Steering Wheel Friction Adjustment for Path Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems that intervene in a driver's control of the steering wheel to adjust driving operations often distract or harm the driver, as they provide resistance that interferes with the driver's intended actions, particularly when attempting to change lanes or avoid obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes sensors, a steering wheel with an adjusting mechanism for varying the coefficient of friction between the steering wheel rim and the driver's hand, and a controller that determines deviation from a target path to adjust the friction accordingly, either decreasing or increasing it to assist or correct the driver's steering without causing discomfort or distraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle applies resistance to the steering wheel to correct driving path deviation, then the vehicle can intervene to guide the vehicle back to target path, but the driver experiences distraction and interference with intended driving actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the friction parameter between the steering wheel and driver's hand dynamically. When path correction is needed, the system decreases friction to reduce resistance against driver input. When no correction is needed, the system increases friction to maintain normal steering control. This parameter change allows the vehicle to intervene in steering without creating harmful resistance that would distract or harm the driver.
2Ease of operation
If the steering wheel friction is increased to maintain driver control, then the driver has better grip and control precision, but the vehicle cannot effectively intervene to correct driving path deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the friction characteristic dynamic rather than static. The adjusting mechanism responds to control signals from the controller to change friction levels in real-time based on driving conditions. This allows the system to switch between high friction (for normal driver control) and low friction (for effective path correction), resolving the contradiction between maintaining driver control and enabling effective intervention.
3Reliability
If the vehicle system continuously monitors driving path deviation to enable timely intervention, then path correction can be applied when needed, but the system complexity increases with additional sensors and controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into existing vehicle components. The controller that manages the friction adjustment also handles path deviation monitoring and correction logic. The steering wheel serving as both the driver interface and the actuation point for correction reduces the need for separate dedicated components. This multi-functionality approach enables timely path correction while minimizing additional system complexity.
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
The system allows the vehicle to intervene in the steering without distracting the driver by reducing friction when correcting deviations, thereby enhancing safety and reducing driver resistance during interventions, while maintaining control when the driver is steering correctly.
Implementation Method 1
an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a coefficient of friction between a surface of the rim and a driver's hand
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system including one or more sensors, a steering wheel including a rim and an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a coefficient of friction between a surface of the rim and a driver's hand, and a controller configured to determine whether a deviation factor between a target path and an actual path based on the one or more sensors exceeds a threshold deviation, send a first signal to the adjusting mechanism for operating to a first state in response to determining that the deviation factor exceeds the threshold deviation, the coefficient of friction being decreased when the adjusting mechanism is in the first state, and send a second signal to the adjusting mechanism for operating to a second state in response to determining that the deviation factor does not exceed the threshold deviation, the coefficient of friction being increased when the adjusting mechanism is in the second state.