Steering Wheel Lever Layout to Avoid Driver Leg Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing combination switch mounted near a vehicle's steering wheel faces issues with operability when the steering wheel is turned beyond 90°, as the operation lever may contact the driver's leg, and reducing the lever's length to avoid contact compromises operability.
Innovation Solution
A lever operation device with an operation lever that rotates with the steering wheel and is configured to prevent contact with the driver's leg by setting a predetermined region for operation, featuring an operation portion with multiple positions for executable functions, ensuring the lever does not encroach on the leg's space even at maximum steering angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation lever is made longer to improve operability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the operation lever contacts with the driver's leg when the steering wheel is turned beyond 90 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the operation lever from a radial arrangement (extending outward from the steering wheel center) to a tangential arrangement (aligned with the steering wheel's rotational direction). This dimensional change in spatial configuration allows the lever to maintain adequate length for operability while its movement trajectory follows the circular path of the steering wheel, preventing contact with the driver's leg during steering operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the operation lever is shortened to avoid contact with the driver's leg, then the harmful contact is avoided, but the operability of the operation lever decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the operation lever from a radial arrangement (extending outward from the steering wheel center) to a tangential arrangement (aligned with the steering wheel's rotational direction). This dimensional change in spatial configuration allows the lever to maintain adequate length for operability while its movement trajectory follows the circular path of the steering wheel, preventing contact with the driver's leg during steering operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the combination switch is mounted to rotate with the steering wheel, then the integration with steering operations is improved, but the operation lever contacts with the driver's leg at maximum steering angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the operation lever from a radial arrangement (extending outward from the steering wheel center) to a tangential arrangement (aligned with the steering wheel's rotational direction). This dimensional change in spatial configuration allows the lever to maintain adequate length for operability while its movement trajectory follows the circular path of the steering wheel, preventing contact with the driver's leg during steering operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A lever operation device includes an operation lever which rotates integrally with a steering wheel of a vehicle and receives operations at least in upward and downward directions and around which a predetermined region is set so as to prevent the operation lever from contacting with a leg of a user seated in a driver's seat when the steering wheel is rotated to a maximum steering angle, and an operation portion that is arranged on the operation lever so as not to be located out of the region and includes plural operating positions each assigned an executable function.