Steering input devices for steer-by-wire systems

• US 20030209381A1
• Filed: 05/09/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust), Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Menjak, Ratko, Menjak, Zdravko, Card, James Myrl
• Granted Patent: US 6,938,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/402
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/006 power actuated

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 at least about ±45 degrees, but less than 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.

Claims

1. A steering input device for a steer-by-wire system, comprising:

a first shaft being rotatably installed in a first housing; and

a hand wheel 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 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 range of motion and said outer dimension being configured such that said steering input device is installable in a vehicle in a non-conventional position.

2. The steering input device as in claim 1, wherein said non-conventional position comprises said hand wheel being disposed in an instrument panel area defined in an instrument panel of said vehicle, said instrument panel extending rearward in said vehicle a distance equal to or farther than said hand wheel.

3. The steering input device as in claim 2, wherein said instrument panel comprises means for absorbing energy.

4. The steering input device as in claim 3, wherein said energy absorbing means comprises one or more inflatable occupant restraint devices disposed in said instrument panel in a position selected from the group consisting of above, below, and around said hand wheel.

5. The steering input device as in claim 2, further comprising:

a simulator mechanism operatively connected to said first shaft, said simulator mechanism being configured to provide at least a portion of a center feel feature to said steering input device.

6. The steering input device as in claim 1, wherein said non-conventional position comprises:

said steering input device being mountable on a door of said vehicle, said steering input device being configured such that said hand wheel is movable between a use and non-use position.

7. The steering input device as in claim 1, wherein said non-conventional position comprises:

said steering input device being mountable between front seats of said vehicle, said steering input device being configured such that said hand wheel is movable between a use and non-use position.

8. The steering input device as in claim 7, wherein said steering input device is mountable in an instrument panel between said front seats, or on a floor of said vehicle between said front seats.

9. The steering input device as in claim 7, wherein said use position comprises a first use position and a second use position.

10. The steering input device as in claim 1, wherein said range of motion and said outer dimension are further configured such that said steering input device is installable in said vehicle in more than one location.

11. The steering input device as in claim 1, further comprising:

a spline connection operatively connecting said first shaft to a second shaft, said spline connection allowing a selected amount of movement between said first and second shafts prior to said spline connection engaging such that said first and second shafts drive one another.

12. The steering input device as in claim 11, further comprising:

a first sensor configured to detect movement of said first and second shafts with respect to one another;

a motor connected to said second shaft, said motor being configured to drive said second shaft and/or provide a resistance to movement of said second shaft; and

a second sensor configured to detect movement of said second shaft, wherein said first sensor, said motor, and said second sensor are in electrical communication with an electronic control unit.

13. The steering input device as in claim 12, wherein said motor is controllable by said electronic control unit to provide one or more of an active steering feature, a road feel feature, and/or a portion of a center feel to said steering input device.

14. A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle, comprising:

a steering output device;

an actuator;

a first steering input device 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 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.

15. The steer-by-wire steering system as in claim 14, wherein said first hand wheel has a range of motion of at least about ±

45 degrees, but less than about ±

90 degrees, and has an outer dimension of about 12 inches.

16. The steer-by-wire steering system as in claim 14, wherein said instrument panel further comprises:

an inflatable occupant restraint device being positioned in said instrument panel in a position selected from the group consisting of above said first hand wheel, below said first hand wheel, and around said first hand wheel.

17. The steer-by-wire steering system as in claim 14, wherein said first steering input device further comprises:

a motor in electrical communication with said electronic control unit, said motor being configured to provide one or more of an active steering feature, a road feel feature, and/or a portion of a center feel to said first steering input device.

18. The steer-by-wire steering system as in claim 14, further comprising:

a second steering input device including a second hand wheel and a second plurality of sensors,

said second hand wheel being disposed in a second hand wheel area defined in said instrument panel of said vehicle such that said instrument panel extends rearward in said vehicle a distance equal to or farther than said second hand wheel,

said second plurality of sensors being configured to generate second signals representative of a position of said second hand wheel,

said electronic control unit being in electrical communication with said second plurality of sensors, and

said electronic control unit being configured to activate said actuator to control the position of said steering output device based upon either said second signals or said first signals.

19. The steer-by-wire steering system as in claim 18, wherein said instrument panel further comprises:

an inflatable occupant restraint device being positioned in said instrument panel in a position selected from the group consisting of above said second hand wheel, below said second hand wheel, and around said second hand wheel.

20. A method of steering a vehicle, comprising:

reaching into a hand wheel area defined within an instrument panel of said vehicle;

grasping a hand wheel 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 said hand wheel; and

moving said hand wheel to steer said vehicle.