Hand-leaving detection device for steering wheel

By setting up a multi-layer sensor array and processing unit on the steering wheel, the existing steering wheel safety detection system has solved the problem of single detection methods and insufficient accuracy, achieving more accurate and reliable steering wheel off-hand detection, and improving driving safety.

CN222896273UActive Publication Date: 2025-05-23UNION SECURITY IND CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202421878535.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-08-05
Publication Date
2025-05-23
Estimated Expiration
2034-08-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing steering wheel safety detection system has a single detection method and insufficient accuracy, making it difficult to accurately judge the driver's concentration and operating status, and is prone to false alarms or missed reports, resulting in insufficient driving safety performance.

Method used

A hand-off detection device for a steering wheel is designed, including a steering wheel body, a sensor assembly, a processing unit and a warning unit. The sensor assembly includes a multi-layer sensor array, respectively, for detecting the contact state of the hand and the steering wheel, the distribution and force applied to the rim, and monitoring the temperature of the grip position. The processing unit comprehensively judges the contact state between the hand and the steering wheel and the driver's concentration, judges the steering wheel's hand-off state and issues a warning.

Benefits of technology

Through the comprehensive detection of multi-layer sensor array, the accuracy and reliability of steering wheel off-hand detection is significantly improved, false alarms and missed reports are reduced, the safety performance of the vehicle is improved, the safety of drivers and passengers is ensured, and traffic accidents caused by driver distraction or fatigue driving are reduced.

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Abstract

The utility model relates to a hand-leaving detection device of a steering wheel. The hand-leaving detection device comprises a steering wheel body, a sensor assembly; the processing unit is used for receiving and processing the data collected by the sensor assembly so as to accurately judge the contact state of the hand and the steering wheel body and comprehensively judge the contact state of the hand and the steering wheel body; the warning unit is used for sending out a warning signal when the processing unit judges that the steering wheel is in the hand-off state; the processing unit is connected with the sensor assembly and the warning unit. The sensor assembly comprises a first sensor array, a second sensor array and a third sensor array which are arranged on a rim, and the second sensor array is used for detecting whether the body of a driver makes contact with the rim or not. The third sensor array is used for detecting pressure distribution and force applied to the rim; the first sensor array is used for monitoring the temperature of the position held on the rim; the hand contact state of a driver can be comprehensively and accurately detected, so that the driving safety is improved.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of automobile safe driving monitoring, in particular to a steering wheel hands-off detection device. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of intelligent driving technology, the importance of vehicle safety systems has become increasingly prominent. As the core component of the interaction between the driver and the vehicle, the steering wheel's operating status is crucial to driving safety. In order to effectively improve driving safety, the hand-off detection function has been applied in many advanced driving assistance systems (Advanced Driving Assistance System). When the driver's hands are off the steering wheel, the steering wheel hand-off reminder can be issued to avoid accidents.

[0003] However, the steering wheel safety detection systems currently on the market generally have the problems of single detection methods and insufficient accuracy. Therefore, it is more difficult to accurately and effectively judge the driver's concentration level and operating status, and it is easy to have false alarms or missed alarms, resulting in insufficient driving safety performance. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention aims to solve the deficiencies in the prior art, and its main purpose is to provide a steering wheel hands-off detection device, which can comprehensively and accurately detect the contact state and concentration level of the driver's hands, thereby improving driving safety.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A steering wheel hands-off detection device, comprising:

[0007] A steering wheel body; the steering wheel body comprises a hub, spokes and a rim;

[0008] A sensor assembly, wherein the sensor assembly is arranged on the steering wheel body;

[0009] a processing unit, for receiving and processing data collected by the sensor assembly to accurately determine the contact state between the hand and the steering wheel body, and to comprehensively determine the contact state between the hand and the steering wheel body and the driver's concentration level;

[0010] A warning unit, used to send a warning signal when the processing unit determines that the steering wheel is in a hands-off state;

[0011] The processing unit is connected to the sensor assembly and the warning unit respectively; the sensor assembly includes a first sensor array, a second sensor array and a third sensor array, the third sensor array, the second sensor array and the first sensor array are evenly distributed on the rim, the second sensor array is used to detect whether the driver's body is in contact with the rim; the third sensor array is used to detect the pressure distribution and strength applied to the rim; the first sensor array is used to monitor the temperature of the position of holding the rim.

[0012] As a preferred solution, the second sensor array includes at least one capacitive sensor, the third sensor array includes at least one pressure sensor, and the first sensor array includes at least two temperature sensors.

[0013] As a preferred solution, the first sensor array and the second sensor array are alternately distributed on the outer surface of the rim, and the third sensor array is arranged on the inner side of the first sensor array and the second sensor array.

[0014] As a preferred solution, the warning unit includes a buzzer and a warning light, and the processing unit is used to send corresponding warning signals to the buzzer and the warning light according to the data collected by the sensor assembly.

[0015] As a preferred solution, the warning light is arranged on the steering wheel body, and the warning light comprises a three-color LED light.

[0016] As a preferred solution, a vehicle speed sensing unit is included, and the vehicle speed sensing unit is connected to the processing unit.

[0017] As a preferred solution, the sensor assembly further includes a facial image acquisition unit, and the facial image acquisition unit is used to detect the driver's fatigue level in real time.

[0018] As a preferred solution, the facial image acquisition unit includes a acquisition camera, and the acquisition camera is arranged on the hub of the steering wheel body.

[0019] As a preferred solution, it further includes a storage unit, and the storage unit is connected to the processing unit.

[0020] The above-mentioned steering wheel hand-off detection device has obvious advantages and beneficial effects compared with the prior art. Specifically, it can be seen from the above-mentioned technical scheme that it is mainly achieved by arranging a first sensor array, a second sensor array and a third sensor array on the rim from the inside to the outside in sequence. The multi-layer sensor arrays are respectively used to detect whether the driver's body contacts the rim, detect the pressure distribution and strength applied to the rim, and monitor the temperature of the position holding the rim. The processing unit comprehensively judges the contact state between the hand and the steering wheel body and the driver's concentration level, thereby greatly improving the accuracy and reliability of the detection, and can intelligently distinguish between normal operation and abnormal conditions, reduce false alarms and missed alarms, thereby significantly improving the safety performance of the vehicle, ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers, and helping to reduce traffic accidents caused by driver distraction or fatigue driving. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the steering wheel body structure of an embodiment of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel rim according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a steering wheel hands-off detection device according to an embodiment of the utility model.

[0024] Description of reference numerals:

[0025] 10. Steering wheel body; 11. Hub; 12. Spokes; 13. Rim; 14. Frame; 15. Foam layer; 16. Sheath;

[0026] 20. sensor assembly; 21. first sensor array; 22. second sensor array; 23. third sensor array; 24. facial image acquisition unit; 241. acquisition camera;

[0027] 30. Processing unit;

[0028] 40. Warning unit; 41. Buzzer; 42. Warning light;

[0029] 50. Vehicle speed sensing unit;

[0030] 60. Storage unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, rather than all of the embodiments; based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0032] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0033] See also Figure 1 to Figure 2 , showing a steering wheel hand-off detection device provided by an embodiment of the utility model, comprising:

[0034] Steering wheel body 10; Steering wheel body 10 includes hub 11, spokes 12 and rim 13; Hub 11: the middle part of steering wheel body 10, used to connect the steering shaft, Spoke 12: the part connecting hub 11 and rim 13, playing the role of support and reinforcement, the number of spokes 12 is generally 1 to 4, Rim 13: the edge part located at steering wheel body 10;

[0035] A sensor assembly 20, wherein the sensor assembly 20 is disposed on the steering wheel body 10;

[0036] The processing unit 30 is used to receive and process the data collected by the sensor assembly 20 to accurately determine the contact state between the hand and the steering wheel body 10, and to comprehensively determine the contact state between the hand and the steering wheel body 10 and the concentration level of the driver;

[0037] The warning unit 40 is used to send a warning signal when the processing unit 30 determines that the steering wheel is in the hands-off state;

[0038] The processing unit 30 is connected to the sensor assembly 20 and the warning unit 40 respectively; the sensor assembly 20 includes a first sensor array 21, a second sensor array 22 and a third sensor array 23, the third sensor array 23, the second sensor array 22 and the first sensor array 21 are sequentially arranged on the rim 13 from the inside to the outside, the second sensor array 22 is used to detect whether the driver's body contacts the rim 13; the third sensor array 23 is used to detect the pressure distribution and strength applied to the rim 13; the first sensor array 21 is used to monitor the temperature and humidity of the position held on the rim 13.

[0039] Furthermore, the second sensor array 22 includes at least one capacitive sensor, the third sensor array 23 includes at least one pressure sensor, the first sensor array 21 includes at least two temperature and humidity sensors, and the first sensor array 21, the second sensor array 22 and the third sensor array 23 are all arranged along the extension direction of the rim 13.

