Adaptive Steering Wheel Positioning for Ergonomic Work Surface Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering wheel systems fail to ensure an ergonomic position when transferred from a steering position to a non-steering position, leading to potential discomfort and safety issues due to improper alignment, which can result in objects slipping off or causing strain when used as a work surface.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors vehicle and occupant parameters, such as inclination and size, to adjust the steering wheel's position optimally when transitioning to a non-steering position, using a combination of sensors, actuators, and adjustment devices for the steering column and seat, ensuring ergonomic alignment and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel is transferred from steering position to non-steering position, then the vehicle occupant can use it as a work surface, but the position may be too low, too high or at a less comfortable angle causing objects to slip off or leading to tension
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between steering position and non-steering position with adjustable angle and height. The system automatically adapts the steering wheel's position parameters (angle, height, horizontal position) based on the detected operation mode and vehicle inclination, ensuring ergonomic comfort in both steering and work surface modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the steering wheel position (angle, height, horizontal distance from driver) when transitioning between steering and non-steering modes. The monitoring device detects vehicle inclination and automatically adjusts these parameters to maintain an ergonomic and stable working surface position regardless of vehicle orientation.
2Reliability
If the steering wheel position is fixed based on driving position, then the steering function is optimized, but the position is not ergonomic when used as a work surface
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel system is dynamically configurable between steering mode and work surface mode. When in work surface mode, the system automatically adjusts the steering wheel's angle, height, and horizontal position to ergonomic parameters suitable for working, while maintaining the ability to return to the optimized steering position when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is designed as a universal component that can serve dual functions: steering operation and work surface. The system automatically adapts the steering wheel's position parameters based on the detected mode, ensuring both steering reliability and work surface ergonomics are optimized for their respective functions.
3Measurement precision
If the steering wheel is adjusted manually for each position change, then precise positioning is possible, but the process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting the operation mode (steering or work surface) and vehicle inclination, then autonomously positioning the steering wheel to the appropriate ergonomic parameters. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment by the driver, saving time and reducing complexity while maintaining precise positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device continuously detects vehicle inclination and operation mode, providing feedback to the control system which automatically adjusts the steering wheel position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures accurate positioning is maintained adaptively without requiring manual intervention.
4Device complexity
If the steering wheel position does not adapt to vehicle inclination, then the system is simple, but objects may slip off the work surface
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts the steering wheel's position parameters (particularly angle and horizontal position) based on detected vehicle inclination. When the vehicle is on an incline, the system compensates by repositioning the steering wheel to maintain a level work surface, preventing objects from sliding off while adding only moderate system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle has a steering wheel which can be transferred from a steering position into a non-steering position and vice versa, having a system which only enables the transfer of the steering wheel into the non-steering position when the vehicle is in a non-steered state and when an activation signal for the transfer into the non-steering position. The system includes a monitoring device configured and arranged such that the steering wheel in its non-steering position can be set such that its position with respect to a vehicle occupant is ergonomically optimally adapted at least according to ascertained parameters.