Steering Wheel Haptic Feedback for Driver Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigational systems rely on audio and visual aids that can distract drivers and become annoying, leading to missed turns or exits, as they require attention diversion from the road.
Innovation Solution
A system that provides steering assist torque to the handwheel when an impending vehicle maneuver is required, using a combination of a steering actuator, telematics, camera, navigational system, and onboard warning system to gently guide the vehicle through subtle tactile cues, eliminating the need for audio or visual alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If audio aids such as voice instructions or chimes are used to guide drivers, then navigational guidance is provided, but the aids become irritating or annoying to the driver and other occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces audio/visual notification systems with a haptic feedback system that uses the steering wheel as the interface. The steering wheel generates tactile cues through vibration or resistance changes, substituting traditional sensory channels (audio/visual) with a tactile channel that is less intrusive and does not compete for the driver's attention in the same way.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel acts as an intermediary between the navigational system and the driver. Instead of directly presenting audio or visual information that requires cognitive processing, the system translates navigational cues into subtle tactile sensations through the steering wheel, which the driver perceives peripherally while maintaining focus on the road.
2Loss of information
If visual aids such as diagrams and text are displayed on an in-vehicle display, then route guidance is provided, but the driver must direct attention away from the roadway
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces visual display interfaces with a haptic feedback interface through the steering wheel. Tactile cues convey directional information (e.g., left or right turn upcoming) without requiring the driver to visually engage with a display, thereby maintaining continuous visual attention on the roadway and improving driving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the information delivery channel from the visual dimension (display screens) to the tactile dimension (steering wheel haptics). This dimensional shift allows the driver to receive navigational guidance through a different sensory modality that does not require visual engagement, thus eliminating the need to divert attention from the road.
3Loss of information
If audio aids are used for navigational guidance, then instructions are provided to drivers, but the drivers may ignore the audio aids and miss exits or turns
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel serves as a direct physical intermediary that the driver is already in contact with during normal operation. By embedding haptic feedback mechanisms in the steering wheel, the system ensures that navigational cues are delivered through a medium that requires no additional driver action to access, eliminating the possibility of ignoring the guidance as can occur with audio or visual displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic feedback system leverages the existing driver-steering wheel interaction. The driver is already touching and manipulating the steering wheel for vehicle control, so the navigational cues are delivered passively through this existing interface without requiring the driver to actively seek out or attend to a separate notification system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for indicating an impending vehicle maneuver within a predetermined distance is provided. The system includes a navigational system and a control module. The navigational system receives a vehicle destination and determines a current geographical vehicle position. The navigational system determines if the impending vehicle maneuver is required within the predetermined distance based on the vehicle destination and the current geographical vehicle position. The control module is in communication with the navigational system and a handwheel. The control module sends a signal that creates a steering assist torque in the handwheel if the impending vehicle maneuver is required.