Removable Steering Wheel Housing Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering wheel assemblies are inconvenient to modify or upgrade, as integrated controls are difficult to change and often cluttered with unnecessary features, limiting the types of devices and controls that can be integrated.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel assembly with a fixed hub and a removably locked housing that allows easy replacement and integration of various devices and controls, featuring a locking mechanism for secure attachment and detachment, enabling the housing to hold devices like phones, tablets, or controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If controls are integrated into the steering wheel, then ease of access to controls is improved, but ease of replacement and modification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel assembly is divided into separate modules: a fixed hub, a removable housing, and interchangeable control devices. The housing can be detached from the fixed hub, and control devices can be swapped within the housing, allowing easy modification while maintaining integrated control access during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static integrated control configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The housing can be removed and reattached, and control devices can be changed, allowing the steering wheel to adapt its control configuration based on operational needs while maintaining the benefit of integrated controls during use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control functions are integrated into the steering wheel, then versatility of controls is improved, but device complexity and clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The removable housing serves as a universal platform that can accommodate different control devices depending on the operational requirements. Instead of permanently integrating all possible controls, the system provides a universal mounting structure that can be configured with specific control devices as needed, reducing clutter while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Control devices are extracted from permanent integration into the steering wheel structure and placed in removable housings. This allows unnecessary controls to be removed or not installed, reducing clutter and complexity, while the capability to add different controls remains available when needed.
3Reliability
If controls are permanently integrated into the steering wheel, then reliability of control configuration is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle purposes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into a stable fixed hub and a configurable housing assembly. The fixed hub provides reliable mechanical mounting, while the housing and control devices can be reconfigured for different agricultural implements. This segmentation maintains reliability through secure mounting while enabling adaptability through interchangeable components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A steering wheel assembly (10, 210, 410) includes a fixed hub (12, 212, 412) and a steering wheel (14, 214, 414) held rotatably about the fixed hub (12, 212, 412). The steering wheel assembly (10, 210, 410) is characterized by a housing (16, 116, 216, 5 416) removably locked to the fixed hub (12, 212, 412), the housing (16, 116, 216, 416) and/or the fixed hub (12, 212, 412) having at least one locking feature (66, 68, 80, 82); and a locking mechanism (70) that interacts with the at least one locking feature (66, 68, 80, 82) to lock the housing (16, 116, 216, 416) to the fixed hub (12, 212, 412), with actuation of the locking mechanism (70) in an unlock direction (90) 10 allowing the housing (16, 116, 216, 416) to be unlocked from the fixed hub (12, 212, 412).