IP Library Granted Patent US 12687411
Granted Patent B2
US 12687411 · App. 18/738,503 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Gripping detection device and steering device

Inventors: Kazuma Horie (Miyagi, JP); Takeshi Masaki (Miyagi, JP)
Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
G01D5/24B62D1/06
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12687411
App. No.
18/738,503
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A gripping detection device includes a capacitive sensor part that is provided at a spoke portion of a steering wheel and includes a detection electrode facing a rim portion of the steering wheel; a control part configured to control the capacitive sensor part; and a determination part configured to determine presence or absence of a finger gripping the rim portion based on a hover detection result obtained by the capacitive sensor part. The control part includes a processor, and a memory storing one or more programs, which when executed, cause the processor to: use a core metal of the steering wheel as a shield electrode of the capacitive sensor part.

Claims (32)

1 . A gripping detection device, comprising:

a capacitive sensor part that is provided at a spoke portion of a steering wheel and includes a detection electrode facing a rim portion of the steering wheel;

a control part configured to control the capacitive sensor part; and

a determination part configured to determine presence or absence of a finger gripping the rim portion based on a hover detection result obtained by the capacitive sensor part, wherein

the control part includes

a processor, and

a memory storing one or more programs, which when executed, cause the processor to:

use a core metal of the steering wheel as a shield electrode of the capacitive sensor part,

wherein

the detection electrode is provided integrally with a switch unit that is provided in the spoke portion of the steering wheel, and

wherein

the switch unit includes

a pair of corners at positions facing the rim portion, and

the capacitive sensor part includes

a first detection electrode that is the detection electrode bent and disposed along one of the pair of corners, and

a second detection electrode that is the detection electrode bent and disposed along another corner of the pair of corners.

2 . The gripping detection device according to claim 1 , wherein

the one or more programs, when executed, cause the processor to:

drive the core metal of the steering wheel as an active shield electrode.

3 . The gripping detection device according to claim 2 , wherein

the core metal of the steering wheel is an integrally provided core metal of:

a rim core metal portion provided at a center of the rim portion; and

a spoke core metal portion forming the spoke portion, wherein

the control part is connected to the spoke core metal portion, and

the one or more programs, when executed, cause the processor to:

drive the rim core metal portion as the active shield electrode through the spoke core metal portion.

4 . The gripping detection device according to claim 2 , wherein

the one or more programs, when executed, cause the processor to:

drive the active shield electrode by a drive signal having a waveform synchronized with a drive signal of the detection electrode.

5 . A steering device, comprising:

the gripping detection device of claim 1 ; and

the steering wheel.