Steering Wheel Pivot Mechanism for Autonomous Driving Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering wheel arrangements for autonomous driving do not allow for intuitive activation and deactivation of autonomous driving modes and do not efficiently transition to a less obstructive position for improved driver visibility during autonomous operation.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable or tiltable steering wheel arrangement that activates autonomous driving mode when displaced into a rest position and deactivates it when returned to the usage position, with a blocking device ensuring manual displacement only when autonomous driving is possible, allowing for enhanced driver visibility and simplified mode switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the steering wheel is kept in the usage position during autonomous driving, then the driver can quickly take control in emergency situations, but the driver's view of the dashboard and display screen is partially obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is made dynamically positionable between usage position and rest position, allowing it to adapt its location based on whether the vehicle is in manual or autonomous mode. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by optimizing visibility during autonomous driving while maintaining quick accessibility during manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is moved along a tilting axis that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis, utilizing a previously underutilized spatial dimension. This dimensional change allows the steering wheel to clear the dashboard view without compromising the driver's ability to access it when needed.
2Reliability
If a blocking device is added to prevent manual displacement when autonomous driving is not possible, then system safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device operates based on feedback from the autonomous driving system status. When autonomous driving is active, the blocking device permits manual displacement; when it is inactive, the blocking device prevents such displacement. This feedback-based control ensures safety while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the driver's manual input and the steering wheel's movement. It mediates the interaction by selectively permitting or preventing displacement based on the autonomous driving mode, thereby ensuring safety without requiring complex control systems.
3Illumination intensity
If the steering wheel is made tiltable along an axis perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis, then driver visibility is improved, but the mechanical complexity of the tilting mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it enables the steering wheel to move between usage and rest positions, provides the blocking device functionality, and integrates with the autonomous driving mode detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel tilting mechanism is designed to be self-contained, with the blocking device and mode detection integrated into the same mechanical structure. The system automatically detects the autonomous driving mode and相应地 activates or deactivates the tilting function without requiring additional complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement of a steering wheel in a motor vehicle suitable for autonomous driving is provided, wherein the steering wheel can be pivoted or tilted from a usage position into a rest position, in which the driver of the vehicle can still specify a steering request by rotating the steering wheel. The pivoting or tilting of the steering wheel from the usage position into the rest position switches on an autonomous vehicle operating mode, in which the vehicle moves along the roadway without assistance from the driver, whereas pivoting or tilting of the steering wheel from the rest position into the usage position switches off the autonomous vehicle operating mode. For this purpose, the steering wheel rim can be pivotably or tiltably attached to a spoke of the steering wheel, which spoke is stationary or connected to the steering wheel rim. The steering wheel rim can be guided within a rim guide sleeve such that the steering wheel rim can be rotated about the axis of rotation of the steering wheel, which rim guide sleeve in turn can be pivoted in a guiding end of the spoke about a pivot axis that extends parallel to a tangent of the steering wheel rim at the point of intersection with the spoke longitudinal axis.