Twin axis steering wheel system
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorKolita Mendis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering wheel system (10) for a steer-by-wire vehicle includes a lower subframe (52), an upper subframe (54), and a steering wheel (20). The lower subframe (52) is attached to the vehicle body (36) and moveable with respect to the vehicle body (36) by a translational sliding mechanism (38). The upper subframe (54) is attached to said lower subframe (52) through a translational sliding mechanism (34) to allow movement of the upper subframe (54) with respect to the lower subframe (52) upon application of a predetermined amount of force.
Claims17
A steering wheel system for a steer-by-wire vehicle, comprising:
- a lower subframe that is secured to the vehicle body through a translational sliding mechanism to allow said lower subframe to move with respect to the vehicle body;
- an upper subframe that is secured to said lower subframe;
- a steering wheel attached to said upper subframe;
- a translational sliding mechanism disposed between said upper subframe and said lower subframe to allow said upper subframe to move in a horizontal direction with respect to a ground surface upon application of a predetermined amount of force.
A steering wheel system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a steering wheel for controlling a plurality of vehicle wheels;
- a computer in communication with said steering wheel and said vehicle wheels to effectuate steering of said vehicle wheels;
- an upper subframe secured to said steering wheel;
- a lower subframe secured to said upper subframe such that said upper subframe overlies said lower subframe in a normal locked position;
- said upper subframe being moveable with respect to said lower subframe in a direction parallel to ground in the event of a front-end vehicle collision.
An adjustable steering wheel system for a vehicle, comprising:
- an adjustable steering wheel;
- said steering wheel being attached to a subframe, said subframe being moveable along an axis that is diagonal with respect to ground to adjust said steering wheel;
- a sliding mechanism connecting a first portion of said subframe to a second portion of said subframe and allowing relative movement therebetween upon application of a predetermined amount of force;
- and
- a revolute joint connecting said steering wheel to said subframe and allowing rotation of said steering wheel about an axis upon application of said predetermined amount of force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.