Foldable Steering Wheel Mechanism for Driver Seat Space Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering wheel design occupies valuable space in the driver's seat when not in use, particularly during vehicle stopping or autonomous driving, limiting spatial utilization and convenience in the vehicle cabin.
Innovation Solution
A foldable steering wheel mechanism that combines linear and rotational movement, allowing the steering wheel to be folded into the cockpit, utilizing a moving device with gear members and a guide device to create a linear and rotating movement path, ensuring the airbag module remains fixed and secure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering wheel is placed in the initial location for normal driving, then the driver can control the vehicle direction, but the available space in the driver's seat is reduced and spatial utilization is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is transformed from a static component to a dynamic one that can change its position and orientation. The moving device enables the steering wheel to move linearly along the radial direction and rotate around a rotation shaft, allowing it to adapt between a normal driving position and a folded position, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining steering functionality and maximizing available space.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is moved from a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional configuration by introducing linear movement along the radial direction and rotational movement around a rotation shaft. This dimensional transformation allows the steering wheel to fold into the cockpit, effectively utilizing vertical and rotational dimensions to reduce its footprint in the driver's seat area.
2Area of stationary object
If the steering wheel is folded to secure space, then spatial utilization is improved, but the steering function must be temporarily suspended
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel's dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt between two functional states: a normal driving position where steering is active, and a folded position where space is maximized. The moving device enables smooth transitions between these states, allowing the system to adjust its configuration based on operational requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a moving device with gear members is added to enable folding, then the steering wheel can be folded, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-component mechanical folding mechanisms with a more streamlined gear-based moving device. The gear members engage with the steering wheel to provide both linear and rotational movement, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining the folding capability. This mechanical substitution reduces the number of parts and simplifies the control system compared to traditional folding mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable steering wheel is configured to be folded or unfolded due to linear movement and rotating movement of the steering wheel to secure an available space in a driver's seat, and the foldable steering wheel includes an armature body connected to a column, the steering wheel coupled to the armature body, configured to be linearly moved in a radial direction with respect to a steering shaft of the column, and configured to be rotatably moved on a rotation shaft which is unparallel to the steering shaft, and a moving device engaged to the steering wheel and configured to generate a linear movement path and a rotating movement path of the steering wheel to move the steering wheel with respect to the armature body.