Steering Wheel Light Bar Assembly for Driver Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Steering wheel mounted driver monitoring systems (DMS) face challenges in effectively detecting driver distraction and drowsiness, particularly in providing optimal feedback and communication to drivers, and may not perform well in certain scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A light bar assembly integrated into the steering wheel, utilizing infrared (IR) LEDs for face detection and visible LEDs for status indication, mounted using a housing with mating shells and a wrapping cover to prevent light leakage, facilitating communication and feedback through light colors and patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a driver monitoring system is mounted on the steering wheel, then driver distraction and drowsiness can be detected, but the system may not provide optimal feedback and communication to drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The light bar assembly is divided into multiple LED units (visible LEDs and infrared LEDs) that can be independently controlled to perform different functions: infrared LEDs for face detection and visible LEDs for status indication. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve accurate detection and effective feedback communication with the driver.
2Illumination intensity
If illumination features are added to the steering wheel, then communication with the driver is improved, but light leakage may occur without proper containment
Solution Approach 1:
The light bar assembly is nested within a housing that contains mating shells (first shell and second shell). The infrared LEDs and visible LEDs are housed within the housing structure, which provides containment. The wrapping further encloses the assembly, creating multiple nested layers that prevent light leakage while maintaining the required illumination intensity for effective driver communication.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a housing with mating shells is used to mount the light bar assembly, then light leakage is prevented, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides mechanical mounting for the light bar assembly, contains the infrared and visible LEDs, prevents light leakage through its enclosing structure, and supports the wrapping. By merging these functions into one housing unit with mating shells, the design achieves effective light containment without proportionally increasing overall assembly complexity.
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
Enhances driver monitoring by providing effective illumination and feedback, improving the detection of driver attention and reducing the risk of accidents through enhanced monitoring and communication with the driver.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing infrared (IR) LEDs for face detection
Implementation Method 2
infrared (IR) LEDs for face detection and visible LEDs for status indication
Implementation Method 3
visible LEDs for status indication
Data Source
AI summary
Light bar assemblies configured to be mounted to a rim of a steering wheel of a vehicle are disclosed. The light bar assemblies can include components of a driver monitoring system. The light bar assembly includes two shells defining or surrounding the rim and a wrapping surrounding the two shells. A portion of the wrapping is tucked into a slot disposed between the two shells forming a slit. A lens is disposed within the slit and pinched by the wrapping to prevent leakage of light around the lens.