Steering Wheel Hand Detection Using Wheel Speed Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting a hand on a vehicle's steering wheel are prone to false positives due to road surface disturbances, requiring costly additional components like cameras or capacitive steering wheels to prevent these errors.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a hand torque sensor to generate an initial signal for hand detection, validated by wheel speed sensors to exclude false positives caused by road surface irregularities, adjusting thresholds dynamically based on road-induced disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vibration signal is used for hand detection, then hand detection can be achieved, but false positive detection occurs due to road surface disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines vibration signal analysis with steering wheel angle data and wheel speed information to validate hand detection. By merging multiple sensor inputs, the system distinguishes between genuine hands-off conditions and road-induced vibrations, reducing false positives while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensors (wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensors) to continuously validate the hand detection signal. When road surface disturbances are detected through wheel speed variations, the system adjusts its interpretation of vibration signals accordingly, preventing false positive detections.
2Reliability
If additional components like camera or capacitive steering wheel are added, then false positive detection is prevented, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing sensors serve multiple functions: the wheel speed sensor not only monitors vehicle speed but also detects road surface conditions that cause false positives. The steering angle sensor serves both steering control and hand detection validation purposes. This multi-functionality prevents false positives without adding expensive dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing sensor infrastructure (wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensors) to validate and correct hand detection signals. Rather than relying on external expensive components, the system self-corrects false positives using data already being collected for other vehicle functions, eliminating the need for additional cameras or capacitive steering wheels.
3Reliability
If wheel speed validation is added to hand torque signal, then false positive detection is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of wheel speed data to detect road surface conditions before they cause false positive hand detection. By pre-identifying problematic road sections through wheel speed variations, the system can preemptively adjust its hand detection threshold or interpret vibration signals more cautiously, simplifying the validation process rather than adding complex real-time analysis.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A method (100) for hand detection on a vehicle's steering wheel is proposed, wherein a first signal for hand detection is determined (101) using a hand torque sensor (11). Furthermore, a second signal relating to the wheel speed of at least one wheel of the vehicle is determined (102) using a speed sensor (12) to validate (106) the first signal.