ACTUATOR FOR TURNING A STEERING WHEEL IN AUTOMATIC STEERING SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A steering wheel actuator mechanism, comprising:
- a frame assembly that attaches around a steering wheel column;
a rotating assembly that rotates within the frame assembly; and
one or more actuators that extend up from the rotating assembly and through a steering wheel located on the steering wheel column and turn the steering wheel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steering wheel actuator mechanism includes a frame assembly and a rotating assembly. The frame assembly is attached to a steering wheel column and the rotating assembly is attached around the steering wheel column and over the frame assembly. In one example, the frame assembly and the rotating assembly can be located around the steering wheel column without removing the steering wheel. The rotating assembly is inserted down into an opening formed in the frame assembly and rotationally engaged with a motor housed in the frame assembly. Actuators are attached to the rotating assembly and positioned to extend upwards through the steering wheel next to spokes in the steering wheel. The rotating assembly causes the actuators to move the spokes and rotate the steering wheel.
3 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A steering wheel actuator mechanism, comprising:
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a frame assembly that attaches around a steering wheel column; a rotating assembly that rotates within the frame assembly; and one or more actuators that extend up from the rotating assembly and through a steering wheel located on the steering wheel column and turn the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for rotating a steering wheel, comprising:
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a frame assembly including a central opening to extend around the steering wheel column; a rotating assembly configured to insert into and rotate within the central opening in the frame assembly; and one or more actuators attached to the rotating assembly and extending up against the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for attaching a steering wheel actuator mechanism including a frame assembly and a rotating assembly to a steering wheel, comprising:
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attaching the frame assembly to a steering wheel column; attaching the rotating assembly around the steering wheel column and over the frame assembly; inserting the rotating assembly down into an opening formed in the frame assembly and coupling the rotating assembly to a motor in the frame assembly; attaching actuators to the rotating assembly so the actuators extend upwards through the steering wheel and sit against spokes in the steering wheel; and rotating the steering wheel by rotating the rotating assembly causing the actuators to rotate and move the spokes in the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification