STEERING WHEEL SENSORS

• US 20110241850A1
• Filed: 03/30/2011
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: LISSEMAN, Jason, BOSCH, Jerome, ANDREWS, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,007,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/384.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0082 mounted on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/078 Variable resistance by variable contact area or point
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9625 using a force resistance transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/975 using a capacitive movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96062 with tactile or haptic feedback
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels

Abstract

A sensor for installation on a steering wheel includes a pressure sensitive material mounted on a base material of the steering wheel. The pressure sensitive material is configured to provide an electrical signal to a controller when pressure is applied. The controller provides a command to a vehicle system based on the electrical signal. The pressure sensitive material has at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance based on the amount or type of pressure that is applied to the material. The electrical signal is based on the at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance.

Claims

1. A sensor for installation on a steering wheel, comprising:

a pressure sensitive material mounted on a base material of the steering wheel, the pressure sensitive material configured to provide an electrical signal to a controller when pressure is applied, the controller providing a command to a vehicle system based on the electrical signal, the pressure sensitive material having at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance based on the amount or type of pressure that is applied to the material, the electrical signal based on the at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensitive material comprises at least one of a quantum tunneling composite, a carbon nanotube conductive polymer, graphene conductive polymer, and a conductive doped silicene polymer.

3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensitive material comprises multiple pressure zones configured for different functions or to receive different types of user input.

4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a switch that is generally flat and has no raised or recessed portions.

5. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a skin material, a display panel, and a touch panel overlaying or attached to the pressure sensitive material.

6. The sensor of claim 5, wherein a surface of the skin material comprises at least one of a raised area, coloring, texturing and labeling to indicate a location and/or a function of the pressure sensitive material.

7. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a light source mounted near the pressure sensitive material, the light source configured to vary in at least one of intensity, shape, color, and modulation based on the amount of pressure provided to the pressure sensitive material.

8. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the controller provides an electrical signal to a speaker for providing a sound or audible alert when the pressure sensitive material is pressed, at least one of the volume, tone, frequency and modulation of the sound changing based on the amount of pressure provided to pressure sensitive material.

9. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the controller provides an electrical signal to an actuator, the actuator providing a vibration when the pressure sensitive material is pressed, at least one of the strength, modulation, and frequency of the vibration changing based on the amount of pressure provided to pressure sensitive material.

10. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the controller uses the variable characteristics of the electrical signal to provide varying commands to the vehicle system such that a magnitude of actuation of the vehicle system is based on the amount of pressure applied to the pressure sensitive material.

11. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor is located on a hub, spoke, or rim of the steering wheel.

12. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a pair of electrodes configured to receive the electrical signal and provide the signal to the controller.

13. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a light source configured to provide a visual indication of the function of the sensor, the light source illuminating based on the context of the vehicle and whether the function of the sensor is available.

14. A sensing system for installation in a vehicle, comprising:

one or more sensors configured to provide an electrical signal to a controller when actuated, the controller providing a command to a vehicle system based on the electrical signal, the one or more sensors comprising;

a pressure sensitive material mounted on a base material of a portion of the vehicle, the pressure sensitive material configured to provide an electrical signal to a controller when pressure is applied, the controller providing a command to a vehicle system based on the electrical signal, the pressure sensitive material having at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance based on the amount or type of pressure that is applied to the material, the electrical signal based on the at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance.

15. The sensing system of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises multiple pressure zones configured for different functions or to receive different types of user input.

16. The sensing system of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises a switch that is generally flat and has no raised or recessed portions.

17. The sensing system of claim 14, further comprising at least one of a skin material, a display panel, and a touch panel overlaying or attached to the pressure sensitive material.

18. The sensing system of claim 14, further comprising at least one of a light source mounted around the perimeter of the pressure sensitive material, a speaker and an actuator, the at least one of a light source, speaker, and actuator being configured to operate based on the amount of pressure provided to the pressure sensitive material.

19. The sensing system of claim 14, wherein the controller uses the variable characteristics of the electrical signal to provide varying commands to the vehicle system such that a magnitude of actuation of the vehicle system is based on the amount of pressure applied to the pressure sensitive material.

20. The sensing system of claim 14, wherein the sensor is located on a hub, spoke, or rim of the steering wheel.

21. The sensing system of claim 14, wherein the sensor further comprises a pair of electrodes configured to receive the electrical signal and provide the signal to the controller.

22. A steering wheel, comprising:

a base material; and

a sensor configured to provide an electrical signal to a controller when actuated, the controller providing a command to a vehicle system based on the electrical signal, the sensor comprising;

a pressure sensitive material mounted on a base material of the steering wheel, the pressure sensitive material configured to provide the electrical signal when pressure is applied, the pressure sensitive material having at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance based on the amount or type of pressure that is applied to the material, the electrical signal based on the at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance.