Method to isolate vehicle steering shock from the driver

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-05-06
BROOKS PHILIP LEE
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]Existing solutions embody a reduction of force transmitted to the driv

Problems solved by technology

Such shock-absorbers are typically hydraulic/gas or friction and are “always on”—meaning that even relatively slow movements of the steering mechanism add to the force required to steer the vehicle.
This means that there is always some incremental added force required by the driver to steer except when going in a straight or nearly straight line, or when making (relatively) long sweeping arcs with the vehicle.
This force is either provided by the driver's muscles (which fatigues the driver) or by the power steering apparatus (which wastes engine power).
This action/reaction scenario bleeds-off speed and also causes the vehicle to try to follow a less optimal course—and is therefore undesirable in a competitive situation and often poses a safety threat as well.
However, turning the Wheel/Tire to the right even a small amount more than absolutely necessary to negotiate the intended path actually increases the geometric profile of impact of the steered Wheel/Tire causing an even more exaggerated action/reaction.
All of the above scrub-off speed and require even more time to negotiate the intended path.
Therefore, a second un-served need exists for a steering shock-absorption/shock isolation method that will react to the impact fast enough to “freeze the steering apparatus” for a few milliseconds such that the Wheel/Tire is not allowed to present said increasingly flat surface to the face of the Curb which typically results in “more air time” with attendant increased movement opposite of the driver's intention owing to the lack of tire contact with the racing surface.
Further, a third un-served need exists for a steering shock-absorption/shock isolation method that will react to the impact fast enough to “freeze the steer

Method used

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Example

[0038]The easiest and most convenient illustrative example of the present invention is to consider the vehicle in which the method invention has been applied-to as being a racing car. These cars are routinely and intentionally driven over Curbs placed at the edge of a racing surface to discourage the driver from using the surface next to the intended racing surface to gain a speed / time advantage. Accordingly, the action / reaction scenario is, for the purposes of describing the method of present invention, straight-forward in operation and operational environment when racing cars are presented as the illustrative example.

[0039]The process of the method of the present invention is to simply add-on to the existing (current generalized / stylized racing car practice) shock absorbing linkages. (Referring to FIG. 1): the vehicle is shown in a First “Un-Loaded” Relative Position [11]. The steered Wheel / Tire combination [1] is shown in contact with the flat portion of the Curb and Roadway

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PUM

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Abstract

The method, independent of specific means employed, of locking/un-locking the steering mechanisms of a vehicle for a time period measured in as little as milliseconds in order to isolate the driver of the vehicle from violent shocks as encountered when, for example, a vehicle strikes an obstruction with a steered wheel. Said method also includes the ability for users to pre-program, or to program from the driving position, various profiles of lock/un-lock to accommodate variations in the type of obstructions anticipated to be encountered as well as at least one default setting to take into account crash situations. The method of the present invention is independent of means so long as the result is to lock/un-lock the steering mechanism(s) for a fixed or a variable period measured in as little as milliseconds in order to isolate the driver from violent impacts to the steered Wheels/Tires of a vehicle being transmitted to the driver through the Steering Wheel. The intent of the present method is to protect the driver's hands and wrists, to require less concentration and physical exertion on the part of the driver when encountering obstacles, to allow for lighter and less power-consuming devices to assist steering, and to allow the vehicle to more closely maintain the path intended by the driver.

Description

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Claims

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Application Information

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Owner BROOKS PHILIP LEE
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