Steering Wheel Electrode Contact Detection for Override Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic vehicle control systems face challenges in immediately determining the presence of driver override and switching operation modes due to the need for temporal threshold values and increased time required to detect steering torque variations.
Innovation Solution
An automatic operation vehicle control apparatus with a contact detecting unit that uses electrodes on the steering wheel to determine hand contact and detect heartbeats, allowing for immediate override detection and mode switching without temporal thresholds, enabling precise detection of single or dual hand contact and switching between automatic, semi-automatic, and manual operation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If steering torque detection is used to determine driver override, then the system can detect driver intent, but it requires temporal threshold values and feedback processing that delay immediate determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical steering torque detection system with an electrical/electronic hand contact detection system using electrodes on the steering wheel. This substitution eliminates the need for complex torque measurement and temporal threshold processing, enabling immediate detection of driver override intent through simple contact presence/absence signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of detecting driver intent by isolating the hand contact detection aspect from the complex steering torque measurement system. By focusing only on whether the driver's hand is contacting the steering wheel (rather than measuring torque magnitude and processing feedback), the system achieves immediate override determination without temporal delays.
2Measurement precision
If pressure magnitude detection on the steering wheel is used to determine override, then driver input can be detected, but continuous variation detection is required which increases determination time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical information needed for override detection by focusing solely on hand contact presence rather than continuously monitoring pressure magnitude variations. The electrodes detect whether the driver's hand is contacting the steering wheel, providing immediate override determination without the need for continuous variation detection and threshold comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of detecting the absence of contact to determine override (as in traditional pressure-based systems that require threshold violations), the patent inverts the approach by detecting the presence of contact as the override condition. This inversion allows for immediate determination when contact is detected, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring and temporal threshold processing.
3Measurement precision
If camera-based systems are used for hand contact detection, then visual detection is possible, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical camera-based detection systems with simple electrical electrodes embedded in the steering wheel. This substitution maintains accurate hand contact detection capability while dramatically reducing system complexity, eliminating the need for image processing algorithms, and lowering overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive electrodes as the detection mechanism instead of costly camera systems. The electrodes are simple, cheap components that can be easily integrated into the steering wheel, providing reliable hand contact detection without the high complexity and cost associated with camera-based visual detection systems.
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
Enables rapid and accurate determination of driver intent and optimal operation mode selection, reducing detection time and costs compared to camera-based systems while maintaining high design integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a contact detecting unit that detects the presence of typically-physical direct contact with a hand of the driver
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic operation vehicle control apparatus includes a contact detecting unit, an override detecting unit, and an automatic operation control unit. The contact detecting unit detects the presence of contact of a hand or hands of a driver with a steering wheel of a vehicle. The override detecting unit detects the presence of override on the steering wheel by the driver on the basis of the result of the detection by the contact detecting unit. The automatic operation control unit switches the operation mode at least including the automatic operation and the manual operation of the vehicle on the basis of the result of the detection by the override detecting unit.