80results about "Alternative steering control" patented technology

The present invention relates to a safety steering device for manual intervention by a safety driver in an autonomous vehicle or a vehicle with a driver assistance system. The safety steering device comprises a control unit and a joystick operable by the safety driver, from which a steering intervention signal can be transmitted to the control unit, wherein the steering intervention signal overrides an autonomous steering signal. A safety control element is arranged on the joystick, which, when activated by the safety driver, generates a release signal to enable the transmission of the steering intervention signal to the control unit.

The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a steering system, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for adjusting an operation mode of a steering system according to the degree by which a steering wheel is stowed or the degree by which the steering wheel is folded.

A vehicular trailer guidance system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and a rear backup camera disposed at a vehicle. A human machine interface (HMI) is operable in (i) a trailer left-backup mode, (i) a trailer straight-backup mode and (iii) a trailer right-backup mode. Responsive to selection by the driver of the trailer left-backup mode or trailer right-backup mode, the ECU sets a desired trailer angle of the trailer tongue leftward or rightward to an angle that is commensurate with a driver-selected setting of an input device. Responsive to selection by the driver of the trailer straight-backup mode, the ECU sets the desired trailer angle to a zero degree angle. The ECU, while the vehicle is backing up the trailer, controls the power steering system of the vehicle to steer the vehicle to back up the trailer to have the determined trailer angle coincide with the set desired trailer angle.

A vehicular trailer guidance system includes a human machine interface provided in the vehicle and operable by a driver of the vehicle during a backing up maneuver of the vehicle with a trailer hitched thereto. The human machine interface comprises a freely rotatable rotary knob and operates (i) in a backing up trailer left-backup mode when rotated counter-clockwise, (ii) in a backing up trailer straight-backup mode when the rotary knob is pushed or pulled and (iii) in a backing up trailer right-backup mode when rotated clockwise. Responsive to selection by the driver of the left-backup mode or right-backup mode, the system sets a desired trailer angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to an angle that is commensurate with a driver-selected setting of the rotary knob. The driver can select the straight-backup mode by pushing or pulling the rotary knob.

A valve (400) for hydraulic parallel work systems (100) is provided. The valve (400) includes a first pair of ports (416, 416a-b), a second pair of ports (422, 422a-b), a first connection, and a second connection. The first connection is between the first pair of ports (416, 416a-b) when the valve (400) is in a load reaction-enabling state (LRQN). The first connection transmits a load reaction (402) from a load at a steering actuator (140) to a steering device of a hydrostatic steering circuit (200). The second connection is between the second pair of ports (422, 422a-b) when the valve (400) is in an electro-hydraulic steering enabling state. The second connection fluidly connects a fluid source (110) to an electro- hydraulic steering circuit (300).

A system for hydraulic parallel work systems is provided. The system includes a fixed displacement pump (110), a closed-center circuit (300), an open-center hand metering unit (HMU) (200), and a tank (120). The closed-center circuit is in fluid communication with the fixed displacement pump. The open-center HMU is in fluid communication with the fixed displacement pump at an inlet port (204) of the HMU. The tank is fluidly connected to the inlet port of the HMU when the HMU is inactive.

A drive-by-wire steering system for a power equipment device is provided. One example embodiment comprises a steering interface system, a power steering system, and a communication link connecting the steering interface system and power steering system. The power steering system can adjust an output angular displacement of steering elements of the power equipment device based on inputs received from the steering interface system. The steering interface system can receive user inputs and provide powered feedback and / or a simulated caster effect via a steering interface. Additional embodiments include power equipment devices and steering interface systems.

An motor vehicle seat for a driver of a motor vehicle includes a frame and one or more control devices coupled to the frame in a movable manner relative to the frame and manually manoeuvrable by the driver to emit electrical control signals configured to drive the motor vehicle according to the movement of the control devices with respect to the frame.

A vehicle control arrangement includes a mechanical interface configured to be interposed between an existing steering wheel column shaft and steering wheel of a vehicle. The arrangement includes at least two drive units, each configured to selectively engage with said mechanical interface upon activation for actuating the steering column shaft to steer the vehicle. Also included are a detector arranged in register with said mechanical interface and configured to detect manual interaction with the steering wheel, and a controller arranged in signal communication with the detector and drive units, the controller configured to, when autonomous control is selected, engage and control at least one drive unit to effect autonomous steering of the vehicle, and when manual interaction is detected, to disengage said drive units. In this manner, a vehicle is retrofittable with said control arrangement to facilitate alternating between autonomous and manual control, as required.

A trailer reverse assist system is provided herein. The system includes a calibration feature for calibrating an imaging device for traction angle detection. The system also employs a variety of traction angle detection methods, many of which can run in parallel to increase the interval of measurable traction angles. The system additionally includes a predictive feature in which the traction angle may be predicted in the event of a failure of the trailer sensing device. The system is further configured to estimate a trailer length and generate a steering command that is invariant for the estimated trailer length under certain conditions.

A trailer back-up assist system is provided herein. The system includes a calibration feature for calibrating an imaging device for hitch angle detection. The system also employs a plurality of hitch angle detection methods, many of which can be run in parallel to increase the interval over which hitch angles can be measured. The system additionally includes a prediction feature in which the hitch angle can be predicted in the event of a trailer sensing device failure. The system is further configured to estimate a trailer length and generate a steering command that is invariant to the estimated trailer length under certain conditions.

A work vehicle includes steerable left and right front wheels and steerable left and right rear wheels and a manually operated steering input for steering the wheels through a hydraulic steering circuit connected to left and right front hydraulic actuators configured to steer the left and right front wheels. In order to perform a rear wheel alignment operation, the hydraulic steering circuit is bypassed so that the steering wheel can be used as an input device to steer each of the rear wheels in a steer by wire arrangement for alignment, without steering the front wheels during the alignment process.

The present disclosure provides an asphalt finisher capable of improving the accuracy of rudder angle control. The asphalt finisher is provided with a plurality of wheels including a steering wheel, a steering cylinder (54) that adjusts the rudder angle of the steering wheel, and a hydraulic pump (55) that supplies working oil to the steering cylinder (54). Furthermore, the asphalt finisher is provided with a proportional control valve (56p) disposed between the hydraulic pump (55) and the steering cylinder (54) and controlling the flow rate and direction of the working oil supplied to the steering cylinder (54), and a controller that controls the rudder angle by controlling the proportional control valve (56p).

A vehicle steering method is provided for a vehicle having a plurality of steering wheels operated by a plurality of users. The method includes obtaining steering information from the plurality of steering wheels of the plurality of users; obtaining priority information of the steering wheels of the corresponding plurality of users; and in response to a user of a steering wheel with a highest priority operates to steer the vehicle, reading the steering information of the steering wheel with the highest priority.

The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic steering system (100) for steering a vehicle with a steering mechanics (112). The hydraulic steering system (100) includes a hydraulic steering unit (101). A single hydraulic steering unit (101) includes two outlet ports (111) configured to allow hydraulic fluid to be discharged from the hydraulic steering unit (101) to the steering mechanics (112) of the vehicle, at least two redundant hydraulic components (108, 109) configured to change a hydraulic flow of the hydraulic fluid and to be fluidically connected to the outlet ports (111), a first steering control device (102) for controlling a first hydraulic component (108) of the at least two hydraulic components (108, 109) and configured to change the hydraulic flow in the hydraulic steering unit (101) and a second hydraulic component (109) configured to change the hydraulic flow in the hydraulic steering unit (101). In order to provide an improved hydraulic steering system, the single hydraulic steering unit (101) further includes a second steering control device (105) for controlling the second hydraulic component (109) of the at least two hydraulic components (108, 109).

To reduce the case where operation becomes complicated when automatic steering is performed in a work vehicle (1), the work vehicle is provided with: a vehicle body (3) capable of traveling forward and backward by either manual steering by a steering wheel (30) or automatic steering; a driver's seat (10) provided to the vehicle body; an operation platform (9F, 9L, 9R) provided in front of or laterally of the driver's seat; a first operation section (50-53) for automatic steering provided to the operation platform; and a second operation section (54, 63) for automatic steering capable of being installed behind the driver's seat.

A system for hydraulic parallel work systems is provided. The system includes a fixed displacement pump (110), a closed-center circuit (300), an open-center hand metering unit (HMU) (200), and a tank (120). The closed-center circuit is in fluid communication with the fixed displacement pump. The open-center HMU is in fluid communication with the fixed displacement pump at an inlet port (204) of the HMU. The tank is fluidly connected to the inlet port of the HMU when the HMU is inactive.

A hydraulic steering device for an agricultural vehicle comprises a steering pump, an automatic steering unit and a manual steering unit. The hydraulic steering device further comprises an automatic blocking unit connected to the automatic steering unit. The hydraulic steering device further comprises an automatic maintaining unit configured to control the automatic blocking unit to cause the working fluid for the automatic steering to pass regardless of whether a manual steering is performed.

Load handling machine (1) comprising - a rolling chassis (2) with engine, - a driving station (4), - a driving unit (16), - a load handling system (5), - a sensor (6) for the speed of movement of the machine (1), - a steering system comprising a steering mechanism for the steered wheels, - a steering wheel (10), - a second directional member (12). The machine (1) comprises a first configuration in which the steering wheel (10) is in the active state and the second directional member (12) is in the inactive state and a second configuration in which the steering wheel (10) is in the inactive state and the second directional member (12) is in the active state, the first and second configurations are selectively activatable and from the first to the second configuration as a function at least of the data provided by the at least one sensor (6) of a parameter representative of the speed of the machine (1) and at least one additional condition. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

A working machine comprising: a body; a ground engaging propulsion structure for moving the working machine; a first working arm moveably mounted to the body; an operator station mounted on the body; and an operator seat located at the operator station; wherein the operator station comprises primary controls for moving the working machine via the ground engaging propulsion structure, secondary controls for moving the working machine via the ground engaging propulsion structure and first working arm controls for controlling movement of the first working arm relative to the body; the operator seat being moveable between a first position and a second position and in the first position the primary controls are configured to be operable by the operator, in the second position the secondary controls are configured to be operable by the operator and the first working arm controls are configured to be operable by the operator wherein there further comprises a third position intermediate the first position and the second position in which the secondary controls are configured to be inoperable but the first working arm controls are configured to be at least selectively operable.

