TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally directed to the automotive field. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to steering assemblies in which a steering wheel of a vehicle can be moved to multiple positions for manual operation, in both manufacturing and use contexts.

BACKGROUND

Currently, vehicles can be manufactured for use in various countries where rules and policies may differ. For example, in some countries, vehicles are driven on the right side of the road, and, in other countries, vehicles are driven on the left side of the road. For use in countries where vehicles are driven on the right side of the road, vehicles are typically manufactured with a steering wheel on the left side of the vehicle. Conversely, in countries where vehicles are driven on the left side of the road, vehicles are typically manufactured with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle.

Furthermore, in the field of vehicle manufacturing, a considerable amount of research and development has been focused recently on the technology of autonomous vehicles (AVs), which may also be referred to as automatic driving vehicles (ADVs), self-driving cars, or driverless vehicles. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has developed a way to define the different levels of driving autonomy in which a vehicle can be controlled. For example, Level 0 is defined as a fully-human operated mode where a human driver controls all aspects (e.g., steering, accelerating, braking, etc.) of vehicle operation, although this level may also include automated systems that can issue warnings for assisting the human driver. On the opposite end of the spectnim, Level 5 is defined as a fully-automated mode in which no human intervention is needed. In fact, Level 5 can sometimes be defined as a robotic taxi mode or a mode where the vehicle can be driven automatically even without human passengers. In some cases, a Level 5 vehicle may be manufactured without a steering wheel or other human interfacing control devices.

Levels 1-4 of the SAE automation definitions include various combinations of human and computer-controlled operation. Level 1 involves human control, but may include some automated assistance, such as cruise control, parking assistance, lane keeping assistance, etc. Level 2 is defined as an automated mode where an automated system can take full control of the vehicle (e.g., steering, accelerating, braking, etc.), but the driver is usually required to be “eyes on” at all times in order to intervene when necessary. Level 3 is a mode where the human driver can be “eyes off” and the automated system can control the vehicle. The driver may intervene within some limited time to provide input in Level 3. Level 4 is a mode where the human driver can be “mind of” and the automated system can control the vehicle fully, in this mode, human control may be non-existent or limited to certain conditions, such as for driving in undefined spatial areas, for making human decisions in traffic jam conditions, etc.

Thus, there are numerous ways that vehicles can be manufactured in today's market to account for a number of different driving scenarios. For example, when operating the vehicle in a human-controlled mode (e.g., Levels 0-2), a driver can be positioned either on the left or right side of the vehicle depending on the rules of the country in which the vehicle is being driven. If a vehicle is configured for use in more automated modes (e.g., Levels 3-5), the steering wheel, accelerator, and brake pedal may not necessarily be used on a regular basis by a human driver, and in some situations, a human may not necessarily be seated in a conventional driving position.

Therefore, there is a need for flexibility in the design of manual-driving positions within a vehicle to accommodate the various driving scenarios mentioned above. Also, there is a need for a vehicle design that can allow this flexibility in a way that is convenient, easy to operate, and safe for the driver and passengers.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present disclosure includes vehicles and steering assemblies allowing a steering wheel to be positioned at multiple lateral positions for control by a human operator. In one embodiment, a steering system of a vehicle is provided, whereby the steering system includes a track oriented substantially in a side-to-side direction with respect to the vehicle. The side-to-side direction may be defined as being substantially horizontal with a ground surface and substantially perpendicular with a forward-facing direction of the vehicle. The steering system further includes a steering wheel adapted to slide laterally along the track.

According to another embodiment, a vehicle is defined by a front/back axis substantially oriented in a forward-facing direction. The vehicle may include a lateral track arranged substantially along a lateral axis perpendicular with the front/back axis of the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a steering wheel assembly adapted to slide laterally along the lateral track.

According to yet another embodiment, the present disclosure further provides a vehicle having a steering wheel assembly adapted to be positioned in laterally variable locations with respect to the vehicle. The steering wheel assembly may be further adapted to enable a driver to manually operate the vehicle from at least a left-hand side of the vehicle or a right-hand side of the vehicle.

