Hydraulic Steering Wheel Vibration for Softer Driver Warnings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric actuators used in steering wheels generate harsh and noisy vibrations, which can be unpleasant for drivers and may distract them from driving, as they require significant vibration to provide effective feedback.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a reservoir filled with non-conductive fluid, an actuator connected via a hydraulic line, and electrorheological fluid electrodes to generate soft and reliable warning vibrations, adjustable based on driving parameters like vehicle distance to an adjacent vehicle, using a vibration generation controller to apply voltage and adjust vibration characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional electric actuator is used to generate vibration feedback, then the driver receives clear warning signals, but the vibration becomes harsh and noisy, causing discomfort and distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid medium (water or other fluid) as an intermediary between the actuator and the steering wheel. The actuator generates pressure changes in the fluid, which then produce vibrations in the steering wheel. This fluid intermediary softens the mechanical coupling, transforming harsh direct mechanical vibrations into smoother, more comfortable vibrations while maintaining warning signal clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional direct mechanical vibration transmission system with a fluid-based pressure transmission system. Instead of mechanically coupling the actuator directly to the steering wheel structure, the system uses fluid pressure changes to transmit the warning signal, substituting mechanical vibration with fluid-mediated pressure waves that result in softer vibrations.
2Reliability
If sufficient vibration strength is generated to ensure driver feedback, then warning effectiveness is improved, but noise and mechanical harshness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid acts as a mediator that decouples the harsh mechanical characteristics of the actuator from the steering wheel. The actuator can generate strong pressure changes in the fluid without creating harsh mechanical vibrations, and the fluid transmits these pressure changes to the steering wheel in a smoothed manner, maintaining feedback effectiveness while reducing noise and mechanical roughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using fluid pressure transmission to convey the warning signal. The actuator functions as a hydraulic pump that pressurizes the fluid, and this pressure variation is transmitted through the fluid to create vibrations in the steering wheel. This hydraulic approach allows for strong signal transmission without the mechanical harshness of direct actuator-to-wheel coupling.
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 solution provides a softer and more reliable vibration feedback to drivers, reducing noise and discomfort while allowing for precise adjustment based on driving conditions, enhancing safety and marketability.
Implementation Method 1
The positive and the negative electrodes may be filled with an electrorheological fluid, respectively. The positive and the negative electrodes may be configured to come close to compress the reservoir when electric power is applied thereto from the voltage power supplier.
Implementation Method 2
a reservoir disposed within the steering wheel and filled with a non-conductive fluid, a connection tube connected to the reservoir and configured to form a hydraulic line of the non-conductive fluid, an actuator disposed within the steering wheel, connected to the connection tube, and configured to vibrate according to inflow and outflow of the non-conductive fluid from the connection tube
Implementation Method 3
The reservoir may be covered with a reservoir film cover having elasticity. The actuator may be covered with an actuator film cover having a predetermined elasticity. The elasticity of the actuator film cover may be formed greater than the elasticity of the reservoir film cover, such that the non-conductive fluid is applied with a pressure in a direction from the actuator to the reservoir.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for generating a warning vibration of a steering wheel includes, a reservoir disposed within the steering wheel and filled with a non-conductive fluid, a connection tube connected to the reservoir and configured to form a hydraulic line of the non-conductive fluid, an actuator disposed within the steering wheel, connected to the connection tube, and configured to vibrate according to inflow and outflow of the non-conductive fluid from the connection tube, a positive electrode and a negative electrode disposed on opposite sides of the reservoir, a high voltage power supplier configured to supply a high voltage to be applied to the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a vibration generation controller configured to selectively apply an output voltage of the high voltage power supplier to the positive electrode and the negative electrode.