Steering System Variable Mechanism for Automated Driving Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
When transitioning from automated driving to manual driving, existing steering systems require the driver to wait for the steering wheel to complete retracting before resuming control, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A steering system with a variable mechanism that can change its configuration, including position, orientation, and shape, is equipped with a receiver and controller to allow the driver to immediately revert the steering member to a manual driving configuration upon operation, using a variable drive source to facilitate this change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering wheel is retracted during automated driving to enhance driver comfort and widen space, then driver comfort is improved, but the driver cannot resume manual driving until the retraction is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system allows dynamic switching between automated and manual driving modes regardless of the steering wheel's retraction state. The variable mechanism can change the steering wheel configuration between automated driving (retracted) and manual driving (extended) states, enabling the driver to resume control at any time without waiting for retraction completion.
2Volume of moving object
If the steering wheel configuration is changed to a withdrawn place during automated driving, then space in front of the driver is widened, but the transition time to resume manual driving is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for potential manual driving resumption by maintaining the capability to quickly extend the steering wheel. The variable mechanism is designed to allow rapid configuration changes, and the controller is ready to initiate extension immediately when manual driving is requested, minimizing the time loss for resumption.
3Reliability
If a stopper is used to stop the steering wheel in a predetermined configuration, then the steering wheel can be stopped reliably, but the driver must wait for complete retraction before advancing the steering wheel back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical stopper-based positioning system with an electronically controlled variable mechanism. The controller manages the extension and retraction of the steering wheel based on driving mode signals, eliminating the need for physical stoppers and allowing flexible, on-demand configuration changes without mechanical constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering system includes: a variable mechanism that reversibly changes a configuration of an operating member between a configuration for automated driving and a configuration for manual driving, the configuration including at least one of a position, an orientation, and a shape; a variable drive source; a receiver that receives an operation of a driver; and a controller that controls the variable drive source to cause the variable mechanism to return the configuration of the operating member to the configuration for manual driving, when the receiver receives the operation of the driver in a period when the configuration of the operating member is being changed.