Stowable Steering Wheel Rim with Pivot Shaft Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering wheels limit driver mobility and comfort, especially in vehicles with high levels of automation where the driver may not need to actively control the vehicle, as they cannot be easily stowed to provide more space and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel design featuring a movable rim that rotates about a first axis and is connected to a pivot shaft, which pivots about a second axis via a transmission mechanism, allowing the rim to be easily stowed by a driving apparatus, with optional self-locking and angle measurement devices for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering wheel rim is fixed in position, then the driver can easily grasp and control the steering wheel, but the driver's freedom of movement is limited and the driver cannot turn sideways or get in and out of the vehicle easily
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel rim is made movable relative to the steering wheel support through a pivot shaft and transmission mechanism, allowing it to rotate about a second axis of rotation. This dynamic configuration enables the rim to be positioned in different orientations, providing both easy grasping for steering control and freedom of movement for the driver, including the ability to turn sideways and enter/exit the vehicle comfortably.
2Reliability
If the steering wheel rim is fixed in position, then the steering control is stable, but the steering wheel cannot be stowed to provide more space and comfort for the driver in autonomous driving scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel rim is configured to be movable relative to the steering wheel support through a pivot shaft connected to a transmission mechanism. This allows the rim to be stowed by rotating about the second axis of rotation, reducing the space occupied by the steering wheel when active steering is not required, thereby providing more space and comfort for the driver in autonomous driving scenarios while maintaining stable control when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a movable steering wheel rim with pivot shaft and transmission mechanism is added, then the steering wheel can be stowed easily to provide more space and comfort, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is divided into separate components: a steering wheel rim, a steering wheel support, and a pivot shaft that can pivot relative to the support. The transmission mechanism is integrated into the pivot shaft assembly, allowing the rim to be stowed independently. This segmentation enables the complex functionality to be achieved through modular, manageable components rather than a monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A pivot shaft is introduced as an intermediary component between the steering wheel rim and the steering wheel support. The pivot shaft connects to a transmission mechanism that enables controlled rotation about the second axis of rotation. This intermediary element simplifies the overall structure by providing a dedicated mechanism for the stowage function without requiring complex integration throughout the entire steering wheel assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering wheel, including a steering wheel rim and a steering wheel support, the steering wheel rim being movable relative to the steering wheel support, and the steering wheel rim being mounted rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The steering wheel further includes: a pivot shaft, fixedly connected to the steering wheel rim so as to move together with the steering wheel rim, the pivoting of the pivot shaft about a second axis of rotation causing the steering wheel rim to rotate about the second axis relative to the steering wheel support, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis; and a transmission mechanism, configured to be drivingly connected to the pivot shaft and configured to transmit power to the pivot shaft when driven by a driving apparatus so that the pivot shaft pivots about the second axis.