Retractable Steering Column Radial Attachment Alcove

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Steering column attachments often interfere with vehicle components during forward storage in vehicles equipped with autonomous driving assist systems, necessitating a solution to accommodate these attachments during retraction.

Innovation Solution

A steering column assembly that moves between extended and retracted states, with an attachment projecting radially outward from the column, and an instrument panel featuring an alcove to receive the attachment when retracted, allowing for secure storage and space optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the steering column is retracted to provide space for non-driving activities, then additional space is created for working, reading, or game playing, but attachments on the steering column interfere with vehicle components during storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace for non-driving activitiesVSAvoidinterference with vehicle components

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The steering column assembly is segmented into functional components: the column itself, the attachment (stalk), and the receiving structure (alcove). By separating the attachment from the main column body and providing a dedicated receptacle, the system resolves the interference problem while maintaining the retraction benefit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment is extracted from its position on the extended steering column and relocated to a storage alcove in the instrument panel. This extraction eliminates the harmful interference with vehicle components during retraction while preserving the attachment's functionality when the column is extended

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If attachments are removed from the steering column to prevent interference, then component interference is eliminated, but the attachments are no longer accessible when the column is retracted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference with vehicle componentsVSAvoidaccessibility of attachments

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the attachment's position based on the steering column state. When the column is extended, the attachment is positioned for driver accessibility; when the column is retracted, the attachment is stored in the alcove to prevent interference. This dynamic repositioning resolves both the interference and accessibility requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10351159B2Retractable steering column with a radially projecting attachment

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORP

AI summary

A driver interface for a vehicle includes a steering column assembly and a structural facial. The steering column assembly includes a column constructed and arranged to move between a retracted state and an extended state, and an attachment projecting outward from the column. The structural facial defines an alcove for receipt of the attachment when the steering column is in the retracted state.