Steering wheel grip detection device
First Claim
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1. A steering wheel grip detection device, comprising:
- a series circuit electrically connected between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a power supply and including a first inductor, a thermostat incorporated into a steering wheel, and a heater incorporated into the steering wheel;
an electrostatic sensor circuit electrically connected to an end of the heater to which the first inductor is electrically connected, or to a middle of a wiring path of the heater, the electrostatic sensor circuit detecting a contact with the steering wheel by means of an electric or electromagnetic field; and
a voltage detecting circuit electrically connected;
between a wiring path of the positive electrode and any one of connecting points between the first inductor, the thermostat, and the heater;
between a wiring path of the negative electrode and any one of connecting points between the first inductor, the thermostat, and the heater;
to two ends of the first inductor;
to two ends of the heater;
or to two ends of the thermostat,wherein an output of the voltage detecting circuit is electrically connected to the electrostatic sensor circuit,wherein the electrostatic sensor circuit corrects an output of the electrostatic sensor circuit based on an open or closed state of the thermostat obtained from the output of the voltage detecting circuit, andwherein the electrostatic sensor circuit updates a reference value which is the output of the electrostatic sensor circuit when a hand is not in contact with the steering wheel.
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Abstract
A steering wheel grip detection device includes a series circuit including an inductance element, a thermostat incorporated into a steering wheel, and a heater incorporated into the steering wheel; an electrostatic sensor circuit that detects a grip of the steering wheel by means of an electric or electromagnetic field; and a voltage detecting circuit that detects an open/closed state of the thermostat.
3 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A steering wheel grip detection device, comprising:
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a series circuit electrically connected between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a power supply and including a first inductor, a thermostat incorporated into a steering wheel, and a heater incorporated into the steering wheel; an electrostatic sensor circuit electrically connected to an end of the heater to which the first inductor is electrically connected, or to a middle of a wiring path of the heater, the electrostatic sensor circuit detecting a contact with the steering wheel by means of an electric or electromagnetic field; and a voltage detecting circuit electrically connected; between a wiring path of the positive electrode and any one of connecting points between the first inductor, the thermostat, and the heater; between a wiring path of the negative electrode and any one of connecting points between the first inductor, the thermostat, and the heater; to two ends of the first inductor; to two ends of the heater; or to two ends of the thermostat, wherein an output of the voltage detecting circuit is electrically connected to the electrostatic sensor circuit, wherein the electrostatic sensor circuit corrects an output of the electrostatic sensor circuit based on an open or closed state of the thermostat obtained from the output of the voltage detecting circuit, and wherein the electrostatic sensor circuit updates a reference value which is the output of the electrostatic sensor circuit when a hand is not in contact with the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13)
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10. A steering wheel grip detection device comprising:
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a series circuit electrically connected between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a power supply and including a first inductor, a thermostat incorporated into a steering wheel, and a heater incorporated into the steering wheel; an electrostatic sensor circuit electrically connected to an end of the heater to which the first inductor is electrically connected, or to a middle of a wiring path of the heater, the electrostatic sensor circuit detecting a contact with the steering wheel by means of an electric or electromagnetic field; and a current detecting circuit electrically and series-connected to a wiring path of the series circuit, wherein an output of the current detecting circuit is electrically connected to the electrostatic sensor circuit, wherein the electrostatic sensor circuit corrects an output of the electrostatic sensor circuit based on an open/closed state of the thermostat obtained from the output of the current detecting circuit, and wherein the electrostatic sensor circuit updates a reference value which is the output of the electrostatic sensor circuit when a hand is not in contact with the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (11, 14)
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15. A steering wheel grip detection device, comprising:
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a series circuit electrically connected between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a power supply and including a first inductor, a thermostat incorporated into a steering wheel, and a heater incorporated into the steering wheel; an electrostatic sensor circuit electrically connected to an end of the heater to which the first inductor is electrically connected, or to a middle of a wiring path of the heater, the electrostatic sensor circuit detecting a contact with the steering wheel by means of an electric or electromagnetic field; a switch electrically connected to a second end of the heater opposite to the end to which the first inductor is connected; and a voltage detecting circuit electrically connected; between a wiring path of the positive electrode and any one of connecting points between the first inductor, the thermostat, and the heater; between a wiring path of the negative electrode and any one of connecting points between the first inductor, the thermostat, and the heater; to two ends of the first inductor; to two ends of the heater; or to two ends of the thermostat, wherein an output of the voltage detecting circuit is electrically connected to the electrostatic sensor circuit, and wherein the electrostatic sensor circuit corrects an output of the electrostatic sensor circuit based on an open or closed state of the thermostat obtained from the output of the voltage detecting circuit.
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Specification