Vehicle Grip Portion Orientation for Manual Mode Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles with automatic and manual operation modes face difficulties in allowing drivers to seamlessly transition from automatic to manual mode, as the grab bar obstructs immediate grasping of the steering wheel.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design featuring a fixed member with a grip portion adjacent to the steering wheel that extends from the lower side to the upper side, allowing smooth and interference-free movement of the hand to grasp the steering wheel, along with a rotatable steering wheel and a space between the grip portion and the steering wheel to prevent interference during manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a grab bar is positioned in front of the driver's seat and extends in the left-right direction, then the driver can stabilize the posture during automatic operation, but it becomes difficult for the driver to immediately grasp the steering wheel when switching to manual operation mode
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the stabilizing function from the traditional horizontal grab bar and relocates it to a vertical grip portion positioned adjacent to the steering wheel. This allows the steering wheel to be completely removed from the stabilization function, dedicating it solely to steering operations, while the vertical grip portion provides stabilization during automatic mode without interfering with manual takeover.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation of the grip bar from horizontal (left-right direction) to vertical (upper-lower direction). This dimensional change allows the grip portion to extend along the rotation shaft direction of the steering wheel, providing stabilization in the vertical dimension while leaving the horizontal steering dimension completely free for manual operation.
2Ease of operation
If the grip portion extends from the lower side to the upper side of the steering wheel, then the driver can smoothly move the hand to grasp the steering wheel, but the grip portion may interfere with steering operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the functional zones by positioning the grip portion vertically adjacent to the steering wheel rather than horizontally overlapping it. The grip portion is divided into an upper end and lower end with the lower end positioned closer to the driver, creating distinct functional zones: the vertical grip area for stabilization and the horizontal steering area for manual control, eliminating interference between them.
3Ease of operation
If the fixed member is attached closer to the driver, then the grip portion is more accessible, but it may interfere with the driver's legs and steering operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates dynamic spatial relationships by positioning the grip portion vertically adjacent to the steering wheel rotation shaft, allowing optimal distance from the driver. The lower end of the grip portion is positioned closer to the driver for accessibility, while the vertical orientation and spacing prevent interference with the driver's legs and steering operations, achieving a dynamic balance between accessibility and non-interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a fixed member. The fixed member includes a grip portion located adjacent to (in the vicinity of) the steering wheel. The grip portion extends from the lower side to the upper side of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is viewed in the direction along the rotation shaft of the steering wheel. Also, the steering wheel is rotatable independently of the fixed member. According to this vehicle, the driver can react instantly to the shift to the manual operation mode.