Steering Wheel Tremor Damping With Integrated Vibration Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Degenerative central nervous system diseases and neurological disorders cause involuntary muscle movements like tremors, making it difficult for individuals to operate vehicles due to interference with both fine and gross motor skills.
Innovation Solution
An anti-vibration device is attached to the steering wheel or handlebars, equipped with a vibration sensor, motor, communication interface, and processor that detects and dampens vibrations, transmitting data to a remote device for monitoring and providing a visual representation of tremor severity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an anti-vibration device with motor and vibration sensor is attached to the steering wheel, then tremor mitigation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-vibration device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a vibration sensor mounted on the steering wheel to detect tremors, a processor to analyze the vibration data, and a motor integrated into the steering wheel to generate counter-vibrations. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to mitigate tremors, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration sensor, processor, and motor are merged into an integrated anti-vibration system that works as a unified whole. The sensor detects tremors, the processor analyzes the data in real-time, and the motor immediately responds with counter-vibrations, creating a cohesive system that achieves tremor mitigation without requiring multiple separate devices, thus managing complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If vibration sensor and motor are integrated into the steering wheel, then tremor detection and dampening is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration process is segmented into manageable stages: first mounting the vibration sensor on the steering wheel, then integrating the motor into the steering wheel structure, and finally connecting both to the processor. This segmented approach to integration allows each component to be manufactured and tested separately before assembly, improving measurement precision while managing manufacturing complexity.
3Loss of information
If communication interface is added to transmit vibration data to remote device, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface is designed with multi-functionality, serving both to transmit vibration data to remote devices for monitoring and to provide user feedback about tremor levels. This universal communication capability allows the system to perform multiple functions through a single interface component, improving information transmission capability while minimizing the increase in device 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
The device effectively mitigates the impact of tremors on vehicle operation by dampening vibrations and allows for remote monitoring of tremor severity, enabling individuals to assess the effectiveness of the device in stabilizing hand movements.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration sensor programmed to detect vibrations and output a vibration signal representing the vibrations detected
Implementation Method 2
a motor that vibrates in accordance with a vibration dampening signal
Implementation Method 3
when incorporated into the steering wheel, the motor may be replaced by an electroactive stiffener that stiffens in accordance with a vibration dampening signal
Implementation Method 4
a processor programmed to process the vibration signal and generate the vibration dampening signal to dampen the vibrations detected
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle anti-vibration device includes a vibration sensor programmed to detect vibrations and output a vibration signal representing the vibrations detected. The device further includes a motor that vibrates in accordance with a vibration dampening signal, a communication interface programmed to wirelessly transmit the vibration signal to a remote device, and a processor programmed to process the vibration signal and generate the vibration dampening signal to dampen the vibrations detected.