WO2020251590A1 - Appareil et procédé de production d'un substrat de détection - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de production d'un substrat de détection Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020251590A1
WO2020251590A1 PCT/US2019/037309 US2019037309W WO2020251590A1 WO 2020251590 A1 WO2020251590 A1 WO 2020251590A1 US 2019037309 W US2019037309 W US 2019037309W WO 2020251590 A1 WO2020251590 A1 WO 2020251590A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
conductive
face
substrate
sheet
traces
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2019/037309
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David Wilson
Original Assignee
Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition Llc filed Critical Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition Llc
Priority to DE112019007633.7T priority Critical patent/DE112019007633T5/de
Priority to CN201980098056.6A priority patent/CN114026440A/zh
Priority to PCT/US2019/037309 priority patent/WO2020251590A1/fr
Publication of WO2020251590A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020251590A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/945—Proximity switches
    • H03K17/955—Proximity switches using a capacitive detector
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
    • B60N2/0021—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement
    • B60N2/0022—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for sensing anthropometric parameters, e.g. heart rate or body temperature
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
    • B60N2/0021—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement
    • B60N2/0024—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat
    • B60N2/0026—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat for distinguishing between humans, animals or objects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
    • B60N2/0021—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement
    • B60N2/0024—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat
    • B60N2/0027—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat for detecting the position of the occupant or of occupant's body part
    • B60N2/0028—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat for detecting the position of the occupant or of occupant's body part of a body part, e.g. of an arm or a leg
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
    • B60N2/0021—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement
    • B60N2/0035—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement characterised by the sensor data transmission, e.g. wired connections or wireless transmitters therefor; characterised by the sensor data processing, e.g. seat sensor signal amplification or electric circuits for providing seat sensor information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/96—Touch switches
    • H03K17/962—Capacitive touch switches
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2210/00—Sensor types, e.g. for passenger detection systems or for controlling seats
    • B60N2210/10—Field detection presence sensors
    • B60N2210/12—Capacitive; Electric field
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/12—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means
    • G01D5/14—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage
    • G01D5/24—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
    • H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
    • H03K2217/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
    • H03K2217/960755—Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches
    • H03K2217/960765—Details of shielding arrangements

Definitions

  • a system for utilizing capacitive sensing techniques may include a sensor mat having an electrical circuit thereon that detects the presence of one or more parts of a human body or other object in proximity to the sensor mat.
  • the sensor mat is often disposed between an outer section of a steering wheel and a rim of a steering wheel frame.
  • the steering wheel frame is typically made of metal, such as a magnesium alloy or steel, and can be a source of interference (e.g., without limitation, parasitic capacitance and/or undesirable electromagnetic responses) that distort the electrical signal(s) in the sensor mat.
  • a vehicle seat may include a capacitive sensing system that is near a similar metal infrastructure that can interfere with capacitive sensing operations that are useful for occupant detection systems.
  • a power source provides a voltage signal to a shield mat to provide electrical shielding for a sensor mat. Interference with the electrical signal(s) carried by the sensor mat may occur due to the proximity of the sensor mat to a metal object such as a steering wheel or seat frame, and providing the shielding voltage signal to the shield mat prevents this interference.
  • the system may also include a heater mat.
  • the heater mat may be separate from the shield mat or it may be used as a combination heater and shielding mat.
  • the power source generates a heating current for heating the steering wheel or the shielding voltage signal for using the heater mat as a shield mat.
  • the heating current is greater than a shielding current.
  • a substrate in one embodiment, includes a non-conductive sheet having a first face and a second face with respective conductive traces adhered to the first face and the second face.
  • the sheet and the traces each comprise flexible compositions with mutual resilience to stretch and contract in conjunction with one another. The resilience maintains structural continuity of the conductive traces in the presence of deforming forces upon the sheet.
  • a substrate in a different embodiment, includes a non-conductive base material having a first face and a second face with respective conductive traces adhered onto the first face and the second face.
  • the base material and the traces each have flexible compositions with a mutual resilience allowing the base material and the conductive traces to stretch and contract in conjunction with one another and maintain electrical continuity of the conductive traces in the presence of deforming forces upon the substrate.
  • This embodiment may further include a first carbon polymer layer connected to the first face of the substrate and a second carbon polymer layer connected to the second face of the substrate.
  • the carbon polymer layers extend over and between the conductive traces for additional redundancy in electrical conductivity.
  • a method of printing the conductive traces on the substrate is also disclosed below.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of layers in a sensor mat according to one
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a front plan view of an assembled sensor mat layer according to the implementation in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a first example circuit pattern printed onto a sensor mat according to one implementation.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a second example circuit pattern printed onto a sensor mat according to one implementation.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a steering wheel system utilizing a sensor mat having printed circuits thereon according to the embodiments herein.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a steering wheel system using the sensor mat according the embodiments herein with a heater mat according to another implementation.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a sensor mat as disclosed herein, showing a schematic area of sensing zones and selected sensor return wires from each loop associated with each zone.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a sensor mat as disclosed herein, showing a schematic area of sensing zones and a different set of selected sensor return wires from each loop associated with each zone.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a sensor mat as disclosed herein, showing a schematic area of sensing zones and a different set of selected sensor return wires from selected circuits associated with each zone.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a sensor mat as disclosed herein, showing a schematic area of sensing zones and a different set of selected sensor return wires from selected circuits associated with each zone.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a sensor mat as disclosed herein, showing a schematic area of sensing zones and a different set of selected sensor return wires from selected circuits associated with each zone.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of a computer environment in which embodiments of this disclosure are implemented.
  • a substrate 190 configured for placement in or on multiple structures within the interior of a vehicle.
  • a substrate 190 may include a base material, layer or sheet 100 that allows for constructing both a sensor circuit 124 A, 124B, 124C and a shield circuit 122 thereon with a minimal number of layers.
  • both the sensor circuits 124 A, 124B, 124C and the shield circuits 122 can be formed on opposite sides 110, 120 of a single layer (i.e., a single mat) 100.
  • a substrate 190 for placing in a sensing system within a vehicle includes a non-conductive sheet 100 having a first face 110 and a second face 120. Respective conductive traces 122, 124A-C are printed onto and adhered to the first face and the second face of the sheet. In one embodiment described below, the conductive traces may be screen printed onto the opposite faces 110, 120 of the substrate in a silver polymer ink as illustrated in Figure 1.
  • One non-limiting goal of the described embodiments is to provide a sensing and shielding structure that can be positioned within hard-to-fit vehicle components of numerous shapes, contours, and sizes inside a vehicle.
  • the sheet 100 and the traces 122, 124A-C each comprise flexible compositions with a mutual resilience that allows the substrate and the traces to stretch and contract in conjunction with one another.
  • the term mutual resilience is intended for descriptive purposes only, but in general, the resilience of the non- conductive sheet 100 and the electrically conductive traces 122, 124A-C is coordinated to maintain structural continuity of the conductive traces in the presence of deforming forces upon the sheet.
  • the sheet 100 and the conductive traces 122, 124A-C are designed with stretching parameters that overlap so that deforming forces cannot stretch or contract the overall substrate 190 in a manner that breaks stretching limits for either or both of the sheet 100 and the conductive traces 122, 124A-C thereon.
  • the sheet can be molded, shaped, folded, and most importantly, stretched to comply with design considerations without breaking the circuits formed by the conductive traces.
  • the sheet and the conductive traces are configured to withstand deforming forces that stretch a dimension of the sheet in any direction by an amount between 2 percent and 10 percent.
  • Figures 3 and 4 illustrate that conductive traces 122, 124A-C on opposite sides of the sheet 100, as well as the sheet itself, can have length and width dimensions along axes A-A and B-B. Accordingly, the mutual resilience between the non- conductive sheet 100 and the respective traces 122, 124A-C on opposite sides 110, 120 of the sheet give the substrate 190 a memory shape effect, allowing the entire substrate 190 to be subject to stretching, contracting, or other deforming forces along the axes without breaking the conductive traces and the resulting shielding and sensing circuits.
  • Figures 3 and 4 show that the conductive traces 122, 124A-C define a first pattern 71 on the first face 110 of the non-conductive sheet 100 and a second pattern 81 on the second face 120 of the sheet 100.
  • the first and second patterns 71, 81 may be similar or even identical.
