Rail-Mounted Steering Assembly for Adaptive Driving Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering devices lack versatility and user convenience, particularly in autonomous driving modes, failing to integrate multiple functionalities and adapt to different driving scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A modular steering device with a rail-mounted base unit and tiltable steering unit, equipped with sensors, lights, speakers, and wireless charging, allowing for adjustable positioning and angle changes, and integrating a steer-by-wire system for enhanced functionality and user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional fixed steering device is used, then the structure is simple, but the versatility and adaptability to different driving modes are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device incorporates a base unit that can dynamically change its position along a rail and a steering unit that can adjust its tilting angle, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This allows the device to adapt to different driving modes (manual, semi-autonomous, autonomous) by adjusting its configuration, thereby improving versatility without requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering device is divided into separate functional modules: a base unit that moves along a rail and a steering unit that can tilt independently. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function while enabling flexible reconfiguration for different driving scenarios, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the base unit is positioned close to the driver for manual control, then the steering response is fast, but the space for passenger interaction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit's position along the rail is dynamically adjustable, allowing it to move closer to the driver for responsive manual control or farther away to create space for passenger interaction in autonomous mode. This dynamic positioning resolves the spatial conflict between operational responsiveness and interaction space.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering device serves multiple functions by adjusting its configuration: it provides responsive steering control when needed and creates interaction space when in autonomous mode. The same physical structure adapts to serve different purposes based on the driving mode, eliminating the need for separate devices for different functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functional components (sensors, lights, speakers, wireless charging) are integrated into the steering device, then the user convenience is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device integrates multiple functional components (sensors, lights, speakers, wireless charging system) into a single multi-functional unit. These components are incorporated into the steering wheel and base unit, allowing the device to provide not only steering control but also user interaction, entertainment, and convenience functions, thereby enhancing user convenience while consolidating multiple functions into one device rather than requiring separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device for a vehicle includes: a rail provided on a crash pad of the vehicle; a base unit engaged to the rail to be movable along the rail; a steering unit coupled to the base unit and configured to adjust a moving direction of the vehicle; and a controller operatively connected to the base unit and the steering unit and configured to adjust at least one of a position of the base unit and a tilting angle of the steering unit.