Steering Wheel Preconditioning via HVAC Louvers and Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrified vehicles, heating and cooling of the steering wheel without embedded components poses a challenge as it drains power from the propulsion battery, affecting the driving range, and existing solutions do not ensure complete conditioning with minimal power use.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an HVAC system that directs heated/cooled air through adjustable louvers adjacent to the steering wheel, uses an infrared camera to assess the steering wheel's temperature, and automatically rotates the steering wheel to optimize air flow for efficient heating/cooling, even in vehicles without built-in steering wheel heating/cooling elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If heating/cooling air is directed through HVAC ducts to condition a steering wheel without embedded components, then the steering wheel can be conditioned in vehicles lacking heating/cooling elements, but power consumption from the propulsion battery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary conditioning of the steering wheel before the driver enters the vehicle. The controller receives a request signal (e.g., via remote start) and activates the HVAC system to condition the steering wheel in advance, so that when the driver enters, the steering wheel is already at the desired temperature, minimizing the need for prolonged power consumption during driving.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic rotation of the steering wheel to alternately expose different surfaces to the HVAC air flow. The controller rotates the steering wheel back and forth to ensure uniform conditioning of all surfaces, maintaining efficiency while achieving complete coverage without requiring embedded heating/cooling elements throughout the entire steering wheel.
2Manufacturing precision
If the steering wheel is rotated back-and-forth to optimize air flow distribution, then complete conditioning of the steering wheel surface is achieved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the existing steering column motor, which already serves the function of steering control, to also perform the additional function of rotating the steering wheel back-and-forth during the preconditioning process. This multi-functional use of the motor avoids adding a separate dedicated rotation mechanism, thereby achieving uniform surface conditioning without significantly increasing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If HVAC air is directed through louvers adjacent to the steering wheel, then conditioning can be achieved in vehicles without embedded steering wheel components, but the precision of temperature control decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs temperature sensors to continuously monitor the steering wheel surface temperature and provides feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the HVAC system operation (air flow rate, louver positions, rotation speed) based on this feedback to maintain the steering wheel at the desired temperature, ensuring precise temperature control despite using external HVAC air flow instead of embedded heating/cooling elements.
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
This method effectively heats/cools the steering wheel prior to a trip while minimizing electric power consumption from the vehicle's battery, ensuring comfortable conditions without the need for embedded heating/cooling components in the steering wheel.
Implementation Method 1
takes an image of the steering wheel with an infrared camera
Implementation Method 2
directing heated/cooled air from an HVAC duct through louvers adjacent to a steering wheel
Data Source
AI summary
Heating and/or cooling a vehicle interior, and in particular a steering wheel, may include receiving a heating/cooling request, automatically directing heated/cooled air from an HVAC duct through louvers adjacent to a steering wheel into a passenger compartment, and automatically rotating the steering wheel back-and-forth to change the location where the heated/cooled air is blown onto the steering wheel. This may include automatically telescoping and automatically tilting the steering wheel as well. Moreover, an infrared camera may be employed to determine where best to rotate the steering wheel for heating/cooling.