Abstract:
The invention describes a simulated steering apparatus provided with a base ( 2 ), a driving shaft ( 11 ) with a first and second ends. A first plate ( 21 ) is rigidly mounted to the driving shaft and a second plate ( 18 ) is freely mounted to the driving shaft. The first plate is disposed at a close proximity to the second plate. A friction means ( 19 ) is disposed between the first plate and the second plate. A motor ( 34 ) is operably connected to the second plate. A force exerting means ( 20 ), which is disposed in the vicinity of the first and the second plate, holds them together. A position sensing means ( 40 ) operably connected to the driving shaft, actuates the motor when the driving shaft is not in a neutral position. The motor is actuated, such that, the second plate rotates in a direction opposite to that of the first plate.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject matter described herein in general relates to simulated mechanisms and in particular relates to a simulated steering apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A simulator is a mechanism in which the behavior of a system is artificially replicated. Simulators are less complicated than actual mechanisms. This allows the designer to concentrate on certain aspects of the system that need to be simulated. 
         [0003]    Vehicle simulators are widely used for teaching driving techniques. The driving console of such simulators generally includes a steering wheel, an accelerator, a brake pedal, a clutch and a gear actuator. The console is designed in such a way that it is responsive to the actuation of various controls provided in the console. 
         [0004]    Steering wheel is one of the main components of the vehicle simulator that needs to be effectively controlled. When the driver turns the steering wheel, while seated inside the console, the console tilts accordingly. This acts as a feedback, thereby helping the driver to form a sound judgment. Such a training that is provided within a short period of time with the help of these vehicle simulators are much effective for drivers of all categories. 
         [0005]    One particular example, where control of steering is of utmost importance is in a formula 1 car. Driving such a car without any prior experience can be really dangerous, as these cars are way too powerful to be handled by ordinary drivers. Hence, the prospective drivers are first trained in simulated environments using vehicle simulators. This gives us a clear indication that the vehicle simulators to be adjusted to a normal vehicle driving condition to any extreme conditions. This also suggests us that the mechanisms within the simulator are to be modified to suit varying driving conditions. 
         [0006]    Simulators also find application in real time video gaming. Video games that are available these days include operating consoles for the gamers. The consoles are designed in such a way that they resemble a real vehicle. The gamer sits inside the console and controls the direction of the vehicle by looking at a screen, which is installed in front of the gamer. 
         [0007]    Generally steering mechanism of the vehicle simulator is provided with complex assembly and functionalities. Such a steering mechanism often includes a spring to oppose the movement of the steering wheel, and to bring back the steering wheel to its original position. In such simulators, one end of the spring is connected to a driving shaft, and the other end is connected to a stationary member. When the steering wheel is in a neutral position, the spring does not exert any force. But, when the steering wheel is turned, the driving shaft connected to the steering wheel is consequently rotated, due to which a resisting force is developed in the spring. Due to this resistance, the driver feels a resistance at the steering wheel and this provides him a real time driving experience. In such simulators the spring always provides an almost constant resistance, further, if such a simulator is to be used to simulate the driving conditions for a different vehicle, then the spring has to be replaced. Due to this reason, the cost of the vehicle simulator is also high. Furthermore, the maintenance cost of such a simulator is also high. These factors decrease the versatility of the steering simulator. 
         [0008]    Thus, it is desirable to have a simulated steering system which is simple, maintenance free and economic. Further, it should respond effectively to various controls so as to accurately replicate the behavior. Also, it should be flexible, so that it can simulate the behavior of different kinds of vehicles, without substantial modification and by providing a varying resistance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The subject matter described herein is directed to a simulated steering apparatus that satisfies the need. The apparatus comprises a base, a driving shaft connected to a steering wheel, a motor, a force exerting means, a position sensing means and a friction means. The driving shaft is rotatably supported on the base. A first plate is rigidly mounted, while a second plate is freely mounted to the driving shaft. The first plate is disposed at a close proximity to the second plate. The motor is operably connected to the second plate. The force exerting means is disposed in the vicinity of the first and second plates, in such a way, that the force exerting means holds the first and second plate together. The position sensing means is operably connected to the driving shaft. The position sensing means actuates the motor when the driving shaft is not in a neutral position. The motor is actuated in such a way that the second plate rotates opposite to that of the first plate. A friction means is disposed between the first plate and the second plate. 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present subject matter will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a simulated steering apparatus according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the simulated steering apparatus. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows another exploded view of the simulated steering apparatus. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of the simulated steering apparatus, in which the dust plates are removed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of the simulated steering apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The present subject matter relates to a simulated steering apparatus, which is used for the purpose of training drivers. Such simulated apparatuses are also used in video games for providing a real time experience to the gamer. The apparatus comprises a base  2 , a driving shaft  11 , a first plate  21 , a second plate  18 , a motor  34 , a force exerting means  20 , a friction means  19  and a position sensing means  40 . The force exerting means  20  keeps the first plate  21  and the second plate  18  attracted towards each other so that both the plates are in contact with each other. When the driving shaft  11  is rotated, the position sensing means  40  senses the movement and actuates the motor  34 . The motor  34  is actuated in such a manner that the plate  18  rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the plate  21 . Hence, the tendency of the motor  34  is to bring back the steering wheel to its original position and this very tendency gives the operator the feel of a real time driving experience. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a simulated steering apparatus in accordance with the present subject matter. The simulated steering apparatus comprises four dust plates  7 ,  8 ,  9  and  10 . Dust plates  8  and  9  are not visible in this figure. A steering wheel is provided at an end  44  of the driving shaft  11 . The driving shaft  11  is rotatably supported in the base  2  and is connected to a position sensing means i.e. a sensor  40 , with the help of a sensor fixing plate  39 . The driving shaft  11  attains a neutral position when the vehicle is following a straight line path. Whenever the operator turns the steering wheel, the driving shaft  11  is displaced from its neutral position. This displacement of the driving shaft  11  is sensed by the sensor  40 . The sensor  40  sends a signal and actuates a motor  34 . The motor  34  opposes the motion of the driving shaft  11  and tries to bring back the driving shaft  11  to the neutral position. The apparatus is covered at top, above with the help of a top plate  1 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the simulated steering apparatus. A bearing holder  13  is mounted on the top plate  1  to accommodate a bearing  15 . A spacer  24  and a spacer  22  are placed above and below a double gear  23  (also referred to as a “first double gear”) respectively. A plate  21  is having a force exerting means, i.e. a magnet  20 , attached to one side. A gear  41  is attached to the other side of the plate  21 . A keyway is provided in the gear  41 . A plate  18  is having a friction means, i.e. a friction plate  19 , attached to its first side and a gear  42  (not shown in the fig.) attached to its second side. A cir-clip  17  fits into a groove  45  that is provided in the driving shaft  11 , and the bearing  16  is accommodated in a bearing holder  14 . A keyway  43  corresponding to a keyway  46  in the gear  41  is provided in the driving shaft  11 . The gear  41  is keyed to the driving shaft  11  with the help of a key (not shown in the fig.), which is placed in the keyway  46  and the corresponding keyway  43 . 
         [0020]    A shaft  12  (also referred to as a “rigid shaft”) is fixed to the base  2 . A gear  31  with a bush  32  is mounted on the shaft  12 . A spacer  30  is placed over the gear  31  and a double gear  29  is placed above the spacer  30 . A bush  28  is placed between the double gear  29  (also referred to as a “second double gear”) and a stopper gear  27 . A spacer  25  is placed over the stopper gear  27  to which a stopper plate  26  is fixed. A pinion  33  is connected to a motor  34  (not shown in the figure). 
         [0021]    When assembled, bearings  15  and  16  support the driving shaft  11 . Bearing holders  13  and  14  accommodate the bearings  15  and  16  respectively. The cir-clip  17  prevents the assembly from moving downwards beyond the groove  45 ; as such a downward movement can damage the bearing  16 . Due to the magnet  20 , the plates  21  and  18  are pulled towards each other. The friction plate  19  is clutched between plates  21  and  18 , due to the magnetic force exerted by the magnet  20 . A keyway  46  is provided in the gear  41 . A key is accommodated in the keyway  41  and the keyway  43 . As a result, when the driving shaft  11  is rotated, due to the actuation of the steering wheel, the gear  41  rotates. Thus, the motion is first transmitted from the driving shaft  11  to the gear  41 . Due to this, the plate  21  that is connected to the driving shaft  11  also rotates. The plate  21  experiences resistance from the friction plate  19 . The friction is further increased due to the magnetic force exerted by the magnet  20 . The sensor  40  senses the rotation of the driving shaft  11  and actuates the motor  34 . As a result the pinion  33  rotates, which further rotates the gear  31 . The rotation of the motor is in such a way that the plate  18  rotates in a direction opposite to that of plate  21 . This opposite rotation of the plate  18  results in a resistance being offered to the rotation of the plate  21 , due to which the user gets a feeling as if he is driving a real time vehicle. Double gears  29 ,  23  and the gear  27  are used for the purpose of gear reduction. These gears decide, how many turns the steering wheel can take, before attaining one extreme position. The dimensions of these gears can be changed according to the requirements. 
         [0022]    The bush  32  adjusts the vertical position of the gear  31 , so that the teeth of the gear  31  mesh with the teeth of the pinion  33 . The spacer  30  is also provided for adjusting the vertical position of the double gear  29 . The bush  28  is used for reducing the friction between the double gear  29  and the gear  27 . The spacer  24  prevents the bearing  15  from coming into contact with the double gear  23 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows another exploded view of the simulated steering apparatus. A plurality of pillars  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  are fixed to the base  2  and are accommodated in corresponding openings of the top plate  1 . The stopper  35  (also referred to as a “first stopper”) and the stopper  36  (also referred to as a “second stopper”) are provided in the top plate  1  for restricting the movement of the stopper plate  26  in either direction. The assembly is shown as assembled, except that the box is shown as exploded. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of the simulated steering apparatus, in which the dust plates are removed. The bush  32  adjusts the vertical position of the gear  31  on the shaft  12 , such that, the pinion  33  operably comes into contact with the gear  31 , which is operably in contact with the gear  42 . The friction plate  19  is connected to the plate  18 , while the magnet  20  is connected to the plate  21 . Due to the magnetic force exerted by the magnet  20 , the plate  21  is attracted towards the plate  18 . The rotation of the driving shaft  11  subsequently rotates the plate  21 . A substantial resistance is offered to the rotation of the plate  21  due to the friction offered by the friction plate  19 . This friction is further increased due to the magnetic pull exerted by the magnet  20 . The overall friction thus created provides a resistance to the rotation of the steering wheel by the driver. Such a resistance provides the driver a real time experience of driving. The sensor  40  senses the direction and the magnitude of rotation of the driving shaft  11  and sends a signal to the motor  34 , thereby actuating the motor  34 , so as to oppose the movement of the driving shaft  11 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of the simulated steering apparatus. The cir-clip  17  is shown accommodated in the groove  45  that is provided in the driving shaft  11 . The bush  28  and the bush  32  are provided to reduce the frictional effects and to prevent overheating of the apparatus. Working of the apparatus is described by dividing the apparatus into three mechanisms: 
         [0026]    In the first mechanism, the plate  21  is keyed to the driving shaft  11 . The plate  21  rotates when the driving shaft  11  is rotated. Due to the magnetic force exerted by the magnet  20 , the plate  21  is attracted towards the plate  18 . The plate  21  comes in contact with the friction plate  19 . Due to this, the rotation of the driving shaft  11  is resisted. 
         [0027]    In the second mechanism, the sensor  40  is operably connected to the driving shaft  11  at its lower end. When the driving shaft  11  is rotated in one direction, the sensor  40  senses the rotation of the driving shaft  11 . The sensor  40  sends a signal to the motor  34 , thereby actuating the motor  34 , such that the motor  34  rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the driving shaft  11 . For example, if the driving shaft  11  is rotated in a clockwise direction, the plate  21  rotates with the driving shaft  11  in the clockwise direction. The sensor  40  actuates the motor  34  in an anti-clockwise direction, thereby rotating the pinion  33  in the anti-clockwise direction. The gear  31  is operably in contact with the pinion  33  and rotate in a clockwise direction. Because of this, the gear  42  rotates in an anti-clockwise direction that subsequently rotates the plate  18  in the anti-clockwise direction. Thus, the anti-clockwise rotation of the plate  18  and the clockwise rotation of the plate  21  results in resisting the movement of the driving shaft  11 . The presence of the magnet  20  and the friction plate  19  further increases the resistance. The sensor  40  sends a signal, such that, when the driving shaft  11  is at one extreme position, the opposing motion of the motor  34  i.e. the total number of rotations of the motor  34  is high. As the driving shaft  11  approaches its neutral position, the opposition by the motor  34  decreases gradually. 
         [0028]    In the third mechanism, when the driving shaft is rotated, the plate  21  is also rotated. The gear  41 , which is attached to the plate  21 , also rotates, thereby imparting motion to the double gear  29 . The double gear  29  further transmits motion to the double gear  23 . From the double gear  23 , motion is transmitted to the stopper gear  27 . Double gears  29  and  23  result in gear reduction. When the steering wheel reaches one extreme position, the stopper plate  26  comes into contact with either of the stoppers  35  or  36 , thereby stopping any further rotation of the steering wheel by the driver. 
         [0029]    The previously described versions of the subject matter and its equivalents thereof have many advantages, including those which are described below. The subject matter described is simple, easy to assemble, maintenance free and economic. Also, the modular construction results in a capability to adapt to any kind of steering system of any vehicle. The apparatus is small in size and hence is easy to transport. 
         [0030]    Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. As such, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained therein. For example, the number of teeth and the radius of gears can be varied, so as to vary the maximum angle through which the steering can be steered. An electromagnet or a spring can also be used as a force exerting means. A sensor can also be used to control the properties of the electromagnet. A plate having its one face grounded, so as to offer a resistance can also be used in the place of a friction plate.