Pivoting Multifunction Steering Wheel Decoupling Mechanism
Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous driving scenarios, the traditional steering wheel becomes a nuisance as it restricts driver freedom and can cause unintended vehicle movements if accidentally touched, and it lacks functionality beyond steering control.
Innovation Solution
A multifunction steering wheel that can pivot into a non-steering position, decoupling from the vehicle's direction-of-travel element, transforming into a flat surface for additional functions like a table or storage, and integrating switching elements for non-steering activities, with a fastening arm and hinge joint for easy conversion and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the steering wheel is permanently coupled to the direction-of-travel element, then steering control is always available, but the driver's freedom of movement is restricted and unintentional steering interventions can occur during autonomous driving
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is designed with a movable mounting position that can dynamically change between a first position (coupled to steering shaft) and a second position (decoupled from steering shaft). This dynamic repositioning allows the system to adapt between manual and autonomous driving modes, resolving the contradiction between maintaining steering control availability and ensuring driver freedom of movement during autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel assembly is segmented into separable components: the steering wheel itself, the mounting bracket, and the steering shaft coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows the steering wheel to be independently positioned and decoupled from the steering shaft when needed, enabling the system to eliminate unwanted steering interventions while preserving the ability to couple when manual control is required
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the steering wheel is decoupled from the direction-of-travel element during autonomous driving, then unintentional steering interventions are eliminated, but the steering wheel becomes a nuisance restricting driver activities
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is designed with universal adaptability to serve multiple functions: it can be positioned in a first position for traditional steering control, a second position for autonomous driving (eliminating harmful interventions), and a third position that provides a stable surface for driver activities such as reading, eating, or working. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing the steering wheel to eliminate harmful factors while simultaneously adapting to support various driver activities
3Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional steering wheel hub is used, then the steering wheel is structurally stable, but the overall steering system becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional steering wheel hub is extracted and replaced with a simplified mounting bracket that directly couples the steering wheel to the steering shaft. This extraction eliminates the bulky hub component while maintaining the necessary structural stability for steering operation, thereby reducing overall system complexity and bulkiness without sacrificing structural integrity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle steering system having a multi-function steering wheel (22), which is pivotable about an adjustment axis (S) between a steering position (24) and a non-steering position (26, 28), wherein the multi-function steering wheel (22) is coupled in the steering position (24) with a travel direction element (12) and is rotatable about a steering axis (A) for adjusting the travel direction element (12), and wherein the multi-function steering wheel (22) is decoupled from the travel direction element (12) in the non-steering position (26, 28).