User input for vehicle control

• US 20050034553A1
• Filed: 09/22/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Ambrogi, Robert R., Morrell, John B., Heinzmann, Richard Kurt, Heinzmann, John D., Kamen, Dean L., Herr, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,357,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/491
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/14 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/04 motor-driven A61G5/06 takes precedence; motor-operated rests A61G5/12; for vehicles with handlebars, equipped with three or more wheels B62K5/003, B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/061 for climbing stairs
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/007 Automatic balancing machines with single main ground engaging wheel or coaxial wheels supporting a rider
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/042 in which a parameter or coefficient is automatically adjusted to optimise the performance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20396 Hand operated

Abstract

A user input for controlling acceleration of a vehicle. The user input has a movable member capable of deflection by a user such that a degree of deflection corresponds to a specified velocity commanded by the user. The correspondence between the degree of deflection and the specified velocity may include a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity that may be capable of customization for a specific user. The user input may also include a neutral position of the movable member, wherein a substantially sudden motion of the movable member to the neutral position causes a slewed slowing of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A user input for controlling acceleration of a vehicle, the user input comprising:

a movable member capable of deflection by a user such that a degree of deflection corresponds to a specified velocity commanded by the user.

2. A user input according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence between the degree of deflection and the specified velocity includes a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity.

3. A user input according to claim 1, further including a neutral position of the movable member, wherein a substantially sudden motion of the movable member to the neutral position causes a slewed slowing of the vehicle.

4. A user input according to claim 1, wherein the specified velocity has fore-aft and lateral components.

5. A user input for controlling acceleration of a vehicle, the user input comprising:

a movable member capable of deflection by a user such that a degree of deflection corresponds to a specified velocity commanded by the user, the correspondence between the degree of deflection and the specified velocity having a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity.

6. A user input according to claim 5, wherein the distinct sensitivity of each zone is capable of customized specification by the user.

7. A user input according to claim 5, wherein the distinct sensitivity of each zone is capable of customized specification for a specified user.