Hand-off detection pad assembly and steering wheel

Abstract

A hands-off detection pad assembly for a steering wheel includes a shield layer including shield elements in a mesh or continuous form, and a detection layer including detection elements in a mesh form arranged around the shield elements. The detection elements have a line width less than or equal to 0.30 millimeters and a line spacing less than or equal to 0.30 millimeters. A steering wheel including the hands-off detection pad assembly is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to the field of vehicle engineering, and more specifically, to a hands-free detection pad assembly and a steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of automotive intelligence and autonomous driving technologies, in-vehicle space design and human-machine interaction modes are undergoing a revolution. The fixed structure of traditional steering wheels is gradually becoming insufficient to meet the needs of high-level autonomous driving scenarios (such as Level 3 and above).

[0003] Hands-off detection technology refers to the technology used to monitor whether the driver's hands are on the steering wheel when Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) functions are enabled. If the driver detects that the hands have been off the steering wheel for a certain period of time, an alarm will be triggered to ensure the driver maintains control of the vehicle in assisted driving mode. It is a key safety technology in the fields of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving. Although Level 3 and above autonomous driving allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel under certain conditions, regulations require vehicles to continuously monitor the driver's status to ensure that the driver can take over promptly when requested by the system.

[0004] Compared to a conventional steering wheel, a steering wheel with a hands-off detection function requires the components implementing this function to occupy a certain amount of space and weight within the wheel. Therefore, weight reduction and thinning are issues that steering wheels with hands-off detection functions need to address. Furthermore, the sensitivity and accuracy of the hands-off detection are also factors to consider. Utility Model Content

[0005] One of the purposes of this application is to provide a hands-free detection pad assembly and steering wheel that can overcome at least one defect in the prior art.

[0006] One object of this application is to provide a hands-free detection pad assembly and a steering wheel that have reduced thickness and lighter weight.

[0007] Another objective of this application is to provide a hands-free detection pad assembly and a steering wheel that have higher sensitivity and accuracy.

[0008] According to a first aspect of this application, a hands-free detection pad assembly is provided for use in a steering wheel, the hands-free detection pad assembly comprising:

[0009] A shielding layer, comprising shielding elements in a mesh or continuous form; and

[0010] A detection layer, the detection layer comprising detection elements in a grid pattern, the detection elements being arranged around the shielding element;

[0011] The line width of the detection element is less than or equal to 0.30 mm and the line spacing of the detection element is less than or equal to 0.30 mm.

[0012] In some embodiments of the hand-drop detection pad assembly, the linewidth of the detection element is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, preferably 0.10 mm, and the line spacing of the detection element is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, preferably 0.10 mm, and / or the linewidth of the shielding element is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, preferably 0.10 mm, and the line spacing of the shielding element is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, preferably 0.10 mm. Smaller linewidths and line spacing result in a higher grid density of the detection element according to this application, improving the sensitivity of hand-drop detection. Smaller linewidths and line spacing result in a higher grid density of the shielding element according to this application, enhancing the shielding capability of the hand-drop detection pad assembly and improving electromagnetic interference immunity.

[0013] In some embodiments of the hand-release detection pad assembly, the line width of the shielding element is smaller than the line width of the detection element, and the line spacing of the shielding element is smaller than the line spacing of the detection element, so that the grid density of the shielding element is higher than that of the detection element, in order to provide better shielding effect and improve electromagnetic interference resistance.

[0014] In some embodiments of the hands-free detection pad assembly, the thickness of the detection element is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, preferably 0.10 mm, and / or the thickness of the shielding element is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, preferably 0.10 mm. The thinner thickness reduces the weight of the detection element 20 and shielding element 40 according to this application and saves space on the steering wheel.

[0015] In some embodiments of the hand-release detection pad assembly, the shielding layer includes a shielding base, the shielding element is disposed on the shielding base, and / or the detection layer includes a detection base, the detection element is disposed on the detection base, and the detection base is arranged between the detection element and the shielding element.

[0016] In some embodiments of the hand-release detection pad assembly, the thickness of the shielding base is greater than the thickness of the shielding element, and / or the thickness of the detection base is greater than the thickness of the detection element.

[0017] In some embodiments of the hand-release detection pad assembly, the detection element includes a first partition and a second partition, which are arranged in parallel along the detection layer.

[0018] In some embodiments of the hands-free detection pad assembly, the detection element is integrally formed with a detection connection harness configured to connect to a steering wheel controller, and / or the shielding element is integrally formed with a shielding connection harness configured to connect to a steering wheel controller. This integral forming simplifies the manufacturing process, improves the structural strength of the detection connection harness and detection element, as well as the shielding connection harness and shielding element, and facilitates the assembly process of the detection element and shielding element.

[0019] In some embodiments of the release detection pad assembly, the detection element and / or the shielding element are formed from metal paste, preferably from silver paste. Compared to copper alloy wire, silver paste has excellent impedance and electromagnetic interference resistance. Using silver paste to form the detection and shielding elements via processes such as screen printing can significantly improve production and assembly efficiency. Furthermore, using silver paste can significantly reduce the linewidth and spacing of the detection and shielding elements, as well as their thickness.

[0020] According to a second aspect of this application, a steering wheel is provided that includes a hands-free detection pad assembly as described above.

[0021] The hands-free detection pad assembly according to this application has a smaller line width and line spacing, resulting in higher density, which enhances the sensitivity and shielding capability of the hands-free detection pad assembly, improves electromagnetic interference resistance, and at the same time has a thinner thickness and more flexible connecting wires, reducing weight and saving steering wheel space. Attached Figure Description

[0022] A better understanding of various aspects of this application will be achieved by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a diagram of a steering wheel;

[0024] Figure 2 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the steering wheel rim;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the detection layer and shielding layer of a hand-release detection pad assembly according to some embodiments of this application;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the unfolded detection layer of a hand-release detection pad assembly according to some embodiments of this application;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the unfolded shielding layer of a hand-release detection pad assembly according to some embodiments of this application;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the unfolded detection layer of a hand-release detection pad assembly according to some embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the unfolded shielding layer of a hand-release detection pad assembly according to some embodiments of this application.

[0030] List of reference numerals

[0031] Steering wheel 1; Wheel rim 12; Wheel spokes 14; Frame 121; Foam layer 122; Outer layer 123; Shielding layer 124; Detection layer 125; Heating layer 126;

[0032] Detection element 20; detection base 22; first partition 202; second partition 204; connecting part 206;

[0033] Test connection harness 30;

[0034] Shielding element 40; shielding base 42; connecting part 406;

[0035] Shielded connecting harness 50. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present application. However, it should be understood that the present application can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure of the present application more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present application to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide more additional embodiments.

[0037] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of certain features may be modified in the drawings.

[0038] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this application. All terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0039] Unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this specification include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “containing” used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term “and / or” used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. The terms “between X and Y” and “between approximately X and Y” used in this specification should be interpreted as including both X and Y. The term “between approximately X and Y” used in this specification means “between approximately X and approximately Y,” and the term “from approximately X to Y” used in this specification means “from approximately X to approximately Y.”

[0040] In the specification, when an element is described as being "on," "attached," "connected," "coupled," or "in contact" with another element, the element can be directly located on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly" located on, directly attached to, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly in contact with another element, no intermediate elements are present. In the specification, a feature arranged "adjacent" to another feature can mean that a feature has a portion overlapping with the adjacent feature or a portion located above or below the adjacent feature.

[0041] In the specification, spatial relation terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "high," and "low" describe the relationship between one feature and another in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that spatial relation terms include not only the orientation shown in the drawings but also the different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, when the device in the drawings is inverted, a feature previously described as "below" other features can now be described as "above" other features. The device can also be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), in which case the relative spatial relationships will be explained accordingly.

[0042] With the rapid development of automotive intelligence and autonomous driving technologies, in-vehicle space design and human-machine interaction modes are undergoing a revolution. The fixed structure of traditional steering wheels is gradually becoming insufficient to meet the needs of high-level autonomous driving scenarios (such as Level 3 and above).

