Capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring alarm device
By setting up a surrounding wire and signal processing module inside the steering wheel to detect capacitance changes, the problem of not being able to detect when the hands leave the steering wheel in existing technologies has been solved, achieving accurate monitoring and timely alarms, reducing costs and improving driving safety and adaptability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ANHUI HANGTU INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
Current automobiles lack effective real-time monitoring of the driver's hands and steering wheel, especially in cases where the hands are not turning but have left the steering wheel, posing a safety hazard. Furthermore, existing capacitive sensor solutions are costly and difficult to adapt to various vehicle models.
A capacitive sensing area is formed by setting up a surrounding wire inside the steering wheel. Combined with a signal processing module to detect changes in capacitance, and connected by a hollow link and a spiral wire, it can realize real-time monitoring of the driver's hand contact with the steering wheel and timely alarm when the hand leaves the steering wheel, reducing costs and simplifying circuit design.
It achieves accurate monitoring of the driver's hand contact with the steering wheel, provides timely alarms, reduces costs, simplifies circuit design, and improves driving safety and adaptability.
Smart Images
Figure CN224491191U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive safety equipment technology, specifically to a capacitive hand-off-steering-wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device. Background Technology
[0002] With the continuous development of automotive technology, more and more vehicles are equipped with driver assistance or autonomous driving functions. In these driving modes, it is crucial to ensure that the driver always maintains effective control of the vehicle.
[0003] However, existing cars lack or are deficient in components that can monitor the driver's hands and steering wheel in a timely and effective manner. For example, some cars determine whether the driver's hands are on the steering wheel by detecting the steering torque. This monitoring method cannot detect situations where the hands are off the steering wheel without turning, which poses a significant safety hazard.
[0004] With the development of capacitive sensors, embedding capacitive sensors into the steering wheel to monitor whether a driver's hands have left the wheel is not only costly and involves complex circuit design, but also requires customized steering wheels and is difficult to adapt to various vehicle models. Therefore, we propose a capacitive hand-off-steering-wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a capacitive hand-off-steering-wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device to solve the defects mentioned in the background art.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0007] A capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device includes a steering wheel body, which consists of a center disc and an outer steering wheel wheel located outside the center disc. A steering wheel shaft is fixedly installed at the center of the inner side of the center disc. Two symmetrical hollow connecting rods are fixedly installed between the center disc and the outer steering wheel wheel. A capacitive sensing module is provided on the steering wheel body. The capacitive sensing module includes a surrounding wire located inside the outer steering wheel wheel, and the surrounding wire forms a capacitive sensing area. A signal processing module for detecting capacitance changes is provided on one side of the steering wheel body.
[0008] Preferably, an inner frame is provided inside the outer steering wheel, and the surrounding guide wire is uniformly wrapped around the inner frame along the arrangement direction of the inner frame;
[0009] This design utilizes the internal framework to support the surrounding conductors.
[0010] Preferably, a spiral wire is provided inside the steering wheel shaft, and the inlet end of the spiral wire is electrically connected to the surrounding wire through a wire arrangement.
[0011] The spiral wire in this configuration ensures electrical connection without affecting the normal rotation of the steering wheel shaft.
[0012] Preferably, the hollow connecting rod has a hollow structure, and the arrangement wire is disposed inside the hollow connecting rod.
[0013] Preferably, a wire hole is provided inside the steering wheel shaft, and the helical wire is located inside the wire hole.
[0014] Preferably, an inner fixing ring is fixedly installed inside the threading hole, and part of the cable of the spiral wire is fixedly installed on the inner annular side of the inner fixing ring, and the spiral wire is spiral in shape;
[0015] This feature makes the spiral guide wire structure more robust and stable, allowing for reasonable electrical connection operations without affecting the normal rotation of the steering wheel shaft.
[0016] Preferably, a vehicle-mounted cable is fixedly installed at the outlet end of the spiral conductor, and the vehicle-mounted cable passes through the through hole and is connected to the vehicle system.
