Steering wheel spring assembly

• US 6,296,571 B1
• Filed: 03/02/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: McVicar, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BINH AN DUC
• Application Number:
  US09/260,385
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 463/38, 463/63, 463/36, 463/37, 463/47, 463/46, 472/19, 472/21, 472/28, 472/47, 472/88, 472/108, 472/113, 273/148.B, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/171, 345/184, 180/6.2, 180/6.24, 180/6.6, 180/9.38, 180/9.54
• US Class Current: 463/38
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• 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

Abstract

An improved mechanical linkage may be used in devices such as a non-powered PC gaming steering wheel controller. In one embodiment, the linkage is part of a steering wheel assembly. The assembly provides a steering wheel shaft having a flange extending radially from the shaft. A first coil spring and a second coil spring are attached to the flange to return the flange and the steering wheel shaft to a neutral position. The coil springs typically are mounted between a base of the steering wheel assembly and the flange portion of the shaft. The flange is sized to facilitate rotation of the steering wheel shaft without causing the coil springs to bend about the shaft. The coil spring preferably has an elongate portion that is offset from the centerline of the coil spring. This offset distance preferably allows the shaft to rotate to at least 120° in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction from its neutral position without causing the elongate portion of the spring to bend. Eliminating bending in the spring improves the lifespan of the spring.

Claims

1. A self-centering steering wheel assembly comprising:

a steering wheel shaft;

a flange extending radially from said shaft; and

a bias member pivotally coupled to the flange to provide a force to return the steering wheel shaft to a neutral position, said bias member having a substantially straight elongate portion radially offset by an offset distance from a center axis of the bias member;

wherein said offset distance is sufficient to allow the steering wheel shaft to rotate at least about 120°

in a clockwise direction and at least about 120°

in the counterclockwise direction from said neutral position without causing said substantially straight elongate portion to bend.

2. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 1, wherein said bias member is pivotally coupled to the flange at a connection point,

and wherein said flange defines a moment arm having an arm length from a center of the shaft to a center of the connection point.

3. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 2 wherein said connection point comprises a pin on said flange.

4. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 1 comprising a plurality of bias members.

5. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 4 further comprising a base;

wherein said bias members comprises a first coil spring coupled to a first connection point on the flange and a connection point on said base and a second coil spring coupled to a second connection point on the flange and a second connection point on the base.

6. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 1 wherein the bias member comprises a spring having said elongate portion.

7. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 1 wherein the bias member comprises a coil spring having said elongate portion and a coil portion.

8. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 7 wherein the elongate portion of the coil spring has a length sufficient to prevent contact of the coil portion with the flange when the steering wheel shaft is rotated to about 120°

in the clockwise direction and about 120°

in the counterclockwise direction from said neutral position.

9. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 1 wherein the distal end of the elongate portion has an eye hook pivotally mounted about a connection point on the flange.

10. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 1 wherein a distal end of the elongate portion has a protrusion adapted to place said substantially straight elongate portion said offset distance away from the center line of the bias member.

11. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 1 wherein the bias member is mounted at a preload angle when the shaft is in a neutral position, said preload angle allowing the bias member to provide sufficient force to overcome frictional losses of the steering wheel shaft and said preload angle being small enough to prevent the substantially straight portion of the bias member from interfering with the shaft when said shaft is rotated to about 120°

from said neutral position of the shaft.

12. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 1 wherein the bias member comprises a coil spring wherein said elongate portion has a length sufficient to prevent said elongate portion of the spring from contacting said steering wheel shaft when said shaft is turned about 120°

from said neutral position of the shaft.

13. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 1 wherein said steering wheel shaft has a diameter less than about 20 mm.

14. A self-centering steering wheel assembly comprising:

a steering wheel shaft;

a flange radially mounted about said shaft;

at least one elongate link; and

means coupling said at least one elongate link to said flange for returning the steering wheel shaft to a neutral position when the shaft is rotated, wherein said at least one elongate link each remains in a substantially straight configuration through about 120°

of rotation of the shaft in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the neutral position.

15. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 14 wherein said means for returning the steering wheel shaft comprises at least one bias member each connected to one said elongate link and wherein said elongate link is offset from a center axis of the bias member by an offset distance.

16. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 15 wherein said means for returning the steering wheel shaft comprises at least one coil spring each connected to one said elongate link.

17. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 15 wherein said means for returning the steering wheel shaft comprises at least one coil spring each integrally formed with one said elongate link.

18. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 15 wherein said bias member has a first end connected to a base and a second end connected to a first end of said elongate link, and wherein said elongate link has a second end pivotally connected to the flange.

19. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 18 wherein the first end of said bias member is pivotally connected to the base.

20. A self-centering steering wheel assembly as in claim 18 wherein the second end of said bias member and the first end of said elongate link are fixedly connected together.