Sensor device and steering device

Abstract

The sensor device includes a housing, a detection electrode provided on an outer peripheral surface of the housing in opposition to a rim portion, and detecting an electrostatic capacity by capacitively coupling with a hand of a driver gripping the rim portion, an operation knob having an operation surface exposed from an opening portion of a garnish and arranged so that the operation surface opposes the driver, a substrate provided in an inner space of the housing, and an input operation detection portion provided on the substrate and detecting an input operation of the operation knob by the driver, and the housing has a restriction wall that restricts, in any of an initial state of the steering wheel and a state in which a rotation operation in any direction is performed, water from around the operation knob in the opening portion of the garnish from reaching any of the detection electrode and the substrate when the sensor device is immersed in water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to sensor devices and steering devices. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting contact between an occupant's hand and the connection between the rim and the spoke portion of a steering wheel, in which an electrode provided on the spoke portion is used to detect contact between the occupant's hand and the spoke portion of the steering wheel.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-063050 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the technology of the aforementioned Patent Document 1, when water is present on the spokes of the steering wheel, there is a risk that the water intruding from around the switch reaches the electrode and capacitively couples with it, making it impossible to accurately detect the contact between the electrode and the occupant's hand.

[0008] Furthermore, in the steering wheel of the aforementioned Patent Document 1, if a substrate with a detection mechanism for detecting the operation of the switch is installed on the back side of the switch, there is a risk that water intruding from around the switch may reach the substrate, and the detection mechanism installed on the substrate may not be able to accurately detect the operation of the switch.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] One embodiment of the sensor device is mounted on the spoke portion of a steering wheel having a rim portion held by the driver, a hub portion disposed at the center of the rim portion, and spoke portions extending from the hub portion and supporting the rim portion, and is covered by a decorative cover having an opening. The sensor device includes: a housing; a detection electrode disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing opposite to the rim portion, and capacitively coupled to the driver's hand holding the rim portion to detect electrostatic capacitance; an operation button having an operating surface exposed from the opening of the decorative cover, and disposed opposite to the driver; a base plate disposed within the interior space of the housing; and an input operation detection unit disposed on the base plate, which detects input operations by the driver to the operation button. The housing has a limiting wall that, in any state—both the initial state of the steering wheel and the state in which it has been rotated in any direction—limits water from entering around the operation button in the opening of the decorative cover to reach either the detection electrode or the base plate when the sensor device is submerged in water.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to one embodiment of the sensor device, when the sensor device is submerged in water, water entering from around the operation button can be prevented from reaching either the detection electrode or the substrate. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a steering device according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a steering device according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view of the periphery of the sensor device in a steering device according to one embodiment (without the decorative cover installed).

[0016] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the periphery of the sensor device in a steering device according to one embodiment (with a decorative cover installed).

[0017] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the sensor device according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of a sensor device according to one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the stacked structure of the electrostatic detection unit of a sensor device according to one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the structure of a control system included in a sensor device according to one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a sensor device according to one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a plan view of a sensor device according to one embodiment, viewed from the driver's side.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a sensor device (in the state after multiple operation buttons have been removed) according to one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a plan view of a sensor device according to one embodiment, viewed from the driver's side (with multiple operation buttons removed).

[0025] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the drainage path in the sensor device when the steering wheel is in its initial state.

[0026] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing the drainage path in the sensor device when the steering wheel has been rotated 90° clockwise.

[0027] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the drainage path in the sensor device when the steering wheel has been rotated 180° clockwise.

[0028] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing the drainage path in the sensor device when the steering wheel has been rotated 270° clockwise. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] (Structure of steering device 10)

[0031] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a steering device 10 according to one embodiment.

[0032] It should be noted that, for convenience, in the following description, the X-axis direction will be defined as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction as the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction as the up-down direction. Specifically, the positive X-axis direction will be defined as the right direction, the positive Y-axis direction as the front direction, and the positive Z-axis direction as the up direction. These represent the relative positional relationships within the device and are not intended to limit the device's installation or operating direction. Even if the installation or operating directions differ, cases where the relative positional relationships within the device are identical are all included within the scope of this invention.

[0033] Figure 1 The steering device 10 shown is a device installed inside the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle or other vehicle and used by the driver to operate the steering wheel of the vehicle and perform various input operations.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the steering device 10 includes a steering wheel 12 and two sensor devices 100 (sensor devices 100L and 100R).

[0035] The steering wheel 12 is configured to have a rim portion 13, spoke portions 14, and a hub portion 15. The rim portion 13 is a ring-shaped portion that is gripped by the driver's fingers for steering wheel operation. It should be noted that, although not shown in the figure, the cross-sectional structure of the rim portion 13 has a metallic rim core portion disposed at the center and a resin (e.g., urethane) covering portion covering the outer surface of the rim core portion. The left side (negative X-axis side) of the rim portion 13 becomes the grip portion 13L gripped by the driver's left-hand fingers. The right side (positive X-axis side) of the rim portion 13 becomes the grip portion 13R gripped by the driver's right-hand fingers. It should be noted that while both the steering wheel 12 and the rim portion 13 in this embodiment are ring-shaped, the design is not limited to this; for example, it can also have a special shape where only the lower part is connected and the upper part is disconnected, or a portion of the rim is straight, etc.

[0036] A hub portion 15 is disposed at the center of the rim portion 13 and supports the spoke portion 14. The spoke portion 14 extends from the hub portion 15 toward the outer diameter of the rim portion 13 and supports the rim portion 13 from the inside. In this embodiment, as an example, the spoke portion 14 has: a first portion 14A that extends to the right (positive X-axis direction) from the hub portion 15; a second portion 14B that extends to the left (negative X-axis direction) from the hub portion 15; and a third portion 14C that extends downward (negative Z-axis direction) from the hub portion 15. That is, the spoke portion 14 has a generally T-shaped appearance when viewed in a plane.

[0037] The first portion 14A of the disc spoke portion 14 is the area on the right side (positive X-axis side) of which is the holding portion 13R of the disc rim portion 13, and is connected to the disc rim core portion of the disc rim portion 13. The second portion 14B of the disc spoke portion 14 is the area on the left side (negative X-axis side) of which is the holding portion 13L of the disc rim portion 13, and is connected to the disc rim core portion of the disc rim portion 13. Furthermore, the lower end (negative Z-axis side) of the third portion 14C of the disc spoke portion 14 is connected to the disc rim core portion of the disc rim portion 13. Thus, the disc spoke portion 14 supports the disc rim portion 13 from the inside.

[0038] It should be noted that the spoke portion 14 and the hub portion 15 are configured to have a metal spoke core portion that serves as the base of the spoke portion 14, a metal hub core portion that serves as the base of the hub portion 15, a resin (e.g., made of urethane) cover portion that covers the outer surface of the spoke core portion and the hub core portion, and a resin decorative cover 16 that is installed on the driver's side surface of the spoke core portion and the hub core portion, as well as horn and other functional components.

[0039] Furthermore, the hub portion 15 has a through hole 15A formed in the hub core portion, and is fixed to the steering shaft (not shown) inserted in the through hole 15A by a nut (not shown). Thus, the hub portion 15 can rotate together with the steering wheel 12 in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel, and cause the steering shaft to rotate around the central axis.

[0040] Sensor devices 100L and 100R are provided on the steering wheel spokes 14 for performing various input operations. Sensor device 100R is provided on the first portion 14A of the steering wheel spokes 14. Sensor device 100L is provided on the second portion 14B of the steering wheel spokes 14. Sensor devices 100L and 100R have a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the driver's side (Y-axis negative side) and are bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the plane passing through the center of the steering wheel 12. The driver's side (Y-axis negative side) surfaces of each of the sensor devices 100L and 100R become the operating surfaces 100A for performing various input operations.

[0041] The sensor device 100L is located near the grip portion 13L on the rim portion 13. The sensor device 100L is capable of receiving input operations from the driver's left-hand fingers on the operating surface 100A in the area where the grip portion 13L is held. In addition, the sensor device 100L can detect the driver's left-hand gripping state of the grip portion 13L non-contactly.

[0042] The sensor device 100R is located near the grip portion 13R of the disc rim 13. The sensor device 100R is capable of processing input operations on the operating surface 100A by the driver's right-hand fingers in the area where the grip portion 13R is held. In addition, the sensor device 100R can detect the grip state of the driver's right hand on the grip portion 13R non-contactly.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the sensor device 100R in the steering device 10 of one embodiment. Figure 3 This is an enlarged view of the periphery of the sensor device 100R in the steering device 10 of one embodiment (without the decorative cover 16 installed). Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the periphery of the sensor device 100R in the steering device 10 of one embodiment (with the decorative cover 16 installed).

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, the sensor device 100R has a plurality of operating buttons 140 arranged on the operating surface 100A, which is the driver's side surface. The sensor device 100R is provided on the first portion 14A of the spoke portion 14 of the steering wheel 12. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, a resin decorative cover 16 is installed on the driver's side of the spoke portion 14 of the steering wheel 12. Thus, as... Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the sensor device 100R is mounted relative to the first portion 14A of the spoke portion 14 of the steering wheel 12, with a plurality of operation buttons 140 exposed through openings 16A in the cover 16 and their surroundings covered by the cover 16 on the driver's side. As a result, on the driver's side of the sensor device 100R, the surface of the cover 16 and the surfaces of the plurality of operation buttons 140 together form a planar operating surface 100A.

[0045] As described above, the decorative cover 16 has an opening 16A that, when viewed from the driver's side, follows the outline of the plurality of operating buttons 140. Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the multiple operation buttons 140 of the sensor device 100R are exposed through the opening 16A formed in the decorative cover 16, thereby enabling operation from the driver's side. In this embodiment, the operation is a pressing operation, but it is not limited to this, and can perform all other input operations such as tilting.

[0046] It should be noted that a small gap is generated around the plurality of operating buttons 140 in the opening 16A. Therefore, in one embodiment, when the steering device 10 is submerged in water from above the decorative cover 16, there is a risk that water will seep into the back of the decorative cover 16 from around the plurality of operating buttons 140 in the opening 16A.

