Simulated steering apparatus for use in a vehicle simulator

• US 5,547,383 A
• Filed: 02/17/1995
• Issued: 08/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
• Original Assignee: Sega Enterprises LTD. (SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Yamaguchi, Toshiya
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirsch, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US08/390,753
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 434/62, 434/71, 434/45, 446/7
• US Class Current: 434/62
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/04 for teaching control of land vehicles

Abstract

In the simulated steering apparatus, when a steering wheel is turned right or left from its neutral state, a steering reaction force in a direction opposite to the steering direction is transmitted to an operator. A steering shaft that passes through a case and a panel plate is supported rotatably via housings in which are mounted ball bearings. A steering wheel is attached to the front end of the steering shaft, and a powder clutch and an electric motor are located on either side of the steering shaft. An endless output belt is mounted around a coupled pulley that is fitted over the steering shaft, and a drive pulley for the powder clutch, while an endless input belt is mounted around a coupled pulley for the powder clutch and a drive pulley for the electric motor.

Claims

1. A simulated steering apparatus for use in a vehicle simulator comprising:

a base;

a steering wheel;

a steering shaft, which is coupled to said steering wheel at one end and is supported rotatably at said base;

steering direction detection means for detecting a steering direction relative to a neutral position of said steering shaft;

an electric motor having a rotary shaft that is positioned in parallel to said steering shaft;

a clutch, having an input member and an output member that are parallel to said steering shaft;

a first drive pulley, which is fitted over a rotary shaft of said electric motor;

a first coupled pulley, which is fitted over said input member of said clutch;

an endless input belt that is mounted around said first drive pulley and said first coupled pulley;

a second drive pulley, which is fitted over said output member of said clutch;

a second coupled pulley, which is fitted over said steering shaft;

an endless output belt that is mounted around said second drive pulley and said second coupled pulley; and

control means for controlling the rotation of said electric motor in a direction that is the opposite of said steering direction of said steering shaft, which is detected by said steering direction detection means.

2. A simulated steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electric motor and said clutch are so attached to said base that distances from said electric motor and said clutch to said steering shaft are adjustable.

3. A simulated steering apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising automatic recovery means for returning said steering shaft to said neutral position.

4. A simulated steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said automatic recovery means has a heart-shaped cam, which has a recessed portion, that is coupled to the other end of said steering shaft, a cam follower, and a tension mechanism that provides that tension which is required to press said cam follower against said recessed portion.

5. A simulated steering apparatus for use in a vehicle simulator comprising:

a base;

a steering wheel;

a steering shaft, which is coupled to said steering wheel at one end and is supported rotatably at said base;

steering direction detection means for detecting a steering direction relative to a neutral position of said steering shaft;

an electric motor, which is provided to one side of said steering shaft and which has a rotary shaft that is positioned parallel to said steering shaft;

a powder clutch, which is provided opposite said electric motor, with said steering shaft located in between, that has an input shaft and an output shaft, which are parallel to said steering shaft, and that holds ferromagnetic powder between said input shaft and said output shaft;

a first drive pulley, which is fitted over a rotary shaft of said electric motor;

a first coupled pulley, which is fitted over said input shaft of said powder clutch;

an endless input belt that is mounted around said first drive pulley and said first coupled pulley;

a second drive pulley, which is fitted over said output shaft of said powder clutch;

a second coupled pulley, which is fitted over said steering shaft;

an endless output belt that is mounted around said second drive pulley and said second coupled pulley; and

control means for rotating said electric motor in a direction that is the opposite of said steering direction of said steering shaft, which is detected by said steering direction detection means.

6. A simulated steering apparatus for use in a vehicle simulator comprising:

a base;

a steering wheel;

a steering shaft, which is coupled to said steering wheel at one end and is supported rotatably at said base;

a clutch having an input member and an output member;

an electric motor, which is rotatable in a forward and a reverse direction;

first rotation transmission means, which is coupled between said steering shaft and said input member of said clutch, for transmitting the rotation of said steering shaft to said input member; and

second rotation transmission means, which is coupled between a rotary shaft of said electric motor and said output member of said clutch, for transmitting the rotation of said rotary shaft of said electric motor to said output member.

7. A simulated steering apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first rotation transmission means and said second rotation transmission means are endless belts.

8. A simulated steering apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said input member and said output member of said clutch are rotary bodies that are concentrically positioned, wherein said clutch is a powder clutch that has ferromagnetic powder between said input member and said output member, and wherein the coupling force of said input member and said output member is controlled in consonance with the magnitude of magnetization of said ferromagnetic powder.

9. A simulated steering apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising detection means, for detecting a steering direction of said steering shaft relative to a neutral position of said steering wheel, and control means for rotating said electric motor in a direction that is the opposite of said steering direction of said steering shaft, which is detected by said detection means.