Auxiliary Steering System for Lateral Vehicle Parking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles face difficulties in maneuvering into space-limited areas due to their large turning radius, especially during parallel parking, which can result in accidents and frustration, and omni-directional vehicles with synchronized steering motors are expensive and complex.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary steering system that allows vehicles to be driven laterally into parking spots using a user interface, front and rear wheel rotating mechanisms with grooved plates and tapered edges, and a controller to synchronize the wheels' movement, enabling orthogonal alignment and lateral displacement without longitudinal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional automobile type vehicles use front or rear wheel steering, then the vehicle can travel in straight lines and turn, but the turning radius is large making it difficult to maneuver into limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wheel steering angle dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The system allows wheels to be steered at variable angles including 90 degrees from equilibrium position, enabling the vehicle to change from conventional steering mode to lateral movement mode adaptively based on parking space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lateral movement capability by steering wheels 90 degrees from the equilibrium position, adding a new dimension of motion perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. This allows the vehicle to move laterally into parking spaces rather than only moving forward or backward
2Ease of operation
If omni-directional vehicles use synchronized steering motors for all wheels, then the vehicle can travel in any direction without changing position, but the system becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the steering control into two distinct modes: conventional steering mode for normal operation and lateral movement mode for parking. Instead of requiring all wheels to be steered simultaneously in all directions, the system selectively steers wheels 90 degrees from equilibrium only when lateral parking is needed, simplifying the overall control mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing steering mechanism universal by enabling it to perform both conventional steering functions and lateral movement functions. The same steering system that controls wheels for forward motion can also steer wheels 90 degrees from equilibrium to enable lateral parking, eliminating the need for separate omni-directional mechanisms
3Manufacturing precision
If parallel parking is performed by repeatedly moving forward and backward, then the vehicle can be positioned in tight spaces, but the process is time-consuming and risks striking parked cars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary alignment by steering wheels 90 degrees from equilibrium before entering the parking space. This allows the vehicle to approach the parking spot laterally and position itself precisely in one or two movements rather than requiring multiple forward-backward maneuvers, significantly reducing parking time and eliminating the risk of striking parked cars
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary vehicle steering system includes a user interface for receiving a user input and transmitting a control output signal associated with the input signal. The interface is located within the vehicle. A mechanism is included for rotating a vehicle's front wheels along an arcuate path offset 90 degrees from equilibrium. The front wheel rotating mechanism includes grooved plates that have tapered outer edge portions extending along an outer perimeter thereof. A mechanism is included for rotating a vehicle's rear wheels along an arcuate path offset 90 degrees from equilibrium. The rear wheel rotating mechanism includes grooved plates that have tapered outer edge portions extending along an outer perimeter thereof. A controller is coupled to the interface that receives the control output signal and instructs the front wheel and the rear wheel rotating mechanisms to contemporaneously register the wheels orthogonal to the vehicle so that same can be laterally displaced.