Fixed Steering Wheel Sensing to Eliminate Cable Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle steering systems face issues with complex cable connections that limit movement, risk wear, and malfunction, particularly in boats, due to the need for multiple rotations and increased complexity, leading to higher costs and vulnerability to wear and tear.

Innovation Solution

A fixed steering wheel system with integrated sensors, such as capacitive, optical, or thermal sensors, detects hand movements along the grip to generate steering signals, eliminating the need for rotational movement and allowing for diverse connections without wear or interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the steering wheel is made rotatable to control the vehicle, then the steering control function is achieved, but the number of connection cables increases and they intertwine during rotation causing wear and malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering controlVSAvoidcable connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical rotation-based steering system with an electronic sensor-based system. Sensors detect hand movements on the fixed steering wheel and convert them into electronic steering signals, eliminating the need for rotational mechanical connections and cables that cause wear and interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of rotating the steering wheel to generate steering control, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the steering wheel fixed and detecting hand movements on it. The steering control is generated electronically from sensor data rather than mechanically from wheel rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the steering wheel rotates multiple times to translate steering cylinders along the entire stroke, then the steering range is achieved, but the connection cables are subjected to repeated bending and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering rangeVSAvoidcable service life

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based steering transmission with an electronic sensor system. Sensors detect hand movements and generate electronic signals that control the steering cylinders directly, eliminating repeated mechanical bending and wear on connection cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If sliding contacts are used to reduce cable connections, then the number of cable connections is reduced, but the system becomes more complex and prone to breakages and malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable connection complexityVSAvoidcontact reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical sliding contacts with electronic sensors that detect hand movements and generate steering signals. This eliminates the need for physical electrical contacts between moving and fixed parts, reducing complexity and improving reliability by removing wear-prone mechanical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides stable and functional steering control by translating hand movements into electronic signals, reducing cable wear, enhancing reliability, and enabling additional vehicle functions without increasing complexity or cost.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor system comprises one or more capacitive sensors placed on the steering wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

A fixed steering wheel system with integrated sensors, such as capacitive, optical, or thermal sensors, detects hand movements along the grip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

A fixed steering wheel system with integrated sensors, such as capacitive, optical, or thermal sensors, detects hand movements along the grip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal detection: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS12503213B2Vehicle steering system

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 ULTRAFLEX

AI summary

A vehicle steering system includes a control steering wheel, a transmission system, and a steering actuator, the control steering wheel being configured to generate steering signals, transmitted to the steering actuator through the transmission system. The control steering wheel is fixedly mounted and comprises a sensor system configured to detect the position of one or both of a user's hands on the grip of the control steering wheel, the generation of steering signals being performed based on the variation of the position of one or both of the hands along the grip of the control steering wheel.