Electrostatic Grip Detection Steering Wheel Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrostatic grip detection devices for steering wheels face challenges in power consumption and detecting gripping around the entire circumference, as heating elements are often only placed where the driver's hand is in contact, leading to incomplete detection.
Innovation Solution
An electrostatic grip detection device with a heater wire and sensor wire integrated into the base material around the entire circumference of the steering wheel, where the sensor wire has one end open to prevent electric current flow, allowing for reduced power consumption and accurate detection of gripping through changes in electrostatic capacitance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heating elements are placed only where the driver's hand is in contact, then power consumption is reduced, but gripping detection around the entire circumference becomes incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is divided into multiple independent heating sections arranged around the steering wheel circumference. Each section can be independently controlled, allowing the system to activate only the sections where gripping is detected, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining complete coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor wire serves dual functions: it acts as both a sensing element for gripping detection and as a heating element when activated. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heating components, reducing system complexity and power consumption while maintaining detection completeness around the entire circumference.
2Reliability
If heating elements are placed around the entire circumference, then gripping detection completeness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating sections are activated periodically or on-demand based on detection needs rather than continuously. The control unit activates specific heating sections only when gripping is detected in those areas, enabling complete circumference coverage capability while minimizing actual power consumption through selective, intermittent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the steering wheel are treated differently - heating is applied locally only where needed for detection rather than uniformly across the entire circumference. The control unit determines which local sections require heating based on detection requirements, optimizing power usage while maintaining detection completeness.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor wire is electrically connected to the heater wire, then the sensor can utilize the heater wire's electrostatic capacitance for detection, but electric current flows through the sensor wire causing increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor wire is electrically isolated from the heater wire by introducing an insulating layer between them. This extraction of the sensor function from the heating function allows the sensor to detect electrostatic capacitance changes of the heater wire without being part of the heating circuit, thereby eliminating current flow through the sensor while maintaining detection sensitivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively suppresses power consumption while enabling comprehensive gripping detection around the entire circumference of the steering wheel, enhancing sensitivity and accuracy by adjusting the pattern density and thickness of the sensor and heater wires.
Implementation Method 1
senses a change in electrostatic capacitance of at least one of the heater wire and the sensor wire
Implementation Method 2
a heater wire (11), a sensor wire (13)
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrostatic grip detection device includes a base material, a heater wire, a sensor wire, and a detection unit. The heater wire is formed in the base material. The sensor wire is formed in the base material, and has a first end electrically connected to the heater wire and a second end opened. The detection unit is electrically connected to at least one of the heater wire and the sensor wire, and senses a change in electrostatic capacitance of at least one of the heater wire and the sensor wire.