Method for assessing a driver's readiness to carry out a steering action, using sensor element array within steering wheel to determine position of driver's hands so that a warning or control system reacts accordingly

摘要

A method for measuring a driver's readiness to carry out a steering action, where a pressure or contact sensor is integrated in a vehicle steering wheel and generates electrical signals accordingly. The sensor has sensor elements arranged around the circumference of the wheel with segments defined perpendicular to the steering wheel rim so that it can be determined if the driver's hands are gripping the wheel from inside, outside, above or below.