Amusement devices: toys – Rolling or tumbling – Remotely controlled
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-01
2001-06-05
Muir, D. Neal (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Rolling or tumbling
Remotely controlled
C446S456000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241574
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a device for influencing the vehicle handling characteristics of remote-controlled model vehicles.
In current model vehicles, i.e. model cars or model ships, the problem is frequently encountered that the person who controls the vehicle guides the vehicle with excessive speed into a curve. As a consequence of this the vehicle is brought into an instable driving condition, i.e. the vehicle slithers out of the curve or begins to swerve (oversteering or understeering).
In view of the above, the invention is based on the object to prevent this.
In order to solve this object, the invention provides a device with two input terminals and a processing means. The first input terminal receives a first control signal that represents a first command variable. That variable may be set by a person who controls the vehicle. A sensor means on the vehicle generates a second control signal that represents a disturbance variable correlated with the rotational velocity or lateral acceleration of the model vehicle. The processing means is connected to the two input terminals. It receives the first and second control signals and generates a first output signal that is a first manipulated variable. The first manipulated variable depends upon and is a function of the first command signal and is limited or modified to a predetermined degree by the disturbance variable.
This device makes it possible to effectively prevent swerving of the vehicle in spite of an excessive steering angle or an excessive speed specified by the person who controls the vehicle.
The first user-specified command variable is preferably a steering arrangement drive signal. The first manipulated variable generated by the processing means is a signal that represents a change in magnitude and/or direction of the steering arrangement drive signal. It is, however, also possible that the first command variable is an acceleration or speed signal. In that case, the first manipulated variable generated by the processing means is a changed acceleration or speed signal. In either case, the command variable is under control of the user by operation of a conventional remote-controlled transmitter.
In addition, a third input terminal can be provided for receiving a further control signal representing a further command variable. That further command variable may also be specified by the user. In that case, the first output signal generated by the processing means represents a first manipulated variable which is a function of both the first command variable and the further command variable and the disturbance variable.
For this purpose, the device comprises a third input terminal for a further control signal. That further control signal represents a further command variable specified by the person controlling the vehicle. Moreover, the processing means generates a second output signal which represents a further manipulated variable which is a function of the first and/or the further command variable and of the disturbance variable.
Upon a change in magnitude and/or direction of the steering arrangement drive signal, a corresponding change in magnitude of the acceleration or speed signal is then preferably effected by the processing means. In addition, the amount of change of the acceleration or speed signal is influenced by the processing means as a function of the change in magnitude and/or direction of the steering arrangement drive signal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention adjustment means are provided by the processing means that adjusts the size of the rate of change of the acceleration or speed signal and/or the change in magnitude and/or direction inversion of the steering arraignment drive signal.
The processing means is adapted to reduce, limit, or invert the steering arrangement drive signal in a predetermined degree as a function of the sensor signal during cornering of the vehicle.
In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first sensor means is formed by a gyroscope, preferably a piezoelectric vibration gyroscope.
Alternatively, the first sensor means can also be formed by two acceleration sensors which are arranged in the vehicle at a distance from each other.
In order to be compatible with conventional remote control units the processing means is adapted to process and/or output signals of a predetermined shape. In particular, each of the first control signal, the steering arrangement drive signal and/or the acceleration or speed signal is a pulse-type signal with a duration of preferably 0.5 to 2.6 msec.
The above described device according to the invention is preferably structurally in a remote control receiver, in a model vehicle servo drive, and/or a model vehicle cruise control (speed control).
Although the device is described for model vehicles, the invention is not limited to same. The device according to the invention can also be employed for passenger cars or trucks.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3686447 (1972-08-01), Takalo
patent: 3736484 (1973-05-01), Reynolds et al.
patent: 4019391 (1977-04-01), Ljung
patent: 4143307 (1979-03-01), Hansen et al.
patent: 4213270 (1980-07-01), Oda
patent: 4644793 (1987-02-01), Church
patent: 5452901 (1995-09-01), Nakada et al.
patent: 5465620 (1995-11-01), Sanderson et al.
patent: 5507455 (1996-04-01), Yang
patent: 5667420 (1997-09-01), Menow et al.
patent: 5762533 (1998-06-01), Tilbor et al.
patent: 077033PA (1996-02-01), None
patent: 2 397 001 (1977-07-01), None
Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP
Muir D. Neal
LandOfFree
Device to influence the driving performance of a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device to influence the driving performance of a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device to influence the driving performance of a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2523813