Electrostatic capacity sensor and grip detection device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017166236-A1
Application number	US-201515116973-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 9, 2015
Priority date	Feb 7, 2014
Publication date	Jun 15, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A grip detection device comprises an electrostatic capacity sensor mounted on a rim of a steering wheel; and a determination unit that detects gripping of the steering wheel based on a detection result of the electrostatic capacity sensor, a plurality of electrode units of elongated shape configuring the electrostatic capacity sensor extending along a direction in which the rim extends and being provided in parallel along a circumferential direction of the rim, of the plurality of electrode units, at least two electrode units are commonly connected, and at least one electrode unit not commonly connected to the commonly connected two electrode units is disposed between the commonly connected two electrode units, the determination unit determining that a driver has gripped the steering wheel when proximity of a human body has been detected by each of at least two electrode units not commonly connected to each other.

First claim

1 - 8 . (canceled)

9 . An electrostatic capacity sensor mounted on a rim of a steering wheel, the electrostatic capacity sensor including:
a flexible substrate having an insulating property; and a plurality of electrode units comprising an electrostatic capacity detection electrode of elongated shape provided on said flexible substrate, the electrostatic capacity sensor being characterized in that a plurality of said electrode units are configured so as to be mounted on said rim so as to extend along a direction in which said rim extends, and are configured so as to be provided in parallel along a circumferential direction of said rim having the direction in which said rim extends as its axial center, and of a plurality of said electrode units, at least two electrode units are commonly connected, and at least one electrode unit not commonly connected to the commonly connected two electrode units is disposed between the commonly connected two electrode units.

10 . The electrostatic capacity sensor according to claim 9 , characterized in that
a plurality of said electrode units have adjacent electrode units not commonly connected each other.

11 . The electrostatic capacity sensor according to claim 9 , characterized in that
a plurality of said electrode units are formed on a common said flexible substrate.

12 . The electrostatic capacity sensor according to claim 10 , characterized in that
a plurality of said electrode units are formed on a common said flexible substrate.

13 . The electrostatic capacity sensor according to claim 9 , characterized in that
said flexible substrate is divided into a plurality of flexible substrate pieces, and commonly connected electrode units are formed on an identical said flexible substrate piece, and an electrode unit not commonly connected to the commonly connected electrode units is formed on a different said flexible substrate piece.

14 . The electrostatic capacity sensor according to claim 10 , characterized in that
said flexible substrate is divided into a plurality of flexible substrate pieces, and commonly connected electrode units are formed on an identical said flexible substrate piece, and an electrode unit not commonly connected to the commonly connected electrode units is formed on a different said flexible substrate piece.

15 . A grip detection device, comprising:
a steering wheel; an electrostatic capacity sensor mounted on a rim of said steering wheel; and a determination unit that determines whether a driver has gripped the steering wheel or not based on proximity detection of a human body by said electrostatic capacity sensor, the grip detection device being characterized in that said electrostatic capacity sensor includes a plurality of electrode units comprising an electrostatic capacity detection electrode of elongated shape, a plurality of said electrode units extend along a direction in which said rim extends, and are provided in parallel along a circumferential direction of said rim having the direction in which said rim extends as its axial center, furthermore, in a plurality of said electrode units, at least two electrode units are commonly connected, and at least one electrode unit not commonly connected to the commonly connected two electrode units is disposed between the commonly connected two electrode units, and said determination unit determines that the driver has gripped the steering wheel when proximity of the human body has been detected by each of at least two electrode units not commonly connected to each other.

16 . The grip detection device according to claim 15 , characterized in that
a plurality of said electrode units are divided into at least two groups, and electrode units belonging to an identical group are commonly connected each other, and said determination unit determines that the driver has gripped the steering wheel when proximity of the human body has been detected by each of one electrode unit and an electrode unit belonging to a different group from this one electrode unit.

17 . The grip detection device according to claim 15 , characterized in that
a plurality of said electrode units are divided into at least three groups, and electrode units belonging to an identical group are commonly connected each other, and said determination unit determines that the driver has gripped the steering wheel when proximity of the human body has been detected by each of at least one electrode unit of all of different groups.

18 . The grip detection device according to claim 16 , characterized in that
a plurality of said electrode units are provided in parallel along a circumferential direction of said rim, such that adjacent electrode units belong to different groups each other.

19 . The grip detection device according to claim 17 , characterized in that
a plurality of said electrode units are provided in parallel along a circumferential direction of said rim, such that adjacent electrode units belong to different groups each other.

Assignees

• Fujikura Ltd

Inventors

• Iguchi Yusuke
• Togura Takeshi

Classifications

• G01R27/2605

  Measuring capacitance (capacitive sensors G01D5/24) · CPC title

• B62D1/046 Primary

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

• G01D5/24

  by varying capacitance · CPC title

• B62D1/06

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