Steering Wheel Torque Sensing for Reliable Hands-On Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems struggle to reliably determine whether an operator's hands are in contact with the steering wheel, leading to potential safety issues during assisted driving modes.
Innovation Solution
A system that measures torque applied to the steering wheel and sets a predetermined threshold based on steering column friction, allowing for a more reliable determination of hand presence by resisting the wheel's actuated movement, and adjusts vehicle components accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If torque threshold is set low to detect light hand contact, then sensitivity improves, but false detection from steering column friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary characterization of steering column friction by measuring torque during automatic steering wheel oscillations before normal operation. This friction profile is stored and used as a baseline to distinguish true hand presence from friction-induced torque signals, enabling reliable detection without false positives.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque threshold is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system continuously adapts the threshold based on real-time steering column friction measurements and operating conditions, allowing the detection sensitivity to adjust automatically to varying friction levels during different driving scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If steering wheel movement is increased to improve hand detection, then detection capability improves, but vehicle direction control is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by using small-amplitude steering wheel oscillations (insufficient to significantly alter vehicle direction) that are nevertheless sufficient to generate measurable torque signals for hand presence detection. This partial movement enables detection while maintaining normal steering control.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is actuated with periodic small oscillations at frequencies and amplitudes that do not interfere with driver control. These periodic movements create consistent torque patterns that facilitate reliable hand presence detection while maintaining ease of operation.
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 safety by ensuring hands-on detection, enabling accurate operation of assisted driving modes and providing notifications or adjustments when hands are absent, thus preventing unintended system operation.
Implementation Method 1
measure a torque applied to the steering element in a direction opposite the actuated movement
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a computer having a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to, upon actuating movement of a steering element of a vehicle, measure a torque applied to the steering element in a direction opposite the actuated movement. In response to a determination that the torque is less than a predetermined threshold, the processor actuates a component of the vehicle.