Console with driver's interface

• US 20040016588A1
• Filed: 01/06/2003
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Shabana, Mohsen D., Chernoff, Adrian B., Borroni-Bird, Christopher E., Vitale, Robert Louis
• Granted Patent: US 6,857,498 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/322
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/67 Foldable or movable displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/00 Dashboards as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/04 Hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/18 yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable padded linings associated with the steering column B60R21/05
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/22 Alternative steering-control elements, e.g. for teaching purposes

Abstract

A drive-by-wire control console for a vehicle has a transversely movable control module on a transversely movable, elongated beam which is supported on a longitudinally movable support column which supports the elongated beam. The control module includes steering devices and display screens for vital vehicle information.

Claims

1. A driver'"'"'s interface for a vehicle having a plurality of differently located driving positions comprising:

a control module interfaceable with a driver and movable between the driving positions to accommodate the driver'"'"'s control of the vehicle from different locations.

2. The driver'"'"'s interface of claim 1, wherein the control module interfaces the driver for steering the vehicle.

3. The driver'"'"'s interface of claim 1, wherein the control module interfaces the driver for accelerating or decelerating the vehicle.

4. The driver'"'"'s interface of claim 1, including a display device for providing the driver with control information.

5. The driver'"'"'s interface of claim 1, wherein the control module is on a control console and includes sufficient actuators to provide the control module with multiple degrees of freedom.

6. The driver'"'"'s interface of claim 1, including a transversely movable beam for supporting the control module.

7. The driver'"'"'s interface of claim 6, wherein the control module is transversely movable with respect to the beam.

8. The driver'"'"'s interface of claim 1, wherein the driver'"'"'s control of the vehicle is by wire.

9. The driver'"'"'s interface of claim 2, wherein the interface of the control module permits the driver to steer-by-wire.

10. A drive-by-wire control console for a vehicle with a driver'"'"'s interface comprising:

a universally movable control module;

a transversely elongated beam supporting the control module; and

sufficient actuators to provide the control module with multiple degrees of freedom.

11. The drive-by-wire control console of claim 10, wherein the control module has a display screen.

12. A mobile vehicle adapted to be driven by wire and comprising:

seating structure having a plurality of selectable driving positions; and

a control console movable with respect to a driver in more than one of such selectable positions;

the control console including a support column movable with respect to the seating structure, a beam movable with respect to the support column, and a control module movable with respect to the beam, whereby to interface the control module with the driver.

13. The mobile vehicle of claim 12, wherein the support column is movable longitudinally.

14. The mobile vehicle of claim 12, wherein the beam is movable transversely.

15. The mobile vehicle of claim 12, wherein the control module is further movable pivotally with respect to the driver.

16. The mobile vehicle of claim 12, wherein the support column further includes an armrest between a pair of such positions.

17. The mobile vehicle of claim 12, wherein the control module is comprised of a display portion and a grip portion pivotally movable sufficiently with respect to the display portion to steer the vehicle by wire.

18. A driver cockpit for the interchangeable body of a drive-by-wire chassis comprising:

a floor having an opening;

a pair of seating structures connected to the floor; and

a control console between the seating structures and movable longitudinally with respect to the floor and the seating structures;

the control console including a control module movable transversely between positions in driver interface relationship at each seating structure; and

the control module having a steer-by-wire component connectable to the chassis by wire through the opening in the floor.

19. The driver cockpit of claim 18, wherein the transverse movement of the control module is facilitated by a transversely movable beam.