Folding Steering Wheel Concealment for Autonomous Cockpit Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with autonomous driving capabilities, the steering wheel occupies space and hinders the installation of a large screen, and folding it renders airbags unusable, posing a safety threat.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel hiding system that includes a steering wheel assembly, a steering column, and a display, which can telescopically embed into a center console, controlled by a movement device, and a display movement device to obscure the wheel when not in use, ensuring the steering wheel does not occupy space and enhancing cockpit aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the steering wheel is kept visible and accessible, then driving safety and control are ensured, but it occupies space and hinders the installation of a large screen in autonomous driving mode
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is designed with dynamic mobility, capable of rotating into the center console and folding during autonomous driving mode to free up space, while remaining accessible during manual driving mode to ensure driving safety
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel assembly is divided into separable components that can be independently moved or folded, allowing the steering wheel to be hidden in the center console while maintaining the ability to be quickly deployed when needed
2Area of stationary object
If the steering wheel is folded to free up space, then cockpit aesthetics and space utilization improve, but airbag functionality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is designed to dynamically deploy from the folded steering wheel position, ensuring that while the steering wheel is hidden to improve aesthetics and space, the airbag can still function properly when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag is positioned as an intermediary element between the steering wheel assembly and the driver, capable of deploying from the center console position to provide protection even when the steering wheel is folded away
3Area of stationary object
If the steering wheel is hidden in autonomous driving mode, then cockpit aesthetics and space utilization improve, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel hiding mechanism is merged with the existing center console structure, integrating the rotation and folding functions into the console's design to reduce overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The center console is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support and a hiding position for the steering wheel, while also potentially housing control interfaces for the autonomous driving system
Data Source
AI summary
A steering wheel hiding system for a vehicle is provided. By acquiring the driving state of the vehicle, determine whether the vehicle is in an autonomous driving state. After determining that the driving state is an autonomous driving state, control the folding of the steering wheel assembly and the movement of the column, and control the movement of the vehicle's display to obscure the steering wheel assembly. This ensures that the steering wheel does not occupy driving and passenger space while obscuring the steering wheel to enhance the aesthetics of the cockpit. Additionally, by using the display to obscure the steering wheel, a large screen can be installed in the cockpit, improving office comfort.