Steering Wheel Sensor Electrode Structure for Stable Thread Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anisotropic conductive fabrics used in sensing mechanisms are prone to degradation in conduction performance due to external factors like corrosion and external forces at intersection points between conductive wires and threads.
Innovation Solution
A sensing mechanism featuring a conductive fabric with a first thread and a second thread woven together, where a protruding portion with a terminal allows for conduction between the terminal and the main body portion, even if there is no conduction at the intersection point, and a widening portion to maintain conduction across varying protrusion dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductive wire and thread are woven together to form anisotropic conductive fabric, then conduction performance is achieved at intersection portions, but conduction performance degrades due to corrosion and external forces at intersection portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conduction function from the intersection portions of woven threads and relocates it to a separate conductive sheet. The conductive sheet with protruding portions makes contact with conductive portions on the wear-resistant layer, achieving conduction without relying on thread intersections that are vulnerable to corrosion and external forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conductive sheet as an intermediary element between the wearable layer and the circuit board. This conductive sheet with protruding portions serves as a mediator that establishes reliable electrical connection without requiring direct contact between woven conductive threads at intersection points, thereby protecting against degradation from corrosion and external forces.
2Reliability
If protruding portion dimension is increased to ensure conduction, then conduction reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating conduction functionality specifically at the protruding portions of the conductive sheet, rather than requiring uniform conduction throughout the entire fabric structure. The protruding portions are strategically positioned to contact conductive portions on the wear-resistant layer, ensuring reliable conduction only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by making the protruding portions elastic and capable of deforming elastically. This elasticity allows the protruding portions to adapt to variations in protrusion dimensions and maintain reliable contact with the conductive portions on the wear-resistant layer, ensuring conduction reliability without requiring precise dimensional control.
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 design effectively suppresses degradation in conduction performance by ensuring continuous conduction between the terminal and the main body portion, even under external influences, and allows for easy stretching of the conductive fabric.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first thread or the second thread extending in the protruding portion and effecting conduction between the terminal and the main body portion
Data Source
AI summary
At a sensor electrode of a steering wheel, a protruding portion protrudes from a main body portion. A first thread and a second thread each extend in the protruding portion and effect conduction between a terminal at the protruding portion and a main body portion. Therefore, even if there is no conduction between the first thread and the second thread at intersection portions between the first thread and second thread in the protruding portion, the first thread and the second thread may each effect conduction between the terminal and the main body portion, and a degradation of conduction performance of the sensor electrode may be suppressed.