[0047] (Structure of sensor device 100)

[0048] The structure of the sensor device 100 will be described below using the sensor device 100R as an example. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the sensor device 100R according to one embodiment. Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of a sensor device 100R according to one embodiment.

[0049] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the sensor device 100R includes a housing 110, an electrostatic detection unit 120, multiple operation buttons 140, a bottom shell 150, and a substrate 160.

[0050] The housing 110 is a container-shaped resin component that is thin in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and has an internal space. The housing 110 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the driver's side (negative Y-axis side). The housing 110 has a driver-opposing side wall portion 111 that extends opposite the driver and an outer peripheral wall portion 112 that extends toward the driver.

[0051] The driver-opposite sidewall portion 111 is the part that forms the surface opposite to the driver through the decorative cover 16. The driver-opposite sidewall portion 111 uses the plate 160, which has a generally flat shape parallel to the plate 160, to seal the driver side (Y-axis negative side) relative to the internal space of the housing 110.

[0052] The outer peripheral wall portion 112 is the lateral portion that surrounds the internal space of the housing 110. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the outer peripheral wall portion 112 of the housing 110 has an upper wall portion 112a, a right wall portion 112b, and a lower wall portion 112c arranged to surround the upper side (positive Z-axis side), right side (positive X-axis side), and lower side (negative Z-axis side) of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111. A portion of the upper wall portion 112a, the right wall portion 112b, and the lower wall portion 112c protrudes towards the driver side (negative Y-axis side) beyond the surface of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111 of the housing 110.

[0053] Additionally, the outer peripheral wall portion 112 of the housing 110 has an extension wall portion 112d provided in such a way that the outer peripheral wall portion 112 is extended. The extension wall portion 112d extends from the left end of the lower wall portion 112c of the outer peripheral wall portion 112 along the third portion 14C of the disc-shaped portion 14 (see reference). Figure 1 The wall-like portion extending diagonally downwards (in the negative X-axis and negative Z-axis directions) on the right side of the surface.

[0054] It should be noted that a base plate 160 and components of multiple switches are provided in the internal space of the housing 110 (such as a switch element 161 provided on the base plate 160, an actuator that links the operation button 140 with the switch element 161, etc.).

[0055] The electrostatic detection unit 120 is a sheet-shaped sensor provided for non-contact detection of the driver's grip on the right side of the steering wheel rim 13R by electrostatic means. The electrostatic detection unit 120 is generally strip-shaped. The electrostatic detection unit 120 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 112 of the housing 110.

[0056] Specifically, the electrostatic detection unit 120 is attached to the surface of the upper wall portion 112a, right wall portion 112b, lower wall portion 112c, and extended wall portion 112d of the outer peripheral wall portion 112 of the housing 110 by double-sided tape or the like. Thus, the electrostatic detection unit 120 is positioned opposite the grip portion 13R of the disc rim portion 13 located on the right side (positive X-axis direction) of the housing 110, and can detect the fingers of the driver's right hand gripping the grip portion 13R without contact.

[0057] The structure of sensor device 100R has been described above. However, the structure of sensor device 100L is roughly symmetrical to that of sensor device 100R and is essentially the same as that of sensor device 100R.

[0058] Multiple operation buttons 140 are arranged on the driver-facing side wall portion 111 of the housing 110 and configured to perform input operations. Each of the multiple operation buttons 140 has an operating surface 100A exposed from the opening 16A of the decorative cover 16, allowing for various input operations performed by the driver. Each of the multiple operation buttons 140 is supported by the housing 110 with its operating surface 100A facing the driver. Each of the multiple operation buttons 140 is movably supported on the housing 110 and extends through the driver-facing side wall portion 111. By performing input operations performed by the driver, a switching element 161 mounted on the base plate 160 can be activated by means of an actuator or the like.

[0059] The bottom shell 150 is a resin component that seals the bottom side (positive Y-axis side) of the internal space of the housing 110. The bottom shell 150 is detachably mounted relative to the housing 110 by means of threaded fastening or the like.

[0060] The substrate 160 is a resin-made, flat plate-shaped component disposed within the internal space of the housing 110 and supported by the bottom shell 150. Multiple switching elements 161 are disposed on the substrate 160 corresponding to the multiple operation buttons 140. The switching elements 161 are push-button switches, serving as an example of an "input operation detection unit," and in this embodiment, they detect the input operation of the driver pressing the operation button 140. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the bottom shell 150 is a different component from the housing 110, but the bottom shell 150 and the housing 110 can also be integrally formed.

[0061] (Layered structure of electrostatic detection unit 120)

[0062] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the stacked structure of the electrostatic detection unit 120 included in a sensor device 100 according to one embodiment. (As shown) Figure 7 As shown, the electrostatic detection unit 120 has a stacked structure in which a cover layer 121, a detection electrode 122, a base 123, an active shielding electrode 124 and a cover layer 125 are stacked sequentially from the surface side.

