Steering Wheel Illumination Unit Spoke Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle steering handle designs face challenges in accurately detecting grip states and providing decoration while incorporating an illuminator, heater, or grip sensor, as these components interfere with each other's functionality when placed in the grip portion.
Innovation Solution
A steering switch device is designed with a housing in the spoke portion of the steering wheel, featuring an operation unit and an illumination unit on its side surface that protrudes to illuminate the grip portion, avoiding direct placement in the grip area and thus minimizing interference with existing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an illuminator is disposed in the grip portion of the steering wheel, then the grip portion can be illuminated to provide warning to the driver, but the accuracy of grip detection is reduced and decoration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator is extracted from the grip portion and relocated to the spoke portion of the steering wheel. The housing is disposed in the spoke portion, and the illumination unit protrudes from the housing to illuminate the grip portion from a distance, thereby eliminating interference with grip sensors while maintaining illumination functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure that houses the illumination unit in the spoke portion while allowing it to project light onto the grip portion. This intermediary positioning enables the illuminator to fulfill its warning function without directly contacting or interfering with the grip portion's sensors and decorative elements
2Illumination intensity
If an illuminator is disposed in the grip portion of the steering wheel, then the grip portion can be illuminated, but decoration is limited when applying wrapping leather
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator is extracted from the grip portion and positioned in the spoke portion instead. This removal eliminates the obstacle to applying wrapping leather and other decorative materials to the grip portion, allowing full decorative coverage without needing to accommodate illuminator components
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination function is copied to a different location (spoke portion) while the grip portion remains free for decoration. The housing and illumination unit in the spoke portion replicate the illuminating effect on the grip portion without requiring physical presence in the grip area itself
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 configuration allows for effective illumination of the grip portion without compromising the functionality of the grip area, enhancing user experience and functionality by clearly indicating switching from automated to manual driving.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination unit provided in a side surface of the housing protruding from the spoke portion, the illumination unit being configured to illuminate a grip portion of the steering wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A steering switch device includes a housing disposed in a spoke portion of a steering wheel of a vehicle, the housing including an operation unit configured to operate an electronic device that is electrically connected, and an illumination unit provided in a side surface of the housing protruding from the spoke portion, the illumination unit being configured to illuminate a grip portion of the steering wheel.