Steering Wheel Cable Actuation for Locking and Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering wheels with hinge mechanisms and actuators face increased complexity, cost, and bulk due to multiple actuators controlling various functions, limiting the available space and automated features.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering wheel design incorporating a single actuator that distributes its movement through a cable to two distinct mechanisms, one for locking and one for displacement, using a transmission device with a cam device and desynchronization mechanism to sequentially control these functions, reducing bulk and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple actuators are used to control locking and displacement mechanisms, then the automated functions are more reliable, but the bulk and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single actuator is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially controlling both the locking mechanism and the displacement mechanism. The actuator generates a driving movement that is transmitted through a cable to first drive the locking mechanism (for locking/unlocking the mobile structure) and then drive the displacement mechanism (for moving the mobile structure between positions), thereby reducing the number of actuators from two to one while maintaining automated functionality.
2Reliability
If multiple actuators are used to control locking and displacement mechanisms, then the automated functions are more reliable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed as a multi-functional component that controls both locking and displacement operations. By integrating the control of two previously separate mechanisms into a single actuator system with sequential operation, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining the reliability of automated functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable is introduced as an intermediary transmission element that carries the driving movement from the single actuator to both the locking mechanism and the displacement mechanism. This cable acts as a mediator that enables one actuator to control multiple mechanisms sequentially, simplifying the control architecture.
3Volume of stationary object
If a single actuator controls both locking and displacement mechanisms, then the bulk is reduced, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single actuator operates in a periodic sequential manner: first it drives the locking mechanism to complete the locking or unlocking operation, then it drives the displacement mechanism to move the mobile structure. This periodic sequential action simplifies the control logic and maintains ease of operation despite the multi-functional nature of the actuator.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle steering wheel comprising: a base structure a mobile structure, articulated relative to the base structure so as to be able to move between a first position and a second position, a first mechanism and a second mechanism, each arranged between the base structure, an actuator arranged to generate a movement for driving the first mechanism and the second mechanism, a transmission device comprising at least one cable arranged to transmit the driving movement of the actuator to at least one of the first mechanism or the second mechanism.