Retractable Steering Wheel With Redundant HMI Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the automotive industry advances towards autonomous driving assist systems, there is a need for alternative steering systems that allow for directional control of vehicles without continuous manual manipulation of the traditional steering wheel, ensuring seamless transition between human control and autonomous operation.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle steering arrangement that includes a steering wheel and a separate human machine interface, with a steer-by-wire system allowing for directional control, enabling the steering wheel to be retracted and an additional interface to be positioned closer to the operator for quick access, ensuring redundant control options and integration with autonomous driving systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional steering wheel is used as the sole human machine interface, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system lacks redundancy and cannot support autonomous driving transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering control redundancyVSAvoidsteering system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The steering system is segmented into multiple independent human machine interfaces (steering wheel, touchpad, joystick, buttons) that can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to maintain steering control redundancy while managing complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the steering wheel is kept in extended position for manual control, then manual steering is accessible, but it occupies space and prevents quick access to alternative interfaces for autonomous mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to alternative interfaceVSAvoidsteering wheel position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The steering wheel is designed with dynamic positioning capability, able to extend and retract based on driving mode. In autonomous mode, it retracts to allow closer placement of alternative HMI interfaces, while in manual mode it extends for traditional steering access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple human machine interfaces are integrated into the steering system, then control redundancy and autonomous driving support are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and system integration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving mode compatibilityVSAvoidsystem integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple HMI interfaces are designed with universal functionality to perform similar steering control tasks. The touchpad, joystick, and buttons can all independently provide directional control, allowing any interface to serve as backup or primary control depending on driving mode, thereby improving adaptability while simplifying integration through functional equivalence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10112639B2Vehicle steering arrangement and method of making same

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORP

AI summary

A single vehicle steering arrangement is provided. The steering arrangement includes a steering wheel and at least one human machine interface configured to allow a human to steer the vehicle, the human machine interface being a component separate from the steering wheel.