[0063] The base 123 is a flexible and insulating sheet-like component that serves as the base for the electrostatic detection unit 120. Figure 7 In the example shown, the base 123 has a structure in which a polyimide film 123b is attached to both sides of an intermediate material 123a, such as silicone rubber, by a double-sided tape 123c.

[0064] A detection electrode 122 is formed on the surface of the base 123. The detection electrode 122 is provided to detect the gripping of the driver's hand fingers non-contactly by means of electrostatic capacitance in order to capacitively couple with the fingers of the driver's hand that are close to the detection electrode.

[0065] An active shielding electrode 124 is formed on the back side of the base 123. The active shielding electrode 124 is driven by a drive signal synchronized with the drive signal of the detection electrode 122, thereby removing noise components applied to the detection electrode 122 from the back side of the detection electrode 122.

[0066] It should be noted that the detection electrode 122 and the active shielding electrode 124 are, for example, thin-film conductors such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), and metal films (e.g., composite raw materials of silver, copper, aluminum and molybdenum).

[0067] The capping layer 121 is a resin-made, film-like component that overlaps with the surface of the base 123, where the detection electrode 122 is formed. The capping layer 125 protects the surface of the base 123 and the detection electrode 122 by covering the surface of the base 123.

[0068] The capping layer 125 is a resin-made, film-like component disposed overlapping the back side of the base 123, where the active shielding electrode 124 is formed. The capping layer 125 protects the back side of the base 123 and the active shielding electrode 124 by covering the back side of the base 123.

[0069] As described above, the electrostatic detection unit 120, having a layered structure, is attached to the surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 112 (upper wall portion 112a, right wall portion 112b, lower wall portion 112c, and extension wall portion 112d) of the housing 110 at its back side (the side facing the cover layer 125). Thus, in the electrostatic detection unit 120, the detection electrode 122 and the active shielding electrode 124 are disposed on the spoke portion 14 of the steering wheel 12, facing the grip portion 13R of the rim portion 13. Therefore, the electrostatic detection unit 120 is electrostatically capacitively coupled to the fingers of the driver's hand gripping the grip portion 13R, and the change in electrostatic capacitance caused by gripping can be detected non-contactly using the detection electrode 122. At this time, the electrostatic detection unit 120 can remove noise components applied to the detection electrode 122 from the housing 110 side on the back side of the electrostatic detection unit 120 using the active shielding electrode 124.

[0070] (The structure of the control system provided by the sensor device 100)

[0071] Figure 8This is a diagram illustrating the structure of the control system included in a sensor device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 8 As shown, the control system of the sensor device 100 includes the described detection electrode 122, active shielding electrode 124, and control device 130. It should be noted that... Figure 8 The structure of the control system of the sensor device 100 shown is the same as that of the sensor devices 100L and 100R.

[0072] The control device 130 is a device that can determine whether the driver's fingers are holding the rim portion 13 (grip portion 13L, 13R) of the steering wheel 12 based on the detection result detected by the detection electrode 122, and output the determination result.

[0073] like Figure 8 As shown, the control device 130 is electrically connected to the detection electrode 122 and the active shielding electrode 124, respectively. The control device 130 includes a detection electrode control unit 131, a shielding electrode control unit 132, a judgment unit 133, and a result output unit 134.

[0074] The detection electrode control unit 131 detects changes in the electrostatic capacitance of the detection electrode 122. Specifically, the detection electrode control unit 131 drives the detection electrode 122 by applying an AC voltage composed of a sine wave as a drive signal. Furthermore, the detection electrode 122 detects changes in the current value flowing through it as changes in its electrostatic capacitance.

[0075] For example, a detection electrode 122 of the sensor device 100R is disposed near and opposite the grip portion 13R. Therefore, when the driver's right-hand fingers grip the grip portion 13R, the driver's right-hand fingers are close to the detection electrode 122 of the sensor device 100R. Consequently, the detection electrode 122 of the sensor device 100R and the driver's right-hand fingers are electrostatically capacitively coupled, causing a change in the current value flowing through the detection electrode 122. Thus, the detection electrode 122 of the sensor device 100R can detect (non-contact detection) the driver's right-hand fingers.

[0076] It should be noted that, as Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the electrostatic detection unit 120 of the sensor device 100R has a shape that bends at approximately right angles at the upper right corner and the lower right corner of the housing 110. Therefore, based on the 90° position (positive side of the X-axis) of the disc edge 13, it can detect the driver's right hand fingers within a range of approximately ±30° in the grip 13R.

[0077] The shielding electrode control unit 132 generates an active shielding signal and outputs the active shielding signal to the active shielding electrode 124. This drives the active shielding electrode 124. The active shielding signal is, for example, a signal having a waveform synchronized with the drive signal applied from the detection electrode control unit 131 to the detection electrode 122 (i.e., an AC voltage composed of a sine wave). By being driven, the active shielding electrode 124 can remove noise components applied to the detection electrode 122 from its back side (the housing 110 side). In other words, the active shielding electrode 124 can remove noise components based on the electrostatic capacitance detected by the detection electrode 122.

[0078] The judgment unit 133 determines whether there is a driver's finger gripping the gripping units 13L and 13R based on the change in electrostatic capacitance in the detection electrode 122 detected by the detection electrode control unit 131.

[0079] For example, if the difference between the electrostatic capacitance in the detection electrode 122 of the sensor device 100R and the reference value exceeds a predetermined threshold th, the determination unit 133 determines that there are fingers of the driver's right hand holding the grip unit 13R.

[0080] Conversely, if the difference between the electrostatic capacitance in the detection electrode 122 of the sensor device 100R and the reference value is less than a predetermined threshold th, the determination unit 133 determines that there are no fingers of the driver's right hand gripping the grip unit 13R.

[0081] The aforementioned reference value is a value set based on the assumption that the electrostatic capacitance of a driver's finger or other object is not in close proximity.

[0082] It should be noted that the threshold th uses an optimal value pre-determined through actual testing, simulation, etc. As described above, the control device 130 drives the active shielding electrode 124, so the electrostatic capacitance detected by the detection electrode 122 becomes the electrostatic capacitance from the back side (housing 110 side) of the detection electrode 122 where noise components are removed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the threshold th is the value from which noise components from the back side (housing 110 side) of the detection electrode 122 are removed by the active shielding electrode 124, thus becoming a lower value compared to conventional structures that do not use active shielding electrodes.

[0083] The result output unit 134 outputs the judgment result determined by the judgment unit 133 (i.e., whether there is a driver's finger holding the gripping units 13L and 13R) to the outside (for example, a device that performs processing corresponding to the judgment result determined by the judgment unit 133).

[0084] It should be noted that the control device 130 is implemented, for example, by a computer (e.g., an integrated circuit) equipped with a processor (e.g., CPU), storage media (e.g., ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.), external interfaces, etc. For example, Figure 8 The control processing in each functional unit of the control device 130 shown is achieved by the processor in the control device 130 executing a program stored in a storage medium.

[0085] (Waterproof construction of casing 110)

[0086] Figure 9 This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a sensor device 100R according to one embodiment. Figure 10 This is a plan view of a sensor device 100R according to one embodiment, viewed from the driver's side. Figure 11 This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a sensor device 100R (in the state after the plurality of operation buttons 140 have been removed) according to one embodiment. Figure 12 This is a plan view of a sensor device 100R (with multiple operation buttons 140 removed) as seen from the driver's side.

[0087] In one embodiment of the sensor device 100R, the housing 110 has a “restriction wall” (for example, the driver-facing side wall 111 described later), which restricts water from entering around the operation button 140 in the opening 16A of the decorative cover 16 to reach either the detection electrode 122 or the substrate 160 when the sensor device 100R is submerged in water.

[0088] By using a "restriction wall," the sensor device 100R of one embodiment can limit the further flow of water reaching the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160 when the sensor device 100R is submerged in water, regardless of the rotation state of the steering wheel 12, thus preventing the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160 from getting wet. Therefore, according to the sensor device 100R of one embodiment, even when the sensor device 100R is submerged in water, the holding state can be reliably detected by the detection electrode 122, and the input operation performed by the operation button 140 can be reliably detected by the substrate 160.

[0089] like Figures 9-12As shown, in one embodiment of the sensor device 100R, the housing 110 includes a driver-facing side wall portion 111. The driver-facing side wall portion 111 is an example of a "first limiting wall" included in the "limiting wall". The driver-facing side wall portion 111 is disposed parallel to the substrate 160 in the internal space of the housing 110 on the driver side. That is, the driver-facing side wall portion 111 is a flat, plate-shaped wall that covers the driver side and blocks the opening of the internal space relative to the substrate 160 located in the internal space of the housing 110 to prevent water from flowing down from the driver side.

[0090] Thus, the sensor device 100R of one embodiment can prevent water that has entered from around the operation button 140 in the opening 16A of the decorative cover 16 from entering the internal space of the housing 110 by using the driver-opposite side wall portion 111, thereby preventing the substrate 160 provided inside the housing 110 from being soaked in water.

[0091] Here, as Figure 2 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 As shown, a plurality of through holes 111A are formed in the driver-opposite side wall portion 111. Each of the plurality of through holes 111A is provided to support the operation button 140 so that it can move up and down and to allow the operation button 140 and the actuator (not shown) to be inserted into the interior of the housing 110, and to press the switch element 161 provided on the base plate 160 by the actuator when the operation button 140 is input.

[0092] Each of the plurality of through holes 111A has a cylindrical wall portion 111B surrounding it. When viewed from the driver's side, the through holes 111A and the wall portions 111B are completely covered by the operating button 140 (located inside the outer periphery of the operating button 140), and the wall portions 111B are provided to protrude from the surface of the driver-facing side wall portion 111 towards the driver's side. As a result, the wall portions 111B can prevent water from entering from around the operating button 140 in the opening 16A and soaking the surface of the driver-facing side wall portion 111 into the interior of the housing 110 through the through holes 111A, thus preventing the substrate 160 disposed inside the housing 110 from being soaked in water.

