U.S. patent application number 16/589584 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-30 for steering system for autonomous vehicle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation. Invention is credited to Richard K. Riefe, John F. Schulz.
Application Number | 20200033876 16/589584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59998127 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200033876 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Riefe; Richard K. ; et
al. |
January 30, 2020 |
STEERING SYSTEM FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
Abstract
A steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes an
autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering
of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included
is an alternate steering mechanism controlling steering of the
autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode, wherein the
alternate steering mechanism is not a steering wheel.
Inventors: |
Riefe; Richard K.; (Saginaw,
MI) ; Schulz; John F.; (Hemlock, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation |
Saginaw |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59998127 |
Appl. No.: |
16/589584 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15095717 |
Apr 11, 2016 |
10496102 |
|
|
16589584 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 2370/1442 20190501;
B60K 2370/55 20190501; B60K 2370/1438 20190501; G05D 1/0016
20130101; B60K 37/02 20130101; B62D 15/027 20130101; B60K 37/06
20130101; B60K 2370/135 20190501; G05D 1/0044 20130101; B60K
2370/126 20190501; G05D 1/0088 20130101; B62D 1/12 20130101; G05D
1/0246 20130101; B60K 2370/782 20190501; G05D 2201/0213 20130101;
B62D 15/025 20130101; B62D 1/02 20130101; B60K 35/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G05D 1/02 20060101
G05D001/02; B62D 1/02 20060101 B62D001/02; B62D 15/02 20060101
B62D015/02; B60K 35/00 20060101 B60K035/00; B60K 37/06 20060101
B60K037/06; B60K 37/02 20060101 B60K037/02; B62D 1/12 20060101
B62D001/12; G05D 1/00 20060101 G05D001/00 |
Claims
1. A steering system for an autonomous vehicle comprising: an
autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering
of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode; and a
joystick controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a
secondary steering mode.
2. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the joystick is located
on a dashboard of the autonomous vehicle.
3. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the joystick is located
on a center stack of the autonomous vehicle.
4. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the joystick is located
on an armrest of the autonomous vehicle.
5. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the joystick is located
on a door of the autonomous vehicle.
6. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the joystick is
integrated with a transmission shift lever.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application is a divisional application of, and
claims the benefit of priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/095,717, filed Apr. 11, 2016, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The embodiments described herein relate to vehicle steering
systems and, more particularly, to a steering system for an
autonomous vehicle.
[0003] Vehicles may be equipped with systems and devices to
semi-autonomously or autonomously control a vehicle and perform
vehicle maneuvers. The systems or devices may provide driving
control with minimal driver intervention to reduce the driving
burden on the driver. Some systems or devices may enable vehicles
to lack a traditional steering wheel, and possibly steering column,
for use as the human to machine interface. However, such a vehicle
may occasionally lack the ability to perform highly specialized
steering functions.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one aspect of the invention, a steering system
for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving assist
steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle
in a primary steering mode. Also included is a touch screen
illustrating a vehicle environment and comprising at least one
steering control image for interaction by a user to control
steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering
mode.
[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, a steering
system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving
assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous
vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is a joystick
controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary
steering mode.
[0006] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a steering
system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving
assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous
vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is an alternate
steering mechanism controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle
in a secondary steering mode, wherein the alternate steering
mechanism is not a steering wheel.
[0007] These and other advantages and features will become more
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an alternate steering
mechanism for an autonomous vehicle according to an aspect of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the alternate steering
mechanism according to another aspect of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the alternate steering
mechanism according to yet another aspect of the invention; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the alternate steering
mechanism according to yet another aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Referring to the Figures, where the invention will be
described with reference to specific embodiments, without limiting
same, a steering system for an autonomous vehicle or a selectively
autonomous vehicle is provided and generally referenced with
numeral 10. The steering system 10 provides a primary steering mode
(which is an autonomous steering mode as used herein) and a
secondary steering mode (which can be a semi-autonomous or manual
mode as used herein), with each controlling movement of vehicle
road wheels for directional control of the vehicle. Autonomous
steering of the vehicle is advantageous in autonomous or
semi-autonomous driving modes of a vehicle. Autonomous driving
refers to vehicles that are configured to perform operations
without continuous input from a driver (e.g., steering,
accelerating, braking etc.) and may be equipped with advanced
driver assist system(s), including an autonomous driving assist
steering system 12, to allow the vehicle to be autonomously
controlled using sensing, steering, and/or braking technology. When
the advanced driver assist system is activated, the steering wheel
is not required for vehicle control. Therefore, the embodiments
described herein do not include a steering wheel. Additionally, a
steering column may be omitted from the vehicle. Elimination of the
steering column and/or steering wheel increases the space within
the vehicle interior, thereby enhancing passenger comfort.
[0014] The embodiments of the steering system 10 described herein
rely on the autonomous driving assist steering system 12 to control
steering of the vehicle in a primary steering mode. The primary
steering mode is activated during normal operating conditions of
the vehicle and do not require human operator input in a physical
form that is required in traditional steering systems (e.g.,
manipulation of a steering wheel). In some cases, limitations of
the primary steering mode may be present, as the advanced driving
assist steering system 12 relies on various forms of technology to
operate. Exemplary technologies relied upon include GPS location,
proximity sensors, lane keeping, and vehicle-to-infrastructure
recognition, etc. Infrequently, one or more of the technologies
relied upon may be unavailable, thus requiring activation of the
secondary, alternate driving mode. Maneuvering within a parking
garage, maneuvering within a maintenance garage, and maneuvering
during loading or unloading of the vehicle from a factory site to a
dealership via commercial carrier are examples of situations that
make the secondary driving mode desirable. The preceding list of
examples is merely illustrative and not intended to be
limiting.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the steering system 10
is illustrated. As described above, the steering system 10 includes
the autonomous driving assist steering system 12 to control
steering in a primary steering mode. An alternate steering
mechanism is provided to facilitate control while the steering
system 10 is in the secondary steering mode. In the illustrated
embodiment, the alternate steering mechanism is a touch screen 20
that is provided to allow a user to interact therewith to control
steering of the vehicle in the secondary steering mode. Inputs
provided by the user are communicated to the advanced driving
assist system for control of a vehicle steering system controller
(e.g., electrical assisted power steering mechanism). The touch
screen 20 is located on, and/or within, a center stack 22 of the
vehicle in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the
touch screen 20 is disposed within other fixed locations of the
vehicle interior that are easily accessible to the user. For
example, the touch screen 20 may be located at any location along a
dashboard 24 or on an armrest 62 (FIG. 4).
[0016] Regardless of the precise position of the touch screen 20,
the touch screen 20 includes a steering control image 30 displayed
thereon. In one embodiment, the steering control image 30 is at
least one camera image illustrating an environment surrounding the
autonomous vehicle mapped out with cameras and/or proximity
sensors. In such an embodiment, a user may trace a desired path
with a finger on the touch screen to program a steering path to
maneuver the vehicle within the surrounding environment.
Alternatively, a virtual steering wheel 32 may be included within
the steering control image 30. The virtual steering wheel 32
provides an interactive control that is visually similar to a
steering wheel. The virtual steering wheel 32 may be rotated by the
user to input steering commands in the secondary steering mode. In
some embodiments, a keyboard may be provided to serve as an
interface for operator input. Steering in the secondary steering
mode may be used to perform specialized steering maneuvers, such as
steering the vehicle into a repair bay or guiding the vehicle
on/off a loading ramp of a vehicle delivery trailer. These are
merely examples of the specialized maneuvers that may be achieved
with the secondary steering mode.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, alternate locations of the
touch screen 20 are illustrated. In some embodiments, the touch
screen 20 is located on a display of a laptop computer 40 (FIG. 2)
or a portable device 50 (FIG. 3), such as a cellular phone or a
tablet. In such embodiments, the laptop 40 or the portable device
50 is in wired or wireless communication with the advanced driving
assist system to communicate the user inputs from the device to the
advanced driving assist system for control of a vehicle steering
system controller (e.g., electrical assisted power steering
mechanism).
[0018] As with the embodiment of the touch screen 20 described
above in connection with FIG. 1, a virtual steering wheel 32 may be
provided on the steering control image 30 or a mapped out
surrounding environment may be provided. In embodiments with the
portable device 50, an app may be used to enhance functionality of
the steering system 10.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of the
alternate steering mechanism is illustrated. In the illustrated
embodiment, the alternate steering mechanism comprises a joystick
60, knob or the like, that is in communication with the advanced
driving assist system for control of a vehicle steering system
controller (e.g., electrical assisted power steering mechanism)
while the steering system 10 is in the secondary steering mode. The
joystick 60 is a pivotable member and may be located in numerous
contemplated locations of the vehicle interior. For example, the
joystick 60 may be located on a dashboard 24 of the autonomous
vehicle, on a center stack 22 of the autonomous vehicle, on a door
of the autonomous vehicle, or on an armrest 62 of the autonomous
vehicle. Additionally, the joystick 60 may be integrated with a
transmission shift lever 64 (e.g., PRNDL lever). Irrespective of
the precise location of the joystick 60, the user is able to
maneuver the vehicle with the joystick 60.
[0020] Advantageously, specialized steering maneuvers are
facilitated in the secondary steering mode, while permitting
removal of the steering column and/or steering wheel to enhance the
vehicle interior compartment by increasing available space.
[0021] While the invention has been described in detail in
connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be
readily understood that the invention is not limited to such
disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to
incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or
equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are
commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention.
Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may
include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the
invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing
description.
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