Steering Wheel Tactile Feedback for Directional Driver Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering wheel assemblies that provide tactile feedback to drivers for alerts, such as obstacle detection or blindspot warnings, cannot convey the location of the alert relative to the vehicle, limiting the driver's understanding of the alert's source.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel assembly with tactile notification devices featuring a mounting frame, disks, and an actuator that rotates or compresses the disks to provide directional tactile feedback, allowing the controller to actuate specific actuators based on the alert's location, thereby indicating the alert's location to the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional vibration alerts are used in steering wheel assemblies, then the driver receives tactile feedback, but the driver cannot determine the location of the alert relative to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile notification device is segmented into multiple independently actuable disks arranged around the steering wheel frame. Each disk can be individually actuated to provide tactile feedback at different locations, allowing the system to communicate both the presence and location of alerts through segmented tactile elements rather than a single unified vibration source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing tactile feedback at specific localized positions around the steering wheel rather than uniform vibration throughout. The actuator selectively actuates individual disks at specific locations to correspond with the direction or source of the alert, creating localized tactile cues that convey spatial information to the driver.
2Loss of information
If multiple tactile notification devices are added to indicate alert location, then the driver can perceive alert direction, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile notification device is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can indicate multiple different alert locations using the same basic components. The array of disks and single actuator assembly can be selectively activated to provide tactile feedback for various directions or sources of alerts, making the device versatile rather than requiring separate dedicated indicators for each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic actuation where the actuator can selectively engage different disks based on the alert condition. Rather than having all tactile elements permanently engaged or requiring multiple independent actuators, the dynamic selection of which disk to actuate provides multiple notification capabilities through a single dynamic system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables drivers to perceive the location of alerts through distinct tactile feedback, enhancing safety by clearly communicating the source of alerts like obstacle detection, advanced driver assistance, or blindspot warnings.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator is configured to rotate the set of disks
Implementation Method 2
The actuator is configured to compress the set of disks to expand the set of disks radially outward from the mounting frame
Data Source
AI summary
A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle, the steering wheel assembly including a steering wheel frame and a tactile notification device coupled to the steering wheel frame. The tactile notification device includes a mounting frame, a first set of disks arranged around and coupled to the first mounting frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the first set of disks. The actuator is configured to rotate the set of disks.