[0093] In addition, such as Figure 2 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 12As shown, in one embodiment of the sensor device 100R, the housing 110 has a second limiting wall 113 erected between the operation button 140 and the detection electrode 122 (electrostatic detection unit 120) from the driver-opposite side wall portion 111 (first limiting wall) toward the driver side. The second limiting wall 113 is an example of a "second limiting wall" included in the term "limiting wall". The second limiting wall 113 restricts the flow of water toward the detection electrode 122 (electrostatic detection unit 120) and extends continuously between the opening 16A and the detection electrode 122 (electrostatic detection unit 120).

[0094] Thus, the sensor device 100R of one embodiment can use the second limiting wall 113 to stop the water flowing on the surface of the driver-opposite side wall 111 from the area around the operation button 140 in the opening 16A that is soaked in water, and prevent it from flowing out to the area outside the second limiting wall 113. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the detection electrode 122 provided in the area outside the second limiting wall 113 from being soaked in water.

[0095] In particular, the second limiting wall 113 (refer to in) Figure 11 , Figure 12 The area enclosed by the dotted line is continuously provided along the detection electrode 122 (electrostatic detection section 120) without any intermediate gaps. That is, as the electrostatic detection section 120 is provided along the outer peripheral wall portion 112 of the housing 110 (upper wall portion 112a, right wall portion 112b, lower wall portion 112c, and extension wall portion 112d), the second limiting wall 113 is provided along the approximately outer peripheral wall portion 112 of the housing 110.

[0096] Thus, the sensor device 100R of one embodiment can reliably prevent water from the area inside the second limiting wall 113 from flowing out to the area outside the second limiting wall 113 from the area around the operating button 140 in the opening 16A to the surface of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111. Therefore, it can reliably prevent the detection electrode 122, which is located in the area outside the second limiting wall 113, from being soaked in water.

[0097] Furthermore, the second limiting wall 113 is provided without gaps in three directions surrounding the driver-opposite side wall portion 111 (i.e., the positive Z-axis direction, negative Z-axis direction, and positive X-axis direction in the case of a steering member where the electrostatic detection unit 120 is provided when viewed from the driver's side plane). Therefore, in any state, including the initial state of the steering wheel 12 and the state after rotation in any direction, the second limiting wall 113 can restrict the flow of water that would otherwise flow on the surface of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111 under the influence of gravity when the surface of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111 is wet. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the electrostatic detection unit 120 from being soaked in water.

[0098] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the second limiting wall 113 includes a portion of the upper wall portion 112a and a portion of the lower wall portion 112c of the outer peripheral wall portion 112. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the second limiting wall 113 may be composed solely of the outer peripheral wall portion 112, or it may be provided separately from the outer peripheral wall portion 112 without omitting it. That is, the second limiting wall 113 does not necessarily need to be adjacent to the outer peripheral wall portion 112, and can be provided in any area between the operating button 140 and the detection electrode 122, thus preventing the detection electrode 122 from being immersed in water.

[0099] In addition, in one embodiment of the sensor device 100R, the housing 110 has a "drainage path" (for example, a first drainage path 115 and a second drainage path 118), which discharges water that has entered around the operation button 140 into the direction where the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160 are not present when the sensor device 100R is submerged in water.

[0100] Thus, the sensor device 100R of one embodiment can use a "drainage path" to guide water that has soaked into the driver-opposite sidewall portion 111 toward the direction where the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160 are not present, and discharge it to the outside of the sensor device 100R. Therefore, the sensor device 100R of one embodiment can suppress the retention of water into the device and can prevent the water from capacitively coupling with the detection electrode 122, thus preventing the driver's grip from being falsely detected.

[0101] Here, as Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 As shown by the arrow, the "drainage passages" of the housing 110 include, for example, a first drainage passage 115 and a second drainage passage 118.

[0102] Here, as Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 As shown, in one embodiment of the sensor device 100R, the "drainage path" of the housing 110 includes a drain path extending from around the operation button 140 toward the hub portion 15 (see reference). Figure 1 The first drainage channel 115 extends from the first drainage channel.

[0103] Thus, in one embodiment, the sensor device 100R can be easily drained from around the operation button 140 towards the hub portion 15 (i.e., the center direction of the steering wheel 12 where the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160 are not present) when the sensor device 100R is submerged in water, using the first drainage channel 115.

[0104] In particular, in one embodiment of the sensor device 100R, the first drainage channel 115 has a plurality of ribs 115A that extend toward the hub portion 15 and at an inclination in the direction of gravity in the initial state of the steering wheel 12. Each of the plurality of ribs 115A has a wall-like shape that protrudes from the surface of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111 toward the driver side.

[0105] Thus, the sensor device 100R of one embodiment can reduce the flow velocity of water relative to the direction of gravity by bringing water that has entered from around the operation button 140 into contact with the rib 115A, and can reliably discharge water that has entered from around the operation button 140 in a predetermined amount along the rib 115A towards the hub portion 15 (i.e., the center direction of the steering wheel 12).

[0106] In addition, such as Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 As shown, in a sensor device 100R according to one embodiment, the housing 110 has a connecting portion 17 (see reference) where the disk spoke portion 14 and the disk edge portion 13 are connected. Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The area near the control button 140 has a through hole 116 that extends the housing 110 from the driver's side to the rear side. In addition, in one embodiment of the sensor device 100R, the housing 110 has a second drainage path 118 that discharges water that has entered from around the control button 140 through the through hole 116 to the rear side of the housing 110.

