Rotation control system and method for a steering wheel

Abstract

An autonomous driving vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an autonomous driver assistance system configured to provide direction control of the vehicle during an autonomous vehicle driving state. The vehicle further includes a steering wheel. The vehicle also includes a plurality of wheels that are electrically connected to the steering wheel and are controlled by the autonomous driver assistance system during the autonomous vehicle driving state and by the steering wheel during a non-autonomous vehicle driving state.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Patent Application No. CN201610609675.5, titled "Rotational Control System and Method for a Steering Wheel", filed on July 29, 2016 (priority date: July 30, 2015). Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments described herein relate to a steering wheel assembly, and more particularly to a rotational control system for a steering wheel. Background Art

[0003] When developing autonomous vehicles, many opportunities for driver entertainment and functionality will arise. The steering wheel is typically restricted to a standard driving position due to the driver's need to manipulate the steering wheel during vehicle operation. These restrictions may be unnecessary during the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a rotational control system for a steering wheel is provided. The rotational control system includes a steering wheel that can be switched between a rotational state and a non-rotational state. The rotational control system further includes a steering device operatively coupled to a plurality of wheels of the vehicle, and the steering wheel and the steering device are electrically coupled to each other. The rotational control system further includes a controller operatively communicating with the steering wheel and the steering device, and the controller is configured to control the steering device independently of the steering wheel when the vehicle is in an autonomous vehicle driving state.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an autonomous vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an autonomous driver assistance system configured to provide direction control of the vehicle during an autonomous vehicle driving state. The vehicle further includes a steering wheel. The vehicle further includes a plurality of wheels electrically coupled to the steering wheel and controlled by the autonomous driver assistance system during the autonomous vehicle driving state and controlled by the steering wheel when the vehicle is in a non-autonomous vehicle driving state.

[0006] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a rotational state of a steering wheel is provided. The method includes switching between an autonomous vehicle driving state and a non-autonomous vehicle driving state, wherein a plurality of wheels are electrically controlled by the steering wheel in the non-autonomous vehicle driving state and controlled by an autonomous driving assistance system in the autonomous vehicle driving state. The method further includes switching between a rotational state and a non-rotational state of the steering wheel in the autonomous vehicle driving state.

[0007] These and other advantageous features will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. In light of the accompanying drawings, the above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 An exemplary vehicle having a rotational control system for a steering wheel is illustrated; and

[0010] Figure 2 A flowchart of a method for illustrating the operation of the rotational control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Now referring Figure 1 , a rotational control system 10 for a steering wheel 12 is provided, which will be described herein with reference to specific embodiments without limiting the present invention. The rotational control system 10 facilitates switching between a rotatable state and a non-rotatable state of the steering wheel 12. Such control is advantageous in a vehicle capable of operating in an autonomous driving mode. Autonomous driving refers to a vehicle configured to operate without continuous input from a driver (e.g., steering, accelerating, braking, etc.) and may be equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, also referred to herein as autonomous driving assistance system 15. The autonomous driving assistance system 15 includes a processing device and a controller 26 that allow the vehicle to autonomously control using sensing, steering, and / or braking technologies. When the autonomous driving assistance system 15 is activated, the steering wheel 12 is not required for vehicle control, and thus, the steering wheel does not need to be rotated during the autonomous driving mode. Fixing the steering wheel 12 in a non-rotating state provides the driver with the opportunity to use the steering wheel 12 as a workbench or an armrest, for example, when the steering wheel 12 is moved from a standard driving position to a different direction. In some embodiments, the steering wheel 12 is moved to a substantially horizontal direction to allow an object to be placed thereon. Moreover, the non-rotation of the steering wheel 12 provides the ability to retract the steering wheel 12 to a stowed position, thereby allowing the driver to enjoy additional foot space and generally more space.

[0012] Embodiments of the rotational control system 10 described herein can be incorporated with many types of vehicles. In some embodiments, the vehicle is a "drive-by-wire" vehicle that does not include a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and a steering device 18 operatively coupled to a plurality of wheels 20. In a drive-by-wire vehicle, the steering wheel 12 and the steering device 18 are electrically coupled. The vehicle is steered by using an electric power steering device 18 and an input shaft rotated by a first actuator 22, such as a servo actuator. The first actuator 22 receives an electronic communication signal of the steering wheel rotation formed by the driver. The driver's road feel is simulated by a second actuator 24, such as a servo actuator, by applying a haptic feedback in the form of torque to the steering wheel 12. The second actuator 24 is operatively coupled to the steering wheel 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the second actuator 24 is coupled to a steering column 28, and the steering column 28 is coupled to the steering wheel 12.

[0013] As described above, the autonomous driving assistance system 15 is configured to be activated when an autonomous vehicle driving state is required. The driver can switch between the autonomous vehicle driving state and the non-autonomous vehicle driving state. The non-autonomous vehicle driving state includes the driver controlling the steering wheel to control the direction of the vehicle in a conventional manner. The driver can switch (i.e., activate and deactivate the autonomous driving mode) between the autonomous and non-autonomous driving states by a cue (such as a "handshake"), such as a specific rotation or torque applied by the driver to the steering wheel 12. Alternative cues can be used in combination with switches, buttons, operations, sound cues, etc. Regardless of the cue, the driving mode is switched to the required state.

[0014] By switching from the non-autonomous driving state to the autonomous driving state, the signal from the steering wheel 12 to the steering device 18 is interrupted or ignored, thereby disabling the direction control of the wheels 20 by the steering wheel. In this transition, the autonomous driving assistance system 15 is activated to control the direction of the wheels 20 of the vehicle. Sensors, navigation devices, processing devices, a controller 26, and / or other devices are collectively referred to as the autonomous driving assistance system 15. For illustrative purposes, the controller 26 is shown separately, but it should be understood that the controller 26 is part of the autonomous driving assistance system 15. In combination with other devices of the autonomous driving assistance system 15, the controller 26 controls the direction of the wheels 20 in the autonomous vehicle driving state. In some embodiments, the control includes controlling the first actuator 22, which works with the steering device 18 to control the wheels 20.

[0015] When in an autonomous vehicle driving state, the steering wheel as described above can be switched between the rotating state and the non-rotating state. In some cases, for various reasons, the driver may desire to keep the steering wheel 12 rotating even when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous driving state. If rotation is needed, the driver simply allows the steering wheel 12 to rotate in a manner corresponding to the angular displacement of the wheels 20 while keeping his or her hands off the steering wheel, thereby intentionally deactivating the autonomous driving state. However, in many cases, the driver will need the non-rotating state of the steering wheel 12. As described above, during the non-rotating state, the steering wheel 12 can be used as a function or entertainment-related structure. For example, when the vehicle is in an autonomous driving state, the steering wheel 12 can be tilted to a substantially horizontal position, or any other angle. This enables non-steering uses of the steering wheel 12. In one embodiment, non-rotation allows the steering wheel 12 to be used as a tray table to rest an arm or an object thereon. For example, a mobile phone or a notebook can be placed thereon for use during the autonomous driving mode. In another embodiment, the steering wheel 12 retracts forward towards the vehicle's dashboard, expanding the cabin space and providing the driver with additional comfort and convenience. In yet another embodiment, due to the fixed orientation of the steering wheel, the non-rotating steering wheel provides a platform for electronic devices that monitor the cabin, the driver, and the vehicle controller.

[0016] In the case of switching between autonomous and non-autonomous driving states, the rotating and non-rotating states of the steering wheel 12 can be switched by a cue (such as a "handshake"), for example, a specific rotation or torque applied by the driver to the steering wheel 12. Alternative cues can be used in conjunction with switches, buttons, operations, sound cues, etc.

[0017] After entering the autonomous driving state, the autonomous driving assistance system 15 interrupts or stops the signal that is normally delivered from the steering wheel input to the first actuator 22 and / or the steering device 18, as described above. At the same time, the autonomous driving assistance system 15 communicates with the steering wheel assembly via the controller 26 to stop the rotation of the steering wheel 12 after entering the non-rotating state, thereby locking the steering wheel 12 in terms of rotation. As described above, when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous driving state, the driver is allowed to selectively switch between the rotating state and the non-rotating state to obtain the above advantages.

[0018] As those skilled in the art should understand, the physical angular position of the steering wheel 12 can be offset relative to the actual physical position of the wheels 20 during and immediately after operating the vehicle in an autonomous driving state. Therefore, after switching from the autonomous driving state to the non-autonomous driving state, the direction control of the wheels 20 is slightly delayed for the driver's actual takeover to accommodate the re-alignment of the positions of the steering wheel 12 and any related components with the wheels 20. This delay may not be perceptible to the driver.

[0019] Let's seeFigure 2 A method for controlling the rotation of a steering wheel is illustrated in the form of a flowchart. The method includes operating the vehicle 30 in a steer-by-wire mode, and the driver controls the direction of the wheels 32 with the steering wheel. The method also includes determining 34 whether an autonomous driving assistance system is activated. If it is not activated, the driver continues to provide steering control of the vehicle 36. If it is activated, the autonomous driving assistance system provides steering control 38. In the activated state, the steering wheel rotation state selected by the driver is determined 40. If the driver inputs a prompt to select the non-rotating state of the steering wheel, the steering wheel enters the non-rotating state 42 and the steering wheel can be used for non-steering purposes 44. If the driver does not input a prompt to select the non-rotating state, the driver simply keeps his or her hands off the steering wheel 46 and a second actuator matches the tire angle with the steering wheel rotation 48.

