Steering Aid Device Planar Surface Reduces Finger Strain
Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering wheel designs require operators to grip the rim with their fingers to rotate the wheel, which can be tiring and inefficient, especially during extended use or for individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity.
Innovation Solution
A steering aid device with a planar hand engagement surface and a passage that encircles the steering wheel rim, allowing operators to rotate the wheel using their palm, reducing finger strain and enabling easier manipulation by mounting on the steering wheel rim.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators grip the steering wheel rim with their fingers to rotate the wheel, then the steering wheel can be controlled, but operator fatigue increases and manipulation efficiency decreases during extended use
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is segmented into functional zones: the rim member maintains structural integrity while the added aid device provides a separate, ergonomically optimized engagement surface. This segmentation allows the original rim to serve structural purposes while the adjunct device handles the ergonomic function of hand engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering aid device acts as an intermediary between the operator's hand and the steering wheel rim. It provides a mediating engagement surface that translates the operator's input into effective steering control without requiring direct finger gripping of the rim, thereby reducing strain while maintaining control effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If operators grip the steering wheel rim with their fingers, then steering control is achieved, but finger strain and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aid device concentrates ergonomic optimization at the specific location of hand engagement. The engagement surface is designed with local qualities (area, curvature, positioning) that differ from the rim, providing a specialized zone for comfortable hand contact while leaving the rest of the steering wheel structure unchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the engagement interaction from the one-dimensional rim surface to a two-dimensional planar engagement surface. This dimensional change allows the operator's hand to engage with a larger area that includes the palm, distributing forces more effectively and reducing concentrated strain on fingers.
3Ease of operation
If a steering aid device with a planar engagement surface is added to the steering wheel, then operator comfort and ease of manipulation improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering aid device is nested around the existing steering wheel rim, with the passage receiving and accommodating the rim member. This nesting arrangement allows the aid device to function as an independent component that leverages the existing wheel structure, minimizing the need for integration complexity while achieving the ergonomic improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The aid device is designed to be self-contained with all necessary mounting and retention features integrated into the device itself. The passage structure and engagement surface work together to automatically position and secure the device on the rim without requiring complex external mounting mechanisms, allowing for straightforward installation and removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a steering aid device configured to be mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle having a rim member to aid manipulation of the steering wheel. The aid device may have a hand engagement surface for being engaged by a hand of an operator of the vehicle. The hand engagement surface may have a primary section being substantially planar. The aid device may define a passage for receiving a portion of the steering wheel, and the passage may extend along a passage axis.