[0107] Specifically, the through-hole 116 is located in the lower right corner of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111, in an area that does not overlap with the substrate 160 when viewed from the driver's perspective. That is, the through-hole 116 is provided in such a way that it passes through the area between the substrate 160 of the housing 110 and the detection electrode 122. On the other hand, the lower wall portion 112c of the housing 110 is inclined to the lower right relative to the horizontal plane (parallel to the X-axis) when the steering device 10 is in the neutral steering position. Therefore, water that intrudes from around the operating button 140 and soaks into the surface of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111 flows downward toward the lower wall portion 112c due to gravity, and then flows along the lower wall portion 112c toward the through-hole 116 located at the downstream end of the second drainage channel 118 (i.e., the downstream end in the direction of gravity).

[0108] Thus, in one embodiment of the sensor device 100R, when the sensor device 100R is submerged in water, water that has entered from around the operation button 140 flows downstream in the second drainage channel 118 under gravity on the surface of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the sensor device 100R, water flowing downstream in the second drainage channel 118 under gravity is discharged from the downstreammost through hole 116 formed in the second drainage channel 118 to the back side (positive Y-axis side) of the housing 110 without contacting either the substrate 160 or the detection electrode 122.

[0109] In one embodiment, the sensor device 100R has outer peripheral wall portions 112 in three directions on the driver-opposite side wall portion 111. Therefore, depending on the rotation state of the steering wheel 12, there is a risk that when the sensor device 100R is submerged in water, water that has entered from around the operation button 140 may be caught by the outer peripheral wall portions 112 in three directions and accumulate in the lower right corner of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111, which is in the direction of gravity (see reference). Figure 14 However, in one embodiment of the sensor device 100R, the housing 110 has a through hole 116 at the lower right corner of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111, so water that has entered from around the operation button 140 can be discharged from the through hole 116 to the back side (positive Y-axis side) of the housing 110. Therefore, regardless of the rotation state of the steering wheel 12, water accumulation at the lower right corner of the driver-opposite side wall portion 111 can be avoided.

[0110] Additionally, for example, if water flowing in the second drainage path 118 remains on or near the inner wall of the through hole 116, there is a risk that the water will capacitively couple with the detection electrode 122, and that the electrostatic capacitance detected by the detection electrode 122 may contain noise components.

[0111] Therefore, one embodiment of the sensor device 100R includes an active shielding electrode 124 disposed in the region near the through hole 116 in the outer peripheral surface of the housing 110 (see reference). Figure 7 , Figure 13 ).

[0112] Thus, the sensor device 100R of one embodiment utilizes the active shielding electrode 124 to shield the capacitive coupling of water to the detection electrode 122 even if water remains on or near the inner wall of the through hole 116.

[0113] (Drainage effect caused by sensor device 100R)

[0114] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the drainage path in the sensor device 100R when the steering wheel 12 is in its initial state. (See diagram below.) Figure 13As shown, when the steering wheel 12 is in its initial state, if the sensor device 100R is submerged in water, the sensor device 100R can receive water from the area around the operation button 140 by gravity through multiple ribs 115A that are lower in the direction of gravity (Z-axis direction) and the lower wall portion 112c of the outer peripheral wall portion 112. The water is then discharged towards the hub portion 15 (i.e., the center direction of the steering wheel 12 where the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160 are not provided) through multiple first drainage channels 115 provided along the multiple ribs 115A. The water is also discharged towards the back side (positive Y-axis side) of the housing 110 without contacting the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160 through the through hole 116 by the second drainage channel 118 provided along the lower wall portion 112c.

[0115] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing the drainage path in the sensor device 100R when the steering wheel 12 has been rotated 90° clockwise. (See diagram below.) Figure 14 As shown, when the steering wheel 12 has been rotated 90° clockwise, if the sensor device 100R is submerged in water, the sensor device 100R can drain water from around the operation button 140 by gravity through the second drainage path 118, which extends along the lower wall portion 112c of the outer peripheral wall portion 112 in the direction of gravity (X-axis direction), and through the through hole 116, which is on the lower side in the direction of gravity (X-axis direction), without contacting the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160, to the back side (positive Y-axis side) of the housing 110.

[0116] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the drainage path in the sensor device 100R when the steering wheel 12 has been rotated 180° clockwise. (See diagram for reference.) Figure 15 As shown, when the steering wheel 12 has rotated 180° clockwise, if the sensor device 100R is submerged in water, the sensor device 100R can receive water from the area around the operation button 140 by gravity through the upper wall 112a of the outer peripheral wall 112, which is the lower side in the direction of gravity (Z-axis direction), and discharge it towards the hub 15 (i.e., the center direction of the steering wheel 12 where the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160 are not provided) through the first drainage channel 115 provided along the upper wall 112a.

