Smart Steering Grip Sleeve Using Electrical Muscle Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ADAS systems struggle to effectively influence a driver's interaction with the steering wheel, leading to potential misalignment between the driver's actions and the vehicle's autonomous control, resulting in delayed reactions and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A smart sleeve equipped with electrodes that provide electrical stimuli to the driver's arm, inducing muscle contractions and expansions to reinforce or intervene in the grip on the steering wheel, aligning the driver's actions with the vehicle's autonomous control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ADAS systems use conventional alert methods (visual/audible warnings) to influence driver behavior, then driver awareness is improved, but driver response time is delayed and reaction effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smart sleeve as an intermediary device between the ADAS system and the driver. The sleeve contains electrodes that deliver electrical stimulation to the driver's arm muscles, serving as a direct physical mediator to influence grip strength and steering wheel interaction, thereby reducing response time compared to conventional visual/audible alerts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/alert-based driver interaction methods (visual displays, audible warnings) with an electrical stimulation system. The electrical signals directly activate muscle tissue to modify grip strength, substituting passive information delivery with active physiological control to achieve faster driver response
2Measurement precision
If the autonomous control system applies torque to the steering wheel, then vehicle control precision is improved, but driver control alignment deteriorates due to lack of driver engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the autonomous control system monitors driver grip strength and steering wheel interaction, then adjusts electrical stimulation signals from the smart sleeve to encourage desired driver behavior. This feedback mechanism aligns driver actions with autonomous control intentions while maintaining driver engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the driver-control interface dynamic by adjusting electrical stimulation parameters in real-time based on driving conditions and driver behavior. The system adapts stimulation intensity and timing to maintain optimal driver engagement and alignment with autonomous control objectives
3Ease of operation
If the smart sleeve applies electrical stimuli to induce muscle contraction, then grip strength control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls grip strength by changing electrical stimulation parameters (voltage, frequency, pulse duration) rather than mechanically adjusting the sleeve structure. This allows precise control of muscle contraction intensity through electrical parameter modulation, maintaining ease of operation while managing system complexity
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
Enhances driver awareness and responsiveness by directly influencing grip strength and positioning, reducing latency and improving safety by ensuring the driver's actions align with the vehicle's intended maneuvers.
Implementation Method 1
A smart sleeve equipped with electrodes that provide electrical stimuli to the driver's arm, inducing muscle contractions and expansions
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for influential control over a driver's hand(s) that grip a vehicle's steering wheel. Upon issuing an autonomous control signal to control motive operation of the vehicle, an autonomous control system of the vehicle may further reinforce the application of the autonomous control signal by inducing the driver's hand(s) to grip/increase grip strength on the vehicle's steering wheel or by releasing the grip/decreasing grip strength on the vehicle's steering wheel. Moreover, the increasing/decreasing of the driver's grip may alternatively, or in addition to the reinforcement aspect, induce augmentative or intervening action(s)/behavior(s) by the driver.