Sliding Steering Wheel Assembly for Multi-Position Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle designs lack flexibility in steering wheel positioning to accommodate different driving scenarios and regulations across countries, and fail to provide convenient, easy, and safe operation for human drivers in various modes of vehicle control, including manual and automated driving.
Innovation Solution
A steering system with a laterally movable steering wheel and associated controls that can be positioned on either side of the vehicle, allowing for manual operation from multiple positions, and can be configured for use with automated systems by sliding along a track, enabling drivers to control the vehicle from various lateral locations within the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel is fixed on one side of the vehicle, then the vehicle can be manufactured for specific country regulations, but the vehicle lacks flexibility to accommodate different driving scenarios and countries
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is made laterally movable along a track instead of being fixed, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned between left-hand and right-hand driving positions. This dynamic capability enables the same vehicle to adapt to different country regulations and driving scenarios without requiring multiple vehicle configurations.
2Ease of operation
If the steering wheel is positioned for manual driving, then human control is enabled, but passenger comfort is reduced in automated modes
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel can be dynamically repositioned laterally along the track. In automated driving modes, the steering wheel can be moved to a position that does not obstruct passenger space, while in manual driving modes, it is positioned for optimal driver accessibility and control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel is moved to multiple positions, then flexibility for different driving modes is achieved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering assembly is segmented into movable components that can travel along a lateral track. The steering wheel, steering column, and associated controls are divided into modular segments that can be independently positioned and locked at different locations, simplifying the overall mechanism while achieving multi-position capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel is laterally movable, then multiple driving positions are enabled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering assembly is pre-configured with a lateral track and positioning mechanisms during manufacturing. Pre-positioning features such as alignment guides, indexing mechanisms, and preset stop points are incorporated to ensure accurate lateral positioning without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on all components.
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicles, steering systems, and steering assemblies of a vehicle are provided in the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, a steering system includes a track oriented substantially in a side-to-side direction with respect to the vehicle. The side-to-side direction may be substantially horizontal with a ground surface and substantially perpendicular with a forward-facing direction of the vehicle. The steering system also includes a steering wheel adapted to slide laterally along the track. In another embodiments, the present disclosure provides a vehicle comprising a steering wheel assembly adapted to be positioned in laterally variable locations with respect to the vehicle, whereby the steering wheel assembly is further adapted to enable a driver to manually operate the vehicle from a left-hand side of the vehicle and from a right-hand side of the vehicle.