[0043] Hands-off detection technology refers to the technology used to monitor whether the driver's hands are on the steering wheel when Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) functions are enabled. If the driver detects that the hands have been off the steering wheel for a certain period of time, an alarm will be triggered to ensure the driver maintains control of the vehicle in assisted driving mode. It is a key safety technology in the fields of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving. Although Level 3 and above autonomous driving allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel under certain conditions, regulations require vehicles to continuously monitor the driver's status to ensure that the driver can take over promptly when requested by the system.

[0044] Compared to a conventional steering wheel, a steering wheel with a hands-off detection function requires the components implementing this function to occupy a certain amount of space and weight within the wheel. Therefore, weight reduction and thinning are issues that steering wheels with hands-off detection functions need to address. Furthermore, the sensitivity and accuracy of the hands-off detection are also factors to consider.

[0045] like Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic of a steering wheel 1. The steering wheel 1 generally includes a rim 12 and spokes 14, the spokes 14 being configured to connect to the vehicle's steering column (not shown) and to support the rim 12. The rim 12 can be a generally circular (annular) structure or any suitable form conventional in the art. The rim 12 is held by the driver and, in operation, is actuated by the driver to rotate, thereby driving the steering column to rotate and perform steering operations.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, it illustrates a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the rim 12 of a steering wheel according to some embodiments of this application. Figure 2 The wheel rim 12 shown can be a conventional round steering wheel rim, but it can also be a rim for other types of steering wheels, such as flat-bottomed, polygonal, double-D shaped, or other special-shaped steering wheels. The central structure of the wheel rim 12 is formed by a skeleton 121, with a foam layer 122 enclosing the skeleton 121, making the skeleton 121 the rigid core of the wheel rim 12. The foam layer 122 surrounds the skeleton 121 to form the general outline of the wheel rim 12, for example, an outline with a generally circular or elliptical cross-section. An outer layer 123 can be wrapped around the outside of the foam layer 122 to give the steering wheel an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The outer layer 123 can be made of materials such as leather, and the driver contacts the outer layer 123 when gripping the steering wheel to perform actions such as steering.

[0047] In a steering wheel configuration with a hands-off detection function, a hands-off detection pad assembly for performing the detection can be arranged between the outer layer 123 and the foam layer 122. Specifically, the hands-off detection pad assembly wraps around the foam layer 122, and the outer layer 123 wraps around the hands-off detection pad assembly. The hands-off detection pad assembly generally includes a shielding layer 124 and a detection layer 125. The shielding layer 124 can be arranged between the foam layer 122 and the detection layer 125, and correspondingly, the detection layer 125 is arranged between the shielding layer 124 and the outer layer 123. A detection capacitor is formed between the shielding layer 124 and the detection layer 125 to perform hands-off detection. The shielding layer 124 and the detection layer 125 can be electrically connected to a steering wheel controller, such as an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU receives signals from the shielding layer 124 and the detection layer 125, such as changes in capacitance, and processes these signals to determine whether a hands-off action has occurred. The signal processing and determination methods in this capacitive release detection scheme can employ any suitable method known in the art, and therefore will not be elaborated upon here.

[0048] In a configuration where the steering wheel has a heating function, the heating layer 126 for performing the heating function can be arranged between the foam layer 122 and the hands-free detection pad assembly, that is, the heating layer 126 surrounds the foam layer 122 on the outside of the foam layer 122, and the shielding layer 124 wraps the heating layer 126 on the outside of the heating layer 126.

[0049] The following will be referenced Figures 3 to 7 This application provides a detailed description of a hands-off detection pad assembly for a steering wheel according to some embodiments.

[0050] According to some embodiments of this application, a hands-free detection pad assembly is provided, which can be used in a steering wheel 1. The hands-free detection pad assembly may include: a shielding layer 124, which may include shielding elements 40 in a grid or continuous form; and a detection layer 125, which may include detection elements 20 in a grid form, the detection elements 20 being arranged around the shielding elements 40; wherein the line width of the detection elements 20 may be less than or equal to 0.30 mm and the line spacing of the detection elements 20 may be less than or equal to 0.30 mm.

[0051] The hands-off detection pad assembly according to this application may include a shielding layer 124 and a detection layer 125. The detection layer 125 may be configured to detect whether the driver's hand is gripping the rim 12 of the steering wheel 1, and the shielding layer 124 may be configured to shield the detection layer 125 from interference from other parts of the steering wheel, thereby improving the accuracy of the detection. When the detection layer 125 employs a capacitive sensor, the shielding layer 124 may be used to form a detection capacitance with the detection layer 125, and hands-off detection is performed by detecting changes in the detection capacitance value generated when the driver's hand grips and removes the steering wheel.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, the detection layer 125 can be arranged around the shielding layer 124, that is, it can wrap around the shielding layer 124 around the skeleton 121. Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a detection layer 125 and a shielding layer 124 of a hands-free detection pad assembly according to some embodiments of this application. For clarity, the detection layer 125 and shielding layer 124 are shown unfolded, with the detection layer 125 disposed on top of the shielding layer 124. In some embodiments, the shielding layer 124 may include a shielding element 40, and the detection layer 125 may include a detection element 20. When the detection layer 125 is arranged around the shielding layer 124, the detection element 20 may be arranged around the shielding element 40. The detection element 20 is used to detect whether the driver's hand is gripping the rim 12 of the steering wheel 1, and the shielding element 40 is used to shield the detection element 20 from interference from other parts of the steering wheel, thereby improving the accuracy of the detection. When the detection layer 125 employs a capacitive sensor, the shielding element 40 can be used to form a detection capacitance with the detection element 20, and hands-free detection is performed by detecting changes in the detection capacitance value generated when the driver's hand grips and removes the steering wheel.

[0053] According to embodiments of this application, the detection element 20 and / or shielding element 40 can be made of metal paste, such as copper, aluminum, silver paste, or alloy paste thereof. Further, the detection element 20 and / or shielding element 40 can be made of silver paste. Compared to copper alloy wire, silver paste has better impedance and electromagnetic interference immunity. At room temperature, the elongation of components formed from silver paste exceeds 15%, and its impedance and capacitance are stable from -40°C to 120°C. Under strong current interference of 0.1–400 MHz, its electromagnetic interference immunity is superior to that of copper alloy wire. When using silver paste to form detection and shielding elements via, for example, screen printing, production and assembly efficiency can be significantly improved. Compared to conventional copper alloy wire manufacturing of detection and shielding elements, the production efficiency using silver paste can be increased by nearly ten times, and the assembly efficiency by nearly two times.

[0054] According to embodiments of this application, such as Figure 4The diagram shows an unfolded view of the detection element 20, which can be formed as a grid-like component. In some embodiments, the detection element 20 can be formed by printing silver paste material into a grid-like strip using a manufacturing process such as screen printing, and arranging the strip around the skeleton 121. In the illustrated embodiment, the grid form of the detection element 20 can be a grid formed by multiple lines arranged in parallel and intersecting with other parallel lines, with the intersection angle being 90 degrees (i.e., forming a right-angled grid) or, for example, 60 degrees (i.e., forming a rhomboid grid). The above-described grid forms are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that the detection element 20 can adopt any other suitable grid form in the art.

[0055] Similarly, such as Figure 5 The diagram shows an unfolded view of the shielding element 40, which can be formed as a mesh-like component. In some embodiments, the shielding element 40 can be formed by printing silver paste material into a mesh-like strip using a manufacturing process such as screen printing, and arranging the strip around the frame 121. In the illustrated embodiment, the mesh form of the shielding element 40 can be a mesh formed by multiple lines arranged in parallel and intersecting with other parallel lines, with the intersection angle being 90 degrees (i.e., forming a right-angled mesh) or, for example, 45 degrees or 60 degrees (i.e., forming a rhomboid mesh). The above mesh forms are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that the shielding element 40 can adopt any other suitable mesh form in the art. In another embodiment, the shielding element 40 can be formed, for example, by coating silver paste material onto a substrate using a manufacturing process such as screen printing to form a continuous strip, and arranging the strip around the frame 121. Here, continuous form means, for example, that the silver paste material is continuously distributed during coating, and the formed strip is substantially uninterrupted.

[0056] According to embodiments of this application, the line width of the detection element 20 can be less than or equal to 0.30 mm, and the line spacing of the detection element 20 can be less than or equal to 0.30 mm. The line width referred to herein is the width of the lines forming the grid, and the line spacing is the distance between two adjacent lines forming the grid. When the detection element 20 is made of, for example, silver paste material, due to the inherent properties of the silver paste material, its line width and line spacing can be made smaller than those of conventional detection elements made of metal wire. Typically, detection elements for steering wheel hands-off detection made of materials such as copper alloy wire usually have a line width greater than 0.50 mm and a line spacing greater than 0.50 mm. Smaller line widths and line spacing result in a higher grid density for the detection element 20 according to this application, improving the sensitivity of hands-off detection.

[0057] According to some embodiments of this application, the linewidth of the detection element 20 can be in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm, 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm, or 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm; further, the linewidth of the detection element 20 can be, for example, 0.10 mm. The line spacing of the detection element 20 can be in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm, 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm, or 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm; further, the line spacing of the detection element 20 can be, for example, 0.10 mm.

[0058] As described above, the shielding element 40 can also be formed in a mesh form. In this case, the shielding element 40 also has a line width and a line spacing. Similarly, the line width of the shielding element 40 can be less than or equal to 0.30 mm, and the line spacing of the detection element 20 can be less than or equal to 0.30 mm. When the shielding element 40 is made of, for example, silver paste material, due to the inherent properties of the silver paste material, its line width and line spacing can be made smaller than those of conventional shielding elements made of metal wire. The smaller line width and line spacing result in a higher mesh density for the shielding element 40 according to this application, enhancing the shielding capability of the drop detection pad assembly and improving electromagnetic interference immunity.

[0059] According to some embodiments of this application, the linewidth of the shielding element 40 can be in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm, 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm, or 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm. Further, the linewidth of the shielding element 40 can be, for example, 0.10 mm. The line spacing of the shielding element 40 can be in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm, 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm, or 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm. Further, the line spacing of the shielding element 40 can be, for example, 0.10 mm.

[0060] According to some embodiments of this application, the linewidth of the shielding element 40 can be smaller than the linewidth of the detection element 20, and the line spacing of the shielding element 40 can be smaller than the line spacing of the detection element 20. The smaller linewidth and line spacing of the shielding element 40 compared to the detection element 20 result in a higher grid density for the shielding element 40, providing better shielding and improving electromagnetic interference immunity.

[0061] According to some embodiments of this application, when the detection element 20 and the shielding element 40 are made of, for example, a silver paste material, their thickness can be made smaller than that of conventional detection elements and shielding elements made of metal wire due to the inherent properties of the silver paste material. Typically, detection elements for steering wheel hands-off detection, made of materials such as copper alloy wire, are typically thicker than 0.20 mm, for example, 0.20 mm to 0.25 mm. The thinner thickness reduces the weight of the detection element 20 and shielding element 40 according to this application and saves space in the steering wheel.

[0062] In some embodiments, the thickness of the detection element 20 can be in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, and further, the thickness of the detection element 20 can be 0.10 mm. The thickness of the shielding element 40 can be in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, and further, the thickness of the shielding element 40 can be 0.10 mm.

[0063] According to some embodiments of this application, the shielding layer 124 may include a shielding base 42, the shielding element 40 may be disposed on the shielding base 42, and / or the detection layer 125 may include a detection base 22, the detection element 20 may be disposed on the detection base 22, and the detection base 22 may be arranged between the detection element 20 and the shielding element 40.

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown, the shielding layer 124 may include a shielding element 40 and a shielding base 42, with the shielding element 40 disposed on the shielding base 42. If the shielding element 40 is made of, for example, silver paste, the silver paste can be sprayed onto the shielding base 42 using a manufacturing process such as screen printing to form the shielding element 40, ultimately forming the shielding layer 124. The shielding base 42 may be made of materials such as PE, PET, TPU, or PU. Similarly, the detection layer 125 may include a detection element 20 and a detection base 22, with the detection element 20 disposed on the detection base 22, which may be arranged between the detection element 20 and the shielding element 40. If the detection element 20 is made of, for example, silver paste, the silver paste can be printed onto the detection base 22 using a manufacturing process such as screen printing to form the detection element 20, ultimately forming the detection layer 125. The detection base 22 may be made of materials such as PE, PET, TPU, or PU.

[0065] According to some embodiments of this application, the thickness of the shielding base 42 may be greater than the thickness of the shielding element 40, and / or the thickness of the detection base 22 may be greater than the thickness of the detection element 20.

[0066] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, the thickness of the shielding base 42 can be approximately 1.5 times the thickness of the shielding element 40. For example, if the thickness of the shielding element 40 is 0.10 mm, the thickness of the shielding base 42 can be approximately 0.15 mm. Similarly, the thickness of the detection base 22 can be approximately 1.5 times the thickness of the detection element 20. For example, if the thickness of the detection element 20 is 0.10 mm, the thickness of the detection base 22 can be approximately 0.15 mm. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the shielding layer 124, including the shielding element 40 and the shielding base 42, can be approximately 0.25 mm, and the thickness of the detection layer 125, including the detection element 20 and the detection base 22, can be approximately 0.25 mm, making the thickness of the hand-release detection pad assembly, including the detection layer 125 and the shielding layer 124, approximately 0.50 mm. Conventional hand-release detection pad assemblies, including detection elements and shielding elements made of copper alloy wire, typically have a thickness exceeding 1.00 mm.

[0067] According to some embodiments of this application, the detection element 20 may include a first partition 202 and a second partition 204, which may be arranged in parallel along the detection layer 125.

[0068] The detection element 20 can form a single loop or multiple loops. In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the detection element 20 may include two partitions, a first partition 202 and a second partition 204. The first partition 202 can form an independent closed loop for independent hand-drop detection, and the second partition 204 can also form an independent closed loop for independent hand-drop detection. In this case, the first partition 202 and the shielding element 40 can form a first detection capacitor, and the second partition 204 and the shielding element 40 can form a second detection capacitor independent of the first detection capacitor for independent hand-drop detection.

[0069] According to some embodiments of this application, the detection element 20 may be integrally formed with a detection connection harness 30, which may be configured to be connected to a controller of the steering wheel, and / or the shielding element 40 may be integrally formed with a shielding connection harness 50, which may be configured to be connected to a controller of the steering wheel.

[0070] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, a connecting portion 206 can be formed on the detection element 20. For example, a connecting portion 206 can be formed at the end of the detection element 20, and an additional connecting wire is connected to the connecting portion 206, so that the detection element 20 is electrically connected to the steering wheel controller via the connecting portion 206 and the additional connecting wire; similarly, as Figure 5As shown, a connecting portion 406 may be formed on the shielding element 40. For example, a connecting portion 406 may be formed at the end of the shielding element 40. An additional connecting line is connected to the connecting portion 406, so that the shielding element 40 is electrically connected to the steering wheel controller via the connecting portion 406 and the additional connecting line.

[0071] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, a detection connection harness 30 can be integrally formed on the detection element 20, for example, at the end of the detection element 20. The detection connection harness 30 is configured to be electrically connected to the steering wheel controller. Here, "integrated" means that the detection element 20 and the detection connection harness 30 are a single unit, not separate components assembled together. The detection connection harness 30 can be integrally formed during the manufacturing of the detection element 20. For example, the detection connection harness 30 can be formed simultaneously when the detection element 20 is formed using a silver paste material via screen printing. In the illustrated embodiment, the detection element 20 is formed in a mesh form, and similarly, the detection connection harness 30 is also in a mesh form. The integral formation of the detection connection harness 30 with the detection element 20 simplifies the manufacturing process, improves the structural strength of the detection connection harness and the detection element, and facilitates the assembly process of the detection element.

[0072] like Figure 7 As shown, a shielded connecting harness 50 can be integrally formed on the shielding element 40. For example, the shielded connecting harness 50 can be integrally formed at the end of the shielding element 40. The shielded connecting harness 50 is configured to be electrically connected to the steering wheel controller. Here, "integrated" means that the shielding element 40 and the shielded connecting harness 50 are integral, rather than separate components assembled together. The shielded connecting harness 50 can be integrally formed during the manufacturing of the shielding element 40. For example, the shielded connecting harness 50 can be formed simultaneously when the shielding element 40 is formed using a silver paste material through a screen printing process. In the illustrated embodiment, the shielding element 40 is formed in a mesh form, and similarly, the shielded connecting harness 50 is also in a mesh form. The integral formation of the shielded connecting harness 50 and the shielding element 40 simplifies the manufacturing process, improves the structural strength of the shielded connecting harness and the shielding element, and facilitates the assembly process of the shielding element.

[0073] According to some embodiments of this application, a steering wheel 1 is provided, which may include the hands-free detection pad assembly as described above.

[0074] The hands-free detection pad assembly according to this application has a smaller line width and line spacing, resulting in higher density, which enhances the sensitivity and shielding capability of the hands-free detection pad assembly, improves electromagnetic interference resistance, and at the same time has a thinner thickness and more flexible connecting wires, reducing weight and saving steering wheel space.

[0075] While exemplary embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this application without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included within the scope of protection of this application as defined by the claims. This application is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of those claims are also included.

Claims

1. A hands-free detection pad assembly for use in a steering wheel, characterized in that, The hand-release detection pad assembly includes: Shielding layer (124), the shielding layer (124) comprising shielding elements (40) in a grid or continuous form; and The detection layer (125) includes detection elements (20) in a grid form, the detection elements (20) being arranged around the shielding element (40); The line width of the detection element (20) is less than or equal to 0.30 mm and the line spacing of the detection element (20) is less than or equal to 0.30 mm.

2. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The line width of the detection element (20) is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, and the line spacing of the detection element (20) is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, and / or the line width of the shielding element (40) is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, and the line spacing of the shielding element (40) is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm.

3. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The linewidth of the detection element (20) is 0.10 mm.

4. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The line spacing of the detection element (20) is 0.10 mm.

5. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The line width of the shielding element (40) is 0.10 mm.

6. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The line spacing of the shielding element (40) is 0.10 mm.

7. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The line width of the shielding element (40) is smaller than the line width of the detection element (20), and the line spacing of the shielding element (40) is smaller than the line spacing of the detection element (20).

8. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the detection element (20) is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, and / or the thickness of the shielding element (40) is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm.

9. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The thickness of the detection element (20) is 0.10 mm.

10. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The thickness of the shielding element (40) is 0.10 mm.

11. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shielding layer (124) includes a shielding base (42), the shielding element (40) is disposed on the shielding base (42), and / or the detection layer (125) includes a detection base (22), the detection element (20) is disposed on the detection base (22), and the detection base (22) is arranged between the detection element (20) and the shielding element (40).

12. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The thickness of the shielding base (42) is greater than the thickness of the shielding element (40), and / or the thickness of the detection base (22) is greater than the thickness of the detection element (20).

13. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection element (20) includes a first partition (202) and a second partition (204), which are arranged in parallel along the detection layer (125).

14. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection element (20) is integrally formed with a detection connection harness (30), which is configured to be connected to a controller of the steering wheel, and / or the shielding element (40) is integrally formed with a shielding connection harness (50), which is configured to be connected to a controller of the steering wheel.

15. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The detection element (20) and / or the shielding element (40) are formed from a metal paste.

16. The hand-release detection pad assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that, The detection element (20) and / or the shielding element (40) are formed of silver paste material.

17. A steering wheel, characterized in that, The steering wheel includes a hands-free detection pad assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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