Steering apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a steering apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a track disposed on a crash pad of the vehicle; a base unit coupled to the rail so as to be movable along the rail; a steering unit coupled to the base unit and configured to adjust a moving direction of the vehicle; and a controller operably connected to the base unit and the steering unit and configured to adjust at least one of a position of the base unit and a tilt angle of the steering unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a steering device for a vehicle, and to a steering device movable on a track provided on a shock pad. Background Art

[0002] With the development of detection technology data and processing technology for the surrounding environment, vehicles have reached a technical level that allows vehicles to drive autonomously. Therefore, various studies are underway to enable the steering device of a vehicle to perform functions other than steering when the vehicle is driving in an autonomous driving mode or even when the steering device is performing the function of the steering device while the driver is resting in the vehicle.

[0003] The information included in this background of the present disclosure is only for enhancing the understanding of the general background of the present disclosure, and may not be regarded as an admission or suggestion in any form that this information constitutes the prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to providing a steering device configured to include various functions, and to providing a vehicle steering device configured to increase user convenience due to multiple modes such as an autonomous driving mode, a manual driving mode, and the like.

[0005] In view of the above, a vehicle steering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a track provided on a shock pad of a vehicle; a base unit coupled to the track to be movable along the track; a steering unit coupled to the base unit and configured to adjust a moving direction of the vehicle; and a controller operably connected to the base unit and the steering unit and configured to adjust at least one of a position of the base unit and an inclination angle of the steering unit.

[0006] The steering unit may include: a steering wheel configured to adjust a moving direction of the vehicle; and a steering column coupled to the base unit to interconnect the steering wheel and the base unit.

[0007] The steering wheel may include, on its rear surface, a light configured to emit light or a speaker configured to emit sound.

[0008] The steering wheel may include, on its front surface, a touch sensor configured to control on / off of the light.

[0009] The touch sensor may be configured to determine whether a driver is holding the steering wheel when the vehicle is in a semi-autonomous driving mode.

[0010] A plurality of lights may be provided, and when the vehicle changes lanes or turns left or right, the lights in the corresponding direction may blink.

[0011] When it is determined that the vehicle is in an emergency situation (including crossing the center line or inadvertently changing lanes), a sound having a frequency that causes vibration in the steering wheel may be emitted.

[0012] The steering wheel may include a bracket at the center of its front surface, and a user communication terminal configured to communicate with the vehicle is mounted on the bracket.

[0013] The bracket may be provided with a wireless charging system therein to wirelessly charge the user communication terminal when the mounted user communication terminal supports wireless charging.

[0014] The user communication terminal mounted on the bracket may be configured to display vehicle status information including vehicle speed, the capacity of the battery mounted on the vehicle, or the remaining fuel amount.

[0015] The steering device may further include a steer-by-wire (SBW) system, wherein a first connector may be provided in the base unit, a second connector may be provided in the steering unit, the first connector and the second connector may be connected to each other to electrically interconnect the base unit and the steering unit, and the first connector may be configured to transmit a steering signal generated from the steering unit to the SBW system.

[0016] The base unit may be provided with a sliding motor that engages with a track and is configured to move the base unit along the track.

[0017] The steering unit or the base unit may be provided with a tilt motor that engages with the steering unit and is configured to adjust the tilt angle of the steering unit.

[0018] The steering unit or the base unit may be provided with a telescopic motor that is configured to adjust the length of the steering unit in a predetermined direction of the steering unit.

[0019] A passenger of the vehicle can select one of a plurality of modes including an autonomous driving mode of the vehicle via the user communication terminal or a controller configured to communicate with the vehicle.

[0020] When the vehicle is in the autonomous driving mode, the base unit may slide away from the driver along the track.

[0021] When switching the vehicle from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode or canceling the autonomous driving mode, the base unit may slide toward the driver along the track.

[0022] During the internal mode, a light provided on the rear surface of the steering wheel included in the steering unit may emit light toward the shock pad, or a speaker mounted on the rear surface of the steering wheel may emit a sound.

[0023] During the content viewing mode, the angle between the base unit and the steering unit can be 90 degrees or less than 90 degrees, and the base unit can slide along the track and be separated from the driver by a predetermined distance.

[0024] The steering unit can be configured to be attachable / detachable from the base unit and installable at multiple points within the vehicle.

[0025] The base unit can be configured such that multiple accessories including a cup holder configured to be heated or refrigerated can be attached to or detached from the base unit.

[0026] According to the multiple steering devices of the present disclosure, user convenience can be increased according to multiple modes such as an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode.

[0027] The method and apparatus of the present disclosure have other features and advantages that will be apparent from or more particularly set forth in the accompanying drawings incorporated herein and the following detailed description, which together are used to explain certain principles of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a view schematically showing a steering device for a vehicle corresponding to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship of components of a steering device for a vehicle; and

[0030] Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 are views respectively exemplarily showing the states of a steering device for a vehicle according to a vehicle driving mode.

[0031] Figure 6 are other accessories attached to the base unit, with the steering unit detached from the base unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the present disclosure to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present disclosure is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0033] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments described in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements are provided with the same or similar reference numerals, and thus their repeated description will be omitted.

[0034] When describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein, detailed descriptions of known functions or configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it is determined that such description may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. In addition, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings are provided only for the purpose of facilitating an easy understanding of the exemplary embodiments set forth herein, and the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited to the accompanying drawings and includes all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to the terms. These terms are only intended to distinguish one element from other elements.

[0036] Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless they are clearly different in context.

[0037] As used herein, the expressions "comprising," "including," or "having" are intended to specify the presence of the recited features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, and should be construed as not precluding the possible presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0038] In the following description, the terms "module" and "unit" for elements are provided or used interchangeably only for the ease of writing the specification, and do not have different meanings or functions per se.

[0039] In a case where an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to any other element, it should be understood that not only is the element directly connected or coupled to the other element, but other elements may be present therebetween. Conversely, in a case where an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to any other element, it should be understood that no element is present therebetween.

[0040] The controller may include a communication device that communicates with other controllers or sensors to control functions, a memory that stores an operating system or logical instructions, input / output information, etc., and one or more processors that perform determinations, calculations, decisions, etc.

[0041] Figure 1 is a view schematically showing a steering device for a vehicle corresponding to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship of components of a steering device for a vehicle.

[0042] The rail 100 is provided on the shock-absorbing pad 10 of the vehicle. The rail 100 is provided on the top surface of the shock-absorbing pad 10 to cross the shock-absorbing pad 10 in the width direction, or may be provided to cross the shock-absorbing pad 10 in the longitudinal direction.

[0043] The rail 100 is a path along which the steering unit 500 that adjusts the moving direction of the vehicle moves, and a base unit 300 that can move along the rail 100 is provided. One end of the base unit 300 is coupled to the rail 100, and the other end of the base unit 300 is coupled to the steering unit 500. When the base unit 300 moves along the rail 100, the steering unit 500 coupled to the base unit 300 can also move along the rail 100. As will be described later, the base unit 300 is provided with a sliding motor, and the base unit 300 can move by the operation of the sliding motor. The base unit 300 is provided with a pinion, and the rail is provided with a rack so that the base unit can move.

[0044] Of course, in order to move the base unit 300 on the rail, known methods such as the ball nut screw method can be used.

[0045] The steering unit 500 is coupled to the base unit 300 so as to be tiltable about the base unit 300.

[0046] In addition, a controller 700 electrically connected to the base unit 300 can move the base unit 300 on the rail 100 to adjust the position of the base unit 300 or adjust the tilt angle of the steering unit 500.

[0047] As will be described later, the steering unit 500 and the base unit 300 can be connected to each other in a hinged manner, and a tilt motor can be coupled to the hinge shaft so that the tilt angle of the steering unit can be adjusted by operating the tilt motor.

[0048] With the above configuration, the position of the steering unit 500 within the shock-absorbing pad 10 is adjustable, and in the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle when the steering unit 500 is not in use or in a state where the vehicle is not driven, the tilt angle of the steering unit 500 can be adjusted to move the steering unit 500 so that the steering unit 500 can be located on the shock-absorbing pad 10.

[0049] That is, referring to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 ,as Figure 3 shown, when the vehicle is not driven or is being driven in the autonomous driving mode, the steering unit 500 can move away from the driver and perform additional functions.

[0050] In addition, as Figure 4As shown, a user communication terminal 20 or the like can be installed on a bracket 590 to be described later. In order to view the content of the user communication terminal 20, the steering unit 500 can be spaced a predetermined distance from the driver, and the tilt angle of the steering unit 500 can be adjusted to an angle suitable for the driver to view the video of the user communication terminal 20.

[0051] In contrast, as Figure 5 shown, when the vehicle is driven in a manual driving mode, the steering unit 500 can be positioned close to the driver so that the driver can steer the vehicle by using the steering unit 500.

[0052] Currently, the position of the base unit 300 can be adjusted, and the tilt angle of the steering unit 500 can also be adjusted, allowing each driver to set an optimal manual driving mode.

[0053] Meanwhile, the steering unit 500 can include: a steering column 530 coupled to a steering wheel 510 that adjusts the moving direction of the vehicle; and a base unit 300 for interconnecting the steering wheel 510 and the base unit 300.

[0054] The vehicle driving device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a steer-by-wire (SBW) system 900, and the tilt angle of the wheels can be changed through the SBW system 900.

[0055] The SBW system 900 is a wheel steering device capable of omitting the mechanical connection between the wheels and the steering wheel 510, and adjusts the tilt angle of the wheels by transmitting the driver's steering intention using an electrical signal.

[0056] Referring to Figure 2 , a steering motor M1 is provided on the steering wheel 510. When the driver turns the steering wheel 510, the steering motor M1 can generate torque according to the situation to provide an appropriate reaction force, and generate a steering signal through the torque applied by the driver to the steering wheel 510.

[0057] By sending the generated steering signal to the SBW system 900, the tilt angle of the wheels can be changed. The base unit 300 is connected to the SBW system 900 through a known connection device such as a wire. In addition, the base unit 300 may be provided with a first connector C1, the steering column 530 of the steering unit 500 may be provided with a second connector C2, and when the first connector C1 and the second connector C2 are connected to each other, the base unit 300 and the steering unit 500 can be electrically interconnected.

[0058] The steering signal generated by the rotation of the steering wheel 510 can be transmitted to the base unit 300 through an electrical connection, and the base unit 300 can transmit the steering signal to the SBW system 900.

[0059] With this method, in the manual driving mode, the moving direction of the vehicle can be adjusted by adjusting the tilt angle of the wheels.

[0060] Meanwhile, a lamp 511 configured to emit light or a speaker 513 configured to produce sound can be installed on the rear surface of the steering wheel 510. When the vehicle is parked or in the autonomous driving mode in which the steering wheel 510 is not used, additional functions other than steering the vehicle can also be performed via the lamp 511 or the speaker 513 provided on the steering wheel 510.

[0061] For example, as Figure 3 shown, when the vehicle is not being driven or the vehicle is in the autonomous driving mode, the steering unit 500 can be used as a mood light or a lamp that provides light for reading by positioning the steering unit 500 at the rearmost end portion of the track, adjusting the tilt angle of the steering unit 500, and operating the lamp 511.

[0062] Alternatively, as Figure 4 shown, when viewing content, the sound included in the content can be emitted from the speaker 513 installed on the rear surface of the steering unit 500.

[0063] In the current mode, by performing the additional functions of the steering unit 500, the interior of the vehicle can be converted into a space for various activities.

[0064] Meanwhile, a touch sensor 517 configured to control the on / off of the lamp 511 can be provided on the front surface of the steering wheel 510. The user (or driver) can control the on / off of the lamp 511 by touching the touch sensor provided on the front surface of the steering wheel 510. When the user drives the vehicle in the manual driving mode, the controller 700 electrically connected to the touch sensor can be configured to determine whether the user is driving the vehicle while holding the steering wheel 510, and when it is determined that the driver is not holding the steering wheel 510, the touch sensor can emit a warning signal via the speaker 513.

[0065] Therefore, when the vehicle is in the semi-autonomous driving mode, it can be determined via the touch sensor 517 whether the driver is holding the steering wheel 510.

[0066] A plurality of lamps 511 can be installed on the rear surface of the steering wheel 510. The lamps can be arranged one by one in the up, down, left, and right directions along the circumference of the steering wheel 510. The lamp 511 can perform various functions. When the vehicle changes lanes or turns left / right, the lamp 511 in the corresponding direction can blink.

[0067] In addition, the speaker 513 installed on the rear surface of the steering wheel 510 can also perform various functions. For example, when the vehicle is determined to be in an emergency situation, including crossing the center line of the road or inadvertently changing lanes of the road, the speaker may emit sound at a frequency that causes vibration in the steering wheel 510.

[0068] Depending on the material of the steering wheel 510, although the frequency range is different, in order to attract the driver's attention through vibration at a predetermined frequency, normal low-frequency band sounds can also be emitted.

[0069] The steering wheel 510 is provided with a bracket 590 at the center of its front surface, and the user communication terminal 20 configured to communicate with the vehicle is installed on the bracket 590. The user communication terminal 20 can be a smart phone, and when the user communication terminal 20 is installed on the bracket 590, the user communication terminal 20 can be connected to the vehicle via a known communication scheme such as Bluetooth to communicate with the vehicle.

[0070] A groove can be formed on the bracket 590, and an elastic object can be provided in the groove so that the user communication terminal 20 can be placed on the bracket 590 while lifting the object upward. Known smart phone installation schemes can be used to install the user communication terminal 20 so that the user communication terminal does not fall from the steering wheel 510.

[0071] At the same time, a wireless charging system can be provided inside the bracket 590 so that when the installed user communication terminal 20 supports wireless charging, the user communication terminal can be wirelessly charged via the wireless charging system.

[0072] Therefore, when watching content while using the steering wheel 510 as the bracket 590 for the user communication terminal 20, the battery of the user communication terminal 20 can be charged simultaneously.

[0073] In addition, the user communication terminal 20 installed on the bracket 590 can be used as the vehicle's dashboard. That is, when the user communication terminal 20 is installed on the bracket 590, the user communication terminal 20 can be connected to the vehicle to display information related to the current vehicle state.

[0074] For example, the user communication terminal 20 can display information related to the current driving speed of the vehicle, the capacity of the battery currently installed in the vehicle, or the remaining fuel amount, battery voltage status, coolant temperature, mileage, or engine RPM.

[0075] At the same time, refer to Figure 2, the base unit 300 may be provided with a sliding motor M2 configured to move the base unit 300 along the track 100. When the sliding motor M2 operates, the base unit 300 may move along the track 100 provided on the shock pad 10, and thus, the position of the base unit 300 can be adjusted.

[0076] In addition, the steering unit 500 and the base unit 300 may be hingedly connected to each other at the hinge axis of the steering unit 500 and the base unit 300, and the tilt motor M3 may be coupled to the hinge axis. The steering unit 500 or the base unit 300 may be provided with a tilt motor M3 configured to adjust the tilt angle of the steering unit 500. The tilt motor M3 may be provided in the steering unit 500 or the base unit 300 to adjust the tilt angle of the steering unit 500 coupled to the base unit 300. When the tilt motor M3 is provided in the steering unit 500, the tilt motor may be provided in the steering column 530 of the steering unit 500, and when the tilt motor M3 operates, the steering column 530 rotates around the base unit 300 and the tilt angle is adjusted.

[0077] In addition, the steering unit 500 or the base unit 300 may be provided with a telescopic motor M4 configured to adjust the length of the steering unit 500 in its front-rear direction. The telescopic motor M4 may be provided in the steering unit 500 or the base unit 300 to adjust the length of the steering unit 500 in its front-rear direction.

[0078] When the telescopic motor M4 is provided in the steering unit 500, the telescopic motor may be provided in the steering column 530 of the steering unit 500, and when the telescopic motor M4 operates, the steering column 530 may move away from or towards the base unit 300, so as to adjust the length of the steering unit 500 in the front-rear direction.

[0079] The telescopic motor may move the steering column by a ball nut threading method. That is, the ball nut is provided in the steering column and coupled to the threaded member, and when the telescopic motor rotates the threaded member, the steering column can move while the ball nut moves on the threaded member.

[0080] In this way, the controller 700 can apply power to the sliding motor M2, the tilt motor M3, and the telescopic motor M4 to move the base unit 300 on the track 100, rotate the steering unit 500 around the base unit 300, or adjust the length of the steering unit 500 in its front-rear direction.

[0081] The user can directly adjust the position of the base unit 300, the tilt angle of the steering unit 500, or the length of the steering unit 500 in the front - rear direction via the controller 700, but can also adjust the position of the base unit 300, the tilt angle of the steering unit 500, or the length of the steering unit 500 in the front - rear direction via the user communication terminal 20 configured to communicate with the vehicle.

[0082] The user stores the position of the base unit 300, the tilt angle of the steering unit 500, or the length of the steering unit 500 in the front - rear direction as having a specific value in the controller 700 or the user communication terminal 20, thereby enabling multiple modes. The multiple modes can be modes set by default in the vehicle or can be modes directly set by the user.

[0083] For example, referring to Figure 3 , the user can set the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle. When the user selects the autonomous driving mode, the base unit 300 can slide away from the driver along the track. At this time, the position where the base unit 300 moves can vary according to the stored value, and not only the movement of the base unit 300 can be adjusted, but also the tilt angle of the steering unit 500 and the length of the steering unit 500 in the front - rear direction can be adjusted.

[0084] Even if the user sets the vehicle to the autonomous driving mode, the user can change the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode and can release the autonomous driving mode according to the surrounding environment. If the driving mode is changed to the manual driving mode or the autonomous driving mode is released according to the surrounding environment, as Figure 5 shown, the base unit 300 can slide along the track to approach the driver, and when it is determined that the driver of the vehicle can directly control the steering unit 500, the vehicle can enter the manual driving mode or can release the autonomous driving mode.

[0085] Meanwhile, the multiple modes can include an interior mode. The interior mode can be selected together with the selection of the autonomous driving mode. Refer to Figure 3 , when the interior mode is selected, the angle formed by the base unit 300 and the steering unit 500 becomes 180 degrees, the lamp 511 installed on the rear surface of the steering wheel 510 included in the steering unit 500 can emit light, or the speaker 513 installed on the rear surface of the steering wheel 510 can play music.

[0086] In addition, the multiple modes include a content viewing mode, and when the content mode is selected, the angle formed by the base unit 300 and the steering unit 500 becomes 90 degrees or less than 90 degrees, and the base unit 300 slides along the track to be separated from the driver by a predetermined distance.

[0087] The content mode can be selected simultaneously with the selected autonomous driving mode and can be selected individually when the vehicle is parked, so that the interior of the vehicle can be converted into a space for viewing content.

[0088] In one of the above-mentioned multiple modes, the base unit 300 can move on the track 100 according to the stored value, and the moving position can change according to the stored value. In addition, not only the movement of the base unit 300 can be set, but also the tilt angle of the steering unit 500 and the length of the steering unit 500 in the front-rear direction can be set, and the tilt angle of the steering unit 500 and the length of each steering unit in the front-rear direction can be adjusted according to the value set by the user.

[0089] At the same time, the steering unit 500 can be detached / attached to the base unit 300. In addition, the steering unit 500 can be arranged at multiple points in the vehicle. For example, in the vehicle, known connection devices for supplying power to the steering unit 500 can be arranged at multiple points, and the steering unit 500 can be connected to the connection devices to receive power.

[0090] The steering unit 500 provided outside the base unit 300 can be used as a lamp 511 or a speaker 513. That is, the steering unit 500 can be arranged at points in the vehicle other than the base unit 300 and perform additional functions by serving as a lamp or a speaker.

[0091] See Figure 6 , a plurality of accessories can be detached / attached to the base unit 300 to which the steering unit 500 is detached / attached. For example, a cup holder 30 configured to be heated / cooled can be attached to the base unit 300 to raise or lower the temperature of the beverage in the cup holder 30.

[0092] With the above-mentioned multiple steering devices of the present disclosure, user convenience can be increased according to multiple modes such as the autonomous driving mode and the manual driving mode.

[0093] In addition, a term related to a control device such as "controller", "control device", "control unit", "control apparatus", "control module", "control circuit", or "server" refers to a hardware device including a memory and a processor configured to execute one or more steps interpreted as an algorithm structure. The memory stores the algorithm steps, and the processor executes the algorithm steps to perform one or more processes of the method according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented by a non-volatile memory and a processor, the non-volatile memory being configured to store an algorithm for controlling the operation of each component of the vehicle or data on software commands for executing the algorithm, and the processor being configured to perform the above operations using the data stored in the memory. The memory and the processor may be separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be integrated in a single chip. The processor may be implemented as one or more processors. The processor may include various logic circuits and operation circuits, may be configured to process data according to a program provided from the memory, and may be configured to generate a control signal according to the processing result.

[0094] The control device may be at least one microprocessor operated by a predetermined program, and the predetermined program may include a series of commands for performing the methods included in the above various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0095] The foregoing invention may also be embodied as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device capable of storing data readable by a computer system subsequently and storing and executing program instructions readable by a computer system subsequently. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a silicon disk drive (SDD), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc. and an implementation as a carrier wave (e.g., transmission through the Internet). Examples of the program instructions include machine language code (such as machine language code generated by a compiler) and high-level language code executable by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0096] In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the above operations may be performed by the control device, and the control device may be configured by a plurality of control devices or an integrated single control device.

[0097] In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the memory and the processor may be provided as one chip or as separate chips.

[0098] In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the scope of the present disclosure includes software or machine-executable commands (e.g., operating systems, applications, firmware, programs, etc.) for enabling the operations of methods according to different embodiments to be executed on a device or computer, and non-transitory computer-readable media storing such software or commands and executable on the device or computer.

[0099] In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the control device may be implemented in the form of hardware or software, or may be implemented in a combination of hardware and software.

[0100] In addition, terms such as "unit", "module", etc. included in the specification refer to a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0101] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle may be referred to based on a concept including various transportation means. In some cases, a vehicle may be interpreted as based on not only various land transportation means (such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses) traveling on roads but also various transportation means such as airplanes, drones, ships, etc.

[0102] For the convenience of description and to accurately define the appended claims, referring to the positions of such features shown in the drawings, terms such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "upward", "downward", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "back", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "inner", "outer", "inner", "outer", "forward", and "backward" are used to describe the features of the exemplary embodiments. It should be further understood that the term "connected" or its derivatives refer to direct connection and indirect connection.

[0103] The term "and / or" may include combinations of multiple related listed items or any of the multiple related listed items. For example, "A and / or B" includes all three cases, namely "A", "B", and "A and B".

[0104] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, "at least one of A and B" may refer to "at least one of A or B" or "at least one of a combination of at least one of A and B". In addition, "one or more of A and B" may refer to "one or more of A or B" or "one or more of a combination of one or more of A and B".

[0105] In this specification, unless otherwise stated, singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0106] In the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the possibility of adding or existing one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0107] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, components may be combined with each other to be implemented as one, or some components may be omitted.

[0108] Hereinafter, the fact that hardware blocks are operably coupled may include the fact of establishing direct and / or indirect connections between the hardware blocks through wired and / or wireless means.

