Patent classifications
B62D1/04
Absolute position non-contact rake sensor for a steering column
Embodiments described herein are for an absolute position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly. The absolute position sensor system comprises: a sector connected to a rake adjustment mechanism of the steering column assembly and operable to be moved thereby; a gear coupled to the sector and operable to be rotated by the movement thereof; a magnet connected to and retained by the gear such that the magnet rotates responsive to the rotation of the gear; and a sensor device positioned below the magnet and connected to a stationary part of the steering column assembly. The sensor device is configured to: detect an angle of rotation of the magnet, where the angle of rotation of the magnet corresponds to a position of the rake adjustment mechanism.
Blinker Steering Wheel Buttons
The Blinker Button is the only product of its kind that integrates the blinker turn signal buttons onto the steering wheel to provide drivers with a quicker method of signaling their turns. This unprecedented product is uniquely designed with buttons that are specifically developed for the right and left thumb and that are strategically located on the top of the steering wheel where individuals most commonly hold their steering wheel, in the 10 and 2 and/or 9 and 3, clock-reference training for operating a vehicle. The disclosure also includes a programmable logic configured to activate the left turn signal automatically based on a predetermined left rotation of the steering wheel and configured to activate the right turn signal automatically based on a predetermined right rotation of the steering wheel in relation to a zero rotation of the steering wheel for a straight travel of the vehicle.
Blinker Steering Wheel Buttons
The Blinker Button is the only product of its kind that integrates the blinker turn signal buttons onto the steering wheel to provide drivers with a quicker method of signaling their turns. This unprecedented product is uniquely designed with buttons that are specifically developed for the right and left thumb and that are strategically located on the top of the steering wheel where individuals most commonly hold their steering wheel, in the 10 and 2 and/or 9 and 3, clock-reference training for operating a vehicle. The disclosure also includes a programmable logic configured to activate the left turn signal automatically based on a predetermined left rotation of the steering wheel and configured to activate the right turn signal automatically based on a predetermined right rotation of the steering wheel in relation to a zero rotation of the steering wheel for a straight travel of the vehicle.
Turning system
A turning system is configured to move a turning shaft to turn a left wheel and a right wheel of a vehicle. The turning shaft is configured to couple the left wheel and the right wheel to each other. A torsion bar is engaged with the turning shaft via a steering gear box. The turning system includes: a turning mechanism including (i) an electric turning mechanism including an electric motor configured to rotate a portion of the torsion bar which is located upstream of the steering gear box and (ii) a hydraulic turning mechanism configured to apply a moving force to the turning shaft in an axial direction, the moving force being produced by a hydraulic pressure; and an electric-motor controller configured to control the electric motor based on a frictional force in the turning mechanism and a road-surface reaction force that acts between (a) a tire on the left wheel and a tire on the right wheel and (b) a road surface.
Turning system
A turning system is configured to move a turning shaft to turn a left wheel and a right wheel of a vehicle. The turning shaft is configured to couple the left wheel and the right wheel to each other. A torsion bar is engaged with the turning shaft via a steering gear box. The turning system includes: a turning mechanism including (i) an electric turning mechanism including an electric motor configured to rotate a portion of the torsion bar which is located upstream of the steering gear box and (ii) a hydraulic turning mechanism configured to apply a moving force to the turning shaft in an axial direction, the moving force being produced by a hydraulic pressure; and an electric-motor controller configured to control the electric motor based on a frictional force in the turning mechanism and a road-surface reaction force that acts between (a) a tire on the left wheel and a tire on the right wheel and (b) a road surface.
STEERING DEVICE AND INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE
A steering device includes a rotation central portion having a rotation axis Ax of the steering device and a steering unit connected to the rotation central portion. The direction in which the rotation axis of the rotation central portion extends is an axial direction. One of directions perpendicular to the axial direction is a radial direction. A direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the radial direction is a width direction. The steering unit protrudes from the rotation central portion in the radial direction in plan view of the steering device in the axial direction. A maximum width of the steering unit in the width direction is less than or equal to a maximum width of the rotation central portion in the width direction.
WINCH CONTROL USING REASSIGNED VEHICLE INPUT DEVICE
A vehicle winch control assembly includes, among other things, a winch, and a vehicle input device that is reassigned to control the winch. The vehicle input device can be an accelerator pedal. A vehicle winch control method includes, among other things, reassigning a vehicle input device, and, after the reassigning, controlling a winch using the vehicle input device.
Steering Device for a Vehicle and Vehicle Equipped Therewith
A steering apparatus for a vehicle, includes: a handle element for actuating the steering by hand; a lever element for transmitting a torque to a steering axle of the steering column of the vehicle in order to steer the vehicle; and a coupling device for coupling the handle element to the lever element so as to convert a force in order to convert a steering movement carried out on the handle element into a rotational movement of the lever element about a steering angle with respect to the steering column. The handle element is rotatably mounted relative to the lever element, and the coupling device is designed to convert the rotational movement of the lever element that occurs in the event of a steering movement into a translational movement of a coupling element of the coupling device, and then convert the translational movement back into a rotational movement of the handle element relative to the lever element such that during the translational movement of the coupling element, the coupling element is operatively connected to a guide, in the sense of a forced guiding process, such that a geometric course of the guide defines a steering angle-based curve of the rotational movement of the handle element.
Steering Device for a Vehicle and Vehicle Equipped Therewith
A steering apparatus for a vehicle, includes: a handle element for actuating the steering by hand; a lever element for transmitting a torque to a steering axle of the steering column of the vehicle in order to steer the vehicle; and a coupling device for coupling the handle element to the lever element so as to convert a force in order to convert a steering movement carried out on the handle element into a rotational movement of the lever element about a steering angle with respect to the steering column. The handle element is rotatably mounted relative to the lever element, and the coupling device is designed to convert the rotational movement of the lever element that occurs in the event of a steering movement into a translational movement of a coupling element of the coupling device, and then convert the translational movement back into a rotational movement of the handle element relative to the lever element such that during the translational movement of the coupling element, the coupling element is operatively connected to a guide, in the sense of a forced guiding process, such that a geometric course of the guide defines a steering angle-based curve of the rotational movement of the handle element.
Switch assembly and methods of use
Various implementations include a switch assembly that includes a housing and at least two printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are disposed within the housing and are axially arranged relative to each other. One or more force sensors are disposed on one of the PCBs, and, in some implementations, the one or more force sensors receive force input received by a touch overlay plate. Signals from the force sensors are processed to determine a magnitude, acceleration, and/or location of the force input, and a haptic feedback response is received by the touch overlay plate. The haptic feedback response is based on the force magnitude, acceleration, and/or location of input, according to some implementations. Axially arranging the PCBs reduces the footprint of the switch assembly and allows for the inclusion of more electrical components in the switch assembly, according to some implementations.