Steering Wheel Dual-Button Controller for Autonomous Driving Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a risk of unintended activation or deactivation of autonomous driving mode in autonomous vehicles, which can lead to unsafe vehicle maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize two buttons on the steering wheel, electrically coupled to an electronic controller, which activates autonomous driving mode only when both buttons are selected for a predetermined amount of time, and deactivates it when both buttons are selected simultaneously for a shorter duration, preventing accidental activation or deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single button is used to activate autonomous driving mode, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of unintended activation
Solution Approach 1:
The activation process is segmented into two distinct button presses instead of a single action. The system requires pressing a first button and then a second button within a predetermined time window, dividing the activation sequence into discrete steps that reduce accidental activation while maintaining ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary time window between the first and second button presses. This time window acts as a mediator that validates the driver's intention before activation, preventing unintended activation while keeping the overall process simple and intuitive
2Reliability
If a long press duration is required to activate autonomous driving mode, then the reliability is improved by preventing accidental activation, but the productivity deteriorates due to increased activation time
Solution Approach 1:
The activation process uses periodic discrete actions (pressing first button, then second button within time window) rather than a continuous long press. This periodic structure maintains reliability by requiring deliberate sequential actions while improving productivity by limiting the total activation time to the duration of two quick presses plus the time window
3Reliability
If multiple buttons are used to activate autonomous driving mode, then the reliability is improved by preventing unintended activation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both the first and second buttons are integrated into the existing steering wheel control interface, utilizing universal multi-functional buttons that serve both traditional control purposes and autonomous mode activation. This approach increases reliability through the two-button sequence while avoiding additional dedicated controls that would increase device complexity
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Systems and methods of controlling an autonomous driving mode in an autonomous vehicle. The system includes a first selection point (130), a second selection point (135), and an electronic controller. The first selection (130) and the second selection point (135) are disposed on a steering wheel (200) of the autonomous vehicle. The first selection point (130) includes a first button. The second selection point (135) includes a second button. The electronic controller is electrically coupled to the first selection point (130) and the second selection point (135). The electronic controller is configured to detect when the first button is selected and when the second button is selected. The electronic controller is also configured to activate the autonomous driving mode when both the first button and the second button are selected for more than a first predetermined amount of time.