Retractable Steering Column Driver Intervention Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Automated stowing and unstowing of steering column assemblies can lead to physical damage to vehicles due to driver intervention during power transitions, as existing systems lack effective detection methods to prevent unauthorized movement.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that monitor the positional properties of the retractable steering column assembly over time intervals to determine if the movement is within predefined boundaries, stopping the transition if it exceeds these boundaries to prevent driver intervention, utilizing an electric actuator mechanism and controller to manage the movement between stowed and unstowed positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automated stowing and unstowing of steering column assembly is implemented, then driver comfort and space utilization are improved, but risk of physical damage due to driver intervention increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of driver intervention by monitoring the positional property of the retractable portion during automated stowing/unstowing transitions. Before completing the powered transition, the system checks if the movement remains within predefined boundaries, and if driver intervention is detected (movement outside boundaries), the system stops the transition to prevent physical damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the positional property of the retractable portion over time intervals and compares it against expected movement profiles. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect deviations caused by driver intervention and respond by stopping the automated transition, thereby preventing damage while maintaining the automated stowing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If monitoring of positional property over time intervals is implemented, then driver intervention detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors positional properties at discrete time intervals rather than continuously, which provides sufficient detection accuracy to identify driver intervention while reducing the computational and hardware complexity compared to continuous monitoring. The monitoring is performed only during automated stowing/unstowing transitions rather than at all times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the monitoring parameters dynamically by adjusting the time intervals and predefined movement boundaries based on the specific transition being performed. This allows the system to maintain high detection accuracy for different stowing/unstowing scenarios without requiring a uniformly complex monitoring system for all conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10858033B2Driver intervention detection during steering column assembly power stowing and unstowing

Publication Date: 2020.12.08

AI summary

A retractable steering column assembly includes a retractable portion. The retractable steering column assembly also includes an electric actuator mechanism for moving the retractable portion throughout a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions comprising an unstowed region, a stowed region, and a transition region between the unstowed region and the stowed region. The retractable steering column assembly further includes a controller monitoring at least one positional property of the retractable portion during movement within the transition region to detect a potential driver intervention of the movement.