Steering Wheel Integrated Touch Display and Voice Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering systems do not effectively combine safety, convenience, and control of vehicle functions and accessories in a single, easy-to-use form, requiring operators to remove their hands from the wheel to manage various functions.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus with a deployable airbag module, a touch-activatable video display screen, microphone, and speaker, connected to a microprocessor that allows control of vehicle functions and accessories via touch or voice commands, providing information and entertainment while keeping hands on the wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vehicle controls are placed within easy reach of the operator on the steering wheel, then ease of operation and safety are improved, but device complexity increases due to integrating multiple controls and displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple vehicle control functions (audio system, climate control, telephone, navigation) and information display into the steering wheel assembly. The video display screen is mounted on the airbag module which is integrated into the steering wheel, allowing all these functions to be accessed without removing hands from the wheel, thus improving ease of operation while consolidating controls in one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is designed to serve multiple functions beyond basic steering. It includes video display capabilities, touch-sensitive control interfaces, voice recognition microphones, speakers for audio output, and integration with various vehicle systems (audio, climate, telephone, navigation). This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace multiple separate controls, improving ease of operation.
2Loss of information
If a video display screen is mounted on the airbag module flap, then information display capability is improved, but safety risk increases if the screen ejects during airbag deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a retaining pocket or cavity in the airbag module flap that holds the video display screen in place. This retaining structure acts as a preventive measure before airbag deployment, ensuring the screen remains secured during the ejection process and preventing it from becoming a hazardous projectile, thus addressing the safety risk while maintaining display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The video display screen is nested within or mounted on the airbag module flap structure. The screen is positioned within the confines of the flap assembly, which provides structural containment. This nesting arrangement allows the display to be integrated into the deploying component while being protected by its structural boundaries during deployment.
3Ease of operation
If touch-activatable display and voice recognition systems are integrated, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control buttons and switches with touch-sensitive interfaces on the video display screen and voice recognition technology via microphones. This substitution eliminates the need for numerous physical controls, simplifying the manufacturing process while improving ease of operation through intuitive touch and voice commands.
Data Source
AI summary
The improved steering apparatus is an invention that increases vehicular operational safety by providing means for a vehicle operator to control various vehicle functions and accessories while keeping both hands on the steering apparatus. The apparatus also automatically provides for the display of a variety of driver relevant information including automatic live video (160) feed of blind spots, rear vehicle cabin area, and road sign information (320), by displaying the information on the steering apparatus mounted video screen. The apparatus includes a built-in speaker (170) and is controlled by either voice commands or by a touching of the touch activatable video display screen (160).