Steering Wheel Controls via Vibration Sensors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current steering wheel controls for vehicles, such as those integrating car radio and cruise control functions, are complex and costly due to cabling and the need for durable buttons, making them unsuitable for safe use by drivers and economically unsustainable under cost pressures.

Innovation Solution

A multifunction steering wheel system utilizing vibration sensors, including piezo-electric sensors and microphones, to detect user vibrations and determine specific touch sections, allowing for command interpretation and control of connected devices like car media players or navigation systems, with adaptive filtering to compensate for noise from the steering column.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional buttons and cabling are used for steering wheel controls, then multiple functions can be controlled, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-function control capabilityVSAvoidcabling and button complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical buttons and physical cabling with a vibration-based control system. Vibration sensors detect tapping gestures on the steering wheel, and wireless communication (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi) transmits control signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical button assemblies and extensive cabling while maintaining multi-function control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting tapping gestures for control input, determining touch location through sensor array analysis, and enabling various media control functions (play/pause, track selection, volume control) through a single sensor type, thereby achieving multi-functionality without proportional increases in system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional buttons are installed on the steering wheel, then control functions are available, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol function availabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive vibration sensors and utilizes the existing durable steering wheel structure as the control interface. The system leverages the steering wheel's inherent durability while using cost-effective sensing technology, eliminating the need for expensive specialized automotive-grade buttons while maintaining control functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing mechanical buttons with vibration sensors and implementing wireless communication, the patent eliminates costly mechanical assemblies, extensive cabling, and complex mounting structures, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs while preserving control function availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If menu structures are used for control functions, then multiple functions can be accessed, but driver safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction access capabilityVSAvoiddriver safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses rhythmic tapping patterns (single tap, double tap, triple tap) to access different functions and menu levels. This periodic action allows drivers to navigate through multiple functions using simple, repetitive gestures that can be performed quickly and safely without requiring complex menu navigation or prolonged attention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring drivers to navigate through traditional menu structures with multiple pressing actions, the patent inverts the approach by using the number of taps as the primary navigation mechanism. This inversion simplifies the interaction model, allowing function selection through intuitive counting-based gestures rather than complex menu traversal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 cost-effective, safe, and user-friendly control of non-essential vehicle functions without the need for complex cabling or multiple buttons, enhancing driver safety and reducing manufacturing costs by simplifying the user interface.

Implementation Method 1

The vibration sensors may comprise piezo-electric sensors and/or microphones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The vibration sensors may comprise piezo-electric sensors and/or microphones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrophone transduction:

Data Source

PatentUS8700262B2Steering wheel controls

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A method where vibration information is received from a plurality of vibration sensors fixed to a steering wheel at given positions of the steering wheel. It is then determined, based on the received vibration information and expected propagation of vibration along the steering wheel, whether a user has caused vibration to the steering wheel and at which section of the steering wheel the vibration is caused. The section of the steering wheel where the vibration is caused to the steering wheel is referred to as a touch section. Responsive to the determination of the touch section, a user command is determined and a corresponding control command is sent to a controllable device so that a user can command the controllable device in a desired manner e.g. by tapping a particular section of the steering wheel.