Driver control input device for drive-by-wire vehicle
First Claim
1. A vehicle driver control input device comprising:
- a non-rotatable wheel having at least one track; and
first and second hand grips movably engaged with said at least one track so that the first and second hand grips are movable along said at least one track to facilitate sending steering signals to a steer-by-wire system of a vehicle.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle driver control input device includes a non-rotatable wheel having at least one track. First and second hand grips are movably engaged with the track so that the first and second hand grips are movable along the track to facilitate sending steering signals to a steer-by-wire system of a vehicle. At least one of the first and second hand grips has an accelerator demand input mechanism to facilitate sending acceleration signals to an energy conversion system of the vehicle. At least one of the first and second hand grips have a braking demand input mechanism to facilitate sending braking signals to a brake-by-wire system of the vehicle. Alternatively, the wheel and hand grips may rotate with respect to a support post to facilitate generating steering signals.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle driver control input device comprising:
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a non-rotatable wheel having at least one track; and
first and second hand grips movably engaged with said at least one track so that the first and second hand grips are movable along said at least one track to facilitate sending steering signals to a steer-by-wire system of a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle driver control input device comprising:
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a support post;
a steering wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the support post to facilitate sending steering signals to a steer-by-wire system of a vehicle when the steering wheel is rotated;
an accelerator demand input mechanism positioned on the steering wheel to facilitate sending acceleration signals to an energy conversion system of the vehicle; and
a braking demand input mechanism operatively connected to the steering wheel to facilitate sending braking signals to a brake-by-wire system of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A vehicle driver control input device comprising:
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a non-rotatable wheel having at least one track and mounted on a post;
first and second hand grips movably engaged with said at least one track so that the first and second hand grips are movable along said at least one track to facilitate sending steering signals to a steer-by-wire system of a vehicle;
accelerator demand input buttons positioned on said first and second hand grips to facilitate sending acceleration signals to an energy conversion system of the vehicle;
braking demand input buttons positioned on said first and second hand grips to facilitate sending braking signals to a brake-by-wire system of the vehicle;
wherein said accelerator demand input buttons are positioned inside the wheel to facilitate operation by thumb; and
wherein said first and second hand grips are sufficiently linked together such that they maintain a specified distance apart as they are moved for steering.
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20. A vehicle comprising:
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a chassis;
at least three wheels operable with respect to the chassis;
a steering system mounted with respect to the chassis and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;
a braking system mounted with respect to the chassis and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;
an energy conversion system mounted with respect to the chassis and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;
a connection port mounted with respect to the chassis and operably connected to the steering, braking and energy conversion systems;
a non-rotatable wheel having at least one track;
first and second hand grips movably engaged with said at least one track so that the first and second hand grips are movable along said at least one track to facilitate sending steering signals to the steering system via the connection port;
at least one of said first and second hand grips having an accelerator demand input mechanism to facilitate sending acceleration signals to said energy conversion system via the connection port; and
at least one of said first and second hand grips having a braking demand input mechanism to facilitate sending braking signals to said braking system via the connection port.
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Specification