[0017] Preferably, the signal processing module is provided with a communication module and an alarm module, the communication module and the alarm module being used for communication and alarm operations, respectively.
[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0019] 1. This utility model forms a capacitance sensing area by setting up a surrounding wire inside the outer steering wheel, and detects capacitance changes in conjunction with a signal processing module to achieve real-time monitoring of the driver's hand contact state with the steering wheel. It does not rely on steering wheel torque and solves the problem of not being able to detect when the hand leaves the steering wheel without turning it, thus achieving accurate monitoring.
[0020] 2. This utility model uses the inner frame of the outer steering wheel to support the surrounding wires, and the wires arranged in the hollow connecting rod are connected to the spiral wires in the steering wheel shaft. The communication module and alarm module of the signal processing module work together to promptly alarm when the hand leaves the steering wheel and communicate with the vehicle system. This replaces the expensive customized capacitive sensor solution, achieving the effect of reducing costs and simplifying the circuit. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This is one of the partial structural schematic diagrams of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 This is the second partial structural schematic diagram of the present utility model;
[0024] The meanings of the labels in the diagram are as follows:
[0025] 1. Steering wheel body; 10. Center disc; 11. Steering wheel shaft; 111. Cable hole; 12. Outer steering wheel wheel; 13. Inner frame; 14. Hollow connecting rod;
[0026] 2. Capacitive sensing module; 20. Circulating wire; 21. Arranged wire; 22. Spiral wire; 23. Inner fixing ring; 24. Vehicle-mounted cable;
[0027] 3. Signal processing module; 30. Communication module; 31. Alarm module. Detailed Implementation
[0028] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0029] Please see Figures 1-3 This utility model provides a technical solution: a capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device, including a steering wheel body 1, which consists of a central disc 10 and an outer steering wheel 12 disposed outside the central disc 10. A steering wheel shaft 11 is fixedly installed at the center of the inner side of the central disc 10. Two symmetrical hollow connecting rods 14 are fixedly installed between the central disc 10 and the outer steering wheel 12. A capacitive sensing module 2 is provided on the steering wheel body 1. The capacitive sensing module 2 includes a surrounding wire 20 disposed inside the outer steering wheel 12. The surrounding wire 20 forms a capacitive sensing area. A signal processing module 3 for detecting capacitance changes is provided on one side of the steering wheel body 1 to stabilize the steering wheel structure. The hollow connecting rods 14 provide installation space for arranging the wire 21. The surrounding wire 20 of the capacitive sensing module 2 and the signal processing module 3 cooperate to realize hand contact monitoring.
[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, an inner frame 13 is provided inside the outer steering wheel 12. The surrounding wire 20 is evenly wrapped around the inner frame 13 along the arrangement direction of the inner frame 13, so that the inner frame 13 supports the surrounding wire 20, ensuring the stability of the position of the surrounding wire 20, the uniformity of the capacitance sensing area, and improving the monitoring accuracy.
[0031] Specifically, a spiral wire 22 is provided inside the steering wheel shaft 11. The inlet end of the spiral wire 22 is electrically connected to the surrounding wire 20 through a wire 21, so that the spiral wire 22 can extend and retract as the steering wheel shaft 11 rotates, ensuring electrical connection without affecting rotation and ensuring continuous monitoring.
[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the hollow link 14 has a hollow structure, and the wiring 21 is placed inside the hollow link 14, so that the wiring 21 is hidden and protected to avoid external wear, while not affecting the appearance and feel of the steering wheel.
[0033] Furthermore, a wire hole 111 is provided inside the steering wheel shaft 11, and the spiral wire 22 is located inside the wire hole 111, so that the wire hole 111 provides an installation channel for the spiral wire 22, restricts its position, and prevents the wire from getting tangled and interfering with the rotation of the steering wheel shaft 11.
[0034] In addition, an inner fixing ring 23 is fixedly installed inside the wire hole 111. Part of the cable of the spiral wire 22 is fixedly installed on the inner annular side of the inner fixing ring 23. The spiral wire 22 is spiral in shape, which makes the spiral wire 22 firmly installed. The spiral structure can stably expand and contract when rotating, ensuring stable electrical connection and not affecting the normal rotation of the steering wheel shaft 11.
[0035] It is worth noting that the lead end of the spiral wire 22 is fixedly installed with a vehicle cable 24. The vehicle cable 24 passes through the wire hole 111 and is connected to the vehicle system, so that the monitoring signal can be transmitted to the vehicle system, providing a basis for subsequent processing and alarm.
[0036] It is worth noting that the signal processing module 3 is equipped with a communication module 30 and an alarm module 31. The communication module 30 and the alarm module 31 are used for communication and alarm operations, respectively, enabling the communication module 30 to interact with data from other systems, and the alarm module 31 to promptly issue an alarm when it detects that the hands have left the steering wheel, thereby improving driving safety.
[0037] In this embodiment, a capacitive sensing area is formed around the wire 20. When the driver holds the steering wheel, a capacitance is formed between the hand and the wire. Since the human body is a conductor, it will change the capacitance value of the capacitive sensing area. The arrangement of the wire 20 is tight and regular, ensuring that the presence and position change of the hand can be effectively detected on the entire outer steering wheel 12. For example, the wire is wrapped around the inner frame 13 at a specific interval and fixed with insulating material, which can ensure the capacitive sensing effect without affecting the driver's grip on the steering wheel.
[0038] Specifically, the signal processing module 3 is connected to the wires in the capacitance sensing module 2 to detect changes in capacitance and convert them into electrical signals. This module includes a capacitance change detection circuit, which uses a timer chip. Its TRIG pin is connected to the wires, and its OUT pin is connected to the microcontroller unit. When the capacitance changes, the capacitance change detection circuit generates square wave signals of different frequencies and transmits them to the microcontroller unit. By analyzing the square wave signals of different frequencies, the microcontroller unit can accurately determine the change in capacitance and thus determine the contact state between the driver's hands and the steering wheel. The alarm module 31 is connected to the microcontroller unit and receives alarm commands from the microcontroller unit. The alarm module 31 includes an audible alarm unit, a visual alarm unit, and a vibration alarm unit. When the microcontroller unit determines that the driver's hands have been off the steering wheel for more than a preset time, it sends a signal to the alarm module to trigger the corresponding alarm mode. For example, the audible alarm unit can emit a sharp warning sound, the visual alarm unit can display a conspicuous red warning light on the instrument panel, and the vibration alarm unit can cause the steering wheel to vibrate, alerting the driver from multiple sensory levels.
[0039] Furthermore, the communication module 30 can use a CAN communication circuit to communicate with other vehicle systems such as the autonomous driving control unit and the in-vehicle display screen. When an abnormal situation of the driver taking their hands off the steering wheel is detected, the communication module transmits relevant information to other systems so that appropriate measures can be taken. For example, it sends a signal to the autonomous driving control unit to reduce the vehicle speed or take other safety measures; at the same time, it transmits alarm information to the in-vehicle display screen to present it to the driver in a clear manner.
[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the signal processing module 3, communication module 30, alarm module 31, corresponding control circuit, control system, and vehicle power supply involved in this utility model are all general standard parts or parts known to those skilled in the art. Their structures and principles can be learned by those skilled in the art through technical manuals or conventional experimental methods. In the idle space of this device, all the above-mentioned electrical components, which refer to power elements, electrical components, and adapted controllers and power supplies, are connected by wires. The specific connection methods should refer to the working principle of this utility model. The electrical connections between each electrical component are completed in the order of operation. The detailed connection methods are all technologies known in the art.
