Steering Wheel Optical Navigation Module Haptic Differentiation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering wheel designs for motor vehicles often lead to accidental triggering of control elements, especially when operated without visual confirmation, posing a safety risk as drivers cannot reliably use controls by touch alone while maintaining focus on the road.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel design featuring a first control module with an optical finger navigation module and a second control module with a distinct, inclined operating surface, where the optical finger navigation module is positioned radially inward and the second control element is on a different plane, allowing drivers to differentiate and operate controls safely through touch and movement without visual assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control elements are arranged on the steering wheel for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but accidental triggering increases when operated without visual confirmation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct haptic characteristics for different control elements. The first control element has a first haptic characteristic while the second control element has a second haptic characteristic that differs from the first. This allows the driver to differentiate between control elements through touch alone, improving operational accuracy without visual confirmation while maintaining ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by positioning control elements at different radial distances from the steering wheel center. The first control element is at a first radial distance while the second control element is at a second radial distance that differs from the first. This asymmetric arrangement creates distinguishable tactile feedback patterns, enabling reliable operation without visual assistance.
2Device complexity
If multiple control elements are positioned close together for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but distinguishability between control elements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct haptic characteristics for different control elements. The first control element has a first haptic characteristic while the second control element has a second haptic characteristic that differs from the first. This allows the driver to differentiate between control elements through touch alone, improving operational accuracy without visual confirmation while maintaining ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional dimension for differentiation by varying the radial distance of control elements from the steering wheel center. The first control element is at a first radial distance while the second control element is at a second radial distance that differs from the first. This spatial differentiation in the radial dimension enhances distinguishability without requiring increased separation distance.
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 design significantly reduces the likelihood of accidental triggering by providing distinct haptic and spatial cues, enabling drivers to reliably operate controls without taking their eyes off the road, enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
erste Steuereinheit (61) mit einem optischen Fingernavigationsmodul (63) als erstes Steuerelement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The intention is for actuation of operating elements on a steering wheel for a motor vehicle to be made more reliable. Therefore a steering wheel is provided, having a first and a second control module (71, 72), wherein the first control module (71) has an optical finger navigation module as a first control element (73) and the second control module (72) has a second control element (75). The first control element (73) has an operating surface (78) in a first plane and the second control element (75) has an operating surface (79) in a second plane different from the first plane, preferably in a plane that is inclined relative to the first plane. Thereby the control elements are haptically distinguishable from one another.