Removable Steering Wheel Module for Autonomous Vehicle Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack a steering wheel, making it difficult to manually control the vehicle during development and testing, posing safety risks for test drivers and limiting customer preferences for a familiar steering wheel experience.
Innovation Solution
A removable steering wheel module with an integrated airbag that can be stowed and replaced with a filler module, allowing for easy installation and removal, and providing a steering wheel option for development and customer use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a steering wheel is removed in autonomous vehicles, then automation level is improved, but manual control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is designed to be dynamically configurable between installed and removed states. The mounting system allows the steering wheel to be easily attached or detached based on operational mode, enabling the vehicle to switch between autonomous and manual control configurations without permanent structural changes.
2Ease of operation
If a steering wheel is permanently installed, then manual control capability is improved, but adaptability to autonomous mode deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel system is segmented into a removable steering wheel assembly and a permanent mounting structure. This segmentation allows the steering wheel component to be independently removed while the mounting infrastructure remains, enabling flexible configuration for different operational modes and future upgrades.
3Device complexity
If a steering wheel is removed, then device complexity is reduced, but safety capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary airbag system is introduced to compensate for the removal of the steering wheel. When the steering wheel is removed, an airbag deploys from the dashboard to provide crash protection. This intermediary safety mechanism ensures that driver protection is maintained regardless of whether the steering wheel is installed or removed.
4Reliability
If a steering wheel is permanently installed with airbag, then safety capability is improved, but manufacturing flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is designed to be dynamically deployable based on steering wheel presence. The system can switch between two safety configurations: airbag integrated in the steering wheel when installed, or airbag deployed from the dashboard when the steering wheel is removed. This dynamic capability allows a single manufacturing platform to support both configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A dashboard assembly for a vehicle includes a dashboard defining a receiving niche. The niche is alignable with a driver seat location, and is selectively fillable by each of a removable steering module and a removable filler module. The removable steering module includes a steering module base. A steering wheel support is fixed to the steering module base. A steering wheel is rotatably fixed to the steering wheel support. A steering wheel connector connects the steering wheel to a vehicle steering actuator. The removable filler module includes a filler module base.