Abstract:
A vehicle steering command module as disclosed wherein the command module is necessary to start and control the motion of a vehicle, and once removed from the vehicle the command module can function as a personal computer. The vehicle steering command module includes a housing having a computer processing unit and a connection port. The connection port releasably connects the command module to one of a pair of spaced apart mating connection ports on an instrument panel of the vehicle, thereby completing a steer by wire circuit of the vehicle. Rotation of the command module controls the direction of travel of the vehicle when the command module is connected to one of the mating connection ports. The command module includes at least one input device operably connected to the computer processing unit. A cover of the steering command module is moveable between a closed position and an opened position, and includes a display screen operably connected to the computer processing unit. The steering command module further includes a pair of opposed handles, which are moveable between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/111,460, filed Dec. 9, 1998. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a vehicle steering command module for a vehicle wherein the command module is necessary to start and control the motion of the vehicle and once removed from the vehicle the command module can function as a personal computer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typically, a vehicle includes a steering wheel rotation of which is used to control the direction of travel of the vehicle. The typical steering wheel requires numerous gears and mechanical linkages in order to effectuate turning of a pair of road wheels of the vehicle. In addition, a typical vehicle requires some sort of a key or starting mechanism in order to permit movement of the vehicle. Recently, a number of steer-by-wire systems have been developed for vehicles. Steer-by-wire systems eliminate a large number of the gears normally associated with a steering system. Electrical signals are used to control the direction of travel of the vehicle in a steer-by-wire system. 
     Technological advances in the computer industry have permitted ever smaller and more powerful computers to be developed. Computers are increasingly being integrated into vehicle systems for control of vehicle functions. It would be advantageous to provide a computer which could be releasably connected to the vehicle and which permitted a user to control various functions including steering of the vehicle when connected to the vehicle. It would be additionally advantageous if the computer, when released from the vehicle, could function as a personal computer. Preferably, connection of the personal computer to the vehicle could also serve as a key function to enable ignition of the vehicle&#39;s engine. 
     One disadvantage of current vehicle steering systems is that the manufacturer has to select between mounting the steering wheel on the left, per American convention, or on the right, per European convention. For an international vehicle manufacturer this presents problems in that the same parts can not be used in each design, and thus it necessitates many similar non-interchangeable parts. It would be advantageous to provide a steering system that could readily and easily be used on either end of an instrument panel of a vehicle. It would be most preferable if a user could select and change the position of the steering control between the right and the left. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides alternatives and advantages over the prior art by providing a dual position vehicle steering command module, which is necessary in order to start and control the motion of the vehicle. The vehicle steering command module functions as a personal computer when not connected to the vehicle. The vehicle steering command module permits a user to steer the vehicle from either side of the vehicle and to control all the functions of the vehicle through the command module including steering and environmental conditions of the vehicle. 
     In a first embodiment, the dual position vehicle steering command module comprises an instrument panel of a vehicle, the instrument panel having a first mating connection port spaced opposite a second mating connection port. A vehicle steering command module comprises a housing having a computer processing unit and a connection port, the connection port releasably connects the command module to either the first or the second mating connection port of the instrument panel and thereby completes a steer by wire circuit of the vehicle. Rotation of the command module controls the direction of travel of the vehicle when the command module is connected to one of the mating connection ports. The command module has at least one input device operably connected to the computer processing unit and a cover movable between a closed position and an open position. The cover has a display screen operably connected to the computer processing unit. The command module also has a pair of opposed handles. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vehicle steering command module with its cover in an open position; 
     FIG. 2 is front view of an alternative embodiment of the steering command module with its cover in an open position; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the command module shown in FIG. 2 with the keyboard covers in an open position; 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the vehicle steering command module shown in FIG. 1 installed in a vehicle; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the vehicle steering command module of FIG. 1 installed in a vehicle; and 
     FIG. 6 is a rear view of the steering command module of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle steering command module is shown generally at  20 . Command module  20  includes a housing  22  having a faceplate  24 . Faceplate  24  includes a plurality of control switches  26  and indicator lights  28 . Control switches  26  can be used to control the basic functions of command module  20  such as for example on/off operation mode etc. as is known in the art. Indicator lights  28  provide an indication of the status of command module  20  such as, for example, on/off, disc drive active, and mode of operation etc. Housing  22  further includes a computer processing unit (CPU)  30  having a memory module  31 . An input device in the form of a trackball type mouse  32  is located in faceplate  24  and is operably connected to the CPU  30 . Command module  20  further includes a cover  34  having a display screen  36 , which is operably connected to the CPU  30 . A hinge member  40  permits cover  34  to move between a closed position where cover  34  is adjacent faceplate  24  and a plurality of open positions, one of which is shown in FIG. 1. A latch (not shown) secures cover  34  in the closed position until the latch is actuated by a user. A pair of opposed handles  38  are located on opposite sides of the housing  22 . Handles  38  are movable between a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a plurality of extended positions as shown below. When the command module  20  is connected to the vehicle and the handles  38  are in one of the extended positions, then the input devices to the command module  20  are disabled. Housing  22  includes a microphone  42  to permit voice activation and control of the command module  20 . 
     The back of housing  22  includes a plurality of input/output ports (not shown) as are known in the art. These include ports such as, for example: a serial port; an external keypad/keyboard port; an external power input; a swappable disc bay for zip drives, floppy and hard disc drives, CD ROM drives, DVD drives etc.; a parallel port; a modem; a card ports; a game port; a docking port; and a universal service bus port. 
     Command module  20  may include input devices in addition to mouse  32  as are known in the art. For example, an external keyboard or joystick connected through a port in the rear of the housing  22 . Also display screen  36  may be a touch sensitive screen similar to those currently found on personal information managers. Preferably, display screen  36  is a LCD flat screen. The bottom of housing  22  includes a port, shown below, that permits command module  20  to be releasably connected to a mating port in a vehicle as described below. When command module  20  is not connected to the mating port on the vehicle, it functions as a personal computer and has all the normal functions of a personal computer. 
     In FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of the vehicle steering command module is shown at  220 . Command module  220  includes a housing  222  having a plurality of keyboard covers  224  each with at least one hinge  226  to the housing  222 . As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, command module  220  could also be made with only a single keyboard cover. Housing  222  includes a CPU and at least one memory module (not shown) as described above. A plurality of indicator lights  228  are located on one of the covers  224 . The indicator lights  228  function as described above. The housing  222  further includes an input device in the form of a mouse  230  operably connected to the CPU. A cover  232  is connected to housing  222  through a pair of hinge members  234  and is pivotable between a closed position and a plurality of open positions, one of which is shown in FIG.  2 . Cover  232  includes a plurality of control switches  236  for controlling command module  220 . Cover  232  also includes at least one thumb mouse  238  as is known in the art. A display screen  240  is located in cover  232  and is preferably a LCD flat screen. A releasable latch  242  secures cover  232  in the closed position. Cover  232  includes a pair of opposed handles  244 , which are movable between a retracted position, as shown, to a plurality of extended positions. Located on each handle  244  is a switch  246 , which may function as a turn signal as described below. A pair of speakers  250  are mounted in cover  232  to provide sound generated by the CPU. In FIG. 3, vehicle steering command module  220  is shown with the keyboard covers  224  in an open position to display a keyboard  248 . 
     The back of housing  222  includes a plurality of input/output ports (not shown) as are known in the art. These include ports such as, for example: a serial port; an external keypad port; an external power input; a swappable disc bay for zip drives, floppy and hard disc drives, CD ROM drives, DVD drives etc.; a parallel port; a modem; a card port; a game port; a docking port; and a universal service bus port. 
     Command module  220  may include input devices in addition to mouse  230 ,  238  and keyboard  248  as are known in the art. For example, a joystick connected through a port in the rear of the housing  222 . Also display screen  240  may be a touch sensitive screen similar to those currently found on personal information managers. The back of cover  232  includes a port, like that of housing  22  of command module  20 , that permits command module  220  to be releasably connected to a mating port in a vehicle as described below. When command module  220  is not connected to the mating port on the vehicle, it functions as a personal computer and has all the normal functions of a personal computer. 
     In FIG. 4 the vehicle steering command module  20  is shown installed in a vehicle interior  50 . The command module  20  includes a connection port  70  that releasably connects to a mating connection port  64  in an instrument panel  52 . In preferred embodiment, the vehicle interior  50  includes a connection port  64  both on the left and the right ends of the instrument panel  52 , as shown. This permits the steering and control of the vehicle to be accomplished from either side of the vehicle. A user can readily release the command module  20  from the right end mating connection port (not shown) and swap it to the left end mating connection port  64 . The mating connection port  64  may take any of several forms as are known in the art. It may comprise a plug and play connection, a plug in connection, a bayonet type locking connection, or it may include a pair of locking tabs. The essentials of the connection port  64  are that it securing and releasably lock the command module  20  to the instrument panel  52  and establish the electrical connections between the command module  20  and a steer by wire system of the vehicle. Because each mating connection port  64  connects to the steer by wire system a user can operate the vehicle with the command module  20  plugged into either mating connection port  64 . In FIG. 4 the handles  38  are shown in one of their extended positions. Each of the handles  38  are attached to a rail  44  that guides the handle  38  between the retracted position and a plurality of user selectable extended positions. The rails  44  include either a latch or a motor (not shown) to permit movement between the positions and to secure the handles  38  in a user selected position. This permits the diameter between the handles  38  to be custom fit for a given user. 
     Vehicle interior  50  further includes a vehicle computer processing unit (CPU)  58 . Preferably the CPU  58  is mounted into a center console  54  and is operably connected to a display screen  56 . Display screen  56  preferably is a LCD flat screen and may be touch sensitive. Center console  54  also preferably includes a variety of devices operably connected to CPU  58  such as, for example, a DVD drive  60  and a CD ROM drive  62 . When command module  20  is connected to connection port  64  it is also operably connected to CPU  58 . Thus, a user can access CPU  58  through command module  20 . The vehicle CPU  58  is used to control the vehicle&#39;s functions including its steer by wire system described below. The command module  20  permits a user to control the vehicle functions through the CPU  58 . The CPU  58  is used to set all of the vehicle functions such as, for example: climate control; seat adjustment preferences; ride, handling and suspension preferences; and mirror positions. Through command module  20  a user can display the functions on display screen  36  and adjust any of these functions. The vehicle steer by wire system is described below. 
     When command module  20  is connected to connection port  64  the display screen  36  displays a user selectable combination of gages  48  or displays. These gages  48  may display, for example, engine temperature, vehicle speed, fuel level, oil pressure, engine rpms, odometer readings, a compass, battery charge level, and any other typical informational displays. The command module  20  allows a user to select which information will be displayed, where it will be displayed on display screen  36  and how it will be displayed, ie. as a dial or digitally. The rear of housing  22  includes a port cover  46  that covers the ports and drive bays described above. 
     Vehicle steering command module  20  is used in a vehicle having a steer by wire system controlled by CPU  58 . Steer by wire vehicle steering systems steer a set of road wheels of a vehicle. The system comprises the CPU  58  and at least one actuator assembly operably connected to the CPU  58  and to at least one wheel of the set of road wheels. The actuator assembly controls the rotational position of the at least one wheel. The actuator assembly comprises an electromechanical actuator operably connected to the CPU  58 , a crank arm connected to the electromechanical actuator, a steering arm connected to the at least one wheel of the set of road wheels; and a tie rod having a first end thereof connected to the crank arm and a second end thereof connected to the steering arm. The electro-mechanical actuator, in response to a steering signal from the CPU  58 , is operative to rotate the crank arm producing thereby a force acting through the tie rod so as to rotate the steering arm and the at least one road wheel to a desired position. The steer by wire system preferably includes an actuator assembly operably connected to each of the front wheels of a vehicle. The steer-by-wire steering system includes a backup system capable of assuming operative command of the at least one wheel of the road wheels. 
     The command module  20  functions as a circuit completion device for the steer by wire system. Thus, when command module  20  is not connected to a connection port  64  the vehicle is not operable because the circuit is open. When command module  20  is connected to one of the connection ports  64  the circuit is closed and the vehicle is operable. Thus, the command module  20  can be thought of to function like an ignition interrupt feature of known vehicle alarm systems. Connection of the command module  20  to connection port  64  provides power to command module  20  from the vehicle battery. Rotation of command module  20  about connection port  64  sends steering signal commands to the CPU  58 . Then CPU  58  sends a steering command to the at least one actuator assembly to rotate the at least one road wheel to the desired degree to steer the vehicle. The command module  20  thus also functions as an anti-theft device, without it the vehicle is inoperable. Command module  20  can also be used to control the acceleration and braking of the vehicle through throttle signals and braking signals that are processed by the CPU  58  to carry out the user selected changes. 
     In FIG. 5 a close up of command module  20  connected to instrument panel  52  is shown. Preferably each connection port  64  is mounted to a support beam  66  that extends through an aperture  68  in instrument panel  52 . The support beam  66  is able to telescope in and out to a user selectable position and in addition can be tilted to a user-desired position. Preferably support beam  66  is formed from aluminum and operates via air pressure. 
     In FIG. 6 a bottom view of command module  20  is shown. Command module  20  includes a port  70 , representated schematically, which mates to connection ports  64  on instrument panel  52 . Port  70  is shown schematically because it may comprise any of a number of known connections including plug in, bayonet type, or a tabbed connection as discussed above. The only requirement is that the connection releasably secure command module  20  to connection port  64  that is establish an electrical connection to the CPU  58 . Command module  20  further includes a securing mechanism  72  in the form of either a latch or a motor, which enables a user to select the diameter between the handles  38  and releasably secures the handles  38  at a user selected position.