Steering Wheel Cover Knitted Sensor Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering wheel cover technologies face challenges in providing a sensor arrangement that is well-suited for the steering wheel due to structural and material limitations, particularly in terms of adaptability, interference minimization, and durability.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel cover with a knitted structure featuring non-conductive loop-forming warp threads and conductive weft threads, along with a metal foil connection for electrical conductivity, which allows for flexible adaptation to the steering wheel rim and minimizes external interference, while using a coaxial cable to suppress external interference and ensure reliable sensor operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a multi-layered sensor structure is implemented in the steering wheel cover, then hand presence detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor layers are integrated into the steering wheel cover itself, making the cover serve dual purposes: providing protective/comfortable coverage and enabling hand presence detection. This eliminates the need for separate sensor devices and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested multi-layered structure where sensor layers are embedded within the steering wheel cover layers. The sensor layers are positioned between the cover surface and the steering wheel rim, creating a compact integrated assembly that reduces space requirements.
2Measurement precision
If conductive structures are added to the steering wheel cover for sensing, then sensor functionality is improved, but susceptibility to external interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
A shielding layer is introduced as an intermediary between the conductive sensor structures and the external environment. This shielding layer acts as a mediator that blocks external electromagnetic interference from reaching the sensitive sensor conductors, while allowing the sensors to function normally.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding layer is positioned to preemptively block external interference before it can affect the sensor conductors. By placing the shielding layer outward from the sensor layers, the system proactively prevents interference rather than attempting to correct it after detection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel cover is made highly adaptable to fit different steering wheel rims, then ease of installation is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel cover is constructed as a flexible multi-layered structure that can elastically deform to accommodate different steering wheel rim sizes and shapes. The flexibility of the cover layers allows them to conform to various geometries while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed as multiple independent layers that can be manufactured separately with precise dimensions, then assembled together. This segmentation allows each layer to be manufactured with high precision using standard processes, while the overall assembly achieves adaptability through the combined flexibility of the layered structure.
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
The solution provides a robust and adaptable sensor arrangement that effectively detects hand presence on the steering wheel, minimizing interference and ensuring reliable operation, with improved durability and visibility concealment of the metal foil connection.
Implementation Method 1
determining the impedance between an electrode inside the steering wheel cover and the vehicle body
Implementation Method 2
a lower, electrically conductive shielding layer pointing towards the steering wheel core
Implementation Method 3
the shielding layer and/or the sensor layer has a knitted structure with non-conductive, mesh-forming warp threads and conductive weft threads
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering wheel cover (1) with a multilayer structure, which in its unfolded form has a circumferential length and a cross-sectional width and whose layers at least partially overlap each other in projection, comprising a lower electrically conductive shielding layer (6) and an upper cover layer (7), between which, extending from the shielding layer (6), an insulating layer (8) and at least one electrically conductive sensor layer (9) are arranged. The shielding layer (6) and/or the sensor layer (9) comprises a conductor structure with conductors extending along the circumferential length and cross-sectional width, and the shielding layer (6) and the sensor layer (9) are electrically connected by connecting conductors of a connecting cable. The shielding layer (6) and/or the sensor layer (9) has a knitted structure with non-conductive, mesh-forming warp threads (14) and conductive weft threads (15).