STEERING WHEEL WITH HAND SENSORS

• US 20110245643A1
• Filed: 04/01/2011
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Mogg, Tom, Lisseman, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 8,725,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/046 Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/06 Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers B62D1/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering wheel for a vehicle can include a sensor assembly mounted in the steering wheel. The sensor assembly can include an electrode configured to measure a biological parameter of a driver of the vehicle. In invention further relates to a sensor assembly for a steering wheel. The sensor assembly can include an electrode configured to measure a biological parameter of a driver of the vehicle. The sensor assembly can be configured to be mounted in the steering wheel.

Claims

1. A steering wheel for a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor assembly mounted in the steering wheel,

wherein the sensor assembly includes an electrode configured to measure a biological parameter of a driver of the vehicle due to contact with one or both hands of the driver.

2. The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is mounted in a rim of the steering wheel.

3. The steering assembly of claim 1, further comprising a steering wheel covering,

wherein a surface of the steering wheel cover and a surface of the electrode are substantially flush with one another so that the steering wheel has a tactilely smooth surface.

4. The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to measure the heart rate of a driver.

5. The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to measure the skin capacitance of a driver.

6. The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes two electrodes which are separated from one another so that surfaces of the electrode are not in contact with one another.

7. The steering assembly of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor to measure a skin temperature of the driver.

8. The steering assembly of claim 7, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned to be within 1-3 inches of a driver'"'"'s hand contacting the steering wheel.

9. The steering assembly of claim 7, wherein the sensor assembly includes two electrodes which are separated from one another so that surfaces of the electrode are not in contact with one another,

wherein the temperature sensor is located between the two electrodes.

10. The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes a housing,

wherein the housing is formed in two pieces.

11. The steering assembly of claim 10, further comprising a steering wheel armature,

wherein the two pieces of the housing are fitted around the armature of the steering wheel.

12. The steering assembly of claim 10, wherein the two housing pieces interlock via a tongue and groove.

13. A sensor assembly for a steering wheel, comprising:

an electrode configured to measure a biological parameter of a driver of the vehicle,

wherein the sensor assembly is configured to be mounted in the steering wheel.