Steering Wheel Retraction Control Using External Force Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering systems in autonomous vehicles often require unnecessary control when a driver unintentionally or intentionally contacts a moving steering wheel, disrupting the operation and potentially requiring repositioning, which can be inefficient and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A steering system with a mechanism that detects external forces applied to the steering wheel, determining the direction of the force relative to the wheel's movement, and adjusts the wheel's movement speed or position accordingly to align with the driver's intentions, allowing efficient control and increased space in front of the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the steering wheel is moved to create space in front of the driver during autonomous driving, then driver comfort and space are improved, but the system may stop unnecessarily when the driver unintentionally contacts the moving steering wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses external force detection to monitor driver interaction with the steering wheel during movement. By continuously detecting external forces and providing feedback to the control unit, the system can distinguish between intentional driver contact (requiring stop) and unintentional contact (allowing continued movement), thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and unnecessary stopping.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the steering wheel movement is stopped when external force is detected, then driver safety is improved, but system operation efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary repositioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The external force detection unit provides continuous feedback during steering wheel movement, enabling the control unit to make real-time decisions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain high operation efficiency by avoiding unnecessary stops while still ensuring driver safety through appropriate response to genuine contact situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of external force detection threshold and direction analysis to distinguish between meaningful driver contact and incidental forces. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between safety responses and operational efficiency, preventing unnecessary interruptions to the steering wheel movement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the steering wheel is repositioned frequently in response to driver contact, then driver safety is improved, but the complexity of control processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism from external force detection enables the control unit to implement a simple decision logic: detect force direction, compare with movement direction, and respond accordingly. This feedback-based approach simplifies control processes by providing clear, real-time information that reduces the need for complex control algorithms while maintaining driver safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering system configured to steer a vehicle includes a rotary shaft (112) to which an operation member (110) is coupled; a moving unit (170) configured to move the operation member (110) between a normal position that is a position where the operation member (110) is operated by a driver, and a storage area located ahead of the normal position; an external force detection unit (180) configured to detect an external force externally applied to the operation member (110) while the operation member (110) is moving; a determination unit (181) configured to determine whether a direction of the external force detected by the external force detection unit (180) is the same as a moving direction of the operation member (110); and a control unit (190) configured to control operation of the steering system based on a determination result from the determination unit (181).