Sensor device

Abstract

Provided is a sensor device capable of detecting with high accuracy that a grip of a steering operation unit is being held.　A sensor device (100) comprises: a first proximity sensor (110) that is provided inside, of a steering wheel (10) having a hub (11), a spoke (12), and a grip (13), the hub (11) or the spoke (12) along a first side portion which is, of a side surface connecting a first surface on the driver-side of the hub or the spoke and a second surface opposite the first surface, closer to the first surface, the first proximity sensor (110) providing a first sensor value that varies in accordance with the degree of proximity of an object; a second proximity sensor (110) that is provided inside the hub or the spoke along a second side portion of the side surface closer to the second surface than the first side portion, the second proximity sensor (110) providing a second sensor value that varies in accordance with the degree of proximity of the object; and a determination unit (131) that determines that the object is in contact with the grip if the values are such that it should be determined that the position of the object with respect to the first proximity sensor and the position of the object with respect to the second proximity sensor are in an equivalent positional relationship.

Description

Sensor Device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensor device.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a capacitance-type sensor device built into a steering wheel. The steering wheel has a rim and spokes connected to the inside of the rim. The sensor device is mounted on the spokes and includes an electrode capable of capacitively coupling with an object to be detected and a control unit. The control unit detects a change in capacitance of the electrode that occurs when an object approaches the rim or the spoke, and determines whether an object (hand) is approaching based on the change in capacitance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 195620

[0004] However, even when the driver is not gripping the rim (grip) of the steering wheel (steering operation part), the capacitance may change if, for example, the driver's hands are near the rim (grip), so there is room for further improvement.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor device that can detect with high accuracy whether the grip of the steering operation section is being gripped.

[0006] A sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a steering operation unit having a hub, spokes, and a grip, and includes a first proximity sensor provided inside the hub or the spokes along a first side portion of a side surface connecting a first surface of the hub or the spokes on the driver's side to a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, the first sensor value changing in accordance with the proximity of an object; a second proximity sensor provided inside the hub or the spokes along a second side portion of the side surface closer to the second surface than the first side portion, the second sensor value changing in accordance with the proximity of an object; and a sensor that determines, when the first sensor value and the second sensor value are equal to or greater than a threshold, that the position of the object relative to the first proximity sensor and the position of the object relative to the second proximity sensor are equivalent in positional relationship. and / or determines that the object is not in contact with the grip if the first sensor value and the second sensor value are values ​​that should be determined to indicate that the object's position relative to the first proximity sensor and the object's position relative to the second proximity sensor are different, or if the amount of change in the first sensor value and the amount of change in the second sensor value are values ​​that should be determined to indicate that the object's position relative to the first proximity sensor and the object's position relative to the second proximity sensor are different.

[0007] A sensor device can be provided that can detect with high accuracy whether the grip of the steering operation section is being gripped.

[0008] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a steering wheel equipped with a sensor device of an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sensor device of an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of an electrostatic sensor of the sensor device of an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of an electrostatic sensor of the sensor device of an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by a determination unit; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process in which the determination unit updates a reference value; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a grip determination process; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a non-grip determination process; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between a driver's legs and the steering wheel; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution of difference values ​​ΔAD of five electrostatic sensors; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a determination process for distinguishing between a driver's hands and legs.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the sensor device of the present disclosure is applied will be described.

[0010] <Embodiment> In the following, an XYZ coordinate system is defined and explained. The direction parallel to the X axis (X direction), the direction parallel to the Y axis (Y direction), and the direction parallel to the Z axis (Z direction) are perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, a planar view refers to an XY plane view. Furthermore, in the following, the length, width, thickness, etc. of each part may be exaggerated to make the configuration easier to understand.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a steering wheel 10 equipped with a sensor device 100 according to an embodiment. The steering wheel 10 is an example of a steering operation unit. The sensor device 100 and the steering wheel 10 constitute a steering wheel unit 1.

[0012] Unless otherwise specified, the following description will be given of the configuration of the steering wheel 10 as viewed from the driver's seat when the steering wheel 10 is attached to a vehicle and in a neutral position. The XY plane is a plane whose normal direction is the extension direction of a steering shaft of the vehicle (not shown) connected to the hub 11 of the steering wheel 10. In other words, the Z direction is the extension direction of the steering shaft of the vehicle (not shown) connected to the hub 11 of the steering wheel 10. The driver's seat and the driver are located on the +Z side of the steering wheel 10.

[0013] Furthermore, the +X direction side is the right side as seen by the driver of the vehicle to which the steering wheel 10 is attached, and the -X direction side is the left side. Therefore, hereinafter, the +X direction side may be referred to as the right side and the -X direction side as the left side. Furthermore, when describing the steering wheel 10, the +Y direction side may be referred to as the upper side and the -Y direction side as the lower side.

[0014] The sensor device 100 performs a determination process described below to detect whether the driver's hand is touching the rim 13 of the steering wheel 10. In the following description, it is assumed that the hand touching the rim 13 is equivalent to the driver gripping the rim 13. In the following description, it is assumed that the object detected by the sensor device 100 is the driver's hand.

[0015] <Steering Wheel 10> The steering wheel 10 has a hub 11, spokes 12, and a rim 13. The rim 13 is an example of a steering wheel grip. The hub 11 is connected to a steering shaft of a vehicle (not shown). The hub 11 has a center 11C that serves as the center of rotation associated with rotation of the steering shaft. The center 11C may be offset from the center of the rim 13 in a plan view.

[0016] Three spokes 12 are connected to the +X side, −X side, and −Y side of the hub 11. The three spokes 12 are connected to the inner periphery of a rim 13. The surfaces of the hub 11 and the spokes 12 are covered with a decorative member made of resin or the like.

[0017] 1 shows three spokes 12 extending radially outward from a hub 11 at the center of the steering wheel 10 to a rim 13, but the number of spokes 12 may be any number. Furthermore, the rim 13 does not have to be circular, but may be rectangular or D-shaped, or may not be circular.

[0018] The steering wheel 10 has a core made of a metal material such as iron. The core has the same shape as the steering wheel 10 in a plan view, and has portions corresponding to a hub 11, spokes 12, and a rim 13.

[0019] The hub 11 and spokes 12 are made by attaching resin members, decorative members, etc. to the cored hub and spokes. The rim 13 is made by attaching urethane foam and a skin to the cored rim. The skin of the rim 13 is the part that comes into direct contact with the driver's hands. The skin is made of, for example, genuine leather, artificial leather, or resin.

[0020] <Sensor device 100> The sensor device 100 includes an electrostatic sensor 110, a detection circuit 120, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 130. The electrostatic sensor 110 is an example of a proximity sensor. The sensor device 100 includes a plurality of electrostatic sensors 110. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the positions of the plurality of electrostatic sensors 110, and the specific arrangement and the like will be described later with reference to Figs. 3A and 3B.

[0021] The ECU 130 is, for example, a hands-off detection electronic control unit (HODECU). The sensor device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 in addition to Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sensor device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0022] 1 shows the electrostatic sensor 110, the detection circuit 120, and the ECU 130 in a simplified manner, but in reality, as shown in Fig. 2, the electrostatic sensor 110 is connected to the detection circuit 120, and the detection circuit 120 is connected to the ECU 130. Furthermore, the electrostatic sensor 110, the detection circuit 120, and the ECU 130 are not actually exposed on the surface of the steering wheel 10, but are provided inside the hub 11 and the spokes 12, for example, but are shown transparently in Fig. 1.

[0023] The electrostatic sensor 110 is an electrode made of a conductor, and is provided to detect whether the driver's hand is in contact with the rim 13. The electrode that constitutes the electrostatic sensor 110 may be, for example, an electrode made of a deformable substrate material such as a resin film to which silver paste is applied, or an electrode made of a deformable substrate material such as a resin film to which aluminum foil or copper foil is formed.

[0024] As an example, the electrostatic sensor 110 is provided inside the hub 11 and the spokes 12 of the steering wheel 10, and is covered by the decorative members of the hub 11 and the spokes 12. The electrostatic sensor 110 is not provided on the rim 13. The electrostatic sensor 110 is connected to a detection circuit 120.

[0025] Instead of the electrostatic sensor 110 as an example of a proximity sensor, a reflective photoreflector having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element may be used, in which light is output from the light-emitting element and the light reflected by the driver's hand is received by the light-receiving element to detect whether the driver's hand is touching the rim 13. Also, instead of the electrostatic sensor 110 as an example of a proximity sensor, a millimeter-wave radar or ultrasonic sonar may be used to detect reflected waves of the radar or ultrasonic waves to detect whether the driver's hand is touching the rim 13.

[0026] Similar to the electrostatic sensor 110, the reflective photoreflector, millimeter-wave radar, or ultrasonic sonar may be provided inside the hub 11 and spokes 12 and covered by the decorative member of the hub 11 and spokes 12. The decorative member may have an opening corresponding to a transmitter / receiver unit that transmits and receives light, radar, or millimeter waves in the reflective photoreflector, millimeter-wave radar, or ultrasonic sonar, and the light, radar, or millimeter waves may pass through the opening. "Providing the reflective photoreflector, millimeter-wave radar, or ultrasonic sonar inside the hub 11 and spokes 12" means that the main body of the reflective photoreflector, millimeter-wave radar, or ultrasonic sonar, other than the transmitter / receiver unit, is provided inside the hub 11 and spokes 12, and a part or all of the transmitter / receiver unit is exposed to the outside of the decorative member.

[0027] As an example, the detection circuit 120 and the ECU 130 are provided inside the hub 11 and are covered by a decorative member of the hub 11. However, the detection circuit 120 and the ECU 130 may also be provided inside the hub 11 and the spokes 12 and be covered by a decorative member of the hub 11 and the spokes 12. Alternatively, the detection circuit 120 may be provided inside the hub 11 and the ECU 130 may be provided inside the spokes 12. Alternatively, the detection circuit 120 may be provided inside the spokes 12 and the ECU 130 may be provided inside the hub 11. Alternatively, the detection circuit 120 and the ECU 130 may be provided outside the steering wheel 10.

[0028] The detection circuit 120 is connected to the plurality of electrostatic sensors 110 and detects the capacitance of each of the electrostatic sensors 110. The detection circuit 120 digitally converts the capacitance of each of the electrostatic sensors 110 to obtain a value AD corresponding to the capacitance of each of the electrostatic sensors 110 and outputs the value AD to the ECU 130.

[0029] The ECU 130 has a determination unit 131 and a memory 132. The ECU 130 is implemented by a computer including a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), an input / output interface, an internal bus, etc. The determination unit 131 represents the functions of a program executed by the ECU 130 as functional blocks. The memory 132 represents the memory of the ECU 130 functionally.

[0030] The ECU 130 is connected to the detection circuit 120. The determination unit 131 updates a reference value corresponding to the noise floor. It then subtracts the reference value from the value AD corresponding to the capacitance to obtain a difference value ΔAD, and determines whether the driver's hand is touching the rim 13 based on the difference value ΔAD. The memory 132 stores the reference values ​​of each electrostatic sensor, as well as programs and data used by the determination unit 131 to execute the process of determining whether the driver's hand is touching the rim 13.

[0031] The ECU 130 is connected to an in-vehicle host device such as an ADASECU (Advanced Driver-Assistance System Electronic Control Unit). The ADASECU is a device that controls an advanced driving assistance system such as an autonomous driving system. The autonomous driving system may be level 3 or higher out of levels 0 to 5 of autonomous driving defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE).

[0032] In this embodiment, the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 110 is converted into a digital signal by the detection circuit 120, but this may be done by the ECU 130. Furthermore, the updating of the reference value and the calculation of the difference value ΔAD, which are performed by the ECU 130, may be performed by the detection circuit 120.

[0033] The sensor device 100 as described above detects whether the driver's hand is touching the rim 13 based on the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 110 provided inside the hub 11 and spokes 12 of the steering wheel 10. The specific configuration of the electrostatic sensor 110 and the specific determination process of the determination unit 131 will be described below.

[0034] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of a specific configuration of the electrostatic sensor 110. In addition to the electrostatic sensor 110, Figures 3A and 3B also show hub panels 11A and 11B provided on the side of the hub 11 and the spokes 12. What is shown as the spoke 12 in Figures 3A and 3B is the resin member and decorative member excluding the core metal, and is the spoke 12 of the three spokes 12 located on the left side of the hub 11.

[0035] Here, we will explain the spokes 12 located on the left side of the hub 11, but of the three spokes 12, the spoke 12 located on the right side of the hub 11 has a configuration that is symmetrical to the left spoke 12 shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0036] The side surface of the hub 11 is a side surface that connects the surface on the +Z direction side and the surface on the −Z direction side of the hub 11. The surface on the +Z direction side of the hub 11 is the surface on the driver's side and is an example of a first surface. The surface on the −Z direction side of the hub 11 is the surface opposite the surface on the +Z direction side and is an example of a second surface.

[0037] The hub panels 11A, 11B and the spokes 12 are integrally formed from resin. The hub panel 11A is a portion of the side surface of the hub 11 of the steering wheel 10 located above the left spoke 12 and extends along the outer edge of the hub 11 in a plan view. The hub panel 11B is a portion of the side surface of the hub 11 of the steering wheel 10 located below the left spoke 12 and extends along the outer edge of the hub 11 in a plan view.

[0038] The spokes 12 have a surface 12A on the +Z direction side, a surface 12B on the −Z direction side, and a side surface 12C. In Figures 3A and 3B, the surface 12B opposite to the surface 12A is not visible, but the position of the edge of the surface 12B is indicated by a symbol.

[0039] The side surfaces 12C are side surfaces connecting the surfaces 12A and 12B, and are the +Y direction side, -Y direction side, +X direction side, and -X direction side of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped spoke 12. The surface 12A on the +Z direction side of the spoke 12 is the surface on the driver's side and is an example of a first surface. The surface 12B on the -Z direction side of the spoke 12 is the surface opposite the surface on the +Z direction side and is an example of a second surface. As an example, a switch 15 is provided on the surface 12A of the spoke 12. The switch 15 is an input unit for operating electronic devices, etc. of the vehicle to which the steering wheel 10 is attached. As an example, the switch 15 is a switch that can operate audio, telephone, etc.

[0040] In this embodiment, electrostatic sensors 110 are provided on the hub panels 11A, 11B and the spokes 12, and switches 15 are provided on the spokes 12, but the switch housing and the hub panel may be formed as a single unit and configured as part of the spoke, and an electrostatic sensor may be provided on this and incorporated into a storage section provided in the spoke.

[0041] Electrostatic sensors 111, 112, 113, 114A, 114B, 115A, and 115B are provided on hub panels 11A, 11B, and spokes 12. Electrostatic sensors 111 to 115B are specific examples of the electrostatic sensor 110 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, electrostatic sensors 111 to 115B will be referred to as electrostatic sensor 110.

[0042] <Electrostatic Sensor 111> As an example, the electrostatic sensor 111 is provided inside the hub panel 11A and along the surface of the hub panel 11A (the side surface of the hub 11). That is, the electrostatic sensor 111 is provided inside the hub panel 11A directly behind the surface of the hub panel 11A (the side surface of the hub 11). Because the hub panel 11A is part of the hub 11, the electrostatic sensor 111 is provided inside the hub 11 and directly behind the side surface of the hub 11. As an example, the electrostatic sensor 111 is a substantially rectangular electrode whose longitudinal direction extends in a direction along the outer edge of the hub 11 in a plan view. Note that, although the electrostatic sensor 111 is rectangular in the embodiment, it may be trapezoidal or have another shape.

[0043] The electrostatic sensor 111 is used in a determination process to distinguish between the driver's action of inserting a hand between the left or right spoke 12 and the rim 13 to operate a switch or the like in the meter panel and the action of touching the rim 13 with a hand. The determination process will be described later.

[0044] <Electrostatic Sensors 112> As an example, five electrostatic sensors 112 are provided inside the hub panel 11B along the surface of the hub panel 11B (the side surface of the hub 11). That is, the five electrostatic sensors 112 are provided inside the hub panel 11B directly behind the surface of the hub panel 11B (the side surface of the hub 11). That is, the five electrostatic sensors 112 are arranged along the side connecting the driver's side surface of the hub 11 or the spokes 12 to the surface opposite the driver's side. The five electrostatic sensors 112 may also be arranged along the side connecting the driver's side surface of the spokes 12 to the surface opposite the driver's side. As an example, the five electrostatic sensors 112 have the same area, and each electrostatic sensor 112 is a rectangular electrode. Because the hub panel 11B is provided closer to the floor of the vehicle body (lower) than the center 11C of the hub 11, the five electrostatic sensors 112 are provided closer to the floor of the vehicle body than the center 11C of the hub 11.

[0045] Here, the five electrostatic sensors 112 are numbered 1 to 5 in order to distinguish them from one another. The first electrostatic sensor 112 is closest to the left spoke 12 and is located at the top of the five electrostatic sensors 112. The fifth electrostatic sensor 112 is farthest from the left spoke 12 and is located at the bottom of the five electrostatic sensors 112.

[0046] The five electrostatic sensors 112 are used in a determination process to distinguish between the driver's hands and legs, which will be described later.

[0047] <Electrostatic Sensor 113> Two electrostatic sensors 113, for example, are provided inside the spoke 12 and along the surface 12A. That is, the two electrostatic sensors 113 are provided inside the spoke 12 directly behind the surface 12A. The two electrostatic sensors 113 are, for example, rectangular electrodes that are long in the Y direction in a plan view, and are, for example, provided on the +X direction side and the −X direction side of the switch 15. For example, the areas of the two electrostatic sensors 113 are equal.

[0048] The electrostatic sensor 113 is used in a determination process for distinguishing between a case where the hand is positioned on the +Z direction side of the rim 13 and a case where the hand is touching the rim 13. The determination process will be described later.

[0049] In addition to or instead of the surface 12A, the electrostatic sensor 113 may be provided along the surface 12B inside the spoke 12. That is, the electrostatic sensor 113 may be provided directly behind the surface 12B inside the spoke 12. For example, if a switch or the like is provided on the surface 12B on the −Z direction side of the spoke 12, or if a lever or the like is provided on the −Z direction side of the spoke 12, and it is necessary to distinguish this from an action of touching the rim 13 with a hand, the electrostatic sensor 113 may be provided along the surface 12B inside the spoke 12.

[0050] <Electrostatic Sensors 114A and 114B and Electrostatic Sensors 115A and 115B> As an example, the electrostatic sensor 114A is provided inside the spoke 12 along a portion of the side surface 12C on the +Y direction side of the spoke 12 on the +Z direction side. As an example, the electrostatic sensor 114B is provided inside the spoke 12 along a portion of the side surface 12C on the +Y direction side of the spoke 12 on the −Z direction side. As an example, the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B are rectangular electrodes and have, as an example, the same area (size in the XZ plane view).

[0051] As an example, the electrostatic sensor 115A is provided inside the spoke 12 along a portion of the side surface 12C on the −Y direction side of the spoke 12 on the +Z direction side. As an example, the electrostatic sensor 115B is provided inside the spoke 12 along a portion of the side surface 12C on the −Y direction side of the spoke 12 on the −Z direction side. As an example, the electrostatic sensors 115A and 115B are rectangular electrodes and have, as an example, the same area (size in the XZ plane view).

[0052] The +Z direction portion of the +Y direction side surface 12C of each spoke 12 and the +Z direction portion of the −Y direction side surface 12C of each spoke 12 are examples of first side portions of the +Y direction and −Y direction side surfaces 12C that are closer to the surface 12A. As an example, the +Z direction portion of the +Y direction side surface 12C of each spoke 12 is approximately half of the +Z direction side (driver's side) of the +Y direction side surface 12C. The +Z direction portion of the −Y direction side surface 12C of each spoke 12 is approximately half of the +Z direction side (driver's side) of the −Y direction side surface 12C.

[0053] The -Z direction portion of the side surface 12C of the +Y direction side of the spoke 12 and the -Z direction portion of the side surface 12C of the -Y direction side of the spoke 12 are examples of second side portions of the +Y direction and -Y direction side side 12C that are closer to the surface 12B. As an example, the -Z direction portion of the side surface 12C of the +Y direction side of the spoke 12 is approximately half of the +Y direction side surface 12C on the -Z direction side. The -Z direction portion of the side surface 12C of the -Y direction side of the spoke 12 is approximately half of the -Y direction side surface 12C on the -Y direction side.

[0054] The electrostatic sensors 114A, 114B, 115A, and 115B can be used in a determination process to distinguish between an action of touching the surface 12A of the spoke 12 and an action of touching the rim 13. The determination process will be described later.

[0055] <Flowchart> <Overall Processing: FIG. 4A> FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the determination unit 131. As shown in FIG.

[0056] When the process starts, the determination unit 131 acquires a value AD corresponding to the capacitance of each electrostatic sensor 110 from the detection circuit 120 (step S1).

[0057] The determination unit 131 updates a reference value corresponding to the noise floor used in calculating the difference value ΔAD. Then, the determination unit 131 calculates the difference value ΔAD by subtracting the reference value from the value AD corresponding to the capacitance (step S2). The processing of step S2 is a subroutine processing.

[0058] The determination unit 131 performs a grip determination process to determine whether the rim 13 of the steering wheel 10 is being gripped (step S3). The process of step S3 is a subroutine process.

[0059] The determination unit 131 notifies the host device of the determination result (step S4). The host device is, for example, the ADASECU. This completes the series of processes.

[0060] <Updating Reference Value and Calculating Difference Value ΔAD: FIG. 4B> Fig. 4B is a flowchart showing an example of processing for updating the reference value by the determination unit 131. The processing shown in Fig. 4B is a subroutine processing of step S2 in Fig. 4A.

[0061] The determination unit 131 determines whether the difference value ΔAD111 for the electrostatic sensor 111 is greater than a threshold value TH2A (step S2A). For example, the threshold value TH2A is set to the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 111 when the capacitance is slightly affected by a hand. By using this threshold value TH2A, an AD measurement value corresponding to the noise floor when the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 111 is not affected by a hand can be obtained as a reference value. The capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 111 varies depending on the ambient temperature of the sensor device 100. This is because temperature changes cause changes in the dielectric constant of the decorative material covering the electrostatic sensor 111. To accommodate such capacitance variations, the reference value is updated. The reference value for the electrostatic sensor 111 is stored in the memory 132 and is rewritten when updated. The same applies to other electrostatic sensors.

[0062] If the determination unit 131 determines that the difference value ΔAD111 for the electrostatic sensor 111 is not greater than the threshold value TH2A (S2A: NO), it updates the reference value of the electrostatic sensor 111 to the AD measurement value of the electrostatic sensor 111 (step S2B). That is, if it determines that the difference value ΔAD111 for the electrostatic sensor 111 is not greater than the threshold value TH2A (S2A: NO), it determines that no hand is approaching, and the AD measurement value measured at that time is regarded as a value equivalent to the noise floor and is used as a new reference value.

