Twin axis steering wheel system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A steering wheel system for a steer-by-wire vehicle, comprising:
- a lower subframe that is secured to the vehicle body through a translational sliding mechanism to allow said lower subframe to move with respect to the vehicle body;
an upper subframe that is secured to said lower subframe;
a steering wheel attached to said upper subframe;
a translational sliding mechanism disposed between said upper subframe and said lower subframe to allow said upper subframe to move in a horizontal direction with respect to a ground surface upon application of a predetermined amount of force.
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Abstract
A steering wheel system (10) for a steer-by-wire vehicle includes a lower subframe (52), an upper subframe (54), and a steering wheel (20). The lower subframe (52) is attached to the vehicle body (36) and moveable with respect to the vehicle body (36) by a translational sliding mechanism (38). The upper subframe (54) is attached to said lower subframe (52) through a translational sliding mechanism (34) to allow movement of the upper subframe (54) with respect to the lower subframe (52) upon application of a predetermined amount of force.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A steering wheel system for a steer-by-wire vehicle, comprising:
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a lower subframe that is secured to the vehicle body through a translational sliding mechanism to allow said lower subframe to move with respect to the vehicle body;
an upper subframe that is secured to said lower subframe;
a steering wheel attached to said upper subframe;
a translational sliding mechanism disposed between said upper subframe and said lower subframe to allow said upper subframe to move in a horizontal direction with respect to a ground surface upon application of a predetermined amount of force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
a revolute joint connecting said upper subframe to said steering wheel to allow a driver to adjust an angle of said steering wheel.
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3. The system of claim 1, wherein movement of said upper subframe with respect to said lower subframe is initiated by inertial forces.
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4. The system of claim 1, wherein movement of said upper subframe with respect to said lower subframe is initiated by airbag forces.
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5. The system of claim 1, wherein said steering wheel is automatically positioned based on a sensed physical feature of a driver.
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6. A steering wheel system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a steering wheel for controlling a plurality of vehicle wheels;
a computer in communication with said steering wheel and said vehicle wheels to effectuate steering of said vehicle wheels;
an upper subframe secured to said steering wheel;
a lower subframe secured to said upper subframe such that said upper subframe overlies said lower subframe in a normal locked position;
said upper subframe being moveable with respect to said lower subframe in a direction parallel to ground in the event of a front-end vehicle collision. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An adjustable steering wheel system for a vehicle, comprising:
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an adjustable steering wheel;
said steering wheel being attached to a subframe, said subframe being moveable along an axis that is diagonal with respect to ground to adjust said steering wheel;
a sliding mechanism connecting a first portion of said subframe to a second portion of said subframe and allowing relative movement therebetween upon application of a predetermined amount of force; and
a revolute joint connecting said steering wheel to said subframe and allowing rotation of said steering wheel about an axis upon application of said predetermined amount of force. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification