Method and apparatus for vehicle auto-guidance

• US 20090069967A1
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TSD Integrated Controls LLC (Topcon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TSD Integrated Controls LLC (Topcon Corporation)
• Inventors: Reed, Keith, Gomes, Michael John
• Granted Patent: US 9,051,006 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/23
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/286 Systems for interrupting non-mechanical steering due to driver intervention

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclose for auto-steering of an auto-guided vehicle. A sensor coupled to a steering shaft detects when an operator requests control of the vehicle. The sensor then transmits information indicative of the request to one or more controllers of an auto-guidance system, which initiates a shutdown of auto-steering functions. In this way, the system quickly reverts to manual steering in an automatically guided and steered vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of steering an auto-guided vehicle comprising:

detecting manual steering input using a steering sensor coupled to a steering shaft of the vehicle; and

disabling automatic steering of the vehicle in response to detecting manual steering input.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

initiating automatic steering of the auto-guided vehicle prior to detecting manual steering input.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting information about the detected manual steering input to a controller adapted to disable automatic steering of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein disabling automatic steering of the vehicle in response to detecting manual steering input comprises ceasing sending automatic steering control signals.

5. A vehicle comprising:

a steering shaft;

a steering sensor coupled to the steering shaft and adapted to detect a manual steering input; and

an auto-guidance system adapted to disable in response to detection of manual steering input by the steering sensor.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the steering sensor is a rotary sensor.

7. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the steering sensor is a torque sensor.

8. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the auto-guidance system comprises:

a controller adapted to transmit automatic steering control signals; and

a steering controller adapted to receive the steering control signals and automatically steer the vehicle.

9. An apparatus comprising:

means for detecting manual steering input coupled to a steering shaft of a vehicle; and

means for disabling automatic steering of the vehicle in response to detecting manual steering input by the means for detecting manual steering input.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

means for initiating automatic steering of the vehicle prior to detecting manual steering input.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

means for transmitting information about the detected manual steering input to a means for disabling automatic steering of the vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for disabling automatic steering of the vehicle in response to detecting manual steering input comprises means for ceasing sending automatic steering control signals.