[0063] Furthermore, if the determination unit 131 determines in step S2A that the difference value ΔAD111 for the electrostatic sensor 111 is greater than the threshold value TH2A (S2A: YES), the determination unit 131 skips step S2B and proceeds with the process. In this case, the hand is approaching the electrostatic sensor 111, so the reference value is not updated.

[0064] The determination unit 131 performs the same processing as steps S2A and S2B for the electrostatic sensors 112 to 115A. In the processing for the electrostatic sensors 112 to 115A, threshold values ​​TH112 to TH115A set for each of the electrostatic sensors 112 to 115A may be used. This is because the electrostatic sensors 112 to 115A operate in different environments, and it is preferable to use appropriate threshold values ​​for each of them.

[0065] For the two electrostatic sensors 113, the determination unit 131 may separately update the reference values ​​using different threshold values ​​for each electrostatic sensor 113. Similarly, for the five electrostatic sensors 112, the determination unit 131 may separately update the reference values.

[0066] The determination unit 131 determines whether the difference value ΔAD115B for the electrostatic sensor 115B is greater than a threshold value TH2AA (step S2AA). The threshold value TH2AA is set to the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 115B when the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 115B is slightly affected by the hand, for example.

[0067] If the determination unit 131 determines that the difference value ΔAD115B for the electrostatic sensor 115B is not greater than the threshold value TH2AA (S2AA: NO), it updates the reference value of the electrostatic sensor 115B to the AD measurement value of the electrostatic sensor 115B (step S2BB).

[0068] Furthermore, if the determination unit 131 determines in step S2AA that the difference value ΔAD115B for the electrostatic sensor 115B is greater than the threshold value TH2AA (S2AA: YES), the determination unit 131 skips step S2BB and proceeds with the process.

[0069] The determination unit 131 calculates a composite value of the reference values ​​of the five electrostatic sensors 112, a composite value of the reference values ​​of the two electrostatic sensors 113, a composite value of the reference values ​​of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, a composite value of the reference values ​​of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, and a composite value of the reference values ​​of the electrostatic sensors 115A and 115B (step S2AAA). Because the reference values ​​are capacitances, the composite value of the reference values ​​may be calculated as the sum of multiple reference values, similar to the case of calculating the composite value of the capacitances of parallel capacitors.

[0070] This completes the process of updating the reference value by the determining unit 131 (see FIG. 4B).

[0071] Then, the determination unit 131 calculates ΔAD using the reference value stored in the memory 132 (step S3C).

[0072] <Grip Determination Process: FIG. 4C> FIG. 4C is a flowchart showing an example of the grip determination process. The process shown in FIG. 4C is a subroutine process of step S3 in FIG. 4A. The process shown in FIG. 4C is a process for determining whether a hand is touching the upper half or the lower half of the rim 13. The upper half of the rim 13 refers to approximately the upper half of the annular rim 13 in a planar view, and is the range that can be detected by the left and right electrostatic sensors 111 and the left and right electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B. The lower half of the rim 13 refers to approximately the lower half of the annular rim 13 in a planar view, and is the range that can be detected by the left and right electrostatic sensors 112 and the left and right electrostatic sensors 115A and 115B.

[0073] Here, the process of determining whether or not the driver is holding the wheel rim 13 is described using the electrostatic sensors 111, 112, 114A, 114B, 115A, and 115B on the left side, but the same process can be performed on the right side. If it is determined that the driver's hand is touching the wheel rim 13 on either the left or right side, it means that the driver is holding the wheel rim 13 with their hand.

[0074] As described above, the electrostatic sensors 111 to 115B are covered with a decorative member on the surface of the hub 11 or the spokes 12. In the following, when a hand touches the decorative member that covers the electrostatic sensor 111, it is referred to as the hand touching the electrostatic sensor 111, even though the hand is actually in close proximity to the electrostatic sensor 111. The same applies to the electrostatic sensors 112 to 115B.

[0075] When the determination unit 131 starts the process, it determines whether the difference value ΔAD111 of the electrostatic sensor 111 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH101L and equal to or less than the threshold value TH101U (step S101). The process of step S101 is a process of determining whether the difference value ΔAD111 of the electrostatic sensor 111 is a value within the range from the threshold value TH101L to the threshold value TH101U.

[0076] The threshold value TH101L may be set to the lower limit value at which it is possible to determine, based on the difference value ΔAD111, that a hand is touching the rim 13. The threshold value TH101U may be set to the upper limit value at which it is possible to determine, based on the difference value ΔAD111, that a hand is touching the rim 13. In other words, when a hand is gripping the rim 13, the distance between the electrostatic sensor 111 and the hand is within a predetermined range, and the measured difference value ΔAD111 is also within a predetermined range. In other words, if the measured difference value ΔAD111 is equal to or less than the threshold value TH101L, the electrostatic sensor 111 and the hand are separated by a distance greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, and there is no possibility that the hand is gripping the rim 13. On the other hand, if the difference value ΔAD111 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH101U, the distance between the electrostatic sensor 111 and the hand is less than or equal to a predetermined distance and is too close, and there is no possibility that the hand is gripping the rim 13 (NO in S101). If the difference value ΔAD111 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH101L and equal to or less than the threshold value TH101U, the distance between the electrostatic sensor 111 and the hand is within a predetermined range, and the hand is considered to be touching and gripping the upper half of the rim 13, or is gripping it (YES in S101), and the process proceeds to the subsequent flow. The specific values ​​of the threshold values ​​TH101L and TH101U may be set to appropriate values ​​based on simulations or actual measurement results, taking into consideration the positional relationship between the rim 13 and the electrostatic sensor 111, the area of ​​the electrostatic sensor 111, the dielectric constant, thickness, stray capacitance, etc. of decorative materials surrounding the electrostatic sensor 111.

[0077] If the determination unit 131 determines that the difference value ΔAD111 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH101L and equal to or less than the threshold value TH101U (S101: YES), the flow proceeds to step S103.

[0078] When the judgment unit 131 determines that the difference value ΔAD111 is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH101L and not less than or equal to the threshold value TH101U (S101: NO), it determines whether the combined value ΔAD114AB of the difference values ​​ΔAD114A and Δ114B of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH102L and less than or equal to the threshold value TH102U (step S102).

[0079] Since the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B are treated as capacitors connected in parallel, the composite value ΔAD114AB is the sum of the difference values ​​ΔAD114A and ΔAD114B. The process of step S102 is a process of determining whether the composite value ΔAD114AB is a value within the range from the threshold value TH102L to the threshold value TH102U.

[0080] The threshold value TH102L may be set to the lower limit value at which it is possible to determine that a hand is touching the rim 13 based on the composite value ΔAD114AB. The threshold value TH102U may be set to the upper limit value at which it is possible to determine that a hand is touching the rim 13 based on the composite value ΔAD114AB. In other words, similar to the electrostatic sensor 111, if the measured composite value ΔAD114AB is equal to or less than the threshold value TH102L, the distance between the electrostatic sensor 1114A or 114B and the hand is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, and there is no possibility that the hand is gripping the rim 13. Furthermore, if the composite value ΔAD114AB is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH102U, the distance between the electrostatic sensor 1114A or 114B and the hand is less than or equal to a predetermined distance and is too close, and there is no possibility that the hand is gripping the rim 13 (NO in S102). If the composite value ΔAD114AB is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH102L and equal to or less than the threshold value TH102U, the distance between the electrostatic sensor 1114A or 114B and the hand is within a predetermined range, and the hand is considered to be touching and gripping the upper half of the rim 13 (YES in S101), and the process proceeds to the subsequent flow. The specific values ​​of the threshold value TH102L and the threshold value TH102U may be set to appropriate values ​​based on simulations or actual measurement results, taking into account the positional relationship between the rim 13 and the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, the area of ​​the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, the dielectric constant, thickness, and stray capacitance of decorative materials surrounding the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, etc. Furthermore, if the distance between the electrostatic sensor 114A and the rim 13 differs from the distance between the electrostatic sensor 114B and the rim 13, the threshold value TH102L and the threshold value TH102U may be set to appropriate values, taking into account the difference in distance. This is because a long distance (far distance) essentially corresponds to a small area of ​​the electrode. Although the determination is made using the composite value ΔAD114AB in S102, the determination may be made using ΔAD114A or ΔAD114B instead.

[0081] When the determination unit 131 determines that the difference value ΔAD111 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH101L and equal to or less than the threshold value TH101U (step S101), or when the determination unit 131 determines that the combined value ΔAD114AB is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH102L and equal to or less than the threshold value TH102U (S102: YES), the determination unit 131 determines whether or not there is a non-grasp determination result (step S103). A non-grasp determination result means that the non-grasp determination process described below determines that the driver's hand is not touching the rim 13 (non-grasp). A non-grasp determination result means that there is no non-grasp determination result.

[0082] Even when the sensor device 100 determines that the hand is touching the rim 13 based on the difference values ​​ΔAD111, ΔAD114A, and ΔAD114B of the electrostatic sensors 111, 114A, and 114B, the sensor device 100 determines whether the hand is in a non-grasping state in step S103 in order to prevent erroneous determination. The same applies to the lower half of the rim 13.

[0083] When the judgment unit 131 determines that there is no non-grasping judgment result (S103: YES), it determines that the hand is touching the upper half of the rim 13 and gripping it, or without changing the content that was considered to be gripping based on YES in step 101 or YES in step 102 (step S104A).

[0084] Furthermore, if the determination unit 131 determines in step S103 that there is a non-grasping determination result (S103: NO), it determines that the hand is not touching the upper half of the rim 13 (step S104B).

[0085] Furthermore, if the judgment unit 131 determines in step S102 that the composite value ΔAD114AB is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH102L and not less than or equal to the threshold value TH102U (S102: NO), it determines that the hand is not touching (not gripping) the upper half of the rim 13 (step S104B).

[0086] When the determination unit 131 completes the process of step S104A or S104B, the flow proceeds to step S105. Note that steps S105 to S108 are based on the same concept as steps S101 to S108, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] The determination unit 131 determines whether the combined value ΔAD115AB of the difference values ​​ΔAD115A and ΔAD115B of the electrostatic sensors 115A and 115B is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH105L and equal to or less than the threshold value TH105U (step S105).

[0088] Since the electrostatic sensors 115A and 115B are treated as capacitors connected in parallel, the composite value ΔAD115AB is the sum of the difference values ​​ΔAD115A and ΔAD115B. The process of step S105 is a process of determining whether the composite value ΔAD115AB is a value within the range from the threshold value TH105L to the threshold value TH105U.

[0089] The threshold value TH105L may be set to the lower limit value at which it is possible to determine that a hand is touching the rim 13 based on the composite value ΔAD115AB. The threshold value TH105U may be set to the upper limit value at which it is possible to determine that a hand is touching the rim 13 based on the composite value ΔAD115AB. The specific values ​​of the threshold values ​​TH105L and TH105U may be set to appropriate values ​​based on simulations or actual measurement results, taking into account the positional relationship between the rim 13 and the electrostatic sensors 115A and 115B, the area of ​​the electrostatic sensors 115A and 115B, the dielectric constant, thickness, and stray capacitance of decorative materials surrounding the electrostatic sensors 115A and 115B, etc. Furthermore, if the distance between the electrostatic sensor 115A and the rim 13 differs from the distance between the electrostatic sensor 115B and the rim 13, the threshold values ​​TH102L and TH102U may be set to appropriate values ​​taking into account the difference in distance. This is because a longer (farther) distance essentially corresponds to a smaller electrode area.

[0090] If the determination unit 131 determines that the combined value ΔAD115AB is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH105L and equal to or less than the threshold value TH105U (S105: YES), the flow proceeds to step S107.

