Retractable Steering Wheel Rim for Autonomous Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering wheel devices fail to effectively differentiate between autonomous and manual driving modes, leading to mode confusion and legal uncertainties, and do not keep drivers engaged and prepared for emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A dual-state steering wheel with a retractable rim and stationary hub, where the rim moves to a retracted position in autonomous mode, allowing expanded infotainment interaction and ensuring the driver's hands remain on the wheel, with controls transforming to indicate autonomous operation and prevent pinch points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the steering wheel rim is made retractable to indicate autonomous mode, then mode confusion is reduced and driver engagement is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel rim is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, transitioning between extended and retracted positions based on driving mode. This dynamic transformation provides clear visual feedback to distinguish autonomous from manual operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through motion rather than complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is segmented into separable components: a stationary hub and a movable rim. This segmentation allows the rim to independently change position (extended/retracted) to indicate different operational states, achieving reliable mode differentiation without requiring the entire steering wheel structure to be complex.
2Reliability
If the steering wheel rim retracts in autonomous mode, then driver responsibility is maintained and safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional transformation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel rim automatically transforms between extended and retracted positions based on the vehicle's operational mode without requiring manual intervention from the driver. This self-service mechanism maintains safety by keeping the rim retracted in autonomous mode while eliminating the need for the driver to manually operate transformation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rim's automatic transformation capability allows it to adapt its position dynamically based on system state, providing safety benefits in autonomous mode while requiring minimal to no driver input, thus balancing safety improvement with operational ease.
3Loss of information
If the steering wheel controls transform between modes, then mode confusion is reduced, but device complexity increases due to transformation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel controls utilize visual transformation (analogous to color change principles) where the rim's position (extended vs. retracted) serves as a clear visual indicator of operational mode. This physical state change provides unambiguous mode information to the driver without requiring complex electronic displays or multiple control configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controls transform dynamically between two distinct states (rim extended/retracted) corresponding to manual/autonomous modes. This dynamic transformation provides clear mode information while using a simple binary state system rather than complex multi-state configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering wheel is configured as a dual-state input device configured to operate in two distinct states based on a current driving mode. In a manual driving mode, the input device is configured to control a limited set of vehicle functions and in an autonomous mode the input device is configured to control an expanded set of vehicle functions. The steering wheel includes a wheel rim movably mounted on a steering column and a hub disposed within a center of the wheel rim on the steering column, the main body portion comprising an interactive touch screen disposed on the main body portion. The wheel rim is configured to disengage from the hub and move along the steering column to a retracted position.