Two-Part Steering Wheel With Variable Damping for Shared Autonomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems lack a suitable input device for intuitively blending human steering inputs with autonomous steering controls, leading to inadequate communication and cooperation between drivers and autonomous vehicles, especially in situations where autonomous systems fail to detect minor obstacles or require human intervention.
Innovation Solution
A two-part steering apparatus comprising an outer rim and an inner hub with adjustable rotation resistance, connected via a rotatable mechanical interface and a damper, which allows for variable blending of driver inputs with autonomous steering commands, providing haptic feedback to the driver through adjustable rotation resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional single-part steering wheel is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot provide intuitive blending of human and autonomous control inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is divided into two independent rotatable parts: an outer rim and an inner hub. Each part can rotate independently and transmit steering inputs separately, enabling the system to blend human steering inputs with autonomous steering commands by combining the rotational inputs from both parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling between the outer rim and inner hub is made dynamically adjustable through a variable damping mechanism. The damping coefficient can be changed to vary the degree of coupling between the two parts, allowing the system to adapt between different blending modes (e.g., autonomous-dominated, human-dominated, or balanced blending).
2Ease of operation
If the outer rim and inner hub are strongly coupled, then the steering input transmission is direct and responsive, but the driver cannot feel the autonomous system's influence on steering
Solution Approach 1:
The variable damping mechanism provides haptic feedback to the driver by adjusting the resistance felt during outer rim rotation. When the autonomous system exerts influence on steering, the damping mechanism creates tactile resistance or smoothness changes that communicate the autonomous system's actions to the driver, maintaining driver awareness of the blending process.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping coefficient between the outer rim and inner hub is dynamically adjusted based on the relative steering inputs from the driver and autonomous system. When the autonomous system dominates, the damping is increased to provide stronger haptic feedback; when the driver dominates, the damping is decreased for smoother input transmission.
3Loss of information
If the steering apparatus provides detailed haptic feedback, then driver awareness is enhanced, but the mechanical complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damping mechanism is designed to automatically adjust its damping coefficient based on the relative rotational positions and velocities of the outer rim and inner hub, without requiring continuous active control. The mechanism uses the kinetic energy from the steering inputs themselves to generate the appropriate haptic feedback, minimizing additional energy consumption while maintaining driver awareness.
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
Enables seamless blending of human and autonomous steering inputs, improving driver awareness of their influence on vehicle trajectory and enhancing cooperation between drivers and autonomous systems by providing continuous haptic feedback on the amount of driver input affecting the vehicle's steering.
Implementation Method 1
The damper includes an electric motor connected to the rotatable mechanical interface and an adjustable load connected to terminals of the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
The rotatable mechanical interface includes a rack and pinion mechanism
Implementation Method 3
The rotatable mechanical interface includes a friction track disposed on an inside portion of the outer rim and one or more wheels attached to the inner hub and positioned to contact the friction track
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-part steering apparatus includes an outer rim and an inner hub. The outer rim rotates relative to the inner hub with an adjustable rotation resistance. A rotatable mechanical interface connected the outer rim to the inner hub, and a damper connects to the rotatable mechanical interface. The damper is configured to change the rotation resistance between the outer rim and inner hub. The rotatable mechanical interface may include a gear track disposed on an inside portion of the outer rim and a gear system attached to the inner hub and positioned to mesh with the gear track. The damper may include an electric motor connected to the rotatable mechanical interface and an adjustable load connected to terminals of the electric motor.