Steering input devices for steer-by-wire systems
First Claim
1. A steering input device for a steer-by-wire system, comprising:
- a first shaft of a steer by wire system being rotatably installed in a first housing of the steer by wire system; and
a hand wheel of the steer by wire system connected to said first shaft such that said hand wheel and said first shaft drive one another, said hand wheel and said first shaft being rotatable in a in a range of motion of at least about ±
45 degrees, but less than about ±
90 degrees, said hand wheel having an outer dimension of about 12 inches, said angle of travel and said outer dimension being configured such that said steering input device is installable in a vehicle having a steer-by wire system.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steering input device for a steer-by-wire system is provided. The input device comprises a first shaft and a hand wheel. The first shaft is rotatably installed in a first housing. The hand wheel is connected to the first shaft such that the hand wheel and the first shaft drive one another. The hand wheel has a range of motion of between about ±45 degrees and about ±90 degrees. The hand wheel also has an outer dimension of about 12 inches. The range of motion and the outer dimension allow the steering input device to be installed in a vehicle in a non-conventional position relative to a twentieth century conventional position including at least one of the hand wheel extending from the first shaft extending along a length defining the vehicle on one of two sides thereof and the hand weel extending rearward in the vehicle farther than an instrument panel.
57 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A steering input device for a steer-by-wire system, comprising:
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a first shaft of a steer by wire system being rotatably installed in a first housing of the steer by wire system; and
a hand wheel of the steer by wire system connected to said first shaft such that said hand wheel and said first shaft drive one another, said hand wheel and said first shaft being rotatable in a in a range of motion of at least about ±
45 degrees, but less than about ±
90 degrees, said hand wheel having an outer dimension of about 12 inches, said angle of travel and said outer dimension being configured such that said steering input device is installable in a vehicle having a steer-by wire system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22)
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14. A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a steering output device of a steer by wire system;
an actuator of the steer by wire system;
a first steering input device of the steer by wire system including a first hand wheel and a first plurality of sensors, said first hand wheel being disposed in a first hand wheel area defined in an instrument panel of said vehicle such that said instrument panel extends rearward in said vehicle a distance equal to or farther than said first hand wheel, said first hand wheel having a range of motion of at least about ±
45 degrees but less than about ±
90 degrees, said first plurality of sensors being configured to generate first signals representative of a position of said first hand wheel; and
an electronic control unit in electrical communication with said actuator, said first plurality of sensors, and said steering output device, wherein said electronic control is configured to activate said actuator to control the position of said steering output device based upon said first signals from said first plurality of sensors; and
said first hand wheel being structured to be moveable between a use and a non use position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of steering a vehicle, comprising:
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reaching into a hand wheel of a steer by wire system defined within an instrument panel of said vehicle;
grasping a hand wheel of the steer by wire system disposed in said hand wheel area, said hand wheel being disposed in said hand wheel area such that said instrument panel extends rearward in said vehicle a distance equal to or farther than an entire portion defining said hand wheel;
moving said hand wheel to steer by wire system to steer said vehicle, wherein said hand wheel has a range of motion of a least about ±
45 degrees but less than about ±
90 degrees; and
moving said hand wheel between a use and a non use position. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification