CZ303271B6 - Handle with handgrip sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The handle of the present invention is particularly used for the control of engine-operated machines, wherein in the handle, there is integrated a sensor operation on capacitance principle. The sensor is capable to detect a handgrip and to evaluate intensity of such a handgrip. The handle is provided with a handle cylindrical body (1) with a handle elastic cover (2) arranged thereon. At least a first electrically conducting layer (5) is performed above at least a portion of the electrically non-conducting outer surface of the handle body (1). A second electrically conducting layer (4) is arranged at a certain distance from said first electrically conducting layer (5) on inner surface of the handle electrically non-conducting elastic cover (2) opposite to said first electrically conducting layer (5). At least one slot (7) is performed between the first and second electrically conducting layers (5 and 4). The first and second electrically conducting layers (5 and 4) form electrodes of a capacitor forming the handgrip sensor and being electrically connected to a measuring and evaluation unit (9) the data output of which is connected to a control unit (10). An insulating layer (6) is performed between the first and/or second electrically conducting layer (5, 4) and the slot (7).

Description

Handle with grip sensor

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a handle with a grip sensor, in particular to a handle for the control of motor-operated machines, provided with a cylindrical handle body and an elastic handle cover disposed thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many machines, such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc., it is necessary for safety reasons to ensure that the operator stands in the prescribed position and holds the handles of the machine with his hands. This can be achieved if the handle is provided with a grip sensor. If the operator releases the handle (s), the engine of the machine is switched off.

Most often, mechanical levers near the handle are used to detect the presence of a hand on the handle. Pressing the lever activates the safety switch. Keep the lever pressed against the handle to keep the engine running.

When utilizing the capacitive functional principle, known solutions like the inner electrode have handlebars that are electrically connected to the ground. The outer electrode is located below the surface of the handle. There is a dielectric between the electrodes. The touch of a hand changes the capacitors' dielectric properties, which can be detected. The disadvantage of this solution is the sensitivity to external influences of the weather and terrain (snow, rain, type of subsoil) and also to the operator's clothes (gloves, shoe type).

Hand touch can also be detected by wire, foil or semiconductor strain gauge sensors located under the elastic handle cover. These grip sensors respond to the deformation of the handle when gripping the change in electrical resistance. It is also common to use conductive, so-called piezoresistive elastomers, which change their electrical resistance when deformed.

Several other physical principles can also be used to recognize the touch of the hand on the handle, such as piezoelectric grip sensors, fiber optic grip sensors, ultrasonic grip sensors, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Said drawbacks of the prior art capacitive operating principle are largely eliminated by a handle with a grip sensor, in particular for motor driven machines, provided with a cylindrical handle body and an elastic handle coating disposed thereon, at least one first conductive over the at least a portion of the nonconductive outer surface a second conductive layer is arranged on the inner surface of the non-conductive elastic coating of the handle against the first conductive layer, the first and second conductive layers forming electrodes of the capacitors forming a grip sensor, which is conductively connected to a measuring and evaluation unit whose data output is conductively connected to a measuring and evaluation unit, the data output of which is connected to a control unit, the essence of the invention is that at least one slit is formed between the first and second conductive layers and and / or the second conductive layer and the slit is an insulating layer.

In a preferred embodiment of the handle with the grip sensor, the insulating layer overlaps the entire surface of the first conductive layer, the gap being formed between the insulating layer and the second conductive layer.

- 1 GB 303271 B6

In this case, it may be advantageous if the first conductive layer is formed by selective metallization of at least a portion of the outer surface of the handle body or a metallized plastic film adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface of the handle body or metal foil adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface of the handle body or a portion of the outer surface of the handle body or an electrically conductive plastic / elastomer injected onto at least a portion of the outer surface of the handle body.

It is also advantageous if the second conductive layer is elastic, is formed by injection of an electrically conductive elastic material and is firmly connected to the non-conductive elastic coating of the handle.

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In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the measuring and evaluation unit is integrated into the handle body.

Finally, in a further preferred exemplary embodiment, a plurality of first conductive layers are spaced apart from the outer nonconductive surface of the body and the handle, spaced apart therefrom on the inner surface of the nonconductive elastic handle cover against the first conductive layers. in the mutually independent sensory areas, the terminals of the independent capacitors being conductively connected to the measuring and evaluation unit.

Overview of the drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary handle according to the invention; Figure 2 shows detail A of Figure 1; .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a handle according to the invention, schematically in partial section; FIG. The handlebar body 1 is fastened to the cylindrical body 3 of the handlebar, over which the non-conductive elastic coating 2 of the handle is threaded,

Fig. 2 schematically shows detail A of Fig. I. Above the non-conductive outer surface of the handle body 1 is a first conductive layer 5. At a distance therefrom, a second conductive layer 4 is disposed on the inner surface of the non-conductive elastic coating 2 of the handle. A gap 7 is formed between the first and second conductive layers 5 and 4. The first and second conductive layers 5 and 4 form a capacitor electrode forming the gripping sensor. This capacitor is conductively coupled to the measuring and evaluation unit 9 via a connection 8, see FIG. 1. An insulating layer 6 is provided between the first conductive layer 5 and the slot 7. The data output of the measuring and evaluation unit 9 is connected to the control unit 10.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the body and handles with the recessed areas 11.

In the exemplary embodiment, the body and the handle are made of structural thermoplastic and have one or more recessed regions 11 of a specific shape and curvature, for example cylindrical, helical, and the like, on a surface of concave or convex curvature. On the surface of these recessed areas 11 there are first conductive layers 5 forming internal electrodes. These first conductive layers 5 may be connected to one common first conductive layer 5 or function as separate first conductive layers 5 for mutually independent sensory areas. The first conductive layers 5 are firmly connected to the body and the handles. They may be made, for example, by selective metallization of the handle body I or by sticking a metallized plastic film onto the body and handle or by sticking a copper tape to the handle body or by vaporizing a metal layer on the body and handle or by injecting an electrically conductive plastic / elastomer onto the body and handle.

C7 303271 B6

On the inside of the elastic handle coating 2 made of an electrically non-conductive thermoplastic elastomer there is a second conductive layer 4 forming a second electrode which is firmly connected to the elastic handle coating 2. The second conductive layer 4 is made of an electrically conductive elastic material, for example by injection molding technology, and is formed by one cylindrical region or more regions of specific shapes and curvature, corresponding in shape and position to the recessed regions 11.

The first conductive layer 5 and the second conductive layer 4 together form a capacitor. Among them there is also a dielectric, which consists of an insulating layer 6 and an air or gas slot 7. The insulating layer 6 covers at least the area of the first conductive layers 5, but it can also cover the surface of the handle body I.

The operation of the handle is as follows: When gripping the handle, the elastic coating 2 of the handle together with the second conductive layer 4 deforms under the influence of force. This will reduce the air gap 7 and bring the second and first conductive layers 4 and 5 closer. capacitor. The change in capacitor capacity is evaluated by means of a measuring and evaluation unit 9, which is connected via a conductive connection 8 to a capacitor formed by the first and second conductive layers 5 and 4, which represent the inner and outer electrodes of the condenser 20.

The measuring and evaluation unit 9 is connected to the machine control unit 10 via a respective interface and is located outside the handle or integrated into the body and the handle.

If the capacitor capacity exceeds the set limit and stochastically moves within the specified range, this means that the hand is holding the handle. If the capacitor capacity falls below the set limit at the specified time, this means that the hand is not holding the handle.

The handle is designed in such a way that a certain amount of depression, possibly defined by hand grip intervals, can be used as control and control commands.

Industrial applicability

The handle according to the invention can be used as a security element for detecting the grip of the hand grip while driving machines or as a control element using tactile control commands or even for measuring the compression / grip intensity, eg for rehabilitation purposes.

Claims (6)

PATENT CLAIMS 45 1. A handle with a grip sensor, in particular for the control of motor-operated machines, provided with a cylindrical handle body (1) and an elastic handle cover (2) disposed thereon wherein at least one first conductive is above at least a portion of the nonconductive outer surface of the handle body (1). a layer (5) spaced therefrom, on the inner surface of the non-conductive elastic coating (2) of the handle against the first conductive layer (5), a second conductive layer (4) is provided, the first and second conductive layers (5 and 4) 50 form electrodes of a capacitor forming a grip sensor which is conductively connected to a measuring and evaluation unit (9), the data output of which is connected to a control unit (10), characterized in that between the first and second conductive layers (5 and 4) at least one slot (7) is formed and an insulating layer (6) is provided between the first and / or second conductive layer (5, 4) and the slot (7). —-- TCZ 303271 B6 Handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulating layer (6) covers the entire surface of the first conductive layer (5), the slot (7) being formed between the insulating layer (6) and the second conductive layer (4). Handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the first conductive layer (5) is formed by selectively metallizing at least a portion of the outer surface of the handle body (1) or a metallised plastic film adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface of the handle body (1) on at least a portion of the outer surface of the handle body (1) or a metal layer vapor deposited on at least a portion of the outer surface of the handle body (1) or an electrically conductive plastic / elastomer injected onto at least a portion of the outer surface of the handle body (1); Handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the second conductive layer (4) is elastic, is formed by injection of an electrically conductive elastic material and is firmly connected to the non-conductive elastic handle cover (2). Handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring and evaluation unit (9) is integrated into the handle body (1). Handle according to claim 1, characterized in that above the outer non-conductive surface of the handle body (1) there are a plurality of first conductive layers (5) separated from one another, spaced apart therefrom on the inner surface of the non-conductive elastic handle cover (2) separate second conductive layers (4) separated from the conductive layers (5) to form a plurality of independent capacitors in mutually independent sensory recessed areas (11), the terminals of the independent capacitors being conductively connected to the measurement and evaluation unit (9).