Steering Wheel Heater-Sensor Wire Layout for Interference Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive systems face interference issues between hands-on detection sensors and heaters in steering wheels, which are costly to resolve with traditional methods such as adding conductive shield layers or synchronizing controls, and are not feasible when control systems are independent.
Innovation Solution
A heater/sensor assembly with separate mats, each with conductive wires oriented perpendicularly to minimize overlap and interference, providing effective shielding without additional conductive layers, allowing independent control of sensors and heaters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional methods such as adding conductive shield layers or synchronizing controls are used to resolve interference between hands-on detection sensors and heaters, then interference is reduced, but cost increases and independent control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the steering wheel into separate functional zones: a sensor assembly with conductive wires for hands-on detection and a heater assembly with conductive wires for heating. By segmenting the functional areas and orienting the conductive wires at different angles, the patent reduces electrical interference while maintaining independent control of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different wire orientations in different local areas of the steering wheel. The sensor assembly uses wires oriented at one angle while the heater assembly uses wires oriented at a different angle. This local differentiation minimizes interference at the intersection points while preserving the independent operational characteristics of each function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conductive shield layers are added to eliminate interference, then shielding efficiency improves, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shielding function from a separate conductive shield layer and integrates it directly into the sensor and heater assemblies through strategically oriented conductive wires. The conductive wires themselves serve dual purposes: functional operation and interference reduction, eliminating the need for additional shield layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive wires in both the sensor assembly and heater assembly serve multiple functions: they perform their primary functional roles (sensing and heating) while simultaneously providing electromagnetic shielding. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and lowers manufacturing costs.
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
This solution eliminates or minimizes electrical interference between hands-on detection sensors and heaters, achieving equivalent shielding efficiency to conductive shield layers while avoiding additional costs and ensuring independent operation of sensor and heater functions.
Implementation Method 1
a second circuit configured to output a signal to the first wire and to sense a capacitance based on a frequency of the signal
Implementation Method 2
The heater assembly comprises a second sheet of the electrically non-conducting material arranged parallel to the first sheet, a third wire attached to a first side of the second sheet facing the second side of the first sheet, and a fourth wire arranged parallel to the third wire
Data Source
AI summary
A heater/sensor assembly comprises a sensor assembly and a heater assembly. The sensor assembly comprises a first sheet of an electrically non-conducting material, a first wire attached to a first side of the first sheet, and a second wire arranged parallel to the first wire and attached to a second side of the first sheet that is opposite the first side. The heater assembly comprises a second sheet of the electrically non-conducting material arranged parallel to the first sheet; a third wire attached to a first side of the second sheet facing the second side of the first sheet; and a fourth wire arranged parallel to the third wire and attached to a second side of the second sheet that is opposite the first side of the second sheet. The third and fourth wires are arranged at an angle relative to the first and second wires.