A steering control assembly including: a base configured to couple with a steering shaft; a ring mounted to the base and configured to rotate independent of the base; a locking member movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, in the locked configuration the locking member locks the ring to the base to restrict rotation of the ring independent of the base, and in the unlocked configuration the ring is free to rotate independent of the base; and a handle mounted to the ring and rotatable with the ring independent of the base when the locking member is in the unlocked configuration to adjust a radial position of the handle relative to the base, the handle configured to be grasped by a user to rotate the steering control assembly and the steering shaft when the locking member is in the locked configuration.

A vehicle control arrangement includes a mechanical interface configured to be interposed between an existing steering wheel column shaft and steering wheel of a vehicle. The arrangement includes at least two drive units, each configured to selectively engage with said mechanical interface upon activation for actuating the steering column shaft to steer the vehicle. Also included are a detector arranged in register with said mechanical interface and configured to detect manual interaction with the steering wheel, and a controller arranged in signal communication with the detector and drive units, the controller configured to, when autonomous control is selected, engage and control at least one drive unit to effect autonomous steering of the vehicle, and when manual interaction is detected, to disengage said drive units. In this manner, a vehicle is retrofittable with said control arrangement to facilitate alternating between autonomous and manual control, as required.

Load handling equipment (1) comprising: - a rolling chassis (2) with engine, - a driver's station (4), - a driver's unit (16), - a load handling system (5), - a sensor (6) for the vehicle's (1) travel speed, - a steering system comprising a steering mechanism for the steering wheels, - a steering wheel (10), - a second steering element (12). The equipment (1) comprises a first configuration in which the steering wheel (10) is in the active state and the second steering element (12) is in the inactive state, and a second configuration in which the steering wheel (10) is in the inactive state and the second steering element (12) is in the active state. The first and second configurations are selectively activated, and switching from the first to the second configuration depends on at least the data provided by at least one sensor (6) for a parameter representative of the vehicle's (1) speed and at least one additional condition. Figure for the abridged version: Fig. 1

An assembly for equipping a motor vehicle with dual-steer capabilities has a first bracket assembly configured to couple a first steering column to the vehicle and a second bracket assembly configured to couple a second steering column to the vehicle. A first gearset is coupled to the first bracket assembly and configured for operative engagement with the first steering column. A second gearset is coupled to the second bracket assembly and configured for operative engagement with the second steering column. A cross shaft operatively couples the first gearset to the second gearset. The first gearset is configured to be operatively coupled to a steering gear of the vehicle. The first bracket assembly is configured to facilitate tilting of an upper steering shaft of the first steering column with respect to a lower steering shaft of the first steering column.

The invention relates to a hydraulic steering system for steering a vehicle with a steering mechanism. The hydraulic steering system includes a hydraulic steering unit. A single hydraulic steering unit includes: two outlet ports configured to allow hydraulic fluid to be discharged from the hydraulic steering unit to a steering mechanism of the vehicle; at least two redundant hydraulic components configured to vary a hydraulic flow of the hydraulic fluid and fluidly connected to the outlet port; a first steering control device for controlling a first hydraulic component of the at least two hydraulic components and configured to vary a hydraulic flow in the hydraulic steering unit; and a second hydraulic component configured to vary a hydraulic flow in the hydraulic steering unit. In order to provide an improved hydraulic steering system, the single hydraulic steering unit further comprises second steering control means for controlling a second of the at least two hydraulic components.

A vehicle includes a steering input, a driver monitoring system, a controlled electromechanical actuator, a controller in communication with the steering input and the driver monitoring system, the controller including a memory storing a driver command interpreter module and a vehicle motion control module, and a processor, and wherein the driver command interpreter module and the vehicle motion control module are in communication with the steering input and the driver monitoring system. The driver command interpreter module is configured to estimate an upcoming vehicle maneuver based at least in part on a commanded steering operation from the steering input and a driver viewing direction from the driver monitoring system.

An asphalt finisher is provided and includes a plurality of wheels including a steered wheel; a steering cylinder configured to adjust a steered angle of the steered wheel; a hydraulic pump configured to supply hydraulic oil to the steering cylinder; a proportional control valve disposed between the hydraulic pump and the steering cylinder, and configured to control a flow rate and a direction of the hydraulic oil supplied to the steering cylinder; and a controller configured to control the proportional control valve to control the steered angle.

The invention relates to a motor vehicle assembly (1), preferably a cabin assembly. The motor vehicle assembly (1) comprises a structure (10), preferably a floor structure, with a first steering shaft passage (12) and a second steering shaft passage (14). Furthermore, the motor vehicle assembly comprises a steering shaft (16) which passes through the first steering shaft passage (12), and at least one line (26) which passes through the second steering shaft passage (14).

An automobile steering simulator is provided having a simulator 2 and a steering wheel grip ring 1 fixedly arranged on a top end of simulator 1. Simulator 2 has a base, a shell rotor, a rear end cover