Steering Wheel Grip Sensor Rim Wire Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grip sensors for steering wheels often falsely detect grip due to changes in capacitance caused by a driver's knee or thigh approaching the steering wheel, leading to unnecessary alerts and potential traffic accidents.
Innovation Solution
A grip sensor design featuring a base material attached to the steering wheel rim with a sensor wire configuration where the second wire portion is positioned at a seat surface opposing portion closer to the seat and the first wire portion at a non-opposing portion, reducing detection sensitivity at the seat surface opposing portion to prevent false detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor wire is disposed on the entire rim surface for comprehensive grip detection, then detection coverage is improved, but false detection from knee/thigh contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor wire is divided into two distinct portions: a first wire portion disposed at a non-opposing portion of the rim, and a second wire portion disposed at a seat surface opposing portion closer to the seat. This segmentation allows different regions of the rim to have different detection characteristics, enabling comprehensive grip detection while minimizing false detection from knee or thigh contact.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sensor wire are positioned at different locations on the rim with different detection sensitivities. The first wire portion at the non-opposing portion provides high detection sensitivity for grip, while the second wire portion at the seat surface opposing portion provides reduced detection sensitivity to avoid false detection from knee or thigh contact.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor wire is positioned closer to the seat surface for better grip sensitivity, then grip detection sensitivity is improved, but false detection from knee/thigh approach increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor wire configuration implements local quality by positioning the second wire portion closer to the seat surface at the seat surface opposing portion, while the first wire portion is positioned at the non-opposing portion. This creates regions with different detection sensitivities tailored to their specific functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor wire is segmented into two portions with different positions relative to the seat surface. The second wire portion is positioned closer to the seat surface for enhanced grip detection sensitivity, while the first wire portion is positioned farther away to reduce false detection from knee or thigh contact.
3Area of stationary object
If the sensor wire covers the seat surface opposing portion for complete monitoring, then detection coverage is improved, but false detection increases due to capacitance changes from knee/thigh
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor wire is divided into two portions covering different areas of the rim. The second wire portion covers the seat surface opposing portion closer to the seat, while the first wire portion covers the non-opposing portion. This segmentation maintains comprehensive coverage while reducing false detection through strategic positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the rim are assigned different detection qualities. The non-opposing portion has high detection reliability for grip, while the seat surface opposing portion has reduced detection sensitivity to filter out false signals from knee or thigh contact.
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
Effectively suppresses false detection of grip by a driver's knee or thigh, enhancing the accuracy of grip detection and reducing unnecessary alerts, thereby improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
a grip sensor that detects a grip of, for example, a steering wheel of a vehicle or the like
Data Source
AI summary
Grip sensor includes base material, sensor wire formed on base material, and sensor circuit electrically connected to an end of sensor wire. Sensor wire includes first wire portion on a side of sensor end, and a second wire portion on a side of power source end. In a state where base material is attached on a rim, second wire portion is disposed at an outer peripheral surface of the rim that is a site opposing a knee or thigh of a driver operating a steering wheel, and first wire portion is disposed at a front side and a rear side of the rim.