[0091] When the judgment unit 131 determines that the composite value ΔAD115AB is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH105L and not less than or equal to the threshold value TH105U (S105: NO), it determines whether the composite value ΔAD112T of the difference values ​​of the five electrostatic sensors 112 is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH106L and less than or equal to the threshold value TH106U (step S106).

[0092] Because the five electrostatic sensors 112 are treated as capacitors connected in parallel, the composite value ΔAD115T is the sum of the difference values ​​of the five electrostatic sensors 112. The process of step S106 is a process of determining whether the composite value ΔAD115T is a value within the range from the threshold value TH106L to the threshold value TH106U.

[0093] The threshold value TH106L may be set to the lower limit value at which it is possible to determine, based on the composite value ΔAD115T, that a hand is touching the rim 13. The threshold value TH106U may be set to the upper limit value at which it is possible to determine, based on the composite value ΔAD115T, that a hand is touching the rim 13.

[0094] The specific values ​​of the thresholds TH106L and TH106U may be set to appropriate values ​​based on simulations or actual measurement results, taking into consideration the areas of the five electrostatic sensors 112, the dielectric constant, thickness, stray capacitance, etc. of the decorative members surrounding the electrostatic sensors 112. Furthermore, if the distances between the electrostatic sensors 112 and the rim 13 are different, the thresholds TH106L and TH106U may be set to appropriate values, taking into consideration the difference in distance. This is because a long distance essentially corresponds to a small electrode area.

[0095] If the judgment unit 131 determines that the composite value ΔAD115T is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH106L and less than or equal to the threshold value TH106U (S102: YES), or if it determines that the composite value ΔAD112T of the difference values ​​of the five electrostatic sensors 112 is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH106L and less than or equal to the threshold value TH106U (S106: YES), it determines whether there is a non-grasp judgment result (step S107).

[0096] If the determination unit 131 determines that there is no non-grasping determination result (S107: YES), it determines that the hand is touching the lower half of the rim 13 (step S108A).

[0097] Furthermore, if the determination unit 131 determines in step S107 that there is a non-grasping determination result (S107: NO), it determines that the hand is not touching the lower half of the rim 13 (step S108B).

[0098] Furthermore, if the judgment unit 131 determines in step S106 that the composite value ΔAD115T is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH106L and not less than or equal to the threshold value TH106U (S106: NO), it determines that the hand is not touching (not gripping) the lower half of the rim 13 (step S108B).

[0099] When the determination unit 131 finishes the processing of step S108A or S108B, it ends the grip determination processing.

[0100] <Non-grasp determination process: FIG. 4D> The non-grasp determination process is a process for determining whether a hand is not touching (non-grasp) the rim 13 based on the difference value ΔAD of the electrostatic sensors 111 to 115B. The determination result of the non-grasp determination process is used in steps S103 and S107 in FIG. 4C.

[0101] FIG. 4D is a flowchart illustrating an example of a non-grasping determination process.

[0102] <Step S111> The determination unit 131 determines whether the ratio R1 (= ΔAD114A / ΔAD114B) of the difference value ΔAD114A of the electrostatic sensor 114A to the difference value ΔAD114B of the electrostatic sensor 114B is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH111L and less than or equal to the threshold value TH111U (step S111).

[0103] The electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B are located on the side surfaces of the spoke 12, with the electrostatic sensor 114A located on the +Z direction side (closer to the driver) and the electrostatic sensor 114B located on the −Z direction side (farther from the driver). When a hand is positioned near the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, the difference values ​​ΔAD114A and 114B of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B increase. However, the ratio of the difference values ​​ΔAD114A and 114B differs when the hand is positioned on the surface 12A side of the spoke 12 to operate the switch 15, for example, and when the hand is in contact with the rim 13.

[0104] As an example, if the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B have the same shape and are covered with the same decorative material, the difference value ΔAD114A will be relatively larger than the difference value ΔAD114B when the switch 15 is operated. Furthermore, when the hand is touching the rim 13, the difference values ​​ΔAD114A and 114B will be equal.

[0105] In order to distinguish between the action of touching the surface 12A of the spoke 12 with a hand and the action of touching the rim 13 with a hand, it is determined whether the ratio R1 of the difference value ΔAD114A of the electrostatic sensor 114A to the difference value ΔAD114B of the electrostatic sensor 114B is within a predetermined range (the range from TH111L to TH111U).

[0106] The specific values ​​of the thresholds TH111L and TH111U can be set to appropriate values ​​based on simulations or actual measurement results, taking into account the ratio of the areas of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, the dielectric constant, thickness, and stray capacitance of decorative materials surrounding the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, etc. Furthermore, if the distance between the electrostatic sensor 114A and the rim 13 differs from the distance between the electrostatic sensor 114B and the rim 13, the thresholds TH111L and TH111U can be set to appropriate values ​​taking into account the difference in distance. This is because a longer distance essentially corresponds to a smaller electrode area. Furthermore, if the rim 13 and the spokes 12 are misaligned in the Z direction, the thresholds TH111L and TH111U can be set to appropriate values ​​taking into account the difference in Z direction position.

[0107] In the determination of step S111, the electrostatic sensor 114A is an example of a first proximity sensor, and the difference value ΔAD114A is an example of a first sensor value. The electrostatic sensor 114B is an example of a second proximity sensor, and the difference value ΔAD114B is an example of a second sensor value. The ratio R1 (= ΔAD114A / ΔAD114B) is an example of a first ratio.

[0108] If the determination unit 131 determines that the ratio R1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH111L and equal to or less than the threshold value TH111U (S111: YES), the flow proceeds to step S112.

[0109] If the determination unit 131 determines in step S111 that the ratio R1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH111L and not equal to or less than the threshold value TH111U (S111: NO), it determines that the hand is not touching the rim 13 (non-grasping) (step S114B). The result of step S114B is used in step S103 of FIG. 4C as a determination result that the upper rim 13 is not being grasped.

[0110] In the process of step S111, electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B were used to determine whether the upper rim 13 was not being grasped, but the same process is performed using electrostatic sensors 115A and 115B following step 111. Since this is equivalent to step S111, a description thereof will be omitted, but if a non-grasp is determined in this way, this result is used in step S107 of Fig. 4C as a determination result that the lower rim is not being grasped.

[0111] Furthermore, in the processing of step S111, a specific method for determining whether the upper rim 13 is not being grasped is to determine that the ratio R1 (= ΔAD114A / ΔAD114B) between the difference value ΔAD114A and the difference value ΔAD114B is not between the threshold value TH111L and the threshold value TH111L, but other methods may also be used. Specifically, this determination may be made by, for example, determining whether ΔAD114B / ΔAD114A, or ΔAD114A / (ΔAD114A+ΔAD114B), or ΔAD114B / (ΔAD114A+ΔAD114B) is not within a predetermined range, or |ΔAD114B-ΔAD114A| is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or whether ΔAD114A is within a predetermined range of constant K and ΔAD114B is within a predetermined range of constant L, with the difference between constants K and L being equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or by referring to these calculation methods or a predetermined determination table based on actually acquired data. That is, it is sufficient to determine whether the hand placement relative to electrostatic sensor 114A and the hand placement relative to electrostatic sensor 114B are values ​​that should be determined to have different placement relationships. When the areas of electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, and the dielectric constant, thickness, stray capacitance, etc. of the decorative materials surrounding electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B are the same, it is sufficient to determine whether the first sensor value and the second sensor value are values ​​that should be determined to be different, and various calculation and judgment methods can be considered that can ensure that when a first ratio between the first sensor value and the second sensor value is calculated, the first ratio is outside a specified range.

[0112] As described above, if the ratio of the areas of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B is different, ΔAD114A and ΔAD114B may be the same value but may be determined to be different.

[0113] <Step S112> The judgment unit 131 judges whether the ratio R2 (= ΔAD113T / ΔAD114AB) of the composite value ΔAD113T of the difference values ​​of the two electrostatic sensors 113 to the composite value ΔAD114AB of the difference values ​​of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH112 (step S112).

[0114] Since the two electrostatic sensors 113 are treated as capacitors connected in parallel, the composite value ΔAD113T of the difference values ​​of the two electrostatic sensors 113 is the sum of the difference values ​​of the two electrostatic sensors 113. The same is true for the composite value ΔAD114AB.

[0115] The two electrostatic sensors 113 are located on the surface 12A of the spoke 12, and the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B are located on the side surfaces of the spoke 12. For this reason, for example, the ratio between the composite value ΔAD113T of the two electrostatic sensors 113 and the composite value ΔAD114AB of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B differs when the hand is positioned on the +Z side of the rim 13 and when the hand is touching the rim 13. When the hand is positioned on the +Z side of the rim 13, the composite value ΔAD113T is significantly larger than the composite value ΔAD114AB, and when the hand is touching the rim 13, the composite value ΔAD113T and the composite value ΔAD114AB are closer to each other than when the hand is positioned on the +Z side of the rim 13.

[0116] For this reason, in step S112, a ratio R2 (= ΔAD113T / ΔAD114AB) is used to distinguish between a case where the hand is located on the +Z side of the rim 13 and a case where the hand is touching the rim 13. If the ratio R2 is less than the threshold value TH112, it is determined that the hand is touching the rim 13, and if the ratio R2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH112, it is determined that the hand is located on the +Z side of the rim 13 and is not gripping the rim.

[0117] The specific value of the threshold TH112 can be set to an appropriate value based on simulations or actual measurement results, taking into account the area ratio of the two electrostatic sensors 113, the area ratio of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, the ratio between the area of ​​the two electrostatic sensors 113 and the area of ​​the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, the dielectric constant, thickness, and stray capacitance of the decorative material surrounding the two electrostatic sensors 113, and the dielectric constant, thickness, and stray capacitance of the decorative material surrounding the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B. Furthermore, if the distances between each electrostatic sensor 113 and the rim 13 are different, the threshold TH112 can be set to an appropriate value taking into account the difference in distance. This is because a longer distance essentially corresponds to a smaller electrode area. If the rim 13 and the spokes 12 are misaligned in the Z direction, the thresholds TH111L and TH111U can be set to appropriate values ​​taking into account the difference in Z direction position.

[0118] In the processing of step S112, the electrostatic sensor 114A is an example of a first proximity sensor, and the difference value ΔAD114A is an example of a first sensor value. The electrostatic sensor 114B is an example of a second proximity sensor, and the difference value ΔAD114B is an example of a second sensor value. The composite value ΔAD114AB is an example of the sum of the first sensor value and the second sensor value. Furthermore, the two electrostatic sensors 113 are examples of third proximity sensors, and the composite value 113T is an example of a third sensor value. The ratio R2 (= ΔAD113T / ΔAD114AB) is an example of a second ratio. The threshold value TH112 is an example of a first predetermined threshold.

[0119] In addition, in the processing of step S112, the two electrostatic sensors 113 are an example of a first proximity sensor, and the composite value 113T can be considered an example of a first sensor value. In this case, the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B are an example of a second proximity sensor, and the composite value AD114AB is an example of a second sensor value. The ratio R2 of the composite value 113T to the composite value AD114AB is an example of a first ratio. The threshold value TH112 is an example of a first predetermined threshold.

[0120] If an electrostatic sensor similar to the electrostatic sensor 113 is located directly behind the surface 12B of the spoke 12, the electrostatic sensor located directly behind the surface 12B of the spoke 12 may be used instead of the electrostatic sensor 113.

[0121] If the determination unit 131 determines that the ratio R2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH112 (YES in S112), it determines that the hand is not touching the rim 13 (non-grasping) (step S114B). The result of step S114B is used in step S103 of FIG. 4C as a non-grasping determination result.

