Steering Coupling Switching for Decoupled Autonomous Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering systems that switch between manual and automatic driving states often compromise cabin comfort in the automatic driving mode due to the mechanical coupling of the steering wheel and wheels, which can lead to unnecessary steering influence and limited design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering system with a coupling mechanism that mechanically decouples the steering operation member from the steerable wheels in automatic driving mode, allowing the steering wheel to be stored in a recess and preventing force application from affecting wheel steering, thereby enhancing cabin comfort and design freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the steering wheel is mechanically coupled to the steerable wheels in automatic driving mode, then the steering system maintains mechanical connection for potential manual intervention, but the driver experiences unnecessary forces and reduced cabin comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism dynamically switches between coupled and decoupled states based on driving mode. In automatic driving mode, the mechanism decouples the steering wheel from the steerable wheels to eliminate unnecessary forces on the driver, while maintaining the ability to recouple for manual intervention if needed, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful mechanical connection is extracted or removed from the system during automatic driving mode. The coupling mechanism selectively disconnects the steering wheel from the steerable wheels, taking out the source of unnecessary forces that compromise cabin comfort, while preserving the steering system's functional integrity.
2Reliability
If the steering wheel remains in a fixed position in automatic driving mode, then the mechanical connection is maintained, but the space for driver comfort and cabin design is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The coupling mechanism enables the steering wheel to be decoupled and repositioned during automatic driving mode, allowing it to be stored in a recess or moved to a more convenient position, thus increasing driver space while maintaining connection reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is given mobility in additional spatial dimensions. Instead of being constrained to a single fixed position, the decoupled steering wheel can be moved forward, backward, or stored in a recess, utilizing extra spatial dimensions to optimize both driver space and cabin design flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If the steering wheel is decoupled from the steerable wheels in automatic driving mode, then cabin comfort is improved, but the mechanical connection for manual control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism provides dynamic switching capability, allowing the system to transition between coupled and decoupled states. This enables the steering wheel to be decoupled for comfort during automatic driving while maintaining the ability to recouple for manual control, thus resolving the contradiction between comfort and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the steering wheel and steerable wheels. It can engage or disengage as needed, providing a controlled interface that allows decoupling for comfort while preserving the option for manual control through recoupling, thus mediating between comfort and reliability requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle steering system provided for a vehicle whose driving state is switchable between a manual driving state and an automatic driving state, the vehicle steering system including a coupling mechanism configured to couple a steering operation member operated by a driver and at least one steerable wheel of the vehicle, wherein, when the driving state of the vehicle is switched from the manual driving state to the automatic driving state, the coupling mechanism is switched from a mechanically coupling state in which the coupling mechanism mechanically couples the steering operation member and the at least one steerable wheel to each other to a mechanically decoupling state in which the coupling mechanism mechanically decouples the steering operation member and the at least one steerable wheel from each other.