Steering Wheel Pressure Sensing for Quick Vehicle Drive Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle drive mode selection methods are cumbersome and lack a user-friendly way to switch between modes, especially in automated driving scenarios, requiring manual scrolling through menus which can be distracting and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel with pressure sensors at gripping areas that allow drivers to engage a preset drive mode by applying a predefined pressure, activating the desired mode without manual scrolling, and providing visual and auditory feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual scrolling through menus using drive mode knob or touch-sensitive display is used for drive mode selection, then drive mode can be changed, but driver attention is distracted and operation becomes cumbersome and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drive mode selection function from the traditional menu navigation system (knob or touch display) and implements it directly through pressure sensors on the steering wheel. This allows the driver to select drive modes through simple pressure input without accessing separate menu interfaces, thereby reducing distraction and operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel pressure sensors directly detect driver intent and automatically initiate drive mode changes without requiring the driver to manually navigate through menus. The system serves itself by interpreting pressure patterns as direct commands, eliminating the need for intermediate menu interaction steps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual scrolling through drive mode menus is required, then all drive modes can be accessed, but the process becomes complex and distracting for the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex menu navigation layer from the drive mode selection process. Pressure sensors on the steering wheel directly map to specific drive mode selections, extracting the essential selection function from the cumbersome menu interface and providing direct access to drive modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel pressure sensors serve multiple functions: they detect driver intent for drive mode selection, provide tactile feedback, and enable direct mode switching. This multi-functional approach replaces the specialized menu navigation interface, simplifying the overall system while maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If traditional HMI interfaces (knob, touch display) are used for drive mode selection, then mode changes can be made, but driver distraction and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensors on the steering wheel act as an intermediary between the driver and the drive mode selection system. This intermediary provides tactile feedback and direct mechanical input detection, creating a more natural and safer interaction than visual menu navigation, while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the visual/menu-based mechanical interaction (knob rotation, touch display navigation) with a pressure-based mechanical sensing system integrated into the steering wheel. This substitution maintains mechanical intuitiveness while eliminating the need for visual attention, improving safety without sacrificing operational ease.
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
Facilitates quick and intuitive drive mode changes, enhancing safety and reducing driver distraction by eliminating the need for manual menu navigation, while ensuring seamless transitions between automated and manual driving modes.
Implementation Method 1
A steering wheel with pressure sensors at gripping areas that allow drivers to engage a preset drive mode by applying a predefined pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle drive mode selection system selects a preset drive mode for a vehicle when sensors on the vehicle's steering wheel are triggered. Upon triggering of the sensors on the steering wheel, a drive mode selector of the vehicle is configured to switch a current drive mode of the vehicle to the preset drive mode.