Vehicle steering wheel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10822014-B2
Application number	US-201815974080-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 8, 2018
Priority date	Nov 11, 2015
Publication date	Nov 3, 2020
Grant date	Nov 3, 2020

Abstract

wherein the plurality of presence sensors is mounted on the same support, and in that at least one of the presence sensors is arranged facing at least part of the seam of the outer sheath.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A vehicle steering wheel for a vehicle comprising:
a hoop,
a plurality of presence sensors, each presence sensor arranged:
so as to define on the hoop one of a plurality of discrete detection zones, and
so as to detect a proximity and/or contact between a user's limb and the detection zone,

an outer sheath covering the plurality of presence sensors, and stitched with at least a first seam that extends around at least part of the hoop,
wherein the plurality of presence sensors is mounted on a common support, and wherein at least a first presence sensor of the plurality of the presence sensors is radially between the common support and at least part of the first seam of the outer sheath and extends along the first seam, so that the first presence sensor defines a first detection zone of the plurality of detection zones that includes at least part of the first seam and extends in a transverse direction to the first seam; and
wherein the first presence sensor includes first and second longitudinal edges completely on opposite sides of the first seam such that the first and second longitudinal edges do not cross the first seam.

2. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the first seam only passes through the outer sheath.

3. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first presence sensor is arranged to detect a proximity and/or a contact between a user's limb and a first detection zone arranged on an inner portion of the hoop,
a second presence sensor is arranged to detect a proximity and/or a contact between a user's limb and a second detection zone arranged on a first half of an outer portion of the hoop; and
a third presence sensor is arranged to detect a proximity and/or a contact between a user's limb and a third detection zone arranged on a second half of an outer portion of the hoop.

4. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the support with the plurality of presence sensors forms a detection layer comprising the support formed by an electrical insulator supporting on a first face the presence sensors formed for example with a polyamide yarn covered at least with nickel, and supporting on a second face at least one grounding electrically conductive film or fabric.

5. The vehicle steering wheel according claim 4 , wherein the detection layer comprises one grounding electrically conductive film or fabric.

6. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 4 , wherein the detection layer has an elongated form, with two longitudinal edges each connecting two ends lengthwise, and in which the plurality of presence sensors and the at least one grounding electrically conductive film or fabric each has a connection portion, and in which the connection portions are all arranged along the same lateral edge.

7. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 4 ,
wherein the detection layer has an elongated form, with two longitudinal edges each connecting two ends lengthwise, and in which the plurality of presence sensors and the at least one grounding electrically conductive film or fabric each has a connection portion, and in which the connection portions are all arranged along the same lateral edge, and
wherein the connection portion of the second presence sensor and the connection portion of the third presence sensor are arranged on either side of the first presence sensor.

8. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 4 ,
wherein the detection layer has an elongated form, with two longitudinal edges each connecting two ends lengthwise, and in which the plurality of presence sensors and the at least one grounding electrically conductive film or fabric each has a connection portion, and in which the connection portions are all arranged along the same lateral edge, and
wherein the connection portion of the first presence sensor is arranged between the second presence sensor and the third presence sensor.

9. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , comprising at least one spoke connecting the hoop to a hub, with a first lateral edge of the at least one spoke connecting the hoop with a first radius of curvature and a second lateral edge of the at least one spoke connecting the hoop to a second radius of curvature greater than the first radius of curvature, wherein the support and at least one of the presence sensors covers a portion of the at least one spoke, and wherein the support and the at least one of the sensors have a cutout offset towards the first lateral edge, in relation to a width of the at least one spoke.

10. The steering wheel according to claim 1 , in combination with the vehicle.

11. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the first sensor has a rectangular shape.

12. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second longitudinal edges of the first presence sensor are substantially parallel to the first seam.

13. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the first presence sensor extends in first and second opposite transverse directions relative to the first seam.

14. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the first seam faces a convex side of the first presence sensor.

15. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the first presence sensor extends both along the seam and on both lateral sides of the first seam so as to enable detection of at least one of proximity and contact with a detection zone encompassing the first seam and running along both lateral sides of the first seam.

16. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one spoke connecting the hoop to a hub, wherein the first presence sensor is a single sensor operative to detect when a driver is touching the steering wheel on an inner portion of the hoop facing the hub in an area of the first seam.

17. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 , further comprising a hub, the hoop connected to the hub in a radial direction by at least one spoke, and wherein:
the first presence sensor is radially disposed between at least a portion of the first seam and the hoop, extends in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the first seam and extends in first and second opposite lateral direction directions perpendicular to the first seam, and
the first detection zone encompasses at least a portion of the first seam.

18. A vehicle steering wheel comprising:
a hub;
a hoop connected to the hub in a radial direction by at least one spoke;
an outer sheath extending around at least part of the hoop, the outer sheath stitched with at least a first seam, the first seam on a radially inwardly facing surface of the outer sheath;
at least a first presence sensor defining a first detection zone on the hoop, the first presence sensor configured to detect at least one of proximity with the detection zone and contact of the user with the first detection zone;
wherein the first presence sensor is radially disposed between at least a portion of the first seam and the hoop, extends in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the first seam and extends in first and second opposite lateral direction directions perpendicular to the first seam,
wherein the first detection zone encompasses at least a portion of the first seam.

19. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 18 , wherein the first presence sensor includes first and second longitudinal edges completely on opposite sides of the first seam such that the first and se

Assignees

• Autoliv Dev

Inventors

• Boittiaux Jonathan
• Moinard Fabrice

Classifications

• B60R21/01552

  detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands · CPC title

• B62D1/06 Primary

  Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers (B62D1/11 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B62D1/046 Primary

  Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches · CPC title

• B62D1/10

  Hubs; Connecting hubs to steering columns, e.g. adjustable (B62D1/11 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60R16/027

  between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column {(devices for measuring, signalling or controlling tyre pressure or temperature specially adapted for mounting on vehicles B60C23/00)} · CPC title