Steering wheel actuation device and method for vehicle testing
AssigneeAnthony Best Dynamics Ltd.
InventorsMatthew James Hubbard, Tin Wah Chiu, Andrew Pick, Colin Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steering wheel actuation device, for example in ADAS testing, is provided. The actuation device can include a steering wheel actuator to selectively move during testing between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The actuation device can impart an actuation force to a vehicle steering wheel in the engaged configuration, and can vary the magnitude of the resistance it creates to the turning of the steering wheel during testing.
Claims12
A steering wheel actuation device, for steering a vehicle in ADAS testing, the actuation device comprising:
- a steering wheel actuator, the steering wheel actuator comprising a belt extending over a plurality of spaced apart rollers,
- wherein the steering wheel actuator is mounted on an arm that is movably mounted such that, during testing, the arm is movable to move the steering wheel actuator between an engaged configuration for imparting an actuation force to a vehicle steering wheel and a disengaged configuration,
- wherein the steering wheel actuator is moveable about a joint and the steering wheel actuation device comprises a biasing member, the biasing member being arranged to bias the steering wheel actuator about the joint, to bias the steering wheel actuator against the vehicle steering wheel,
- wherein the steering wheel actuator is conformable to the shape of the vehicle steering wheel that it is in contact with so that the steering wheel actuation device can be used with steering wheels of different shapes, the belt of the steering wheel actuator contacting a rim of the vehicle steering wheel, in the engaged configuration, and the belt being conformable to the shape of the rim, and
- wherein the belt is not in contact with the rim of the vehicle steering wheel when the steering wheel actuator is in the disengaged configuration.
A method of steering a vehicle during an ADAS test, using a steering wheel actuation device, the method comprising:
- engaging a steering wheel actuator with a steering wheel of the vehicle, the steering wheel actuator comprising a belt extending over a plurality of spaced apart rollers;
- imparting an actuation force, from the steering wheel actuator, to the steering wheel to steer the vehicle;
- and
- disengaging the steering wheel actuator from the steering wheel;
- wherein the steering wheel actuator is mounted on an arm that is movably mounted such that, during testing, the arm is movable to move the steering wheel actuator between an engaged configuration for imparting the actuation force and a disengaged configuration,
- wherein the steering wheel actuator is moveable about a joint and the steering wheel actuation device comprises a biasing member, the biasing member being arranged to bias the steering wheel actuator about the joint, to bias the steering wheel actuator against the steering wheel,
- wherein the steering wheel actuator is conformable to the shape of the steering wheel that it is in contact with so that the steering wheel actuation device can be used with steering wheels of different shapes, the belt of the steering wheel actuator contacting a rim of the steering wheel, in the engaged configuration, and the belt being conformable to the shape of the rim, and
- wherein the belt is not in contact with the rim of the steering wheel when the steering wheel actuator is in the disengaged configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.