flexible electrode 5, and a conductive matrix 3;

[0029] The insulating substrate 2 is a 0.2mm thick polyurethane insulating substrate laid on the outside of the metal frame of the steering wheel body 1. The polyurethane insulating substrate 2 completely covers the metal frame area corresponding to the steering wheel grip area and is fixed to the metal frame 6 by adhesive bonding to avoid short circuits caused by subsequent electrode signals contacting the metal frame. This material has excellent insulation performance, flexible deformation capability and automotive interior-grade environmental resistance, and can adapt to the extreme temperature range of -40℃ to 85℃ inside the vehicle. It also has anti-aging, anti-wear and waterproof and moisture-proof properties to prevent the insulation performance from deteriorating due to material aging during long-term use.

[0030] The leather layer 4 is wrapped around the outside of the polyurethane insulating base 2, ensuring that the leather layer 4 and the polyurethane insulating base 2 are tightly bonded. The leather layer 4 is the direct contact layer for the driver's grip, maintaining its original soft touch. The bonding of the leather layer 4 and the insulating base 2 adopts a dual process of hot pressing and edge sewing. First, the leather and the insulating base 2 are tightly bonded by hot pressing at 120℃, with a bonding gap of ≤0.03mm to avoid bubbles or wrinkles and ensure that there is no foreign object feeling when the hand is gripping. The edge adopts a lockstitching process with a stitch density of 10-12 stitches / cm, which not only prevents the leather edge from coming loose, but also further improves the bonding firmness.

[0031] The flexible electrode 5 is made of double-stranded silver-plated copper wire with a diameter of 0.1–0.3 mm. It is sewn by hand or CNC sewing machine. The silver-plated copper wire is sewn in a wavy pattern on the outermost layer of leather layer 4. The sewing area is the main grip area of ​​the steering wheel. The spacing of the stitches is uniform to ensure maximum contact area with the hand. After sewing, the silver-plated copper wire electrode is formed.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the flexible electrode 5 is fixed using either hand sewing or CNC sewing machine sewing. The sewing area precisely corresponds to the main grip area of ​​the steering wheel, covering all areas frequently touched by the hand. The stitching adopts a wavy design with a width of 2-3mm and uniform spacing, maximizing the contact area between the electrode and the skin of the hand. This ensures effective contact regardless of the driver's usual grip posture. During the sewing process, the stitches penetrate the leather layer 4, ensuring a tight fit between the silver-plated copper wire and the leather layer 4 without loosening or protrusion, thus not affecting the grip feel. After sewing, the silver-plated copper wire forms a continuous collection electrode. The total length of the electrode is adjusted according to the steering wheel size to ensure comprehensive signal acquisition.

[0033] A conductive substrate 3 is disposed between the insulating substrate 2 and the leather layer 4. The end of the flexible electrode 5 is fixedly connected to the conductive substrate 3. The conductive substrate 3 is made of conductive rubber to improve the contact conductivity with the flexible electrode 5. One end of the flexible wire is soldered to the end of the conductive substrate 3 away from the flexible electrode 5 using a soldering process. After soldering, insulating silicone is wrapped around the soldering position and the outer layer of the flexible wire to form an insulating silicone layer for insulation protection. The flexible wire covered with the insulating silicone layer is passed through the inside of the steering wheel body 1, avoiding the sharp parts of the metal frame. The other end of the flexible wire is connected to the ECG signal processing module located inside the steering wheel to complete the assembly of the entire ECG acquisition electrode. ECG acquisition is a process from electrode contact to signal amplification, then noise reduction, then digital conversion, then algorithm recognition of heartbeat, and finally output of the result. This is a relatively mature technology on the market. The ECG signal processing module is the module for signal amplification, noise reduction, digital conversion, and algorithm recognition. It is a mature existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0034] In this embodiment, if it is necessary to improve the corrosion resistance of the electrode, the silver-plated copper wire can be replaced with the gold-plated nickel wire, while the rest of the sewing and connection processes remain unchanged. If it is necessary to improve the consistency of electrode sewing, a CNC sewing machine can be used to replace manual sewing, and a wavy or spiral pattern can be achieved through a preset program.

[0035] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, when the ECG acquisition electrode is in use, the driver can achieve effective contact between the hand and the silver-plated copper wire electrode in any conventional grip posture of holding the steering wheel. The silver-plated copper wire electrode conforms to the curve of the hand as the leather layer 4 deforms. The acquired ECG signal is transmitted to the ECG signal processing module in sequence through the conductive substrate 3 and the flexible wire, realizing the real-time and stable acquisition of the driver's ECG signal.

[0036] In summary, in this embodiment, the acquired ECG signal is sequentially conducted through the conductive substrate 3 to the flexible wire, and then transmitted to the ECG signal processing module after being protected by the insulating silicone layer. During signal transmission, the insulating substrate 2 effectively isolates the interference from the metal skeleton, and the conductive substrate 3 reduces the contact resistance, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the signal. Ultimately, this achieves real-time and stable acquisition of the driver's ECG signal. The core advantage of this structural design is that it balances signal acquisition performance with driving experience, without changing the original appearance and grip of the steering wheel. It also has good environmental adaptability and service life, and can be widely used in driver health monitoring systems for various passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

[0037] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended embodiments and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ECG acquisition electrode for an automobile steering wheel, comprising a steering wheel body (1), the steering wheel body (1) comprising a metal frame and a leather layer (4) covering the outside of the metal frame, characterized in that: The outermost layer of the leather layer (4) is sewn with a flexible electrode (5); An insulating substrate (2) is provided between the metal frame and the silver-plated copper wire electrode. The end of the flexible electrode (5) is connected to a conductive substrate (3), which is connected to the ECG signal processing module through a flexible wire. The flexible wire passes through the inside of the steering wheel body (1).

2. The ECG acquisition electrode on a car steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wire diameter of the flexible electrode (5) is 0.1–0.3 mm, and the two ends of the flexible electrode (5) will not be disconnected.

3. The ECG acquisition electrode on a car steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible electrode (5) is a silver-plated copper wire, which is sewn onto the leather layer (4) by twisting two strands together. The wiring pattern of the flexible electrode (5) is wavy, spiral, or sewn along the arc of the steering wheel.

4. The ECG acquisition electrode on a car steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection between the conductive substrate (3) and the flexible wire is fixed by welding, and the connection between the conductive substrate (3) and the flexible wire and the outer layer of the flexible wire are covered with insulating silicone.

5. The ECG acquisition electrode on a car steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stitching area of ​​the flexible electrode (5) is the grip area of ​​the steering wheel, and the spacing between the stitches is uniform.

6. The ECG acquisition electrode on a car steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible electrode (5) is replaced with a gold-plated nickel wire electrode.

7. The ECG acquisition electrode on a car steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insulating substrate (2) is fixed to the metal frame by adhesive bonding, and the insulating substrate (2) completely covers the metal frame area corresponding to the steering wheel grip area. The insulating substrate (2) is made of polyurethane.

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