[0041] It is worth noting that during vehicle operation, the capacitance sensing module 2 continuously monitors the changes in capacitance at the outer steering wheel 12. When the driver's hands are on the steering wheel, the capacitance value is within a specific range; however, when the driver's hands are off the steering wheel, the capacitance value changes significantly. The signal processing module 3 detects the capacitance value change in real time and converts it into square wave signals of different frequencies through the capacitance change detection circuit, which are then sent to the microcontroller unit. The microcontroller unit compares the frequency of the received square wave signal with a preset frequency threshold. If the frequency of the square wave signal exceeds the preset frequency threshold range, it indicates that the driver's hands are on the steering wheel; if the frequency of the square wave signal is within the preset frequency threshold range, it is determined that the driver's hands have left the steering wheel. When the time the hands are off the steering wheel exceeds a preset time, the microcontroller unit sends an alarm command to the alarm module 31 and simultaneously transmits relevant information to other vehicle systems through the communication module 30.
[0042] When the vehicle is started, the capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device of this utility model is activated synchronously. The surrounding wire 20 in the outer steering wheel 12 forms a capacitive sensing area. Through the wire 21 arranged in the hollow connecting rod 14 and the spiral wire 22 in the wire hole 111 in the steering wheel shaft 11, an electrical connection is established with the signal processing module 3. The inner fixing ring 23 fixes the spiral wire 22 to ensure a stable connection.
[0043] When the driver holds the outer steering wheel 12, the human body changes the capacitance value of the surrounding wire 20. The signal processing module 3 detects and analyzes the capacitance change in real time. When the hand leaves the steering wheel, if the abnormal change in capacitance value continues for more than a preset time, the signal processing module 3 triggers the alarm module 31 and simultaneously links the vehicle system through the communication module 30.
[0044] The alarm module 31 activates an audible, visual, or vibration warning. The vehicle cable 24 transmits a signal to the vehicle system to display the alarm information. When the steering wheel is turned, the spiral wire 22 will not affect the normal rotation of the steering wheel shaft 11, ensuring continuous and uninterrupted monitoring until the driver's hand touches the outer steering wheel 12 again, at which point the alarm is deactivated.
[0045] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely preferred examples and are not intended to limit the utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device, comprising a steering wheel body (1), characterized in that: The steering wheel body (1) consists of a central disc (10) and an outer steering wheel wheel (12) located outside the central disc (10). A steering wheel shaft (11) is fixedly installed at the center of the inner side of the central disc (10). Two hollow connecting rods (14) that are symmetrical to each other are fixedly installed between the central disc (10) and the outer steering wheel wheel (12). A capacitance sensing module (2) is provided on the steering wheel body (1). The capacitance sensing module (2) includes a surrounding wire (20) located inside the outer steering wheel wheel (12). The surrounding wire (20) forms a capacitance sensing area. A signal processing module (3) for detecting capacitance changes is provided on one side of the steering wheel body (1).
2. The capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer steering wheel (12) is provided with an inner frame (13), and the surrounding wire (20) is uniformly wrapped around the inner frame (13) along the arrangement direction of the inner frame (13).
3. The capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A spiral wire (22) is provided inside the steering wheel shaft (11), and the inlet end of the spiral wire (22) is electrically connected to the surrounding wire (20) through a wire (21).
4. The capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The hollow connecting rod (14) has a hollow structure, and the arrangement wire (21) is set inside the hollow connecting rod (14).
5. The capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The steering wheel shaft (11) is provided with a wire hole (111), and the spiral wire (22) is located in the wire hole (111).
6. The capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device according to claim 5, characterized in that: An inner fixing ring (23) is fixedly installed inside the thread hole (111), and part of the cable of the spiral wire (22) is fixedly installed on the inner annular side of the inner fixing ring (23). The spiral wire (22) is spiral in shape.
7. The capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The spiral conductor (22) has a vehicle cable (24) fixedly installed at its outlet end. The vehicle cable (24) passes through the through hole (111) and is connected to the vehicle system.
8. The capacitive hand-off steering wheel real-time monitoring and alarm device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The signal processing module (3) is provided with a communication module (30) and an alarm module (31), which are used for communication and alarm operations, respectively.