  • the conductive traces on the opposite faces of the sheet operate similarly to separate sensor mats and shielding mats of multi-layered capacitive sensing devices, but with much more flexibility in design and more possible uses that require space saving efficiency not seen in prior devices.
  • Figure 3 illustrates one implementation of a printed metallic mesh layer in which metallic traces 122 are printed together in a way that resembles a weft knit pattern and are printed on a first side of a non-conductive sheet described above to form a mesh shield circuit 7.
  • Figure 4 illustrates how a different pattern on a second side 120 of the non-conductive sheet 100 can form a mesh layer in which metallic traces 124A-C are printed to a second pattern 81.
  • the patterns shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 allow the mesh shield circuit paths and sensor circuit paths in the respective patterns to maintain contact when stretched, which maintains electrical conductivity through the mesh print after the substrate 190 is secured to the steering wheel rim.
  • the printed mesh can stretch about 2% to about 10% along axis A-A or axis B-B without interfering with the conductive properties of the traces, according to certain implementations.
  • the overall substrate 190 is stretched along the A-A axis and the B-B axis. This arrangement of the mesh layer improves contact between the adjacent traces to withstand such deforming forces on the substrate.
  • the printed mesh shield circuit 7, 122 may include one mesh layer area that provides one conductive zone adjacent the base layer 100.
  • the mesh shield circuit 7, 122 may comprise a plurality of separate mesh layer areas that are spaced apart and separated from each other on the non-conductive sheet 100 but are electrically coupled together to provide one conductive zone adjacent each of the plurality of mesh layer areas.
  • Such an implementation provides targeted shielding to a particular area of the steering wheel and reduces the amount of mesh layer used for the mesh shield circuit 122.
  • the plurality of separate mesh layer areas may not be electrically coupled and are instead coupled separately to the power source to provide separate conductive zones that can be activated separately. The same parallel construction is available for zones in the sensing circuits 124 A, 124B, 124C.
  • the non-conductive sheet 100 may be described as an elastic memory sheet having a sheet width dimension and a sheet length dimension along respective axes A-A and B-B shown in Figures 3 and 4.
  • each of the first and second patterns 71, 81 have a corresponding, respective pattern width dimension and a respective pattern length dimension along respective axes.
  • the sheet width dimension and the respective pattern width dimensions stretch and contract by an amount of 2 percent to 10 percent, simultaneously, in the presence of the deforming forces along a corresponding axis A-A or B-B.
  • the sheet length dimension and said respective pattern length dimensions stretch and contract by an amount of 2 percent to 10 percent, simultaneously in the presence of the deforming forces along the other axis A-A or B-B.
  • Deforming forces on the sheet may include at least one of tensile forces, compressive forces, shear forces, and combinations thereof, such as forces used for installing or molding the substrate 190 for placement on or within a corresponding vehicle component (e.g., around a steering wheel, along an A- pillar or B-pillar, in a seat, or even on an accessory such as a parking brake, a visor, a head rest, or a dash board accessory of the vehicle).
  • the conductive traces 122, 124A-C of the substrate 190 form respective sensing circuits 8 and shielding circuits 7 on a single base sheet 100 ( Figure 5).
  • the non-conductive nature of the sheet 100 prevents short circuits through the sheet and controls both a sensing capacitance and parasitic capacitance levels in a sensing operation.
  • the conductive traces 122, 124A-C are formed by printing, preferably but not exclusively screen printing, the conductive traces, and then either curing the conductive traces at a pre-defmed temperature or letting the conductive traces dry on each side of the sheet before use.
  • all of the conductive traces on the opposite sides of the sheet form a solidified derivative structure of a fluidic and printable composition, such as a conductive ink.
  • the solidified derivative structure is a stretchable conductive ink, such as a silver polymer ink shown in Figure 1
  • the substrate 190 is used for electrical sensing systems in a vehicle and may incorporate a base layer 100 in the form of a non-conductive sheet that is also flexible, conducive to forming multiple shapes, and can be stretched for placement on or within a vehicle
  • the non-conductive sheet 100 may be a film that supports the conductive traces 122, 124A-C without allowing any short circuits through the sheets.
  • the sheet may be a plastic film and may be selected from numerous polymeric materials including films selected from PET, PEN, PI, and combinations thereof. Other sheets may be more conducive to stretching as described above and be formed of a plastic film comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane film.
  • the non-conductive sheet may be a fabric, including at least one of woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, and combinations thereof.
  • the fabric may include a surface finish that enables screen printing and is resistant to the fabric absorbing a conductive ink used to form the respective traces.
  • fabric or a film has a sufficient surface energy to promote adhesion of the conductive traces.
  • a substrate for use in electrical sensing of occupants and other objects in a vehicle has a sensing circuit 8, 124 A, 124B, 124C and a shielding circuit 7, 122 on opposite faces 110, 120 of the same sheet 100.
  • the sheet is a non-conductive base material having a first face 110 and a second face 120 and respective conductive traces adhered onto the first face and the second face.
  • the base material and the traces are both formed of flexible compositions with a mutual resilience allowing the base material and the conductive traces to stretch and contract in conjunction with one another and maintain electrical continuity of the conductive traces in the presence of deforming forces upon the substrate.
  • the substrate may also include a first carbon polymer layer 140A connected to the first face 110 of the sheet 100 and a second carbon polymer layer 140B connected to the second face 120 of the sheet 100.
  • the respective conductive traces include a first silver polymer conductive trace on the first face and a second silver polymer conductive trace on the second face.
  • Figure 1 shows that one set of the conductive traces 124A, 124B, 124C (i.e., the second silver polymer conductive trace) is formed into a plurality of zones of the conductive traces. The use of different zones for sensing circuits is discussed further below.
  • a first step includes applying respective fiducials to a first face 110 and a second face 120 of a flexible fabric, sheet, or film layer (base material 100) to guide a printing process.
  • the sheet is held in place at a constant tension and maintained in stable dimensions for printing a first conductive trace 122 of a first pattern 71 on the first face 110 of the flexible base material.
  • the method further includes printing a second conductive trace 124 of a second pattern 81 on the second face 120 of the flexible base material, wherein the printing is completed according to a placement of the fiducials.
  • the first and second pattern can be entirely distinct from one another as shown in Figures 3 and 4, or the patterns can be similar or even identical so far as a general pattern is concerned.
  • the fiducials are screen print fiducials and the printing is screen printing with a conductive ink.
  • a manufacturing method Prior to printing the second conductive trace, includes applying at least one of the respective fiducials to the second face and screen printing the second conductive trace.
  • a step Prior to applying the at least one of the respective fiducials, a step includes drying the first conductive trace and turning the flexible fabric to print on the second face.
  • the respective fiducials define the second conductive trace as a plurality of zones for sensing different aspects of a vehicle occupant’s position or body parts at different regions along the substrate.
  • the method further includes applying a carbon polymer to at least one side of the flexible fabric.
  • a substrate 190 used in capacitive sensing technologies within a vehicle includes a non-conductive base material 100 having a first face 110 and a second face 120.
  • Respective conductive traces 122, 124A-C define respective patterns 71, 81 adhered onto the first face and the second face, wherein said patterns define a plurality of redundant electrically conductive pathways across regions of the patterns.
  • the base material and the traces are both made of flexible compositions with a mutual resilience allowing the base material and the conductive traces to stretch and contract in conjunction with one another and maintain electrical continuity of the conductive traces in the presence of deforming forces upon the substrate.
  • a first carbon polymer layer 140A is connected to the first face 110 of the base material 100, and a second carbon polymer layer 140B is connected to the second face 120 of the sheet.
  • the carbon polymer layers extend over and between the conductive traces for additional redundancy in electrical conductivity.
  • the carbon polymer layers 140A, 140B are configured as respective protective coatings, but the carbon polymer layers also serve as capacitive plates on opposite sides of the base material or non-conductive sheet or fabric.
  • the carbon polymer material is deposited over the respective traces and into wells Cl, C2, C3 and Wl, W2 formed between the traces 122, 124A-C.
  • the resulting carbon polymer plate, positioned over the sensing circuit provides a consistent electrical plate as part of a capacitive circuit component formed between the sensing circuits 124A-C on the substrate 190 and a human body part or other conductive object proximate the conductive capacitor plate formed by the carbon polymer later 140B.
  • the respective carbon polymer 140A is a capacitor plate controlling the presence of parasitic capacitance or undesirable electromagnetic forces relative to an oppositely positioned metal part, such as a steering wheel frame or seat construction.
  • a substrate 190 having a sensing circuit and a shielding circuit thereon may be wrapped around a steering wheel in a construction similar to that of Figures 2 and 5.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a cross section of a steering wheel rim that could include a substrate 190 as shown in Figure 1.
  • the steering wheel embodiment includes a frame 12, an over molded layer 14 around the frame 12, and an optional heater mat layer 6 around the over molded layer 14.
  • the substrate 190 described herein provides a shield circuit 7 formed of the respective conductive traces 122 on a first side 110 of a non-conductive sheet, fabric, or film 100 of a substrate 190.
  • the shield circuit 7 could be formed of a printed conductive ink pattern that would face the steering wheel frame 12.
  • a sensor circuit 8 is positioned on a second side 120 of the same non-conductive sheet 100 opposite the shield circuit 7.
  • the steering wheel may be completed with a skin 20 around the sensor circuit 8.
  • the frame 12 is typically a magnesium alloy, aluminum alloy, steel, or a combination thereof, but it may be made of another suitable rigid material(s).
  • the over molded layer 14 is formed from a polyurethane foam or
  • thermoplastic elastomeric foam for example.
  • the outer skin 20 is typically made of leather or vinyl, but could also include wood, carbon fiber, plastic, polyurethane foam, fabrics, or any other suitable material.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the substrate 190 described as supporting a sensor circuit 8, shield circuit 7, alongside a heater mat 6.
  • the base material or sheet 100 must be made of a fabric or plastic that maintains structural integrity in the face of heat provided to the steering wheel (e.g., a fabric instead of a film for the base material 100)
  • the sensor circuit 8 may include one or more sensing zones, such as sensing zones 124a, 124b, 124c, which are designated as zones 1-3 for example, and that are distinct and spaced apart from each other.
  • the shield circuit 7 and the heater mat 6 may include one or more conductive zones, such as conductive zones 54a, 54b, 54c and 52a, 52b, 52c, respectively, which correspond to the sensing zones on the sensor mat and which allow for selective zone shielding and heating.
  • An electronic control unit (ECU) 30, which is shown in FIG. 7, is in electronic communication with the heater mat 6, the sensor circuit 8, the shield circuit 7, and one or more other vehicle systems (not shown).
  • sensor return wires 34a-34c extend between the ECU 30 and each sensing circuit 124a-124c, respectively, and conductive feed wires 56a-56c and 58a-58c extend between the ECU 30 and each conductive loop 52a-52c and 54a-54c for the heater mat 6 and the shield circuit 7, respectively.
  • the ECU 30 includes a processor 31 and a power source 32.
  • the processor 31 is configured for detecting input from a driver, such as presence of a hand, adjacent each sensing loop 124a- 124c.
  • a driver such as presence of a hand
  • an electrical signal from one or more sensing loops 124a-124c is communicated to the processor 31, and the processor 31 determines if the signal indicates input from the driver.
  • the signal may be generated through capacitance-type sensing, and the processor 31 may compare the generated signal with a range of signals that indicates presence of the driver’s hand or other parts of the driver’s body.
  • the sensing circuits 124a, 124b, 124c and the processor 31 may also be configured to detect various types of user input in each respective sensing zone, such as a grip, swipe motion, tap motion, etc., from signals received from the sensor mat.
  • the sensor mat may be configured for detecting when no, one, or both hands are on the steering wheel and/or when a knee is touching the steering wheel.
  • the embodiments are not limited to only sensing a human, other animal or a given body part, but the substrate 190 has appropriate circuits to sense any conductive object whether a static, inanimate object that causes an electrical response in the circuits of the substrate or a living dynamic animal or human.
  • the power source 32 is configured for selectively generating an electrical current through one or more conductive loops 52a-52c of the heater mat 6 for heating at least a portion of the outer skin 20 and a voltage signal through one or more conductive loops 54a-54c (i.e., the shielding circuit 7, 122) for shielding at least a portion of the sensor circuit 8, 124A-C from interference from the steering wheel frame 12.
  • the heating current is greater than a shielding current.
