Embedded sensor steering shaft
AssigneeAutomotive Components Holdings, LLC
InventorsAtiya M. Ahmad, Philip Hemenway, Deanna L. Carroll, Ann Larsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steer-by-wire assembly 10 is provided, including a flexible polymer steering column shaft 12 having a fixed end 14 and a free rotational end 16, and a control feature 22 in communication with said free rotational end 16. The flexible polymer steering column shaft 12 provides mechanical feel to the steer-by-wire system where prior mechanically actuated or servomotor devices were required.
Claims20
A simulated steering assembly comprising:
- a flexible polymer steering column shaft having a fixed end and a free rotational end;
- and
- a control feature in communication with said free rotational end.
A simulated steering assembly comprising:
- a flexible polymer steering column shaft having a fixed end and a rotationally free end;
- a steering wheel in communication with said rotationally free end;
- and
- an electroactive assembly in communication with said flexible polymer steering column shaft.
17 A method of controlling a steer-by-wire assembly utilizing a control feature and a flexible polymer steering column shaft having a fixed end and a free rotational end comprising;
- rotating the free rotational end in response to a driver moving said control feature;
- measuring the rotation of the flexible polymer steering column shaft using an electroactive assembly in communication with said flexible polymer steering column shaft;
- and
- activating a steering mechanism in response to said electroactive assembly.
A method as described in claim 17 further comprising:
- adjusting the modulus of said flexible polymer steering column shaft utilizing said electroactive assembly to provide feedback to said driver.
A method as described in claim 17 further comprising:
- removing modal resonances of said flexible polymer steering column shaft utilizing said electroactive assembly.
A method as described in claim 17 wherein said electroactive assembly includes a solid polymer composite bundle embedded in said flexible polymer steering column shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.