[0122] If the determination unit 131 determines that the ratio R2 is less than the threshold value TH112 (S112: NO), the flow proceeds to step S113.

[0123] In the process of step S112, the non-grasping determination of the upper rim 13 is performed using the two electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, and subsequently, the same process is performed using the two electrostatic sensors 115A and 115B, and the two electrostatic sensors 113. Since this is the same as step S112, the description will be omitted, but if a non-grasping determination is made in this way, the result is used in step S107 of Fig. 4C as a determination result that the lower rim is not gripped.

[0124] Furthermore, in the processing of step S112, a specific method for determining whether the upper rim 13 is not being grasped is to determine whether the ratio R2 (= ΔAD113T / ΔAD114AB) of the composite value ΔAD113T of the difference values ​​of the two electrostatic sensors 113 to the composite value ΔAD114AB of the difference values ​​of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH112, but other methods may also be used. Specifically, the determination may be made by checking whether ΔAD114AB / ΔAD113T is below a predetermined value, or whether ΔAD113T / (ΔAD113T + ΔAD114AB) is above a predetermined value, or whether ΔAD114AB / (ΔAD114A + ΔAD114B) is below a predetermined value, or whether ΔAD113T-ΔAD114AB is above a predetermined value, or whether ΔAD114AB is within a predetermined range of constant K' and ΔAD113T is within a predetermined range of constant L' and the constant L' is different from the constant K' by more than a predetermined value, or by referring to these calculation methods or a predetermined determination table based on actually obtained data. In other words, it is sufficient to determine whether ΔAD113T is a value that should be judged to be large compared to ΔAD114AB, and various calculation and judgment methods can be considered that can ensure that when the ratio R2 (= ΔAD113T / ΔAD114AB) is calculated, it is greater than a predetermined value.

[0125] As mentioned above, if the ratio between the area of ​​the two electrostatic sensors 113 and the area of ​​the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B is different, and the area of ​​the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B is larger than the area of ​​the two electrostatic sensors 113, then even if ΔAD113T and ΔAD114AB are the same value, ΔAD113T may be judged to be a larger value.

[0126] <Step S113> The determination unit 131 determines whether a ratio R3 (=ΔAD111 / ΔAD114AB) of the difference value ΔAD111 of the electrostatic sensor 111 to the combined value ΔAD114AB of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B is equal to or greater than a threshold value TH113 (step S113).

[0127] For example, when pressing the reset button of a trip meter, a person may insert their hand between the hub 11 and the left and right spokes 12 of the steering wheel 10 and the upper half of the rim 13. In order to distinguish between such an action and an action in which the hand is touching the rim 13, the process of step S113 is provided.

[0128] When a hand is inserted between the hub 11 and the left and right spokes 12 and the upper half of the rim 13, the hand moves closer to the hub 11, so the difference value ΔAD111 of the electrostatic sensor 111 becomes larger relative to the combined value ΔAD114AB of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B. Furthermore, when the hand is touching the upper half of the rim 13, the hand moves away from the hub 11, so the difference between the difference value ΔAD111 and the combined value ΔAD114AB becomes smaller than when the hand is inserted between the hub 11 and the left and right spokes 12 and the upper half of the rim 13.

[0129] Therefore, if the ratio R3 is less than the threshold value TH113, the judgment unit 131 judges that the hand is touching the rim 13, and if the ratio R3 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH113, it judges that the hand is not touching the upper rim 13.

[0130] The specific value of the threshold value TH113 may be set to an appropriate value based on simulations or actual measurement results, taking into consideration the positional relationship between the rim 13 and the electrostatic sensors 111, 114A, and 114B, the area of ​​the electrostatic sensor 111, the ratio of the areas of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, the ratio of the area of ​​the electrostatic sensor 111 to the areas of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, the dielectric constant, thickness, and stray capacitance of the decorative member surrounding the electrostatic sensor 111, and the dielectric constant, thickness, and stray capacitance of the decorative member, etc. surrounding the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B. Furthermore, the threshold value TH113 may be set to an appropriate value, taking into consideration the difference between the distance between the electrostatic sensor 111 and the rim 13 and the distance between the electrostatic sensor 114A and the rim 13, and the difference between the distance between the electrostatic sensor 111 and the rim 13 and the distance between the electrostatic sensor 114B and the rim 13. If the rim 13 and the spokes 12 are arranged with a misalignment in the Z direction, the threshold values ​​TH111L and TH111U may be set to appropriate values ​​taking into consideration the difference in the Z direction positions.

[0131] In the processing of step S113, electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B are an example of a second proximity sensor provided inside spoke 12 along the spoke side surface connecting surface 12A (first spoke surface) of spoke 12 to surface 12B (second spoke surface) opposite surface 12A, and composite value AD114AB is an example of a second sensor value. Electrostatic sensor 111 is an example of a third proximity sensor provided inside hub 11 along the hub side surface connecting a first hub surface on the rider's side of hub 11 to a second hub surface opposite the first hub surface, and differential value ΔAD111 of electrostatic sensor 111 is an example of a third sensor value. Ratio R3 (= ΔAD111 / ΔAD114AB) is an example of a second ratio, and threshold value TH113 is an example of a second predetermined threshold value.

[0132] Additionally, electrostatic sensor 111 is an example of a first proximity sensor provided inside hub 11 along a hub side surface connecting a first hub surface and a second hub surface opposite the first hub surface. The difference value ΔAD111 of electrostatic sensor 111 is an example of a first sensor value. In this case, electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B are examples of second proximity sensors provided inside spoke 12 along a side surface 12C (spoke side surface) connecting a surface 12A (first spoke surface) on the rider's side of spoke 12 with a surface 12B (second spoke surface) opposite surface 12A. The combined value ΔAD114AB is an example of a second sensor value.

[0133] If the determination unit 131 determines that the ratio R3 (=ΔAD111 / ΔAD114AB) is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH113 (S113: YES), it determines that the hand is not touching the rim 13 (non-grasping) (step S114B). The result of step S114B is used in step S103 of FIG. 4C as a non-grasping determination result.

[0134] If the determination unit 131 determines in step S113 that the ratio R3 (=ΔAD111 / ΔAD114AB) is less than the threshold value TH113 (S113: NO), it determines that the hand is touching the rim 13 (step S114A). Determining that the hand is touching the rim 13 is synonymous with determining that the hand is not in a non-grasp state, and there is no non-grasp determination result.

[0135] When the determination unit 131 finishes the processing of step S114A or S114B, it ends the non-grasping determination processing.

[0136] Furthermore, in the processing of step S113, a specific method for determining whether the upper rim is not being grasped is to determine whether the ratio R3 (= ΔAD111 / ΔAD114AB) of the difference value ΔAD111 of the electrostatic sensor 111 to the combined value ΔAD114AB of the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH113, but other methods may also be used.

[0137] Specifically, the determination may be made by determining whether ΔAD114AB / ΔAD111 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, or whether ΔAD111 / (ΔAD111+ΔAD114AB) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or whether ΔAD114AB / (ΔAD111+ΔAD114AB) is equal to or less than a predetermined value, or whether ΔAD111-ΔAD114AB is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or whether ΔAD114AB is within a predetermined range of constant K" and ΔAD111 is within a predetermined range of constant L", with constant L" differing from constant K" by a predetermined value or more, or by referring to these calculation methods or a predetermined determination table based on actually obtained data. In other words, it is sufficient to determine whether ΔAD111 should be determined to be large relative to ΔAD114AB, and various calculation and determination methods are conceivable that will result in a predetermined value or more when the ratio R3 (=ΔAD111 / ΔAD114AB) is calculated.

[0138] As mentioned above, if the ratio of the area of ​​electrostatic sensor 111 to the areas of electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B is different and the areas of electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B are larger than the area of ​​the two electrostatic sensors 111, then even if ΔAD111 and ΔAD114AB are the same value, ΔAD111 may be judged to be a larger value.

[0139] <Determination Process for Distinguishing Between Driver's Hands and Legs> FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the driver's legs and the steering wheel 10. As shown in FIG.

[0140] For the upper rim 13, a non-grasp judgment is made assuming an action such as pressing the reset button on a trip meter, and for the lower rim 13, the following non-grasp judgment is made assuming a case where the leg approaches the steering wheel 10.

[0141] The steering wheel 10 is attached to a steering shaft 20, and the driver is seated on a seat 30. Fig. 5A also shows a floor 40 of the vehicle body. In such a case, if the driver raises the position of his / her knees or lifts his / her legs, the legs will move closer to the steering wheel 10, which will affect the difference value ΔAD and may result in a YES determination in step S105 or step S106.

[0142] 5A, when the driver does not lift his / her leg but stretches his / her leg forward, the leg is at a predetermined distance or more from the steering wheel 10, and therefore the difference values ​​ΔAD of the five electrostatic sensors 112 are small. In this state, when the driver touches the rim 13 with his / her hand, the difference values ​​ΔAD of the electrostatic sensors 112 Nos. 5 and 4, which are close to the rim 13, among the five electrostatic sensors 112, increase significantly, while the difference values ​​ΔAD of the electrostatic sensors 112 Nos. 1 and 2, which are close to the hub 11, do not increase very much.

[0143] Furthermore, when the leg approaches the steering wheel 10, the leg approaches all of the five electrostatic sensors 112, so the difference values ​​ΔAD of the five electrostatic sensors 112 increase and the difference between them becomes smaller.

[0144] Here, as an example, a configuration in which five electrostatic sensors 112 are provided will be described, but it is sufficient that there are a plurality of electrostatic sensors 112 .

[0145] 5B is a diagram showing an example of the distribution of the difference values ​​ΔAD of the five electrostatic sensors 112. The horizontal axis represents the number N of the electrostatic sensor 112, and the vertical axis represents the difference value ΔAD. Furthermore, a threshold value TH124 shown on the vertical axis is set as a value that the difference value ΔAD of the fifth electrostatic sensor 112 of the five electrostatic sensors 112 exceeds when the leg is raised. The threshold value TH124 is an example of a first sensor threshold. Furthermore, even when the hand is actually touching the rim 13, the difference value ΔAD of the fifth electrostatic sensor of the five electrostatic sensors 112 also exceeds the threshold value TH124.

[0146] Furthermore, threshold value TH126 indicated on the vertical axis is a threshold applied to the difference value ΔAD of any one of electrostatic sensors 112 Nos. 4 to 1 located toward the center of the steering wheel 10 among the five electrostatic sensors 112. More specifically, threshold value TH126 is a threshold applied to the electrostatic sensor 112 (No. 3 in the example of FIG. 5B) located closest to the center of the steering wheel 10, which exceeds threshold value TH124, and is adjacent to the electrostatic sensor 112 (No. 4 in the example of FIG. 5B) and closest to the center of the steering wheel 10. A value is set such that if the value is smaller than threshold value TH126, it can be determined that the hand is definitely touching the rim 13. In other words, when a leg approaches electrostatic sensor 112, the leg is long and stretches along the center of the steering wheel 10, so the difference value ΔAD of the electrostatic sensor 112 gradually decreases toward the center of the steering wheel 10. However, when a hand grips the rim, the range in which the hand is present is limited, and therefore, depending on the positional relationship between the hand and the individual electrodes of the electrostatic sensor 112, the difference value ΔAD may drop sharply as the hand moves toward the center of the steering wheel 10. Therefore, by setting the threshold value TH126 in this manner, it may be possible to identify hand gripping. The threshold value TH126 is an example of a second sensor threshold value.

[0147] The difference values ​​ΔAD of electrostatic sensors 112 No. 1 to No. 5 when the hand is touching the rim 13 (when gripping) are shown by hatching, and the difference values ​​ΔAD of electrostatic sensors 112 No. 1 to No. 5 when the leg is approaching the rim 13 (when not gripping) are shown by dots.

[0148] 5B , when a hand is touching the rim 13 (in the case of gripping), the hand is located close to the rim, but not close to the hub 11. The difference values ​​ΔAD (hatched) of the electrostatic sensors 112 Nos. 1 to 5 are such that the difference values ​​ΔAD of the electrostatic sensors 112 Nos. 5 and 4, which are close to the rim 13, are large and exceed the threshold value TH124, while the difference values ​​ΔAD of the electrostatic sensors 112 Nos. 1 to 3 do not exceed the threshold value TH126. Therefore, the change in the difference value ΔAD from No. 5 to No. 1 is large. In particular, the slope (dashed line) between the difference value ΔAD of No. 4, which is larger than the threshold value TH124, and the difference value ΔAD of No. 3, which is smaller than the threshold value TH124, is large.

[0149] Furthermore, when the legs are approaching the rim 13 (non-gripping), the legs are located close to the rim and also close to the hub 11. The difference values ​​ΔAD (dots) of the electrostatic sensors 112 Nos. 1 to 5 are such that the difference values ​​ΔAD of the electrostatic sensors 112 Nos. 5 and 4, which are close to the rim 13, are large and exceed the threshold value TH124, while the difference values ​​ΔAD of the electrostatic sensors 112 Nos. 1 to 3 do not exceed the threshold value TH124. This trend is similar to when the hand is touching the rim 13 (gripping). However, the difference values ​​ΔAD (dots) of the electrostatic sensors 112 Nos. 1 to 5 when the legs are approaching the rim 13 (non-gripping) are larger than when the hand is touching the rim 13 (gripping). Therefore, the slope (dashed line) between the fourth difference value ΔAD, which is greater than the threshold value TH124, and the third difference value ΔAD, which is smaller than the threshold value TH124, is small.

[0150] The sensor device 100 utilizes the characteristics of the difference values ​​ΔAD of the five electrostatic sensors 112 to distinguish between a state in which a hand is touching the rim 13 and a state in which a leg is approaching the rim 13 .

[0151] 5C is a flowchart showing an example of a determination process for distinguishing between the driver's hands and legs. N is a variable that can take five values ​​from 1 to 5 and indicates the number of the electrostatic sensor 112.

[0152] The determination unit 131 compares the sensor values ​​with the threshold value TH124 in the order from the electrostatic sensors 112 on the rim 13 side, that is, the fifth electrostatic sensor 112, to the electrostatic sensors 112 on the hub 11 side.

[0153] Specifically, when the process starts, the determination unit 131 determines whether the difference value ΔAD5 of the No. 5 electrostatic sensor 112 located furthest in the −Y direction is greater than the threshold value TH124 (step S121).

[0154] If the determination unit 131 determines that the difference value ΔAD5 is not greater than the threshold value TH124 (S121: NO), i.e., if it is equal to or less than TH124, it determines that the foot is not approaching the underside of the rim 13 and terminates the determination process of Figure 5C.

[0155] If the determination unit 131 determines that the difference value ΔAD5 is greater than the threshold value TH124 (S121: YES), it sets the number N to 4 (step S122). That is, the number of the electrostatic sensor 112 that is second closest to the rim 13 is selected.

[0156] The determination unit 131 determines whether the number N is greater than 2 (step S123). This is processing for distinguishing between hands and legs. If a hand is touching the rim 13, the difference value ΔAD becomes smaller than the threshold value TH124 up to the third electrostatic sensor 112 in the next step S124, and therefore determines whether the number N is greater than 2. In other words, if the difference values ​​ΔAD of the electrostatic sensors 112 are greater than the threshold value TH124 up to the third sensor, it is determined that a human body is present beyond the range where the hand exists, and it is determined that legs are present and that no gripping is occurring (S123; NO).

[0157] If the determination unit 131 determines that the number N is greater than 2 (S123: YES), it determines whether the difference value ΔAD of the Nth electrostatic sensor 112 is smaller than a threshold value TH124 (step S124).

[0158] The five electrostatic sensors 112 are an example of a fourth proximity sensor. The five electrostatic sensors 112 are also an example of a plurality of proximity sensors.

[0159] If the determination unit 131 determines that the difference value ΔAD of the Nth electrostatic sensor 112 is not smaller than the threshold value TH124 (S124: NO), it decrements N (step S124A). That is, N=N−1. After completing the process of step S124A, the determination unit 131 advances the flow to step S123.

[0160] If the determination unit 131 determines in step S124 that the difference value ΔAD of the Nth electrostatic sensor 112 is smaller than the threshold value TH124 (S124: YES), it sets Non=N+1 and Noff=N (step S125). Non and Noff are the numbers N of the electrostatic sensors 112 between which the two difference values ​​ΔAD sandwich the threshold value TH124, and in the example shown in FIG. 5B , Non=4 and Noff=3.

[0161] The determination unit 131 determines whether the Noff-numbered difference value ΔAD_Noff is greater than a threshold value TH126 (step S126).

[0162] If the determination unit 131 determines that the difference value ΔAD_Noff is not greater than the threshold value TH126 (S126: NO), that is, if the difference value ΔAD_Noff is smaller than the threshold value TH126, the determination process of Fig. 5C ends. Since there is no influence of the legs and the hand is in contact with the rim 13, the determination process ends.

[0163] If the determination unit 131 determines in step S126 that the difference value ΔAD_Noff is greater than the threshold value TH126 (S126: YES), it calculates a ratio R4 (step S127). The ratio R4 is K×ΔAD_Non / ΔAD_Noff, which is an example of a third ratio. The constant K has a predetermined negative value. The ratio R4 corresponds to the slope indicated by the dashed line and the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 5B.

[0164] The determination unit 131 determines whether the ratio R4 is smaller than a threshold value TH128 (step S128). The threshold value TH128 is a value that can distinguish between the tilt in the case of gripping, which is indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 5B, and the tilt in the case of legs, which is indicated by the dashed line, and is an example of a third predetermined threshold value.

[0165] The specific value of the threshold value TH128 can be set to an appropriate value based on simulations or actual measurement results, taking into consideration the area ratio of the five electrostatic sensors 112, the distance of each of the five electrostatic sensors 112 from the rim 13, the dielectric constant and thickness of the decorative material surrounding the five electrostatic sensors 112, stray capacitance, etc.

[0166] If the determination unit 131 determines that the ratio R4 is not smaller than the threshold value TH128 (S128: NO), that is, that the slope is large, the determination process of Fig. 5C ends. Because the slope is large, there is no effect of the legs, and the hand is in contact with the rim 13, so the determination process ends.

[0167] If the determination unit 131 determines in step S128 that the ratio R4 is smaller than the threshold value TH128 (S128: YES), it determines that the hand is not gripping the object (step S129). This is because the inclination is small due to the influence of the legs.

[0168] When the rim is gripped by the hand, the range in which the hand is present is limited, and therefore, depending on the position of the hand and the positional relationship between the individual electrodes of the electrostatic sensor 112, it is expected that the difference value ΔAD may decrease suddenly or decrease at a slope greater than a predetermined value. If the difference value ΔAD decreases suddenly, the result is NO in step S126, and if it decreases at a slope greater than a predetermined value, the result is NO in step S128.

[0169] Furthermore, in this embodiment, specific examples of values ​​that should be judged as greater than a predetermined value by the proximity sensor on the hub 11 side are when the third electrostatic sensor 112 is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH124 (S123; NO), and when the slope of an electrode where the difference value ΔAD between adjacent electrodes is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH124 and less than or equal to the threshold value TH124 is less than the threshold value TH128 (S128; YES), but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0170] In addition, specific examples of values ​​that the proximity sensor on the hub side should determine to be smaller than a predetermined value include when the difference value ΔAD between adjacent electrodes is greater than or equal to TH124 and less than or equal to TH124, and the difference value ΔAD between adjacent electrodes that is less than or equal to TH124 is smaller than the threshold value TH126 (S126; NO), and when the difference value ΔAD between adjacent electrodes is greater than or equal to TH124 and less than or equal to TH124, and the slope is not smaller than the threshold value TH128, i.e., when the slope is greater than or equal to TH128 (S128; NO), but this is not limited to these.

[0171] This completes the determination process shown in FIG. 5C.

[0172] <Modifications> In the above embodiment, it is determined whether a predetermined threshold value is reached or exceeded in S101, S102, S105, and S106, and if any of these is reached or exceeded, the rim 13 is deemed to be gripped or gripped, and if a non-gripped determination result is obtained in steps S111 to S114B and steps 121 to 129 of the subroutine, the determination is changed to non-gripped in step S103 or step S107. If a non-gripped determination result is not obtained in steps S111 to S114B and steps 121 to 129 of the subroutine, it is confirmed that the rim is gripped or gripped. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0173] For example, the processes of steps S111 to S113, or only the processes of steps S121 to S129, or only any one of these processes may be performed. In that case, it is sufficient to determine that the object is being grasped if the answer is YES in S111, NO in S112, NO in S113, NO in S126, or NO in S128.

[0174] Alternatively, the object may be initially determined as not being grasped or deemed as not being grasped, and if the subroutine determines that the object is grasped, the object may be confirmed as being grasped, and if the subroutine does not determine that the object is grasped, the object may be confirmed as not being grasped.

[0175] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the difference value ΔAD obtained by subtracting a reference value corresponding to the noise floor from the output corresponding to the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 110 is used, but this is not limiting. For example, the output value corresponding to the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 110 may be used as is, or the amount of change in the difference value ΔAD obtained by subtracting the difference value ΔAD from a predetermined time ago from the current difference value ΔAD may be used, or the amount of change in the sensor value of the electrostatic sensor 110 obtained by subtracting the output value corresponding to the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 110 from a predetermined time ago from the output value corresponding to the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 110 from the current capacitance may be used.

[0176] Furthermore, if the denominator value becomes 0 when calculating the ratio, the calculated value will become infinite. To prevent this, if the denominator becomes 0, it may be replaced with a sufficiently small value and the calculation may be performed.

[0177] <Effects> The sensor device 100 includes an electrostatic sensor 114A (first proximity sensor) that is provided inside the hub 11 or the spokes 12 of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation portion) having a hub 11, spokes 12, and a rim 13 (grip) along a first side portion of the side connecting a first surface on the driver's side of the hub 11 or the spokes 12 to a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, the electrostatic sensor 114A having a first sensor value (difference value ΔAD) that changes depending on the proximity of an object, and an electrostatic sensor 114B (second proximity sensor) that is provided inside the hub 11 or the spokes 12 along a second side portion of the side connecting a first surface on the driver's side of the hub 11 or the spokes 12 to a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, the electrostatic sensor 114A having a first sensor value (difference value ΔAD) that changes depending on the proximity of an object, and an electrostatic sensor 114B having a second sensor value (difference value ΔAD) that changes depending on the proximity of an object, and a sensor that detects whether the first sensor value and the second sensor value are equal to or greater than a threshold value and determines that the position of the object relative to the electrostatic sensor 114A (first proximity sensor) and the position of the object relative to the electrostatic sensor 114B (second proximity sensor) are equivalent to each other. and / or determines that the object is not in contact with the rim 13 (grip) if the first sensor value and the second sensor value are values ​​that should indicate that the object's position relative to the electrostatic sensor 114A (first proximity sensor) and the object's position relative to the electrostatic sensor 114B (second proximity sensor) are different from each other, or if the change in the first sensor value and the change in the second sensor value are values ​​that should indicate that the object's position relative to the electrostatic sensor 114A (first proximity sensor) and the object's position relative to the electrostatic sensor 114B (second proximity sensor) are different from each other.

[0178] The positioning of the electrostatic sensor and the object refers to the angle and distance of the object relative to the surface of the electrostatic sensor. When the object is not in contact with the rim 13 (grip), the object is positioned perpendicular to the surfaces of both electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, and the distances between the object and electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B are also the same, so the positioning of the object relative to electrostatic sensor 114A (first proximity sensor) and the positioning of the object relative to electrostatic sensor 114B (second proximity sensor) are in the same positional relationship. When the object is not in contact with the rim 13 (grip), for example, if the hand is positioned on the surface 12A of the spoke 12 to operate the switch 15, the distance of electrostatic sensor 114A to the object is close, but the distance of electrostatic sensor 114B is different, and the positioning of the object relative to the first sensor and the second sensor are in a different positional relationship.

[0179] Based on the difference value ΔAD of the electrostatic sensor 114A on the first side portion and the difference value ΔAD of the electrostatic sensor 114B on the second side portion, it is possible to distinguish between the action of touching the first surface of the hub 11 or spoke 12 with a hand and the action of touching the rim 13 with a hand.

[0180] Therefore, it is possible to provide the sensor device 100 that can detect with high accuracy whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation portion) is being gripped.

[0181] The first and second proximity sensors may be electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, and the first and second sensor values ​​may be capacitance values ​​(difference value ΔAD). Therefore, by using the difference value ΔAD obtained from the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, it is possible to more easily and reliably distinguish between the action of a hand touching the first surface of the hub 11 or the spokes 12 and the action of a hand touching the rim 13. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sensor device 100 that can more accurately detect whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation portion) is being gripped.

[0182] When the judgment unit 131 calculates the first ratio R1 between the first sensor value and the second sensor value, if the first ratio R1 is within a predetermined range, it judges that the first sensor value and the second sensor value are values ​​that should be judged to indicate that the position of the object relative to the electrostatic sensor 114A (first proximity sensor) and the position of the object relative to the electrostatic sensor 114B (second proximity sensor) are in an equivalent positional relationship, and judges that the object is in contact with the grip.

[0183] If the judgment unit 131 determines that the first ratio R1 between the first sensor value and the second sensor value is outside a predetermined range, it determines that the value indicates that the position of the object relative to the electrostatic sensor 114A (first proximity sensor) and the position of the object relative to the electrostatic sensor 114B (second proximity sensor) are in different positional relationships, and determines that the object is not in contact with the grip.

[0184] Therefore, it is possible to provide the sensor device 100 that can detect with high accuracy whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation portion) is being gripped.

[0185] The wheel control device may further include an electrostatic sensor 113 (third proximity sensor) disposed inside the hub 11 or the spokes 12 along the first or second surface, the third sensor value (difference value ΔAD) changing depending on the proximity of an object, and the determination unit 131 may determine that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip) if a second ratio R2 of the third sensor value to the sum of the first and second sensor values ​​is less than a first predetermined threshold, or may determine that an object is not in contact with the rim 13 (grip) if the second ratio R2 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined threshold. In addition to the determination based on the first ratio R1, the electrostatic sensor 113 can be used to distinguish between a case where a hand is positioned on the +Z direction side of the rim 13 and a case where the hand is touching the rim 13 based on the second ratio R2. Therefore, by making a judgment based on the second ratio R2 in addition to making a judgment based on the first ratio R1, it is possible to provide a sensor device 100 that can detect with even greater accuracy whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operating portion) is being gripped.

[0186] The sensor device 100 is provided inside the hub 11 or spokes 12 of a steering wheel 10 (steering operation part) having a hub 11, spokes 12, and a rim 13 (grip) along a first surface on the driver's side of the hub 11 or spokes 12, or along a second surface opposite to the first surface, and includes an electrostatic sensor 113 (first proximity sensor) whose first sensor value (difference value ΔAD) changes depending on the proximity of an object; and an electrostatic sensor 113 (first proximity sensor) whose second sensor value (difference value ΔAD) changes depending on the proximity of an object. The device includes electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B (second proximity sensors) whose proximity sensors change, and a determination unit 131 that determines that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip) when the second sensor value is greater than the first sensor value or when the amount of change in the second sensor value is greater than the amount of change in the first sensor value, and / or determines that an object is not in contact with the rim 13 (grip) when the second sensor value is less than the first sensor value or when the amount of change in the second sensor value is less than the amount of change in the first sensor value. Using the electrostatic sensors 113, it is possible to distinguish between a case where a hand is positioned on the +Z direction side of the rim 13 and a case where the hand is touching the rim 13, based on the first ratio R2.

[0187] Therefore, it is possible to provide the sensor device 100 that can detect with high accuracy whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation portion) is being gripped.

[0188] Furthermore, the first proximity sensor may be the electrostatic sensor 113, the second proximity sensor may be the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, and the first sensor value and the second sensor value may be electrostatic capacitance values ​​(difference value ΔAD). Therefore, by using the difference value ΔAD obtained from the electrostatic sensor 113 and the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, it is possible to more easily and reliably distinguish between a case where the hand is positioned on the +Z direction side of the rim 13 and a case where the hand is touching the rim 13. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sensor device 100 that can more accurately detect whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation portion) is being gripped.

[0189] When the judgment unit 131 calculates the first ratio R2 of the first sensor value to the second sensor value, if the first ratio R2 is less than the first predetermined threshold value or equal to or less than the first predetermined threshold value, it judges that the second sensor value is a value that should be judged to be greater than the first sensor value, and determines that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip).

[0190] If the first ratio R2 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined threshold value, the judgment unit 131 judges that the second sensor value is a value that should be judged to be smaller than the first sensor value, and determines that an object is not in contact with the rim 13 (grip).

[0191] Therefore, it is possible to provide the sensor device 100 that can detect with high accuracy whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation portion) is being gripped.

[0192] The hub 11 also includes an electrostatic sensor 111 (third proximity sensor) that is provided inside the hub 11 along a hub side surface that connects a first hub surface on the driver's side of the hub 11 with a second hub surface on the opposite side of the first hub surface, and the third sensor value (difference value ΔAD) changes depending on the proximity of an object. The electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B (second proximity sensors) are provided inside the spokes 12 along the spoke side surface that connects a first spoke surface on the driver's side of the spokes 12 with a second spoke surface on the opposite side of the first spoke surface. The electrostatic sensor 111 (third proximity sensor) and the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B (second proximity sensors) are provided adjacent to each other. When the determination unit 131 determines that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip), if a second ratio R3 of the third sensor value to the second sensor value is less than a second predetermined threshold, the determination unit 131 may determine that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip). If the second ratio R3 is equal to or greater than the second predetermined threshold, the determination unit 131 may determine that an object is not in contact with the rim 13 (grip). The determination unit 131 can distinguish between an action of inserting a hand between the hub 11 and left and right spokes 12 of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation unit) and the upper half of the rim 13 and an action of the hand touching the rim 13. Therefore, by performing a determination based on the second ratio R3 in addition to the determination based on the first ratio R2, the sensor device 100 can be provided that can detect with higher accuracy whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation unit) is being gripped.

[0193] The sensor device 100 includes an electrostatic sensor 111 (first proximity sensor) that is provided inside the hub 11 of a steering wheel 10 (steering operation part) having a hub 11, spokes 12, and a rim 13 (grip) along a hub side surface connecting a first hub surface on the driver's side of the hub 11 to a second hub surface on the opposite side of the first hub surface, and whose first sensor value (difference value ΔAD) changes depending on the proximity of an object; and an electrostatic sensor 111 (first proximity sensor) that is provided inside the spokes 12 along a spoke side surface connecting a first spoke surface on the driver's side of the spokes 12 to a second spoke surface on the opposite side of the first spoke surface, and whose second sensor value (difference value ΔAD) changes depending on the proximity of an object. The steering system includes electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B (second proximity sensors) whose sensor values ​​(difference value ΔAD) change, and a determination unit 131 that determines that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip) when the second sensor value is greater than the first sensor value, or when the amount of change in the second sensor value is greater than the amount of change in the first sensor value, and / or determines that an object is not in contact with the rim 13 (grip) when the second sensor value is less than the first sensor value, or when the amount of change in the second sensor value is less than the amount of change in the first sensor value. The steering system can distinguish between an action of inserting a hand between the hub 11 and left and right spokes 12 of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation unit) and the upper half of the rim 13, and an action of the hand touching the rim 13.

[0194] Therefore, it is possible to provide the sensor device 100 that can detect with high accuracy whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation portion) is being gripped.

[0195] Furthermore, the first proximity sensor may be the electrostatic sensor 111, the second proximity sensor may be the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, and the first sensor value and the second sensor value may be electrostatic capacitance values ​​(difference value ΔAD). Therefore, by using the difference value ΔAD obtained from the electrostatic sensor 111 and the electrostatic sensors 114A and 114B, it is possible to more easily and reliably distinguish between an action of inserting a hand between the hub 11 and the left and right spokes 12 of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation unit) and the upper half of the rim 13 and an action of the hand touching the rim 13. Therefore, it is possible to provide the sensor device 100 that can more accurately detect whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation unit) is being gripped.

[0196] If the first ratio R3 of the first sensor value to the second sensor value is less than a first predetermined threshold, the determination unit 131 determines that the second sensor value should be determined to be greater than the first sensor value and determines that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip).If the first ratio R3 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined threshold or a value exceeding the first predetermined threshold, the determination unit 131 determines that the second sensor value should be determined to be smaller than the first sensor value and determines that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip).

[0197] The steering wheel 10 (steering operation unit) having a hub 11, spokes 12, and a rim 13 (grip) is mounted on a vehicle in a neutral position, and further includes a plurality of electrostatic sensors 112 (fourth proximity sensors) that are arranged inside the hub 11 or spokes 12 from the hub 11 side to the rim 13 (grip) side, on the vehicle body floor side of the hub 11 or the spokes 12, along a side that connects a first surface of the hub 11 or spokes 12 on the driver's side to a second surface opposite the first surface, and whose fourth sensor value (difference value ΔAD) changes depending on the proximity of an object. Even if the determination unit 131 determines that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip) based on the first sensor value and the second sensor value, the determination unit 131 determines that the object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip), and further includes a plurality of electrostatic sensors 112 (fourth proximity sensors) that are arranged inside the hub 11 or spokes 12 from the hub 11 side to the rim 13 (grip) side, along a side that connects a first surface of the hub 11 or spokes 12 on the driver's side to a second surface opposite the first surface. The sensor values ​​of the electrostatic sensors 112 (fourth proximity sensors) are compared with a first sensor threshold value indicating that an object is close to the rim 13 (grip), in the order from the electrostatic sensor 112 (fourth proximity sensor) on the side to the electrostatic sensor 112 (fourth proximity sensor) on the hub 11 side. If a third ratio R4 of the sensor value greater than the first sensor threshold value to the sensor value less than or equal to the first sensor threshold value between the two sensor values ​​on either side of the first sensor threshold value is less than a third predetermined threshold value, it is determined that an object is not in contact with the rim 13 (grip). Alternatively, it may be determined that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip) based on the first and second sensor values, and if the third ratio R4 is equal to or greater than the third predetermined threshold value, it is determined that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip). This makes it possible to distinguish between a state in which a hand is touching the rim 13 and a state in which a leg is approaching the rim 13.

