18523916. STEERING DEVICE simplified abstract (Honda Motor Co., Ltd.)

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STEERING DEVICE

Organization Name

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Inventor(s)

Kotaro Nakamura of Tokyo (JP)

STEERING DEVICE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18523916 titled 'STEERING DEVICE

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a steering device that can determine if a driver is gripping the steering wheel based on measuring the electrostatic capacitance of an electrode on the wheel.

Key Features and Innovation

  • Measurement circuit measures electrostatic capacitance of the steering wheel electrode.
  • Grip determination device determines if the steering wheel is being gripped based on the measurement value.
  • Capacitance threshold setter sets a reference value for the capacitance.
  • Determiner decides gripping based on the difference between the measurement value and reference value.
  • Reference value is adjusted based on changes in the measurement value.

Potential Applications

This technology can be used in automotive safety systems to ensure drivers are properly holding the steering wheel, potentially preventing accidents caused by distracted or incapacitated drivers.

Problems Solved

The technology addresses the issue of detecting driver grip on the steering wheel accurately and in real-time, enhancing overall safety on the road.

Benefits

  • Improved driver safety by ensuring proper grip on the steering wheel.
  • Real-time monitoring of driver behavior for enhanced safety measures.
  • Potential reduction in accidents caused by distracted or incapacitated drivers.

Commercial Applications

Title: Enhanced Automotive Safety System with Real-time Driver Grip Detection This technology can be integrated into vehicles as part of advanced safety systems, appealing to car manufacturers looking to enhance the safety features of their vehicles and potentially reducing insurance costs for drivers.

Prior Art

There may be prior art related to capacitive sensing technologies in automotive applications or driver monitoring systems that could provide additional insights into similar inventions.

Frequently Updated Research

Researchers may be exploring ways to improve the accuracy and sensitivity of grip detection systems in steering devices for even more reliable driver monitoring capabilities.

Questions about Steering Device Grip Detection

How does the grip determination device work in real-time scenarios?

The grip determination device continuously compares the measured capacitance value with the reference value to determine if the steering wheel is being gripped at any given moment.

What are the potential challenges in implementing this technology in different vehicle models?

Implementing this technology in various vehicle models may require adjustments to account for different steering wheel designs and materials, as well as ensuring compatibility with existing safety systems.


Original Abstract Submitted

A steering device includes a measurement circuit which measures electrostatic capacitance of an electrode provided to a steering wheel, and a grip determination device which determines presence/absence of gripping of the steering wheel based on a measurement value Ch_d from the measurement circuit. The grip determination device includes a capacitance threshold setter which sets a reference value Ch_0 for the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode, and a determiner which determines presence/absence of gripping of the steering wheel based on a difference between the measurement value Ch_d and reference value Ch_0. The capacitance threshold setter changes the reference value Ch_0(n) according to a change amount dCh_0(n) in the measurement value when the absolute value |a(n)| for the slope of the filter value Ch_d_f(n) of the measurement value was less than a predetermined slope threshold a_th.