  • the heating current is around 4 to around 8 amperes, which is sufficient for producing heat for heating the skin 20 of the steering wheel
  • the shielding current is less than about 200 microamperes, which is sufficient for shielding the sensor mat 8 from the steering wheel frame 12, according to some implementations.
  • the shielding current may be between about 9 to about 11 microamperes.
  • the heating current may be about 7 amperes and the shielding current may be around 10 microamperes.
  • the ECU 30 may include at least a first circuit and a second circuit between the power source 32 and the conductive loops 52a-52c and 54a-54c, respectively.
  • the first circuit receives the heating current, which is a simple, resistive voltage current, to heat the area adjacent the conductive loops 52a-52c.
  • the second circuit receives the shielding current, which may be a frequency-specific signal, for example, to shield the area adjacent the conductive loops 54a-54c.
  • the frequency-specific signal of the second circuit is configured for matching, as close as possible, the capacitance voltage signal generated for the sensing mat.
  • the level of heating current, sensing voltage level or shielding voltage signal to be generated by the power source 32 is controlled by the processor 31, according to one
  • the processor 31 may be configured to instruct the power source 32 to generate the heating current in one or more conductive loops 52a-52c in response to receiving input from a button, switch, or other suitable input mechanism disposed on the steering wheel or elsewhere in the vehicle.
  • the processor 31 may be configured for generating the heating current in response to receiving input from one or more sensing loops 124a- 124c.
  • the processor 31 may be further configured to instruct the power source 32 to generate the heating current for a particular conductive loop(s) 52a-52c that is adjacent the particular sensing loop(s) 124a-124c that senses the presence of the driver’s hand(s).
  • This configuration allows the system to save energy by only heating those portions of the steering wheel rim for which the presence of the driver’s hand is sensed. For example, if the processor 31 senses the presence of the driver’s hand adjacent sensing circuit 124a, the processor 31 may generate the heating current through the conductive loop 52a that is adjacent sensing loop 124a to warm the portion of the steering wheel under the driver’s hand. In another implementation, or in addition to the implementation described above, the processor 31 may be configured for instructing the power source 32 to generate the heating current until the earlier of the steering wheel reaching a preset temperature or receiving an override signal from another vehicle system indicating that sensing in one or more zones takes priority over heating.
  • the processor 31 may receive a temperature signal from one or more temperature sensors in the steering wheel and determine from the temperature signal whether the preset temperature has been reached.
  • a typical heater regulation range can be anywhere from about 30° C to about 42° C.
  • the temperature is typically detected using one or more thermistors, such as a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) type thermistor, according to certain implementations.
  • NTC negative temperature coefficient
  • the thermistor provides feedback to the processor 31, and the processor 31 uses the temperature feedback to regulate the target temperature on the steering wheel.
  • the override signal may indicate to the processor 31 that another system should receive electrical resources that would otherwise be allocated to the heater mat 6 for the heater function or that input from the sensor mat 8 takes priority over heating.
  • the processor 31 may be configured for instructing the power source 32 to alternate generation of the heating current and the shielding voltage signal periodically, such as alternating every about 10 to about 50 milliseconds. In other implementations, the period may be between about 10 to about 100 milliseconds. The period of alternation may be set based on the speed of the processor 31, the outside or inside temperature, or the preferences of the driver, for example. In addition, on board temperature monitoring may affect the timing, such as to prevent overheating of the controller itself. Or, if a specific fault condition is detected and the ECU 30 needs to prioritize managing that fault condition, the timing may be affected.
  • a first power source 62A is provided for generating a heating current for the heater mat 6 and a second power source 62B is provided for generating a shielding voltage signal for the shield circuit 7.
  • the first 62A and second power sources 62B are shown in FIG. 8 as being within two separate ECUs 60A, 60B, respectively, but, alternatively, these may be included in one ECU 60, as shown in FIG. 9. These implementations allow the system to provide for continuous shielding and heating when desired, for example.
  • ECU 60A or 60 may include a first circuit for receiving the heating current from power source 62A, which is a simple, resistive voltage current, to heat the area adjacent the conductive loops of heater mat 6.
  • ECU 60B or 60 may include a second circuit for receiving the shielding voltage signal from power source 62B, which may be a frequency-specific signal, for example, to shield the area adjacent the conductive loops of shield mat 7.
  • signals carried by sensor return wires associated with each sensing zone may generate noise in the sensing loops or sensor return wires associated with adjacent zones when the wires are too close to each other. This noise decreases the ability of the sensor mat to detect presence of a hand adjacent one or more sensing zones.
  • cross talk from a sensor return wire from one zone that crosses over another zone may result in unintended detection from another zone. Accordingly, various
  • implementations described herein provide for shielding around at least a portion of the sensor return wires that may be disposed adjacent another sensing zone or sensor return wire to isolate the signal(s) carried by the sensor return wire(s).
  • biometric type sensors may be disposed in the vehicle to work in conjunction with hand sensing through the steering wheel using non-biometric type sensors. These biometric sensors may be disposed on the steering wheel or elsewhere in the vehicle. Examples of these biometric type sensors include retina detection, heart rate monitoring, arousal state monitoring, and driver detection (e.g., in a vehicle seat).
  • the ECU 30 is in electronic communication with the heater mat 16, the sensor circuit 18, and one or more other vehicle systems (not shown).
  • the sensor return wires 34a-34c extend between the ECU 30 and each sensing zone and conductive feed wires 36a-36c from the heater mat 16 extend between the ECU 30 and each portion of a heater mat used with the substrate of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic top view of the sensor circuit 18 showing the path of each of three sensor return wires 34a, 34b, 34c extending from their respective sensing circuit zones 124a, 124b, 124c.
  • the sensor return wire 34a extends over a portion of sensing loop 124b, which may be a source for interference for sensing loop 124b.
  • sensing loop 124b which may be a source for interference for sensing loop 124b.
  • one or more of the sensor return wires 34a-34c extending between the ECU 30 and the sensing loops 124a- 124c may include shielding around at least a portion of the sensor return wire 34a-34c.
  • Coupled means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
  • the figures utilize an exemplary computing environment in which example embodiments and aspects may be implemented.
  • the computing device environment is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality.
  • Numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing devices environments or configurations may be used. Examples of well-known computing devices, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, network personal computers (PCs), minicomputers, mainframe computers, embedded systems, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
  • Computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executed by a computer may be used.
  • program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
  • Distributed computing environments may be used where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network or other data transmission medium.
  • program modules and other data may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.
  • a computing device In its most basic configuration, a computing device typically includes at least one processing unit and memory. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, memory may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two.
  • RAM random access memory
  • ROM read-only memory
  • flash memory etc.
  • Computing devices may have additional features/functionality.
  • computing device may include additional storage (removable and/or non-removable) including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 2 by removable storage and non-removable storage.
  • Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the device and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.
  • Computer storage media include volatile and non-volatile, and removable and non removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memory, removable storage, and non-removable storage are all examples of computer storage media.
  • Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable program read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computing device. Any such computer storage media may be part of computing device.
  • Computing device 200 may contain communication connection(s) that allow the device to communicate with other devices.
  • Computing device may also have input device(s) such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc.
  • Output device(s) such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included. All these devices are well known in the art and need not be discussed at length here. It should be understood that the various techniques described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware components or software components or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Illustrative types of hardware components that can be used include Field- programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs),
  • FPGAs Field- programmable Gate Arrays
  • ASICs Application-specific Integrated Circuits
  • ASSPs Application-specific Standard Products
  • SOCs System-on-a-chip systems
  • CPLDs Complex Programmable Logic Devices
  • the methods and apparatus of the presently disclosed subject matter, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium where, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the presently disclosed subject matter.
  • program code i.e., instructions
  • FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a computer environment in which the above described electronic control unit operates.
  • the ECU 30, designated to control sensing and shielding operations as described above processes signals, whether power signals or data signals, received from and/or provided to the shield circuit 7, the sensor circuit 8, and a heater mat 6.
  • the ECU 30 can be configured with computer implemented software to ensure that the circuits in the overall shielding, sensing, and heating systems of this disclosure operate for the purposes described above.
  • the ECU 30 may be local to the substrate 190 of this disclosure, and in certain non-limiting embodiments, may include a somewhat basic configuration 206 that is tailored to control only the sensing, shielding, and heating circuits in a substrate installation.
  • This local ECU 30 may also be connected to a more global vehicle control system that implements a plurality of vehicle systems and accessories with more powerful hardware configurations, generally designated as a computerized vehicle data management system 200.
  • a vehicle-wide data management system 200 will likely include system memory and processors, but will also incorporate more sophisticated kinds of memory devices 208, 210, multiple I/O connections 212, 214, and a network interface controller 216 for diverse data communications throughout the vehicle.
  • the various components of computerized systems utilized for sensing technology herein are selected to transfer data or even power signals between source devices and recipient devices according to various implementations that tailored to the use at hand.
  • the embodiments of this disclosure may utilize any kind of computer operations capable of network connection, including accessories such as human machine interface systems (e.g., touch pad(s), touch sensitive areas on a display, and/or switches for interfacing with one or more components on a data communications network handling occupant sensing and
  • accessories such as human machine interface systems (e.g., touch pad(s), touch sensitive areas on a display, and/or switches for interfacing with one or more components on a data communications network handling occupant sensing and
  • exemplary implementations may refer to utilizing aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter in the context of one or more stand-alone computer systems, the subject matter is not so limited, but rather may be implemented in connection with any computing environment, such as a network or distributed computing environment. Still further, aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter may be implemented in or across a plurality of processing chips or devices, and storage may similarly be effected across a plurality of devices.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Cardiology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Force Measurement Appropriate To Specific Purposes (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de détection d'occupant ou d'objet dans un véhicule qui comprend des circuits électriques pour une détection capacitive et des circuits correspondants blindant le système de détection contre les interférences. Un circuit de détection et un circuit de blindage peuvent être imprimés avec de l'encre conductrice sur des côtés opposés d'un substrat non conducteur. Le substrat est un film plastique ou un autre tissu qui possède une structure à mémoire élastique qui est résilient à l'étirement. L'encre conductrice utilisée pour imprimer des circuits sur le substrat possède une résilience similaire à l'étirement de telle sorte que le substrat et les circuits sur celui-ci peuvent être soumis à des forces de déformation sans rompre les circuits imprimés. Le substrat peut être recouvert avec une couche de polymère carboné pour fournir des chemins conducteurs alternatifs qui permettent une récupération rapide pour une conduction en présence d'une quelconque rupture dans les pistes conductrices imprimées sur le substrat.
PCT/US2019/037309 2019-06-14 2019-06-14 Appareil et procédé de production d'un substrat de détection WO2020251590A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE112019007633.7T DE112019007633T5 (de) 2019-06-14 2019-06-14 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Herstellung eines sensorischen Substrats
CN201980098056.6A CN114026440A (zh) 2019-06-14 2019-06-14 生产感测基板的设备和方法
PCT/US2019/037309 WO2020251590A1 (fr) 2019-06-14 2019-06-14 Appareil et procédé de production d'un substrat de détection

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2019/037309 WO2020251590A1 (fr) 2019-06-14 2019-06-14 Appareil et procédé de production d'un substrat de détection

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070188180A1 (en) * 2006-02-10 2007-08-16 Deangelis Alfred R Printed capacitive sensor
US20130082970A1 (en) * 2010-06-11 2013-04-04 3M Innovative Properties Company Positional touch sensor with force measurement
US20140303287A1 (en) * 2011-05-06 2014-10-09 Board Of Supervisors Of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College Self-Healing Composite of Thermoset Polymer and Programmed Super Contraction Fibers
US20170059417A1 (en) * 2015-08-31 2017-03-02 Soongsil University Research Consortium Techno-Park Tactile sensor and method for manufacturing the same

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070188180A1 (en) * 2006-02-10 2007-08-16 Deangelis Alfred R Printed capacitive sensor
US20130082970A1 (en) * 2010-06-11 2013-04-04 3M Innovative Properties Company Positional touch sensor with force measurement
US20140303287A1 (en) * 2011-05-06 2014-10-09 Board Of Supervisors Of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College Self-Healing Composite of Thermoset Polymer and Programmed Super Contraction Fibers
US20170059417A1 (en) * 2015-08-31 2017-03-02 Soongsil University Research Consortium Techno-Park Tactile sensor and method for manufacturing the same

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CN114026440A (zh) 2022-02-08
DE112019007633T5 (de) 2022-04-28

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