[0198] The sensor device 100 includes a plurality of electrostatic sensors 112 (proximity sensors) that are arranged inside the hub 11 or the spokes 12 from the hub 11 side to the rim 13 (grip) side, and whose sensor value (difference value ΔAD) changes depending on the proximity of an object, when the steering wheel 10 (steering operation part) having a hub 11, spokes 12, and a rim 13 (grip) is mounted on the vehicle in a neutral state. The sensor value of the electrostatic sensor 112 (proximity sensor) on the rim 13 (grip) side is compared with a first sensor threshold TH124 that indicates that the leg or hand (object) is close to the rim 13 (grip), and if the electrostatic sensor 112 (proximity sensor) on the hub 11 side is greater than the first sensor threshold TH124 (S123; NO), it is determined that the object (hand) is not in contact with the rim 13 (grip) (this also includes a determination that there is a possibility that the object is not in contact).If the electrostatic sensor 112 (proximity sensor) on the hub 11 side is determined to be less than the second sensor threshold TH126 (S128; NO), it is determined that the hand (object) is in contact with the rim 13 (grip).

[0199] The determination unit 131 includes a third ratio R4 of the sensor value (number 4) greater than the first sensor threshold TH124 to the sensor value (number 3) less than the first sensor threshold TH124, of the two sensor values ​​sandwiching the first sensor threshold TH124, is less than a third predetermined threshold TH128 (S128; YES), the determination unit 131 determines that the sensor value of the hub-side electrostatic sensor 112 (proximity sensor) is greater than the predetermined threshold, and therefore that a foot is approaching the rim 13 (grip) and a hand (object) is not in contact with the rim 13; on the other hand, the determination unit 131 determines that the sensor value of the hub-side electrostatic sensor 112 (proximity sensor) is less than the predetermined threshold, and therefore that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip). This makes it possible to distinguish between a state in which a hand is touching the rim 13 and a state in which a leg is approaching the rim 13.

[0200] Therefore, it is possible to provide the sensor device 100 that can detect with high accuracy whether the rim 13 (grip) of the steering wheel 10 (steering operation portion) is being gripped.

[0201] Furthermore, if the sensor value that is equal to or less than the first sensor threshold is equal to or less than a second sensor threshold that is smaller than the first sensor threshold, the determination unit 131 may determine that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip) without comparing the third ratio R4 with the third predetermined threshold. Using the third predetermined threshold makes it possible to more easily and quickly determine that an object is in contact with the rim 13 (grip).

[0202] The above describes a sensor device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0203] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-141804, filed on August 31, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0204] 100 Sensor device 110, 111, 112, 113, 114A, 114B, 115A, 115B Electrostatic sensor 120 Detection circuit 130 ECU 131 Determination unit 132 Memory

Claims

1. A steering operation part having a hub, spokes, and a grip, a first proximity sensor is provided inside the hub or spokes along a first side portion of a side connecting a first surface on the driver's side of the hub or spoke to a second surface opposite the first surface, the first sensor value changing depending on the proximity of an object; and a second proximity sensor is provided inside the hub or spokes along a second side portion of the side connecting a first surface on the driver's side of the hub or spoke to a second surface opposite the first surface, the first sensor value changing depending on the proximity of an object. and a determination unit that determines that an object is in contact with the grip when the first sensor value and the second sensor value are equal to or greater than a threshold value and a positional relationship of the object with respect to the first proximity sensor and a positional relationship of the object with respect to the second proximity sensor should be determined to be equivalent, or when an amount of change in the first sensor value and an amount of change in the second sensor value are equal to or greater than a threshold value and a positional relationship of the object with respect to the first proximity sensor and a positional relationship of the object with respect to the second proximity sensor should be determined to be equivalent, and / or that an object is not in contact with the grip when the first sensor value and the second sensor value are equal to or greater than a threshold value and a positional relationship of the object with respect to the first proximity sensor and a positional relationship of the object with respect to the second proximity sensor should be determined to be different, or when the amount of change in the first sensor value and the amount of change in the second sensor value are equal to or greater than a threshold value and a positional relationship of the object with respect to the first proximity sensor and a positional relationship of the object with respect to the second proximity sensor should be determined to be different.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor are electrostatic sensors, and the first sensor value and the second sensor value are capacitance values.

3. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the judgment unit, when calculating a first ratio between the first sensor value and the second sensor value, if the first ratio is within a predetermined range, judges that the first sensor value and the second sensor value are values ​​that should be judged as indicating that the positioning of the object with respect to the first proximity sensor and the positioning of the object with respect to the second proximity sensor are in an equivalent positional relationship, and judges that the object is in contact with the grip, and / or, if the first ratio is outside the predetermined range, judges that the positioning of the object with respect to the first proximity sensor and the positioning of the object with respect to the second proximity sensor are in a different positional relationship, and judges that the object is not in contact with the grip.

4. The sensor device of claim 3, further comprising a third proximity sensor provided inside the hub or the spokes along the first surface or the second surface, the third sensor value changing depending on the proximity of an object, wherein when the determination unit determines that an object is in contact with the grip, if a second ratio of the third sensor value to the sum of the first sensor value and the second sensor value is less than a first predetermined threshold, the determination unit determines that an object is in contact with the grip, and if the second ratio is equal to or greater than the first predetermined threshold, the determination unit determines that an object is not in contact with the grip.

5. A sensor device comprising: a first proximity sensor provided inside the hub or spokes along a first surface on the driver's side of the hub or spokes of a steering operation part having a hub, spokes, and a grip, or along a second surface opposite the first surface, the first sensor value changing depending on the proximity of an object; a second proximity sensor provided inside the hub or spokes along a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, the second sensor value changing depending on the proximity of an object; and a determination unit that determines that an object is in contact with the grip when the second sensor value is a value that should be determined to be larger than the first sensor value, or when an amount of change in the second sensor value is a value that should be determined to be larger than the amount of change in the first sensor value, and / or that an object is not in contact with the grip when the second sensor value is a value that should be determined to be smaller than the first sensor value, or when the amount of change in the second sensor value is a value that should be determined to be smaller than the amount of change in the first sensor value.

6. The sensor device according to claim 5, wherein the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor are electrostatic sensors, and the first sensor value and the second sensor value are capacitance values.

7. The sensor device according to claim 5, wherein the determination unit, when calculating a first ratio of the first sensor value to the second sensor value, determines that the second sensor value is a value that should be determined to be larger than the first sensor value if the first ratio is less than a first predetermined threshold value or equal to or less than the first predetermined threshold value, and determines that an object is in contact with the grip; and / or, if the first ratio is equal to or greater than the first predetermined threshold value or a value exceeding the first predetermined threshold value, determines that the second sensor value is a value that should be determined to be smaller than the first sensor value, and determines that an object is not in contact with the grip.

8. The sensor device according to claim 7, further comprising a third proximity sensor provided inside the hub along a hub side surface connecting a first hub surface on the driver's side of the hub to a second hub surface opposite the first hub surface, the third sensor value changing depending on the proximity of an object, the second proximity sensor provided inside the spoke along a spoke side surface connecting a first spoke surface on the driver's side of the spoke to a second spoke surface opposite the first spoke surface, the third proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor being provided adjacent to each other, and the determination unit, when it determines that an object is in contact with the grip, determines that an object is in contact with the grip if a second ratio of the third sensor value to the second sensor value is less than a second predetermined threshold, and determines that an object is not in contact with the grip if the second ratio is equal to or greater than the second predetermined threshold.

9. A sensor device comprising: a first proximity sensor provided inside a hub of a steering operating part having a hub, spokes, and a grip along a hub side surface connecting a first hub surface on the driver's side of the hub to a second hub surface opposite the first hub surface, the first sensor value changing in response to the proximity of an object; a second proximity sensor provided inside a spoke along a spoke side surface connecting a first spoke surface on the driver's side of the spoke to a second spoke surface opposite the first spoke surface, the second sensor value changing in response to the proximity of an object; and a determination unit that determines that an object is in contact with the grip when the second sensor value is a value that should be determined to be larger than the first sensor value or when an amount of change in the second sensor value is a value that should be determined to be larger than the amount of change in the first sensor value, and / or that an object is not in contact with the grip when the second sensor value is a value that should be determined to be smaller than the first sensor value or when the amount of change in the second sensor value is a value that should be determined to be smaller than the amount of change in the first sensor value.

10. The sensor device of claim 9, wherein the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor are electrostatic sensors, and the first sensor value and the second sensor value are capacitance values.

11. The sensor device according to claim 9, characterized in that the judgment unit judges the second sensor value to be a value that should be judged to be larger than the first sensor value and judges that an object is in contact with the grip if a first ratio of the first sensor value to the second sensor value is less than a first predetermined threshold value or equal to or less than the first predetermined threshold value, and / or judges the second sensor value to be a value that should be judged to be smaller than the first sensor value and judges that an object is in contact with the grip if the first ratio is equal to or greater than the first predetermined threshold value or a value exceeding the first predetermined threshold value.

12. In a neutral state when a steering operation unit having a hub, spokes, and a grip is mounted on a vehicle, the steering operation unit further includes a plurality of fourth proximity sensors arranged inside the hub or spokes from the hub side to the grip side, along a side of the hub or spokes that connects a first surface of the hub or spokes on the driver's side to a second surface opposite the first surface, the fourth sensor value changing depending on the degree of proximity of an object, the determination unit further includes: even if it determines that an object is in contact with the grip based on the first sensor value and the second sensor value, it compares the sensor values ​​of the fourth proximity sensors with a first sensor threshold value indicating that the object is close to the grip, in the order from the sensor value of the fourth proximity sensor on the grip side to the sensor value of the fourth proximity sensor on the hub side, and determines that an object is not in contact with the grip when a third ratio of a sensor value greater than the first sensor threshold value to a sensor value less than the first sensor threshold value, among two sensor values ​​that sandwich the first sensor threshold value, is less than a third predetermined threshold value; 12. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device determines that an object is in contact with the grip based on the first sensor value and the second sensor value, and determines that an object is in contact with the grip when the third ratio is equal to or greater than the third predetermined threshold value.

13. A sensor device comprising: a plurality of proximity sensors arranged inside the hub or spokes from the hub side to the grip side, on the vehicle body floor side of the center of the hub or the spokes, in a neutral state when a steering operation unit having a hub, spokes, and grip is mounted on a vehicle; and a determination unit that compares the sensor values ​​of the proximity sensors with a first sensor threshold indicating that the object is close to the grip, and determines that the object is not in contact with the grip when the proximity sensor on the grip side is equal to or greater than the first sensor threshold and the proximity sensor on the hub side is greater than the first sensor threshold, and / or determines that the object is in contact with the grip when the proximity sensor on the grip side is equal to or greater than the first sensor threshold and the proximity sensor on the hub side has a value that should be determined to be smaller than a second sensor threshold that is equal to or less than the first sensor threshold.

14. A sensor device as described in claim 13, including a determination unit that determines that an object is not in contact with the grip when a third ratio of a sensor value greater than the first sensor threshold to a sensor value less than the first sensor threshold, among two sensor values ​​that sandwich the first sensor threshold, is less than a third predetermined threshold, and determines that an object is in contact with the grip when the third ratio is greater than or equal to the third predetermined threshold.

15. The sensor device of claim 14, wherein the determination unit determines that an object is in contact with the grip without comparing the third ratio with the third predetermined threshold when the sensor value of the two sensor values ​​that is less than the first sensor threshold is less than a second sensor threshold that is smaller than the first sensor threshold.

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