Patent attributes
A haptic feedback device for a vehicle is provided that has a ring member disposed circumferentially on the steering wheel as the moving element. This allows the system to be used with a wide variety of driver hand positions on the steering wheel, as opposed to requiring the driver to grip the steering wheel only in specific locations. A linear actuator is used, and accommodating the difference between the linear actuator motion and the rotational motion of the ring member is done via elastic compliance in the system (as opposed to providing pivots, rotary joints etc.). Such elastic compliance can only accommodate a limited range of angular motion (e.g., +/−1 degree), but this small range of motion has been found to be sufficient for this haptic display application.
