Steering wheel control mechanism

• US 7,648,004 B1
• Filed: 03/09/2006
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novariant Incorporated (Kubota Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Novariant Incorporated (Kubota Corporation)
• Inventors: Larouche, Justin, Laplante, Pascal
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stabley; Michael R
• Application Number:
  US11/371,601
• Time in Patent Office: 1,412 Days
• Field of Search: 180/443, 180/444
• US Class Current: 180/443
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/00 Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/04 electrical, e.g. using an electric servo-motor connected to, or forming part of, the steering gear

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to control mechanisms and more specifically to a control mechanism which is adaptable to a steering wheel of a vehicle. Most control mechanisms of auto-piloting systems which must be installed on existing vehicles usually require more specific parts and more expensive installations. The control mechanism according to embodiments of the present invention includes components readily installable into the cabin of an existing vehicle and involves elements sandwiching the steering wheel of the vehicle which are operatively mounted to a motoring assembly actuatable by the user of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A control mechanism for a steering wheel of a vehicle, the control mechanism comprising:

a steering assembly configured to mount to a steering wheel of a vehicle, the steering assembly comprising a first component;

a motoring assembly comprising a second component, wherein the motoring assembly is operative to move the steering wheel via the steering assembly when the first component is mechanically engaged with the second component; and

a disengagement mechanism configured to mechanically disengage the first and second components in response to a user-applied force to the steering wheel.

2. The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the disengagement mechanism comprises a spring member providing a tensioning force to keep the first and second components mechanically engaged, and wherein the user-applied force overcomes the tensioning force.

3. The control mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a controller coupled with the motoring assembly.

4. The control mechanism of claim 3, wherein the controller is in communication with a global positioning satellite (GPS).

5. The control mechanism of claim 3, wherein the controller is in communication with a remote control device.

6. The control mechanism of claim 5, wherein the remote control device comprises a joystick.

7. The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a ring gear.

8. The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second component comprises a worm gear.

9. The control mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a structure comprising a plurality of recesses, wherein the first and second components are mechanically engaged when a handle coupled with the motoring assembly is positioned in a first recess of the plurality of recesses, and wherein the first and second components are mechanically disengaged when the handle is positioned in a second recess of the plurality of recesses.

10. The control mechanism of claim 9 further comprising:

a plurality of switches adjacent the plurality of recesses, wherein the plurality of switches selectively turn on and off a motor of the motoring assembly depending on a position of the handle with respect to the plurality of recesses.

11. The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the steering assembly comprises a pulley.

12. The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the steering assembly comprises a first assembly element and a second assembly element, wherein the steering assembly is configured mount to the steering wheel by sandwiching the steering wheel between the first and second assembly elements.

13. The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the steering assembly is configured to mount to spokes of the steering wheel.

14. A control mechanism for a steering wheel of a vehicle, the control mechanism comprising:

a steering assembly configured to mount to a steering wheel of a vehicle, the steering assembly comprising a ring gear;

a motoring assembly comprising an electric motor and a worm gear, wherein the motoring assembly is operative to move the steering wheel via the steering assembly when the ring gear is mechanically engaged with the worm gear;

a controller in communication with a global positioning satellite (GPS), wherein the controller is operative to provide commands to the motoring assembly; and

a disengagement mechanism configured to mechanically disengage the ring gear and the worm gear in response to a user-applied force to the steering wheel.

15. The control mechanism of claim 14, wherein the disengagement mechanism comprises a spring member providing a tensioning force to keep the ring gear and the worm gear mechanically engaged, and wherein the user-applied force overcomes the tensioning force.

16. The control mechanism of claim 14 further comprising:

a structure comprising a plurality of recesses, wherein the ring gear and the worm gear are mechanically engaged when a handle coupled with the motoring assembly is positioned in a first recess of the plurality of recesses, and wherein the ring gear and the worm gear are mechanically disengaged when the handle is positioned in a second recess of the plurality of recesses.

17. The control mechanism of claim 16 further comprising:

a plurality of switches adjacent the plurality of recesses, wherein the plurality of switches selectively turn the electric motor on and off depending on a position of the handle with respect to the plurality of recesses.

18. The control mechanism of claim 14, wherein the steering assembly further comprises an assembly element, wherein the steering assembly is configured mount to the steering wheel by sandwiching the steering wheel between the assembly element and the ring gear.

19. The control mechanism of claim 14, wherein the steering assembly is configured to mount to spokes of the steering wheel.