Steering wheel with opto-electronic sensor
First Claim
1. A steering wheel (10), in particular for controlling a motor vehicle, having a steering wheel ring (11) extending at least part of the way around, which ring is connected to a steering wheel hub (13) by at least one steering wheel spoke (12) extending substantially radially to the steering wheel ring (11), the steering wheel (10) comprising a fiber-optical sensor with at least one optical fiber (14), on the first end of which a light-emitting transmitter (16) transmits a light signal (16.1), which a light-sensitive pickup (18) on the opposite, second end receives;
- that the pickup (18) directs a response signal (18.1) corresponding to the received light signal (16.2) to an evaluation circuit (15); and
that the evaluation circuit (15), on the basis of the modulation between the transmitted light signal (16.1) and the received light signal (16.2) that takes place in the event of the imposition of force or pressure on the optical fiber (14), generates a driver signal (20.x), which serves to control at least one vehicle-specific device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steering wheel (10) is proposed, especially for controlling a motor vehicle, which is provided with a device that detects the elastic deformation of the sheath of the steering wheel (10) caused by its being gripped by the driver, and which controls vehicle-specific functions on the basis of this deformation. To that end, a fiber-optical sensor is mounted on the steering wheel (10). This sensor has an optical fiber (14), into which a transmitter (16) injects a light signal (16.1), which is received by a pickup (18). Exertions of pressure or force on the optical fiber (14) cause a change in polarization of the light signal (16.1), which is evaluated by an evaluation circuit (15) to form a driver signal (20.x).
41 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A steering wheel (10), in particular for controlling a motor vehicle, having a steering wheel ring (11) extending at least part of the way around, which ring is connected to a steering wheel hub (13) by at least one steering wheel spoke (12) extending substantially radially to the steering wheel ring (11), the steering wheel (10) comprising a fiber-optical sensor with at least one optical fiber (14), on the first end of which a light-emitting transmitter (16) transmits a light signal (16.1), which a light-sensitive pickup (18) on the opposite, second end receives;
- that the pickup (18) directs a response signal (18.1) corresponding to the received light signal (16.2) to an evaluation circuit (15); and
that the evaluation circuit (15), on the basis of the modulation between the transmitted light signal (16.1) and the received light signal (16.2) that takes place in the event of the imposition of force or pressure on the optical fiber (14), generates a driver signal (20.x), which serves to control at least one vehicle-specific device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- that the pickup (18) directs a response signal (18.1) corresponding to the received light signal (16.2) to an evaluation circuit (15); and
Specification