Steering Wheel Control Circuit Merging Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering wheel systems are limited in the number of control elements due to space constraints and the need to transmit electrical signals, requiring separate control elements for each vehicle function and prioritization schemes, which restricts the ability to increase functionality and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel assembly with multiple control elements, each with user-selectable operational states, is electrically coupled to a circuit that produces a single output signal based on active states, allowing for enhanced functionality by combining the signals from multiple control elements to control multiple vehicle functions without increasing the number of control elements or conductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control elements are used for each vehicle function, then control reliability is improved, but the quantity of control elements increases beyond available space
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control elements are merged into a single integrated control assembly mounted on the steering wheel. The control apparatus combines multiple control functions within one device, allowing several vehicle functions to be controlled through a unified interface rather than requiring separate discrete controls for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to handle various vehicle control functions through a single control element assembly. The control elements can dispatch different signals for different functions, and the control apparatus can interpret these signals to execute multiple different control operations, making one control structure serve multiple purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control elements are added to increase functionality, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus acts as an intermediary between the control elements and the vehicle's control systems. It receives signals from multiple control elements, processes and prioritizes them internally, and then dispatches appropriate control signals to the vehicle systems. This intermediary role simplifies the electrical connection structure by consolidating multiple signal paths into a single control interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes in signal prioritization and control logic to manage multiple functions through limited connections. The control apparatus can dynamically adjust which control function takes precedence based on predefined priorities or operational conditions, allowing a single electrical connection structure to handle multiple functions by changing control parameters rather than requiring separate physical connections for each function.
3Ease of operation
If control elements are mounted on the steering wheel, then ease of operation is improved, but space availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control elements are nested within or integrated into the steering wheel structure itself. The control apparatus is mounted on the steering wheel in a space-efficient manner, with control elements arranged to fit within the available surface area. This nesting approach allows multiple controls to be accommodated on the steering wheel without significantly increasing its overall size or occupying excessive space.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering wheel assembly comprises a plurality of control elements disposed on a user-accessible surface of the steering wheel assembly. Each of the plurality of control elements has a plurality of user-selectable operational states and is electrically coupled to a corresponding branch of an electric circuit. The electric circuit defines an output node and is configured to produce a single output signal at the output node. Each of the plurality of control elements is configured for affecting the single output signal based on an active one of the plurality of user-selectable operational states of the respective one of the plurality of control elements. The single output signal is indicative of the active ones of the plurality of user-selectable operational states for each of the plurality of control elements.