Abstract:
A dual control device for actuating the pedals (16, 17, 18) of a vehicle (6). The device comprises three mechanical sensors (2, 3, 4) generating signals representing the actions of a user's feet, an electrical control circuit (37) receiving said signals and using them to control the rotation of three winch drives (22, 23, 24) connected to the respective mechanical pull wires of the pedals (16, 17, 18) so that they can selectively draw said pedals closer to the floor (19) of the vehicle. Each drive is preferably combined with a position sensor (34, 35, 36) having a variable electrical response depending on the position of said drives. Furthermore, the electrical circuit (37) is connected to said position sensors to provide automatic control of the position of the mechanical pull wires (101, 111, 121) slidably mounted in sleeves and connected to the pedals (16, 17, 18), depending on the electrical responses of the position sensors.
Abstract:
Set of motor vehicle controls for the assistance of invalid drivers, especially those handicapped in the lower limbs. The system according to the invention comprises a set of controls mounted on the steering wheel for operating the accelerator (2) and the brake (5); a set of controls mounted on the gear shift lever (10) for operating the clutch (11) and brake (12); a set of motors (8) controlling the position of each of the pedals, the brake and/or clutch and/or accelerator; at least one member (6) transmitting commands to all controls by means of a wire or wire-free control system; units (15) transmitting from each of the motors to the corresponding pedal; and an electronic unit (7) controlling said motors. The system according to the invention is suitable for any motor vehicule with a mechanical or automatic gear box.