Steering Wheel Transdermal Alcohol Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current alcohol detection systems for vehicles are slow in providing results, prone to false positives, and can incorrectly disable the vehicle if exposed to substances other than the driver's breath, posing safety risks for the driver and others.

Innovation Solution

A blood alcohol level sensing system integrated into the steering wheel with transdermal sensors that detect alcohol levels through perspiration, using BLUETOOTH technology for quick notification and vehicle disablement when a predetermined threshold is exceeded, featuring a digital display and ignition interlock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If breathalyzer method is used to test driver's blood alcohol level, then alcohol detection can be performed, but the analysis time is extended and false positive readings may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealcohol detection accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional breathalyzer method with a transdermal sensor system that measures alcohol content through the skin. This substitution eliminates the need for breath analysis and provides immediate results without the time delay and false positive issues associated with breathalyzer technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces perspiration as an intermediary medium to detect alcohol levels. Instead of directly analyzing breath or blood, the system uses alcohol present in perspiration on the steering wheel surface as a proxy indicator, enabling rapid and accurate detection without the drawbacks of traditional methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If breathalyzer system is installed in vehicle, then alcohol detection is possible, but false positive readings occur due to various substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidreading accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from breath alcohol content to perspiration alcohol content. This parameter change allows the system to distinguish between alcohol from consumption and alcohol from other sources, as perspiration patterns and alcohol concentration ratios provide more reliable indicators of actual impairment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system substitutes breathalyzer technology with transdermal sensing technology, replacing the breath analysis mechanism with skin contact-based alcohol detection. This substitution eliminates the interference from ketone, cigarette fumes, and other substances that cause false positives in breathalyzer systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If air particles are used for alcohol detection, then detection can occur, but the vehicle may be incorrectly disabled due to reading particles from passengers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidvehicle disablement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning sensors specifically on the steering wheel surface where the driver's hands naturally rest. This localized sensing approach ensures that only the driver's perspiration is detected, not passengers', eliminating false readings while maintaining rapid detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the steering wheel as an intermediary surface that collects perspiration specifically from the driver's hands. This intermediary approach isolates the detection source to the driver alone, preventing contamination from passenger emissions and ensuring accurate vehicle control decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reliable detection of alcohol impairment, preventing vehicle startup when the limit is reached, thereby enhancing driver and public safety while minimizing false positives.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of blood chemistry sensors are located equidistantly around the front side of the steering wheel and are adapted to detect a blood chemistry from the palms of a user driver upon contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical detection:

Implementation Method 2

The system has a digital readout that may be located on the dashboard of the vehicle, and the readout may also be transmitted to a cell phone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10850614B2Blood alcohol level sensing system for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 ALBAKRI SADEQ

AI summary

A blood alcohol level sensing system for a vehicle is steering wheel with infrared sensors that are able to detect variations in body chemistry from contact with the palms of the hands to determine if a driver is either alcohol impaired or impaired from certain medical conditions that might affect driving. The system has a digital readout that may be located on the dashboard of the vehicle, and the readout may also be transmitted to a cell phone. In the event of an exceedance of a predetermined set point, an interlock will interrupt the start circuit of the vehicle to prevent it from starting.