[0020] As described above, when transitioning from the autonomous driving mode to the non-autonomous driving mode, the physical angular position of the steering wheel 12 matches the actual physical position of the wheels 20. As Figure 2 shown, in some embodiments, the steering wheel is in the "straight ahead" position during the autonomous driving mode 50. A determination 52 is made as to whether the autonomous driving assistance system is activated. If it is activated, no action 54 is required to align the steering wheel with the wheels. If it is not activated 56, the system matches the steering wheel and wheel angles 58 and then transitions to allow the driver to provide direction control of the vehicle 60.

[0021] Figure 2 The flowchart and its related description above relate to the transition between the non-autonomous driving state and the autonomous driving state. As described above, to transition back from the autonomous driving state to the non-autonomous driving state, the driver simply inputs a specific prompt to deactivate the control of the wheels by the autonomous driving assistance system.

[0022] Although only a limited number of embodiments of the present invention are described in detail, it should be readily understood that the present invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Instead, the present invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, changes, substitutions, or equivalent configurations that have not been previously described but are in line with the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, although various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that aspects of the present invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not considered to be limited by the above description.

Claims

1. A rotational control system for a steering wheel, which comprises: A single steering wheel, the entire steering wheel being convertible between a rotational state and a non-rotational state, in the non-rotational state, the steering wheel angle of the entire steering wheel is in a straight-ahead position, and the rotational state is the rotation of the steering wheel corresponding to the angular displacement of a plurality of vehicle wheels, wherein the steering wheel can be used as a function or entertainment-related structure during the non-rotational state; A steering device operatively coupled to the plurality of vehicle wheels, the steering wheel and the steering device being electrically coupled to each other; and A controller operatively communicating with the steering wheel and the steering device, the controller being configured to control the steering device independently of the entire steering wheel when the vehicle is in an autonomous vehicle driving state, and the controller being configured to allow conversion between the rotational state and the non-rotational state at any time when the vehicle remains in the autonomous vehicle driving state, wherein the controller is part of an autonomous driving assistance system capable of determining and controlling the direction control of the vehicle; and A first actuator operatively coupled to the steering device, the first actuator being controlled by the steering wheel in a non-autonomous vehicle driving state and being controlled by the autonomous driving assistance system in an autonomous vehicle driving state, wherein, in the non-autonomous vehicle driving state, a signal is transmitted from the steering wheel to the first actuator and / or the steering device, and the autonomous driving assistance system interrupts or stops the signal in the autonomous vehicle driving state.

2. The rotational control system according to claim 1, wherein, it further comprises a second actuator operatively coupled to the steering wheel, the second actuator providing tactile feedback to the driver in response to the movement of the steering device and the plurality of vehicle wheels.

3. The rotational control system according to claim 1, wherein, the vehicle can be converted between the autonomous vehicle driving state and the non-autonomous vehicle driving state by a mode conversion device, and the mode conversion device comprises one of a switch, a button, a handle, and an audible cue.

4. The rotational control system according to claim 1, wherein, the steering wheel can be converted between the rotational state and the non-rotational state by a rotation conversion device, and the rotation conversion device comprises one of a switch, a button, a handle, and an audible cue.

5. The rotational control system according to claim 1, wherein, the steering wheel can be transferred to a horizontal position during the autonomous vehicle driving state.

6. The rotational control system according to claim 1, wherein, the steering wheel angle matches the wheel angle and is transformed to allow the driver to provide direction control of the vehicle.

7. A method for controlling the rotational state of a single steering wheel, which comprises: Switching between an autonomous vehicle driving state and a non-autonomous vehicle driving state, wherein the plurality of wheels are electrically controlled by a steering wheel in the non-autonomous vehicle driving state, and the plurality of wheels are controlled by controlling a steering device by an autonomous driving assistance system in the autonomous vehicle driving state, and wherein the steering device is operatively coupled to the plurality of wheels, and the steering wheel and the steering device are electrically coupled to each other; and During operation in the autonomous vehicle driving state, manually switching between a rotating state and a non-rotating state of the entire steering wheel by using a rotation conversion device, the rotation conversion device including one of a switch, a button, a handle, and an audible cue, in the non-rotating state, the steering wheel angle of the entire steering wheel is in a straight-ahead position, the rotating state is a rotation of the steering wheel corresponding to an angular displacement of the plurality of wheels, and wherein the steering wheel can be used as a function or entertainment-related structure during the non-rotating state, wherein a first actuator is operatively coupled to the steering device, the first actuator is controlled by the steering wheel in the non-autonomous vehicle driving state, the first actuator is controlled by the autonomous driving assistance system in the autonomous vehicle driving state, and wherein, in the non-autonomous vehicle driving state, a signal is transmitted from the steering wheel to the first actuator and / or the steering device, and the autonomous driving assistance system interrupts or stops the signal in the autonomous vehicle driving state.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, further comprising moving the steering wheel to a horizontal position during the autonomous vehicle driving state.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein, further comprising determining when to activate the rotating state and changing the steering wheel angle to match the wheel angle.

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