Steering Handle Heating and Touch Detection via Time-Division Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering handles with integrated heating and touch detection require complex and costly control systems, as the heater and sensor control circuits must be precisely coordinated to avoid interference.
Innovation Solution
A steering handle design that incorporates a core element with a functional layer containing an electrically conductive functional conductor that serves both as a heating wire and a sensor element, with a control device that alternates between heating and sensing functions, eliminating the need for precise coordination between control circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate heater and sensor are integrated into the steering handle, then both heating and touch detection functions are provided, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heater wire and sensor element into a single functional conductor that serves dual purposes. The same conductive element that provides heating when energized by the heating control circuit also functions as a sensor for detecting touches when controlled by the sensor control circuit, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional conductor is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a heating element when controlled by the heating control circuit and as a sensor element when controlled by the sensor control circuit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heater and sensor control circuits are precisely coordinated to avoid interference, then both functions can operate simultaneously, but the control complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or sequential control where the functional conductor is controlled alternately by the heating control circuit and the sensor control circuit. This time-division multiplexing approach allows both functions to operate without interference by ensuring that only one control circuit is active at any given moment, eliminating the need for precise coordination between simultaneous operations.
3Device complexity
If a single functional conductor is used for both heating and sensing, then cost and complexity are reduced, but the control precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing periodic or sequential control where the functional conductor is switched between heating mode and sensor mode through time-division multiplexing, the patent eliminates the need for precise coordination between control circuits. The alternating control approach ensures that only one function is active at a time, significantly reducing control precision requirements while maintaining system simplicity.
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 allows for cost-effective and simple control of steering handles with integrated heating and touch detection, reducing the complexity and expense of the control system while maintaining effective heating and sensing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a heating control circuit for heating the steering handle via the functional conductor
Implementation Method 2
a sensor control circuit for detecting touches of the steering handle via the functional conductor... a sensor for detecting a change in the impedance of the functional conductor, in particular caused by touch
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering handle (1) with a heating function and contact detection for a vehicle. The steering handle (1) has a core element (10), a controller (20), and at least one functional layer (11) arranged on the core element (10). The functional layer (11) has at least one electrically conductive functional conductor (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D), which runs in the functional layer (11), in the form of a heating wire for heating the steering handle (1), said functional conductor being a sensor element of a sensor for detecting a contact of the steering handle (1). The controller (20) is electrically connected to at least one functional conductor (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D), has a heating control circuit (21) for heating the steering handle (2) via the functional conductor (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) and a sensor control circuit (22) for detecting a contact of the steering handle (1) via the functional conductor (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D), and is designed to actuate the functional conductor (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) by means of the heating control circuit (21) so as to heat the steering handle (1) and by means of the sensor control circuit (22) so as to detect a contact of the steering handle (1) in an alternating manner.