[0040] Furthermore, the first sensor array 21 and the second sensor array 22 are alternately distributed on the outer surface of the rim 13, and the third sensor array 23 is arranged on the inner side of the first sensor array 21 and the second sensor array 22. The rim 13 includes a frame 14 and a foaming layer 15 filled with a foaming material, the third sensor array 23 is arranged on the outer side of the foaming layer 15, the first sensor array 21 and the second sensor array 22 are arranged on the outer side of the third sensor array 23, and the first sensor array 21 and the second sensor array 22 are filled with a foaming material, and the outer side of the first sensor array 21 and the second sensor array 22 is covered with a thin sheath 16. The capacitive sensor uses the change of electric field to measure the distance or contact state between the driver's body and the sensor. The capacitive sensor integrates a sensing layer inside or on the surface of the rim 13. The sensing layer and the driver's body together form a capacitive loop. When the driver's hand touches the rim 13, the electric field distribution between the sensor and the hand will change, thereby causing a change in the capacitance value. The capacitive sensor detects whether the body is in contact with the rim 13 by measuring the change in the capacitance value. When the driver's hand touches and holds the rim 13, a certain amount of pressure will be generated. This pressure is captured by the pressure sensor and converted into a measurable electrical signal, and then amplified. After processing such as amplification and filtering, the processing unit 30 determines whether the driver's hand is in contact with the rim 13 by comparing the current signal with a preset threshold or reference signal; the position where the rim 13 is held can be measured by a capacitive sensor and a pressure sensor. At this time, the processing unit 30 measures the temperature, temperature change value and relative humidity value of this holding position through a temperature and humidity sensor, and compares the temperature of the holding position with the temperature of the vicinity adjacent to the position where the rim 13 is held, so as to determine whether the rim 13 is held by the driver's body. Generally speaking, the temperature and humidity of the position where the hand holds the rim 13 will be slightly greater than the temperature of the position where the rim 13 is not held. The installation and arrangement of each sensor array is prior art and will not be repeated here. Through comprehensive judgment by the processing unit 30, misjudgment and missed judgment of the hand-off detection device can be reduced.

[0041] Furthermore, the warning unit 40 includes a buzzer 41 and a warning light 42, and the processing unit 30 is used to send corresponding warning signals to the buzzer 41 and the warning light 42 according to the data collected by the sensor assembly 20. The buzzer 41 and the warning light 42 can be set on the steering wheel body 10 or on the vehicle center console.

[0042] Furthermore, a warning light 42 is provided on the steering wheel body 10, and the warning light 42 includes a three-color LED light. For different states of holding the rim 13, LED lights of different colors can be used for warning. For example, when the rim 13 is normally held with both hands, the LED light is displayed in green, when the rim 13 is held with one hand, the LED light is displayed in yellow, and when both hands leave the rim 13, the LED light is displayed in red.

[0043] Furthermore, a vehicle speed sensing unit 50 is included, and the vehicle speed sensing unit 50 is connected to the processing unit 30. When the processing unit 30 senses that the vehicle is in a stationary state through the vehicle speed sensing unit 50, the sensor assembly 20 and the warning unit 40 are controlled to stop working.

[0044] Furthermore, the sensor assembly 20 also includes a facial image acquisition unit 24, which is used to detect the driver's fatigue level in real time. The facial image of the driver is captured by a camera, and features such as eyelid closure, blinking frequency, gaze direction, yawning, and head movement are analyzed to determine whether the driver has entered a sleeping state. This method can detect the driver's fatigue level in real time, and can issue an alarm through the warning unit 40 when necessary, thereby improving driving safety.

[0045] Furthermore, the facial image acquisition unit 24 includes a collection camera 241, which is disposed on the wheel hub 11 of the steering wheel body 10 to capture an image of the driver's face.

[0046] Furthermore, it also includes a storage unit 60, which is connected to the processing unit 30 and is used to store time series data of the driver's gripping state of the rim 13 while driving, so as to retrieve the data after an accident to analyze the cause of the accident to determine whether the driver's hands were off the steering wheel before the accident.

[0047] Example:

[0048] During the driving process of the vehicle, if the second sensor array 22 detects that the hand is off the rim 13, and the third sensor array 23 detects that there is still a slight pressure change on the rim 13, the processing unit 30 will not immediately trigger an alarm. At this time, the first sensor array 21 synchronously monitors the temperature and humidity of the hand. If the normal physiological parameters of the human hand are not detected, the system will comprehensively judge that the steering wheel is off the hand state and trigger an alarm.

