Movable Steering Wheel Layout for Smart Mobility Cockpits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In smart mobility vehicles, the fixed position of the steering wheel and occupant seating can obstruct the view of information displays, and adjusting the steering wheel to accommodate different occupants is limited, affecting driving convenience and safety.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus with a cockpit module and a switchable steering wheel that can move between the driver and passenger seats, featuring a locking mechanism to restrict rotation and a portable terminal holding space for vehicle control applications, along with an occupant recognition-based image display control system that adjusts the image display area to avoid obstructing the occupant's view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel is fixed in position, then the structure is simple and stable, but it blocks the occupant's view of information displays and cannot adapt to different occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is designed to be movable between different positions (driver seat and passenger seat) rather than fixed. The base plate can slide along the rail bracket in the longitudinal direction, and the steering wheel can be locked at different positions using the locking part with locking protrusions and locking grooves, enabling adaptation to different occupants while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be positioned for both driver and passenger seats, includes a portable terminal holding space for device placement, and integrates vehicle control applications. This multi-functionality allows a single steering wheel structure to adapt to different usage scenarios and occupants
2Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel is adjusted in top-to-bottom direction, then it can accommodate different occupant heights, but it has limited adjustment range within a fixed cockpit
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel adjustment is extended from the traditional single vertical dimension to include longitudinal movement along the vehicle's length. The base plate slides along the rail bracket in the longitudinal direction, adding a new dimension of adjustability that allows the steering wheel to reach both driver and passenger seats, significantly expanding the adjustment range beyond what vertical adjustment alone could achieve
3Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel position is switched between driver and passenger seats, then it can accommodate different occupants, but the steering wheel may rotate during switching affecting safety
Solution Approach 1:
The locking part with locking protrusions and locking grooves is designed to engage before the steering wheel position switching is completed. This preliminary locking action prevents the steering wheel from rotating during the position switching process, ensuring stability and safety while maintaining the ability to switch between driver and passenger seat positions
4Ease of operation
If information display is positioned at fixed location, then the display structure is simple, but it obstructs the occupant's view depending on build and position
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle control system uses the portable terminal to receive and process occupant information, then automatically adjusts the image display area position based on this feedback. This feedback mechanism ensures that the display does not obstruct the occupant's view while maintaining a relatively simple display structure by only adjusting the display area position rather than the entire display system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A steering apparatus of a smart mobility vehicle (10) includes: a cockpit module (220, 310) disposed in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat within a vehicle (10); a steering wheel (230, 324) part connected to the cockpit module (220, 310), and switchable between a position toward the driver seat and a position toward the passenger seat in a longitudinal direction of the cockpit module (220, 310); and a locking part to fix the steering part according to a preset condition. The cockpit module (220, 310) includes a first flat section (311) disposed in front of the driver seat and a second flat section (311) disposed in front of the passenger seat; and a locking section (311B, 311) curved upward to connect the first flat section (311) and the second flat section (311).