A method of controlling switching to a manual driving mode in an autonomous vehicle provided with a foldable pedal device is provided. In the method, when a signal for switching a driving mode from an autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode is generated in an autonomous vehicle provided with a foldable accelerator pedal device and a foldable brake pedal device, whether it is possible to switch the driving mode to the manual driving mode is determined by checking safety conditions; when the safety conditions are satisfied, it is determined whether a pop-up position of a pad of the foldable accelerator pedal device and a pop-up position of a pad of the foldable brake pedal device are normal pop-up positions, respectively; and only when the positions are the respective normal pop-up positions, the driving mode is switched to the manual driving mode.

Systems and methods for a moveable cover panel of an autonomous vehicle is provided. A vehicle can include a front panel disposed proximate to the front end of the passenger compartment, a vehicle motion control device located at the front panel, and a cover panel located at the front panel. The cover panel moveable relative to the front panel between an isolating position and an exposing position. The cover panel can isolate the vehicle motion control device from the passenger compartment when in the isolating position and expose the vehicle motion control device to the passenger compartment when in the exposing position. A method can include obtaining vehicle data identifying an operational mode, state, and/or status of the vehicle, determining a first position of the cover panel, and initiating a positional change for the cover panel based on the vehicle data and the first position.

A steering system includes an operation member; a first movement mechanism configured to move the operation member between a normal position and a storage area located forward of the normal position; a second movement mechanism configured to move the operation member so as to change a position of the operation member in an up-down direction of the vehicle; and a control unit configured to control the first and second movement mechanisms. The storage area is located inward of an opening of a vehicle member provided in front of a driver's seat in the vehicle. The control unit is configured to control, in a case where the operation member is retracted into the storage area, the first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism to perform a forward movement of moving the operation member that has reached a vicinity of the vehicle member, along an outer shape of the vehicle member.

A steering system includes an operation member; a first movement mechanism configured to move the operation member between a normal position and a storage area located forward of the normal position; a second movement mechanism configured to move the operation member so as to change a position of the operation member in an up-down direction of the vehicle; and a control unit configured to control the first and second movement mechanisms. The storage area is located inward of an opening of a vehicle member provided in front of a driver's seat in the vehicle. The control unit is configured to control, in a case where the operation member is retracted into the storage area, the first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism to perform a forward movement of moving the operation member that has reached a vicinity of the vehicle member, along an outer shape of the vehicle member.

Embodiments may allow the steering wheel to be received in a vehicle body to secure a space for the driver's seat in autonomous driving mode and prevent the steering wheel from interfering with the driver's body, thereby allowing for the driver's comfortable movement while preventing the driver from intervening in steering.

A steering column assembly is disclosed that comprises: an elongate rotatable steering column, a displacement motor, a torque feedback motor; an engagement mechanism and a control. The steering column is configured at one end for attachment of a steering member and is displaceable along its longitudinal axis between a withdrawn, stowed position in which the steering function of the steering column is inhibited and an extended, deployed position in which the steering function of the steering column can be enabled. The displacement motor displaces the steering column between the stowed and deployed positions. The torque feedback motor is connected to the steering column and by which the steering column is rotatable. The engagement mechanism is engaged when the steering column is in the stowed position and limits the angular displacement of the steering column to a predetermined value. A control is configured to control the operation of the displacement motor and torque feedback motor and to inhibit and enable the steering function of the steering column.

A steering column assembly is disclosed that comprises: an elongate rotatable steering column, a displacement motor, a torque feedback motor; an engagement mechanism and a control. The steering column is configured at one end for attachment of a steering member and is displaceable along its longitudinal axis between a withdrawn, stowed position in which the steering function of the steering column is inhibited and an extended, deployed position in which the steering function of the steering column can be enabled. The displacement motor displaces the steering column between the stowed and deployed positions. The torque feedback motor is connected to the steering column and by which the steering column is rotatable. The engagement mechanism is engaged when the steering column is in the stowed position and limits the angular displacement of the steering column to a predetermined value. A control is configured to control the operation of the displacement motor and torque feedback motor and to inhibit and enable the steering function of the steering column.

A lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle is provided. The steering mechanism has a steering shaft coupled to a steering link that is coupled to the vehicle's front wheels. A steering wheel is axially fixed to the steering shaft. A lifter guide is rotationally and axially fixed to the steering shaft, and a lifter is rotationally fixed to and axially moveable about the lifter guide. A rotatable locking ring rotates from a first position to a second position. The lifter engages the steering wheel when the locking ring is in the first position to rotationally fix the steering wheel to the steering shaft. The lifter is rotationally decoupled from the steering wheel when the locking ring is in a second position to rotationally decouple the steering wheel from the steering shaft.

A lockable steering mechanism for a children's ride-on vehicle is provided. The steering mechanism has a steering shaft coupled to a steering link that is coupled to the vehicle's front wheels. A steering wheel is axially fixed to the steering shaft. A lifter guide is rotationally and axially fixed to the steering shaft, and a lifter is rotationally fixed to and axially moveable about the lifter guide. A rotatable locking ring rotates from a first position to a second position. The lifter engages the steering wheel when the locking ring is in the first position to rotationally fix the steering wheel to the steering shaft. The lifter is rotationally decoupled from the steering wheel when the locking ring is in a second position to rotationally decouple the steering wheel from the steering shaft.

A steering column assembly includes a jacket. The assembly also includes a plurality of cylindrical lead screws threadably coupled to each other, the plurality of lead screws rotatable relative to each other and translatable relative to each other. The assembly further includes a nut threadably coupled to one of the plurality of lead screws and operatively coupled to the jacket to axially move the jacket.