Steering Wheel Optical Data Link for Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data transmission methods between a movable steering wheel and a stationary instrument panel in vehicles are hindered by wired connections, leading to delays and complexity, and existing wireless solutions like Bluetooth are expensive.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel assembly with infrared light-emitting sources distributed around the wheel and corresponding sensors on the dashboard, forming a continuous communication channel for data exchange, allowing for wireless and uninterrupted data transmission while also detecting hand presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired data transmission is used between the movable steering wheel and stationary instrument panel, then data transmission can be established, but transmission delays occur and device complexity increases due to rotary joints and multiplexing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system (rotary joints, multiplexing elements, and physical wires) with an optical communication system using infrared light-emitting diodes and photodetectors. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical interfaces while enabling continuous data transmission between the movable steering wheel and stationary instrument panel without transmission delays.
2Ease of operation
If Bluetooth wireless communication is used, then wireless data transmission is achieved, but the cost of the device increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive infrared light-emitting diodes and photodetectors instead of expensive Bluetooth wireless communication modules. These optical components provide adequate wireless data transmission capability at a fraction of the cost of Bluetooth technology, making the steering wheel assembly more cost-effective while maintaining ease of wireless operation.
3Reliability
If light-emitting sources are distributed on the steering wheel, then continuous communication is enabled despite rotation, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the steering wheel's communication function into multiple segments by distributing several infrared light-emitting diodes around the steering wheel's circumference. This segmentation ensures that at least one light-emitting diode remains visible to the instrument panel's photodetectors at any given time during rotation, maintaining continuous communication. The same segmentation principle applies to the photodetectors on the instrument panel, creating a distributed optical communication network that guarantees uninterrupted data transmission.
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
Enables rapid, continuous, and cost-effective wireless data transmission between the steering wheel and instrument panel, with the ability to detect hand presence, reducing complexity and eliminating transmission delays.
Implementation Method 1
the steering wheel comprises a plurality of light-emitting sources, able to emit data frames in the form of light
Implementation Method 2
said sensors being configured so that each of said sensors is capable of picking up the light emitted by at least one light-emitting source
Data Source
AI summary
Steering wheel assembly intended for being built into a vehicle dashboard and including a steering wheel and a mounting element which is stationary relative to the dashboard and the steering wheel being movable in rotation with respect to the dashboard. The steering wheel includes a plurality of light-emitting sources spaced apart so that at least one of the light sources cannot be concealed by a hand or by a portion of a hand of a driver of the vehicle. The steering wheel assembly includes a first plurality of sensors capable of picking up the light emitted by at least one light-emitting source, the light-emitting sources and the sensors being configured to form a continuous communication channel between the steering wheel and an instrument panel mounted on the dashboard.