Steering Wheel Rotary Control with Breakaway Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle handle devices face issues with moldability and workability due to the thin plate-shaped hinge portion, which can lead to distortion, cracking, or unstable rotation trajectories, affecting the fixation of cables and other members.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle handle device with a hinge portion that includes a shaft body and holding portion, connected via connection pieces that break under rotational force, allowing the cap portion to rotate relative to the cable fixing base portion, ensuring stable moldability and workability during cable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional steering wheel with separate control elements is used, then basic steering control is provided, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates when multiple functions need to be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary control element is designed to perform multiple functions: it can rotate to control volume, press to activate buttons, and integrate multiple buttons on its surface. This single component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate controls, thereby improving ease of operation while managing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single integrated rotary element. The rotary control element merges rotation control, button pressing, and multiple function activation into one unified interface, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall control system
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control elements are added to the steering wheel, then functionality increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary control element is designed as a multi-functional component that can perform various operations including rotation for volume control, pressing for button activation, and integration of multiple buttons. This universal design provides enhanced functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary control element features movable buttons that can be pressed inward, transforming the static control surface into a dynamic interface. This dynamic design allows multiple functions to be accessed through a single evolving structure rather than requiring multiple fixed control elements
3Device complexity
If a simple control element is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when multiple functions need to be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary control element achieves high adaptability within a relatively simple structure by incorporating multiple buttons on its surface and enabling both rotation and pressing actions. This design provides diverse functionality without requiring a complex array of separate controls
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed control elements are used on the steering wheel, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability deteriorates when functional requirements change
Solution Approach 1:
The buttons are designed as movable elements that can be pressed inward, transforming the static control surface into a dynamic interface. This dynamic design allows the same physical structure to adapt to different functional requirements through user interaction rather than requiring manufacturing changes
Data Source
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AI summary
This steering wheel device for a vehicle operates a door lock device by transmitting an operating force of an operator through a cable device, the steering wheel device having an operating member for inputting an operating force to the cable device through an operation of the operator, and a steering wheel case that accommodates the operating member, wherein the steering wheel case has: a cable fixing base part on which the cable device is installed; a cap part that fixes the cable device to the cable fixing base part; and hinge parts that are provided on each of the cable fixing base part and the cap part and that allow the cap part to rotate with respect to the cable fixing base part.