Steering Wheel Gesture Control via Touch-Sensitive Rim

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicle drivers face challenges in operating various electronic systems while driving, as existing solutions require them to take their eyes off the road and hands off the steering wheel, and previous solutions like mounting controllers or buttons on the steering wheel do not fully address the need for intuitive and safe operation.

Innovation Solution

A steering wheel system with a touch-sensitive member that detects specific gestures and generates electronic signals, allowing drivers to control vehicle subsystems like windshield wipers and turn signals without removing their hands from the wheel, using a processor to send commands to connected subsystems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If buttons and switches are mounted on the rim of the steering wheel, then the driver can operate electronic systems without removing hands from the wheel, but the controlled systems may be unintentionally actuated as the driver turns the steering wheel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-on operationVSAvoidunintentional actuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical buttons and switches with a touch-sensitive member that detects gestures through electrical or capacitive sensing. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact that causes unintentional actuation during steering, while maintaining the ability to control electronic systems with hands on the wheel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch-sensitive member is positioned at specific locations on the steering wheel rim where it can be easily accessed by the driver's thumb or fingers without interfering with the steering motion. This localized placement allows intentional gestures to be detected while preventing accidental activation during normal steering operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If controllers/actuators are mounted on the central hub of the steering wheel, then they are easily accessible, but the driver must take a hand off the rim or eyes off the road to operate them

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoiddriver attention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the control interface from the central hub (one location) to the rim of the steering wheel (circumferential distribution). This dimensional change allows the driver to access controls at multiple locations around the wheel, eliminating the need to move hands from the rim while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive gesture detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple buttons and switches are provided for various electronic systems, then each system can be controlled independently, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem controlVSAvoidnumber of controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-sensitive member serves multiple functions by detecting different gesture types (tap, swipe, rotate, press duration) to control various electronic systems. This single multi-functional component replaces multiple dedicated buttons and switches, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility in controlling different vehicle systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 drivers to interact with multiple vehicle systems intuitively and safely by making gestures on the steering wheel, allowing for hands-free operation of electronic systems while driving, enhancing safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a touch sensitive member associated with the rim. The touch sensitive member is configured to detect a first gesture on the rim and a second gesture on the rim and to generate a first electronic signal when the first gesture is detected and to generate a second electronic signal when the second gesture is detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTouch sensitivity detection:

Implementation Method 2

a steering wheel sensor that is associated with the steering wheel. The steering wheel sensor is configured to detect rotation of the steering wheel and is further configured to generate a third electronic signal corresponding to the rotation of the steering wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation detection:

Data Source

PatentUS8738224B2Steering wheel system

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A steering wheel system for use with a vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a steering wheel having a rim. A touch sensitive member covers the rim. The touch sensitive member detects first and second gestures on the rim and generates a first electronic signal when the first gesture is detected and generates a second electronic signal when the second gesture is detected. A processor is communicatively coupled to the touch sensitive member and is configured to be operatively coupled to a first subsystem and a second subsystem. The touch sensitive member is further configured to send the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal to the processor and the processor is further configured to send a first command to the first subsystem after receiving the first electronic signal and to send a second command to the second subsystem after receiving the second electronic signal.