Adjustable Instrument Panel and Steering Positioning for Driver Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle instrument panels are not adjustable to accommodate the individual physique of the driver, leading to potential dissatisfaction with the positioning of the panel and steering wheel.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with a movable instrument panel and steering wheel, controlled by actuators and a microprocessor, which adjusts the positions based on pre-stored target settings associated with each driver, ensuring optimal positioning for comfort and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the instrument panel position is uniformly set regardless of driver physique, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but driver satisfaction and operational comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel is designed to be movable in the front-rear direction through a first actuator, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position. The steering part is also movable relative to the instrument panel via a second actuator. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to different driver physiques and preferences, resolving the contradiction between uniform simplicity and individualized comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts the instrument panel and steering part positions based on driver information stored in the microprocessor. The microprocessor determines whether the driver has started a driving operation and automatically controls the actuators to position components optimally, eliminating the need for manual adjustment by the driver.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the instrument panel is movable to accommodate different drivers, then driver satisfaction improves, but the device complexity and control system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor serves multiple functions: it stores driver information, determines whether driving operation has started, controls the first actuator for instrument panel positioning, and controls the second actuator for steering part positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing system complexity while achieving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor previously stores target instrument panel positions and target steering positions associated with different drivers. When a driver starts a driving operation, the system retrieves and applies the pre-stored target positions, enabling automatic adaptation without real-time calculation or manual input, thus simplifying the control process.
3Ease of operation
If the instrument panel and steering part positions are automatically adjusted, then operational ease and safety improve, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs position adjustment periodically or event-driven rather than continuously. The microprocessor determines whether the driver has started a driving operation and only then activates the actuators to adjust positions. This periodic/event-driven operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous adjustment, while still providing automatic positioning when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle an instrument panel, a first actuator moving the instrument panel in a front-rear direction, a steering part provided in the instrument panel movable in the front-rear direction, a second actuator moving the steering part relatively with respect to the instrument panel, a microprocessor controlling the first actuator and the second actuator, and a memory previously storing a target instrument panel position and a target steering position in association with a driver. The microprocessor is configured to perform the controlling including determining whether the driver has started a driving operation, and when it is determined that the driver has started the driving operation, controlling the first actuator and the second actuator so that the instrument panel and the steering part are respectively located in the target instrument panel position and the target steering position stored in the memory.