Variable-Function Steering Wheel Interface for Driver Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing driver interfaces in vehicles face challenges in providing high functionality while maintaining user safety, as the limited space on the steering wheel restricts the number of buttons, leading to difficulty in operation and increased distraction from the road due to the need to look at multiple buttons for function activation.
Innovation Solution
A driver interface system that incorporates a steering wheel with input areas featuring variable-function input devices such as buttons and rotary dials, along with a touchpad, and a dashboard display that shows images corresponding to the functions of these inputs, allowing for increased functionality without cluttering the steering wheel and reducing the need for users to take their hands off the wheel or look away from the road.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If more buttons are added to the steering wheel to increase functionality, then the number of available functions increases, but the steering wheel becomes too large to grasp and turn, and buttons become difficult to operate while driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable-function buttons where each button can perform multiple different functions depending on the current context or mode. This allows a smaller number of buttons to provide access to more functions without increasing physical size, resolving the contradiction between functionality and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfiguration of button functions based on detected events or operational modes. The system adapts which functions are assigned to which buttons in real-time, allowing the same physical button layout to serve multiple purposes across different driving contexts, thereby increasing functionality without adding more buttons.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more buttons are added to the steering wheel, then more functions are available, but the user must look at the steering wheel for a longer time to distinguish buttons, causing eyes to be farther from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide auditory or haptic confirmation when a button is pressed or a function is activated. This feedback allows the driver to confirm button presses without visually checking the steering wheel, reducing the time eyes are off the road while maintaining access to multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic function identification and confirmation through feedback mechanisms, eliminating the need for the driver to visually search for and identify button functions. The system serves itself by providing the information the driver needs through non-visual channels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If buttons are placed on the center console instead of the steering wheel, then more buttons can be accommodated, but the user must reach over, worsening grip on the steering wheel and increasing distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable-function buttons on the steering wheel that can access multiple functions without requiring additional physical buttons. This maintains steering wheel control accessibility while providing comprehensive functionality, eliminating the need to reach to the center console.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns functions to steering wheel buttons based on context, allowing a compact button layout to provide access to numerous functions. This dynamic reassignment eliminates the need for a large number of physical buttons while maintaining ease of operation from the steering wheel position.
Data Source
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AI summary
A driver interface system (100, 200, 400, 600, 800) includes a steering wheel assembly (102, 202, 402, 602, 702, 802) and a display (122, 222, 322, 422, 622, 722, 822). The steering wheel assembly (102, 202, 402, 602, 702, 802) includes a variable-function input device. The variable-function input device includes a plurality of assignable functions and a present function being one of the plurality of assignable functions. The display (122, 222, 322, 422, 622, 722, 822) is configured to display (122, 222, 322, 422, 622, 722, 822) an image (226B, 526B, 726I) corresponding to the present function of the variable-function input device. The driver interface system (100, 200, 400, 600, 800) may include a plurality of display (122, 222, 322, 422, 622, 722, 822) modes, and in response to a change in display (122, 222, 322, 422, 622, 722, 822) mode, the driver interface system (100, 200, 400, 600, 800) may change the present function in the plurality of assignable functions. The steering wheel assembly (102, 202, 402, 602, 702, 802) may also include a touchpad (116, 216, 416, 716) configured to receive a handwritten input (736), and the display (122, 222, 322, 422, 622, 722, 822) may be configured to display (122, 222, 322, 422, 622, 722, 822) an image (226B, 526B, 726I) corresponding to the handwritten input (736).