[0117] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing the drainage path in the sensor device 100R when the steering wheel 12 has been rotated 270° clockwise. (See diagram for reference.) Figure 16As shown, when the steering wheel 12 has rotated 270° clockwise, if the sensor device 100R is submerged in water, the sensor device 100R will discharge water from around the operation button 140 by gravity through multiple first drainage channels 115 extending along multiple ribs 115A in the direction of gravity (X-axis direction) towards the hub portion 15 which is lower in the direction of gravity (X-axis direction) (i.e., the center direction of the steering wheel 12 where the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160 are not provided).

[0118] As described above, regardless of the rotation state of the steering wheel 12, the sensor device 100R of one embodiment can reliably drain water from around the operation button 140 to the outside of the sensor device 100R through the first drainage path 115, the second drainage path 118 and the through hole 116 when the sensor device 100R is submerged in water, thus preventing the detection electrode 122 and the substrate 160 from getting wet.

[0119] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications or alterations can be made within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as described in the patent technical solution.

[0120] This international application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-222685, filed on December 28, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0121] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0122] 10. Steering mechanism

[0123] 12 Steering wheel

[0124] 13. Edge of plate

[0125] 13L Handling section

[0126] 13R Holding Section

[0127] 14. Disc-shaped spokes

[0128] 14A Part 1

[0129] 14B Part Two

[0130] 14C Part 3

[0131] 15. Hub section

[0132] 15A Through Hole

[0133] 16 Decorative Cover

[0134] 16A Opening

[0135] 17 Connecting parts

[0136] 100, 100L, 100R sensor devices

[0137] 100A operating surface

[0138] 110 Housing

[0139] 111 Driver's opposing side wall (restriction wall, first restriction wall)

[0140] 112 Peripheral wall portion

[0141] 112a Upper wall portion

[0142] 112b Right side

[0143] 112c Lower wall portion

[0144] 112d Extended wall section

[0145] 113 Second Restriction Wall (Restriction Wall)

[0146] 115 First Drainage Channel (Drainage Channel)

[0147] 115A Rib

[0148] 116 Through Hole

[0149] 118 Second Drainage Channel (Drainage Channel)

[0150] 120 Electrostatic Detection Department

[0151] 121 Cap layer

[0152] 122 Detection Electrode

[0153] 123 Base

[0154] 123a Intermediate Material

[0155] 123b Polyimide film

[0156] 123c Double-sided tape

[0157] 124 Active Shielding Electrodes

[0158] 125 cap layer

[0159] 130 Control Device

[0160] 131 Detection Electrode Control Unit

[0161] 132 Shielded Electrode Control Unit

[0162] 133 Judgment Department

[0163] 134 Result Output Department

[0164] 140 Operation Button

[0165] 150 bottom shell

[0166] 160 substrate

[0167] 161 Switching element (input operation detection unit)

[0168] th threshold.

Claims

1. A sensor device mounted on the spoke portion of a steering wheel having a rim portion held by a driver, a hub portion disposed at the center of the rim portion, and spoke portions extending from the hub portion and supporting the rim portion, and covered by a decorative cover having an opening. The sensor device is characterized in that... The sensor device includes: case; A detection electrode is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing opposite to the disk edge, and is capacitively coupled to the driver's hand holding the disk edge to detect electrostatic capacitance. An operating button having an operating surface exposed from the opening of the decorative cover and arranged such that the operating surface is opposite to the driver; A substrate disposed within the interior space of the housing; and An input operation detection unit is disposed on the substrate and detects input operations made by the driver to the operation button. The housing has a limiting wall that, in either the initial state of the steering wheel or in any state where it has been rotated in any direction, restricts water from entering from around the operating button in the opening of the decorative cover to reach either the detection electrode or the substrate when the sensor device is submerged in water.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting wall includes: A first limiting wall, which is provided to seal the driver's side relative to the substrate of the internal space of the housing, and forms a surface opposite to the driver; and A second limiting wall is erected between the operating button and the detection electrode, extending from the first limiting wall toward the driver's side.

3. The sensor device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second limiting wall is continuously arranged along the detection electrode without any intermediate gaps.

4. The sensor device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing has a drainage channel that, when the sensor device is submerged in water, drains water that has entered around the operating button in the opening of the decorative cover toward a direction where the detection electrode and the substrate are not present.

5. The sensor device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The drainage path includes a first drainage path extending from around the operating button toward the hub.

6. The sensor device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first drainage channel has ribs that are inclined toward the hub and in the direction of gravity in the initial state of the steering wheel.

7. The sensor device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The housing has a through hole in the area near the connection between the disc spokes and the disc rim, allowing the housing to pass through from the driver's side to the rear side. The drainage path includes a second drainage path that discharges water that has entered from around the operating button in the opening of the decorative cover to the rear side of the housing via the through hole.

8. The sensor device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sensor device includes an active shielding electrode disposed in the region near the through hole in the outer peripheral surface of the housing.

9. The sensor device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor device includes a determination unit that determines the driver's grip on the rim of the steering wheel based on changes in electrostatic capacitance detected by the detection electrode.

10. A steering device, characterized in that, The steering device includes: The steering wheel; and The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is mounted on the steering wheel.

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