Integrated Steering Wheel and Accelerator Control Board
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current automobile control systems require drivers to constantly hold the steering wheel and operate pedals, leading to fatigue and discomfort, while also hiding important vehicle controls and potentially failing to deploy airbags effectively in collisions.
Innovation Solution
An integrated control board combining a steering wheel and accelerator pedal with a shock-absorbing member, featuring a magnet assembly and torsion spring for easy operation and automatic return, along with buttons for various vehicle functions, allowing drivers to control the vehicle with their hands and improve safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drivers constantly hold the steering wheel and operate pedals, then vehicle control is maintained, but driver fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel incorporates a torsion spring mechanism that automatically returns the wheel to its neutral position after steering input, eliminating the need for drivers to continuously apply force to maintain straight-line driving. This self-returning feature reduces driver fatigue while maintaining reliable vehicle control.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel uses intermittent steering inputs followed by automatic return to neutral position, rather than continuous manual holding. This periodic action pattern allows the driver to make steering corrections only when needed, reducing cumulative fatigue from constant arm engagement.
2Reliability
If drivers frequently operate accelerator and brake pedals, then speed control is achieved, but leg and ankle fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator pedal is integrated with the steering wheel assembly, allowing the driver to control both steering and acceleration functions from a single location. This merging of controls reduces the need for frequent leg movements to the pedal, thereby reducing leg and ankle fatigue while maintaining speed control capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drivers stretch arms to operate center fascia controls, then vehicle functions are controlled, but driving comfort and safety decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel assembly integrates multiple vehicle control functions including steering, acceleration, braking, and various vehicle system controls (lights, wipers, audio) into a single multi-functional interface. This allows drivers to operate all vehicle functions without stretching to reach separate controls, improving both comfort and safety.
4Ease of manufacture
If steering wheel and accelerator pedal are separate components, then traditional control layout is maintained, but driver fatigue and operational convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the steering wheel and accelerator pedal into a single control board assembly, where the accelerator pedal is positioned within the steering wheel structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps while improving driver convenience through integrated control of steering and acceleration functions.
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
Reduces driver fatigue, enhances vehicle control convenience, and improves safety by allowing hands-free operation of essential vehicle functions and providing a shock-absorbing mechanism to minimize injury in collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring that keeps the steering wheel at a center position
Implementation Method 2
a magnet assembly composed of five magnets connected through the coupling hole formed at the upper portion of the accelerator pedal lever
Implementation Method 3
a shock-absorbing member that is disposed at the lower end of the control board
Data Source
AI summary
A control board having an integrated structure of a steering wheel and an accelerator pedal may include a control board that may be disposed ahead of a driver's seat in a vehicle, an accelerator pedal lever that moves up/down on the control board, a steering wheel that may be turnably mounted by a coupling hole at an upper portion of the accelerator pedal lever, a shift button unit and a start button unit that may be formed in types of buttons on the control board, and a shock-absorbing member that may be disposed at a lower end of the control board, wherein the control board may be connected to a cylinder rod in a dashboard, so the control board pops up in use and returns not in use.