Steering wheel feedback mechanism

• US 20030070863A1
• Filed: 10/17/2001
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Kramer, Dennis A., Carlstedt, Robert P., Cubalchini, Joseph Jr., Ledesma, Ragnar H., Saxon, Nancy L., Williams, Monte G., Downey, Doyle R., Chamberlin, James B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,793,234 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/417
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/029 Steering assistants using warnings or proposing actions to the driver without influencing the steering system
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/06 fluid, i.e. using a pressurised fluid for most or all the force required for steering a vehicle

Abstract

A steering system comprises a steering wheel and a feedback mechanism in communication with the steering wheel. A control unit communicates with a sensor and controls the feedback mechanism based on the signal from the sensor. The feedback mechanism may cause tactile feedback in the steering wheel. The feedback mechanism is most preferably incorporated by controlling a solenoid valve in a power steering circuit for the vehicle. By repeatedly actuating the solenoid valve, vibration can be caused in the steering wheel.

Claims

1. A steering system comprising:

a steering wheel in a vehicle;

a feedback mechanism in communication with said steering wheel;

a control unit controlling said feedback mechanism; and

a sensor in communication with said control unit for detecting undesirable movement of the vehicle, said control unit controlling said feedback mechanism to communicate a signal to the driver.

2. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said feedback mechanism causes tactile feedback in said steering wheel.

3. The steering system of claim 2 wherein said tactile feedback comprises vibration in said steering wheel.

4. The steering system of claim 3 including a power steering unit in communication with said steering wheel, assisting steering of said vehicle.

5. The steering system of claim 4 wherein said power steering unit comprises a hydraulic pump and a solenoid valve controlling fluid flow to said hydraulic pump.

6. The steering system of claim 5 wherein said feedback mechanism comprises said solenoid valve in communication with said control unit, interrupting fluid flow of said power steering unit and thereby causing vibration of said steering wheel.

7. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said sensor relates to movement of said vehicle.

8. The steering system of claim 7 wherein said sensor is an accelerometer.

9. The steering system of claim 7 wherein said control unit controls said feedback mechanism based on the level of movement of said vehicle.

10. A steering system comprising:

a steering wheel in a vehicle;

a feedback mechanism causing tactile feedback in said steering wheel, a portion of said feedback mechanism including a solenoid valve incorporated into a power steering mechanism for the vehicle;

a control unit controlling said feedback mechanism, said control unit actuating said solenoid valve to cause vibration in said steering wheel and to selectively cause vibration in said steering wheel; and

a sensor in communication with said control unit, said sensor detecting undesirable movement in the vehicle, and sending the signal to said control unit of the undesired movement, said control unit selectively actuating said solenoid valve.

11. A method of providing feedback to a vehicle operator comprising the steps of:

sensing movement of a vehicle;

communicating the movement of the vehicle to a control unit; and

causing feedback in a steering wheel of the vehicle based on the sensed movement.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein causing feedback comprises pulsing hydraulic fluid to thereby vibrate the steering wheel.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein lateral roll of the vehicle is sensed.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein movement relates to vehicle slip.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the level of feedback varies on the level of movement of the vehicle.