BACKGROUND

The embodiments described herein relate to steering wheel assemblies and, more particularly, to a rotation control system for a steering wheel.

As autonomously driven vehicles are developed, a number of opportunities will evolve related to entertainment and functionality for drivers. Steering wheels are commonly limited to standard driving positions due to the need for a driver to handle the steering wheel during operation of the vehicle. These limitations may be unnecessary during an autonomous driving mode of a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a rotation control system for a steering system of a vehicle includes a steering shaft. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft, the steering shaft switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition during operation of the vehicle, the rotational condition occurring during a manual driving mode and the non-rotational condition occurring during an autonomous driving mode. The rotational control system further includes a condition switching device for allowing a user to switch between the rotational condition and the non-rotational condition, the condition switching device comprising at least one of a switch, a button, and a voice prompt.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, an autonomous vehicle driving system includes a controller for providing a plurality of autonomous driving functions with a plurality of controller subsystems for a vehicle, wherein one of the controller subsystems comprises a steering shaft rotation control system. The rotation control system includes a steering shaft. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft, the steering shaft switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition during operation of the vehicle, the rotational condition occurring during a manual driving mode and the non-rotational condition occurring during an autonomous driving mode. The rotation control system further includes a condition switching device for allowing a user to switch between the rotational condition and the non-rotational condition, the condition switching device comprising at least one of a switch, a button, and a voice prompt.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

