Heater Capacitive Sensing Occupant Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems require separate heaters and sensors for heating and sensing, leading to increased complexity, installation costs, and potential electrical interference, as well as the need for additional components and space.
Innovation Solution
A combination heater and sensor system where a heater functions as both a heating element and a sensor, utilizing capacitive sensing to detect occupant presence and position by monitoring changes in capacitance between spatially separated heaters located in areas of constant contact with the occupant, such as a steering wheel and seat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate heaters and sensors are installed within vehicle components, then heating function and sensing function are provided, but system complexity increases, installation expenses increase, and electrical interference may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate heater and sensor components into a single integrated component. The heater element serves dual purposes: providing heating functionality while simultaneously acting as a sensing element for detecting occupant presence, contact, and position through capacitive or resistive measurements, thereby reducing system complexity and eliminating electrical interference between separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The heater component is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides thermal heating to the occupant while simultaneously serving as a sensing element that detects occupant presence, contact, and position. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate discrete sensing components and reduces overall system complexity
2Reliability
If two discrete devices (heater and sensor) are installed, then heating and sensing capabilities are provided, but packing space increases and installation expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heater and sensor into a single integrated component, significantly reducing the packing space required. By eliminating the need for separate discrete sensing elements and their associated mounting space, the integrated design reduces overall component footprint and simplifies installation within vehicle seats or steering wheels
3Reliability
If separate heater and sensor devices are installed, then heating and sensing are provided, but electrical interference between devices may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heater and sensor into a single component, eliminating the electrical interference problem that arises from having separate discrete devices. Since the sensing function is performed by the heater element itself rather than a separate sensor, there are no separate electrical circuits to interfere with each other, ensuring reliable operation
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
This solution eliminates the need for discrete sensing components, provides flexible installation in compact spaces, and effectively heats and senses occupant presence without additional elements, enhancing system simplicity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the heater in the steering wheel is a first capacitor plate and the heater in the vehicle seat is a second capacitor plate and a change in capacitance between the first plate and the second plate is monitored so that a presence and absence of an occupant is detected
Implementation Method 2
heaters include a wire that is formed in a pattern. The wire produces heat when electricity is applied to the wire
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising: a heater located within a steering wheel and a heater located within a vehicle seat; wherein the steering wheel is a first plate and the vehicle seat is a second plate and a shift in a signal is monitored from the first plate, the second plate, or both so that a presence and absence of an occupant is detected, and wherein the heater in the steering wheel and the heater in the vehicle seat are a sensor.