RETRACTABLE TELESCOPIC MECHANISM FOR STEERING COLUMN WITH FEEDBACK ACTUATOR
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle, comprising:
- a passenger compartment having a front and a back;
a retractable telescopic steering column mounted near the front of the passenger compartment and configured to selectively extend rearwardly into the passenger compartment;
a steering wheel fixedly connected to the retractable telescopic steering column; and
a force feedback motor configured to selectively exert a rotational force on the retractable telescopic steering column.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steering apparatus for a vehicle that utilizes steer-by-wire controls and may selectively be operated in an autonomous mode comprises a retractable telescopic steering column adapted to extend by as much as three hundred millimeters (300 mm) from its fully retracted position. The steering column is also in force communication with a feedback motor, which provides feedback to the driver of the vehicle via a steering wheel attached to the steering column to emulate the forces that would be transmitted to the steering wheel if the steering wheel were mechanically linked to the steerable wheels of the vehicle.
43 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle, comprising:
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a passenger compartment having a front and a back; a retractable telescopic steering column mounted near the front of the passenger compartment and configured to selectively extend rearwardly into the passenger compartment; a steering wheel fixedly connected to the retractable telescopic steering column; and a force feedback motor configured to selectively exert a rotational force on the retractable telescopic steering column. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A retractable telescopic steering column comprising:
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a first telescoping section rotatably attached to a stationary housing member; a second telescoping section slidably engaged with the first telescoping section; a third telescoping section slidably engaged with the second telescoping section; a steering wheel fixedly connected to a proximal end of the third telescoping section; a telescoping housing member slidably engaged with the stationary housing member; and a force feedback motor in force-transmitting communication with the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An extendable steering apparatus, comprising:
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a housing; a connecting cylinder rotatably mounted to the housing; an extendable column comprising; a first column section fixedly connected to the connecting cylinder; a second column section slidably connected to the first column section; a third column section slidably connected to the second column section; a steering wheel fixedly connected to the third column section; and a force feedback motor configured to selectively rotate the connecting cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification