Laterally Moving Steering Wheel for Automated Driving Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated driving vehicles face a challenge in balancing driver comfort and forward visibility, as existing systems that raise the steering wheel to expand space in front of the driver's seat worsen forward visibility when the vehicle is in motion.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle steering apparatus with a mechanically separable steering wheel that moves between a manipulation position and a withdrawn position, allowing the steering wheel to be folded back and stored in a recessed portion, ensuring unobstructed visibility and expanded space during automated driving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the steering wheel is raised up to expand space in front of the driver's seat, then driver comfort is improved, but forward visibility is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver comfortVSAvoidforward visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The steering system is divided into two independent parts: a steering wheel for manual operation and a separate steering mechanism. This segmentation allows the steering wheel to be moved laterally without affecting the steering function, resolving the contradiction between comfort and visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the steering wheel vertically (raising it up), the invention moves it laterally to a withdrawn position between the driver and passenger seats. This dimensional change expands front space while maintaining visibility through the original steering mechanism position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the steering wheel is moved to a withdrawn position to expand space, then forward visibility is improved, but driver control capability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforward visibilityVSAvoiddriver control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The steering wheel position is made dynamic rather than fixed. It can be laterally moved between manipulation and withdrawn positions, allowing the system to adapt between automated and manual driving modes, maintaining control capability when needed while enabling visibility when automated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The steering wheel serves multiple functions: it can be positioned at the manipulation position for manual driving control and at the withdrawn position for automated driving with improved visibility and passenger access. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between control capability and visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If the steering wheel is mechanically separated from the steering mechanism, then space expansion is improved, but system complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace in front of driver's seatVSAvoidsteering system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The direct mechanical connection between the steering wheel and steering mechanism is replaced with a lateral movement mechanism. This substitution enables independent positioning while maintaining functional connection through the steering mechanism, achieving space expansion without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11345388B2Vehicle steering apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering wheel that is mechanically separable from a steering mechanism of a vehicle, and a lateral movement mechanism that moves the steering wheel between a manipulation position set in front of a driver's seat and a withdrawn position set to a position located between the manipulation position and a position in front of a passenger seat.