Steering Wheel Electrode Structure for Grip Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manufacturing steering wheels require creating notches in the foam and inserting sensors, which increases manufacturing time and cost.
Innovation Solution
An electrode structure is disposed on the outer circumference of a core metal in a steering wheel, comprising an insulator with engagement portions that engage corresponding target portions on the core metal, and electrodes positioned on the insulator to detect the driver's hand grip without the need for notches in the foam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cutting tool is used to create notches in the foam and sensors are inserted, then the sensor can be integrated into the steering wheel, but the manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sensor integration function from the foam structure by placing electrodes on the insulator's outer surface. This eliminates the need to create notches in the foam and insert sensors, while still achieving the hand detection function through capacitance sensing on the steering wheel outer circumference.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves the sensor integration from a three-dimensional embedding approach (notches in foam) to a two-dimensional surface approach (electrodes on insulator). This dimensional change allows sensor integration without compromising the foam structure or increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If notches are created in the foam for sensor insertion, then the sensor can detect hand grip, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the hand grip detection function from the foam-notch-sensor structure and implements it through electrodes mounted on the insulator. This simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating notch creation and sensor insertion steps while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulator serves multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation between the core metal and electrodes, structural support for mounting electrodes, and maintains the spatial relationship between electrodes and the steering wheel outer surface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and assembly steps.
3Productivity
If electrodes are disposed on the insulator without notches, then manufacturing steps are reduced, but the electrode structure must be precisely positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator is designed with pre-formed engagement portions that correspond to engagement-target portions on the core metal. This preliminary structuring ensures that when the insulator is mounted, the electrodes are automatically positioned at the correct locations without requiring additional positioning steps or high-precision assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portions and engagement-target portions are strategically positioned at specific locations on the insulator and core metal respectively. This localized feature design ensures precise electrode positioning only where needed, while the rest of the structure maintains manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode structure disposed on the outer circumference of a core metal of a steering wheel provided in a vehicle includes an insulator and a first electrode disposed on a first surface of the insulator that is on an opposite side of the insulator relative to a surface of the insulator that faces the core metal of the steering wheel. The insulator includes an engagement portion that engages a first engagement-target portion included in the core metal.