[0049] A multi-layer sensor array is arranged inside the rim 13, and each layer of sensors corresponds to different detection areas and functions. For example, the second sensor array 22 is used to preliminarily detect whether the hand is in contact with the rim 13, the third sensor array 23 is used to accurately measure the pressure distribution and strength applied by the hand on the rim 13, and the first sensor is used to monitor physiological parameters such as the temperature and humidity of the hand, and comprehensively judge the contact state between the hand and the rim 13 and the concentration level of the driver.

[0050] For example: when the car is driving, if the second sensor array 22 detects that the hand has left the rim 13, but the third sensor array 23 detects that there is still a certain pressure change on the rim 13 (which may be a brief contact with clothing or other items), if the first sensor array 21 does not detect the normal temperature and humidity of the human hand, the system can accurately determine that it is a true hands-off state and issue a warning. The system can effectively distinguish the driver's normal operation from external interference by intelligently analyzing the sensor data, thereby reducing the false alarm rate.

[0051] The above-mentioned steering wheel hand-off detection device has obvious advantages and beneficial effects compared with the prior art. Specifically, it can be seen from the above-mentioned technical scheme that it is mainly achieved by arranging a first sensor array, a second sensor array and a third sensor array on the rim from the inside to the outside in sequence. The multi-layer sensor arrays are respectively used to detect whether the driver's body contacts the rim, detect the pressure distribution and strength applied to the rim, and monitor the temperature of the position holding the rim. The processing unit comprehensively judges the contact state between the hand and the steering wheel body and the driver's concentration level, thereby greatly improving the accuracy and reliability of the detection, and can intelligently distinguish between normal operation and abnormal conditions, reduce false alarms and missed alarms, thereby significantly improving the safety performance of the vehicle, ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers, and helping to reduce traffic accidents caused by driver distraction or fatigue driving.

[0052] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. According to the creative spirit of the present invention, those skilled in the art may also make other changes. These changes made according to the creative spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection required by the present invention.

Claims

1. A steering wheel hands-off detection device, characterized in that: include: A steering wheel body (10); the steering wheel body (10) comprises a hub (11), spokes (12) and a rim (13); A sensor assembly (20), wherein the sensor assembly (20) is arranged on the steering wheel body (10); a processing unit (30) for receiving and processing data collected by the sensor assembly (20) to accurately determine the contact state between the hand and the steering wheel body (10), and to comprehensively determine the contact state between the hand and the steering wheel body (10) and the driver's concentration level; A warning unit (40) is used to send a warning signal when the processing unit (30) determines that the steering wheel is in a hands-off state; The processing unit (30) is connected to the sensor assembly (20) and the warning unit (40) respectively; the sensor assembly (20) comprises a first sensor array (21), a second sensor array (22) and a third sensor array (23); the third sensor array (23), the second sensor array (22) and the first sensor array (21) are evenly distributed on the rim (13); the second sensor array (22) is used to detect whether the driver's body is in contact with the rim (13); the third sensor array (23) is used to detect the distribution and strength of pressure applied to the rim (13); and the first sensor array (21) is used to monitor the temperature of a position where the hand is held on the rim (13).

2. The steering wheel hands-off detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second sensor array (22) includes at least one capacitive sensor, the third sensor array (23) includes at least one pressure sensor, and the first sensor array (21) includes at least two temperature sensors.

3. The steering wheel hands-off detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first sensor array (21) and the second sensor array (22) are alternately distributed on the outer surface of the rim (13), and the third sensor array (23) is arranged on the inner side of the first sensor array (21) and the second sensor array (22).

4. The steering wheel hands-off detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The warning unit (40) comprises a buzzer (41) and a warning light (42), and the buzzer (41) and the warning light (42) are used to receive and respond to the warning signal sent by the processing unit (30).

5. The steering wheel hands-off detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The warning light (42) is arranged on the steering wheel body (10), and the warning light (42) comprises a three-color LED light.

6. The steering wheel hands-off detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It comprises a vehicle speed sensing unit (50), wherein the vehicle speed sensing unit (50) is connected to the processing unit (30).

7. The steering wheel hands-off detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor assembly (20) further comprises a facial image acquisition unit (24), wherein the facial image acquisition unit (24) is used to detect the driver's fatigue level in real time.

8. The steering wheel hands-off detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The facial image acquisition unit (24) comprises a collection camera (241), and the collection camera (241) is arranged on the wheel hub (11) of the steering wheel body (10).

9. The steering wheel hands-off detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a storage unit (60), which is connected to the processing unit (30).