Steering mechanism for a personal vehicle

Abstract

Steering mechanism that increases adjustability. The steering mechanism can have different gear ratios between the input rotation from the user and the output rotation on the drive wheel. The steering device will allow users to employ a pushing or pulling motion for steering instead of pushing to turn in one direction and pulling to turn in the opposite direction. Users with weaker torso strength may not be able to maintain their balance when they pull on a steering tiller. Allowing users to choose the type of motion for steering, and to supplement one motion with the other, creating flexibility and support for users with various abilities. Lastly, the steering system should not impede a user transferring into and out of the personal vehicle.

1 . A steering mechanism for a personal vehicle having a drive motor in a drive wheel, wherein the steering mechanism comprises:
 an upper steering mechanism connected to a user-operated steering handle, wherein the upper steering mechanism has a predetermined gear ratio;   a lower steering mechanism attached to the drive wheel, wherein the lower steering mechanism has a predetermined gear ratio; and   a force transmitting apparatus operably connecting the upper steering mechanism to the lower steering mechanism such that rotation of the steering handle turns the drive wheel a predetermined angular displacement.   
     
     
         2 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper steering mechanism and the lower steering mechanism are both substantially cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 1 , further comprising an upper steering mechanism resilient member for a center shaft to reduce turning stiffness. 
     
     
         4 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower steering mechanisms are housed in a nylon cap having a plurality of cable through holes. 
     
     
         5 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper steering mechanism comprises:
 a top disk, a middle disk, and a bottom disk, wherein each disk having an outer circumferential diameter;   a first washer disposed between the top disk and the middle disk, wherein the first washer includes (i) an outer circumferential diameter less than the outer circumferential diameters of the top disk and the middle disk, and (ii) an outer surface of the outer circumferential diameter capable of being a contact surface for the force transmitting apparatus;   a second washer disposed between the middle disk and the bottom disk, wherein the second washer includes (i) an outer circumferential diameter less than the outer circumferential diameters of the middle disk and the bottom disk, and (ii) an outer surface of the outer circumferential diameter capable of being a contact surface for the force transmitting apparatus ;   wherein the predetermined gear ratio of the upper steering mechanism is determined by the outer circumferential diameters of the first and the second washers.   
     
     
         6 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 5 , wherein the outer circumferential diameters of the top disk, the middle disk, and the bottom disk are the same. 
     
     
         7 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 5 , wherein the outer circumferential diameters of one or more of the top disk, the middle disk, and the bottom disk are different. 
     
     
         8 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower steering mechanism comprises:
 a top disk, a middle disk, and a bottom disk, wherein each disk having an outer circumferential diameter;   a first washer disposed between the top disk and the middle disk, wherein the first washer includes (i) an outer circumferential diameter less than the outer circumferential diameters of the top disk and the middle disk, and (ii) an outer surface of the outer circumferential diameter capable of being a contact surface for the force transmitting apparatus;   a second washer disposed between the middle disk and the bottom disk, wherein the second washer includes (i) an outer circumferential diameter less than the outer circumferential diameters of the middle disk and the bottom disk, and (ii) an outer surface of the outer circumferential diameter capable of being a contact surface for the force transmitting apparatus;   wherein the predetermined gear ratio of the lower steering mechanism is determined by the outer circumferential diameters of the first and the second washers.   
     
     
         9 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein the outer circumferential diameters of the top disk, the middle disk, and the bottom disk are the same. 
     
     
         10 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein the outer circumferential diameters of one or more of the top disk, the middle disk, and the bottom disk are different. 
     
     
         11 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 1 , further comprising a ratio between angular displacements of the upper steering mechanism to the lower steering mechanism determined by a ratio of outer diameters of the upper steering mechanism to outer diameters of the lower steering mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 11 , further comprising a torque ratio determined by an inverse of the angular displacement ratio. 
     
     
         13 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper steering mechanism is an upper steering drum. 
     
     
         14 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower steering mechanism is a lower steering drum. 
     
     
         15 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the force transmitting apparatus is one or more cables. 
     
     
         16 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 5 , wherein the first washer is circular. 
     
     
         17 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 5 , wherein the second washer is circular. 
     
     
         18 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein the first washer is circular. 
     
     
         19 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein the second washer is circular. 
     
     
         20 . The steering mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper steering mechanism and the lower steering mechanism are modules for interchangeability of one or both steering mechanisms to set a variable gear ratio for the steering mechanism to accommodate variations in user strength.