[0109] For purposes of illustration and description, the foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. Exemplary embodiments have been chosen and described in order to illustrate certain principles of the present invention and its practical applications, so that others skilled in the art can make and utilize the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and their various alternatives and modifications. The scope of the present disclosure is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A steering device for a vehicle, the steering device comprising: A track disposed on a shock pad of the vehicle; A base unit coupled to the track to be movable along the track; A steering unit coupled to the base unit, and the steering unit is configured to adjust a moving direction of the vehicle; And A controller operatively connected to the base unit and the steering unit, and the controller is configured to adjust at least one of a position of the base unit and an inclination angle of the steering unit.

2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein, The steering unit includes: A steering wheel configured to adjust the moving direction of the vehicle; and A steering column coupled to the base unit to interconnect the steering wheel and the base unit.

3. The steering device according to claim 2, wherein, The steering wheel includes on a rear surface of the steering wheel at least one of a lamp configured to emit light and a speaker configured to emit sound.

4. The steering device according to claim 3, wherein, The steering wheel includes on a front surface of the steering wheel a touch sensor configured to control on / off of the lamp.

5. The steering device according to claim 4, wherein, The controller electrically connected to the touch sensor is configured to determine whether a driver is holding the steering wheel in response to the vehicle being in a semi-autonomous driving mode.

6. The steering device according to claim 3, wherein, The lamp is a plurality of lamps, and in response to the vehicle changing lanes or turning left or right, the controller is further configured to cause the lamps located in a corresponding direction among the plurality of lamps to blink.

7. The steering device according to claim 3, wherein, In response to determining that the vehicle is in an emergency situation including crossing a center line or inadvertently changing lanes, the controller is further configured to emit sound at a frequency that causes vibration in the steering wheel.

8. The steering device according to claim 2, wherein The steering wheel includes a bracket at a center of a front surface of the steering wheel, and a user communication terminal configured to communicate with the vehicle is mounted on the bracket.

9. The steering device according to claim 8, wherein, A wireless charging system is provided in the bracket to wirelessly charge the user communication terminal when the mounted user communication terminal supports wireless charging.

10. The steering device according to claim 8, wherein, The user communication terminal mounted on the bracket is configured to display vehicle status information including a vehicle speed, a capacity of a battery mounted on the vehicle, or a remaining fuel amount.

11. The steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A steer-by-wire system is further included, wherein the base unit includes a first connector, the steering unit includes a second connector, the first connector and the second connector are connected to each other to electrically interconnect the base unit and the steering unit, and the first connector is configured to send a steering signal generated by the steering unit to the steer-by-wire system.

12. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein, The base unit includes a sliding motor engaged with the track, and the sliding motor is configured to move the base unit along the track.

13. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein, The steering unit or the base unit includes a tilt motor engaged with the steering unit, and the tilt motor is configured to adjust an inclination angle of the steering unit.

14. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein, The steering unit or the base unit includes a telescopic motor engaged with the steering unit, and the telescopic motor is configured to adjust a length of the steering unit in a predetermined direction.

15. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein, In response to the vehicle being in an autonomous driving mode, the controller is further configured to slide the base unit away from the driver along the track.

16. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein, In response to the vehicle switching from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode or canceling the autonomous driving mode, the controller is further configured to slide the base unit towards the driver along the track.

17. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein, During the internal mode, the controller is further configured to control a light provided on the rear surface of the steering wheel included in the steering unit to emit light towards the shock pad, or to control a speaker mounted on the rear surface of the steering wheel to emit sound.

18. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein, During the content viewing mode, the angle between the base unit and the steering unit is 90 degrees or less than 90 degrees, and the controller is further configured to slide the base unit along the track to be separated from the driver by a predetermined distance.

19. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein The steering unit is configured to be attached to the base unit, or to be detached from the base unit and to be provided at multiple points within the vehicle.

20. The steering device according to claim 19, wherein, The base unit is configured such that a plurality of attachments are attachable to or detachable from the base unit, the plurality of attachments including a cup holder configured to be heated or refrigerated.

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