Retractable Non-Planar Steering Wheel for Fast Mode Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steer-by-wire steering systems for autonomous vehicles face challenges with complex structures that require significant time to transition between driving and autonomous modes, posing safety risks due to adverse operability and limited interior space during autonomous operation.
Innovation Solution
A retractable steering wheel arrangement with a non-planar steering wheel rim that is reversibly retractable towards the dashboard and extendable away from it, featuring a reduced total angle of rotation, integrated torque feedback, and column stalk-free design, ensuring quick transitions and enhanced driver comfort and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the steering wheel arrangement is made retractable to increase interior space during autonomous operation, then the volume of the vehicle interior is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional retraction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel arrangement is designed to be dynamically retractable along the central axis, transitioning between extended and retracted positions based on driving mode. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its physical configuration, increasing interior space during autonomous operation while maintaining structural integrity through engineered retraction mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel arrangement serves multiple functions: it provides steering control during manual driving and acts as a space-saving retractable component during autonomous operation. The integrated design combines steering functionality with position-adjustment capability, allowing a single component to fulfill both operational and spatial requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel arrangement uses a complex structure to enable retraction, then the adaptability is improved, but the transition time between driving modes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel arrangement is pre-configured with retraction mechanisms and guidance structures that enable rapid transition. The central axis alignment and integrated retraction components are prepared in advance, allowing the system to quickly switch between extended and retracted positions without requiring complex real-time adjustments or multiple sequential operations.
3Ease of operation
If the steering wheel rim has a reduced total angle of rotation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the steering precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel rim is designed with a reduced total angle of rotation parameter, changing the rotational range while maintaining effective steering control. This parameter modification simplifies the steering operation by reducing the physical effort and rotation required, while the steer-by-wire system compensates to maintain steering precision through electronic control and feedback mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a steering system (410) for a vehicle, comprising a steering wheel arrangement (11) having a central axis (A) and being reversibly retractable in a direction towards a dashboard (400) of the vehicle and extendable in a direction away from the dashboard (400) of the vehicle. The steering wheel arrangement (11) includes a steering wheel (12) having a steering wheel rim (413) and at least one spoke (15), a steering wheel hub (14) fixedly connected with the steering wheel (12) by the at least one spoke (15) and extending from the steering wheel (12) towards the dashboard (400) of the vehicle, the steering wheel hub (14) and the steering wheel (12) being rotatable about a central axis (A). The steering wheel rim (413) has a non-planar configuration and has a total angle of rotation of 720° or less.