Steering Wheel Paddle Shifters for Recommended Driving Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems require users to remove their hands from the steering wheel to select driving modes, which can be inconvenient and unclear about when specific modes are beneficial.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system that includes paddle shifters coupled to the steering wheel, an electronic control unit, and sensors to allow users to change driving modes without taking their hands off the wheel, while also providing recommendations based on the driving environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional driving mode selection is used, then driving modes can be changed, but users must remove their hands from the steering wheel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving mode selection convenienceVSAvoidsteering control safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the driving mode selection function with the steering wheel by integrating paddle shifters into the steering wheel structure. This allows users to select driving modes while maintaining hand contact with the steering wheel, thus improving ease of operation without compromising steering control safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The paddle shifters act as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the driving mode selection system. By providing a dedicated control element on the steering wheel, users can change modes without removing their hands from the wheel, resolving the contradiction between convenient mode selection and safe steering control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If traditional driving mode selection is used, then driving modes can be changed, but it is unclear when certain drive modes are beneficial

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving mode selection clarityVSAvoiddriving mode recommendation information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback to the user by displaying information about current driving modes and their benefits. This feedback mechanism helps users understand when certain drive modes are beneficial, improving the clarity of mode selection and reducing information loss about mode appropriateness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of driving conditions and provides mode recommendations before the user makes a selection. By pre-processing environmental data and suggesting appropriate modes, the system proactively informs users about beneficial drive modes, improving selection clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12311965B2Vehicles, systems, and methods for selecting a recommended vehicle driving mode

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a steering wheel, one or more vehicle drive systems, one or more driving mode paddler shifters coupled to the steering wheel, an output device, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is communicatively coupled to the one or more driving mode paddle shifters, the one or more vehicle drive systems, and the output device. The electronic control unit is configured to receive a drive mode shifting signal from the one or more driving mode paddle shifter indicative of a desire to change a driving mode of the vehicle, change one or more parameters of the one or more vehicle drive systems in order to change the driving mode in response to the driving mode shifting signal, and provide a notification related to the change in the driving mode with the output device.