Steering Handle Touch Sensing With Electromagnetic Interference Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch detection systems on vehicle steering handles are prone to interference from electromagnetic fields, leading to inaccurate touch detection, which is critical for safety functions in autonomous or automated driving.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising touch and disturbance sensors, an evaluation unit, and a combination of separate antenna structures and switchable electrical lines to correct interference, using vector subtraction to determine disturbance-corrected touch values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If touch detection is implemented on steering handle surfaces, then hand detection capability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces disturbance sensors as intermediary elements that detect electromagnetic interference separately. These sensors act as mediators between the touch sensor and the evaluation unit, allowing the system to identify and compensate for interference signals. The disturbance sensors receive electromagnetic fields and convert them into measurable disturbance signals that can be subtracted from the touch sensor readings, thereby restoring measurement accuracy while preserving hand detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring disturbance signals and using them to correct touch detection measurements in real-time. The evaluation unit receives both touch sensor signals and disturbance sensor signals, processes the disturbance information, and applies corrections to the touch detection results. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing electromagnetic conditions and maintain accurate hand detection despite interference.
2Measurement precision
If disturbance sensors are added to correct interference, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing disturbance sensors that can detect multiple types of electromagnetic interference across different frequency ranges. A single disturbance sensor system can handle radio frequency interference, power line interference, and other electromagnetic disturbances simultaneously. This universal approach reduces the need for multiple specialized sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the disturbance detection and touch detection functions into a unified evaluation process. The evaluation unit combines processing of both touch sensor signals and disturbance sensor signals through signal subtraction and correction algorithms. By merging these functions at the signal processing level rather than requiring separate independent systems, the patent reduces overall device complexity while achieving accurate disturbance-corrected touch detection.
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 robust and error-free touch detection on vehicle steering handles, enhancing safety by minimizing interference from electromagnetic fields.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one disturbance sensor is configured to receive frequencies as disturbances
Implementation Method 2
These touch detection systems are often based on a change in capacitance or impedance caused by touch on a current-carrying electrical conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1 ) for disturbance-free detection of contact with a steering handle (2) by a user, comprising at least one contact sensor (11, 12) for detecting contact, at least one disturbance variable sensor (21, 22) for detecting disturbance variables, and an evaluation unit (31) which is connected to the sensors (11, 12, 21, 22) via signals and is designed to determine a value for contact detection, adjusted for the disturbance variables, from measurement values detected by the sensors (11, 12, 21, 22), wherein the at least one disturbance variable sensor (21, 22) is designed to receive frequencies as disturbance variables.