Steering System Locking Mechanism for Automated Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
In highly automated driving, the steering wheel rotation can be perceived as annoying by drivers, and unintentional steering interventions can occur due to the lack of a reliable mechanism to prevent manual steering actions during automated driving modes.
Innovation Solution
A steering system with an over dead center device and a locking mechanism that ensures the steering wheel is either fully engaged or fully disengaged from the steering column, using a clutch or superposition gear to prevent unintended manual steering, allowing the steering wheel to act as a fixed shelf during automated driving, enhancing driver comfort and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the steering wheel is decoupled from the steering column during highly automated driving, then unintentional manual steering interventions are prevented, but the driver loses the ability to quickly take control when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel's connection to the steering column is made dynamically changeable rather than fixed. The system automatically switches between coupled and decoupled states based on driving mode, enabling the steering wheel to be locked to the vehicle body during highly automated driving while allowing quick manual re-engagement when the driver needs to take control
Solution Approach 2:
A locking device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the steering wheel and the vehicle body. This locking device can selectively fix the steering wheel to the vehicle body or allow it to be decoupled, serving as a mediator that enables both the prevention of unintentional interventions and the restoration of manual control when needed
2Ease of operation
If the steering wheel is fixed to the vehicle body during highly automated driving, then driver freedom of movement is increased, but the steering system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is integrated into the existing steering column structure, merging the new function of fixing the steering wheel to the vehicle body with the existing steering mechanism. This integration minimizes additional complexity while achieving the desired functionality
3Ease of operation
If the steering wheel can be easily decoupled from the output shaft, then the locking device can be actuated with little effort, but the risk of accidental decoupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically actuating the locking device based on detected driving mode conditions. When highly automated driving is detected, the system proactively locks the steering wheel to the vehicle body without requiring driver intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while preventing accidental decoupling through automated control
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a steering system (10) for a motor vehicle, with a steering handle (12) for manual actuation of the steering system (10), at least one steerable motor vehicle wheel which can be mechanically coupled to the steering handle (12), a steering column (14) which is rotatable about a steering-system axis (A) and has an input shaft (16) connected fixedly to the steering handle (12) and an output shaft (18) connected to the at least one steerable motor vehicle wheel for rotation therewith, and with a steering-system-blocking element (20) which is connected fixedly to a body of the motor vehicle, wherein a locking device (22) can either enable or block a relative rotation between the input shaft (16) and the body-mounted steering-system-blocking element (20), and wherein a coupling device (34) can either enable or block a relative rotation between the input shaft (16) and the output shaft (18).