초록 ▼

An automatic guidance device for an electrically driven vehicle inductively coupled by a power receiver core to a roadway core connected to power source. The device which is attached to the power receiver core or to a ferrous bar connected to the underside of the vehicle comprises at least two senso

An automatic guidance device for an electrically driven vehicle inductively coupled by a power receiver core to a roadway core connected to power source. The device which is attached to the power receiver core or to a ferrous bar connected to the underside of the vehicle comprises at least two sensor coils equally spaced from the midpoint of the power receiver core which is on the vehicle centerline. End portions of the vehicle core or bar which extend beyond the coils comprises magnetic poles which receive flux from the roadway inductor. Flux through the coils produces voltages which vary in proportion to their distance from the roadway inductor centerline and are compared to produce error signals used to control a steering servo on the vehicle. In event of roadway power failure a circuit is provided to enable the utilization of battery power to produce sufficient flux to maintain the production of error signals and thus steering control.

대표청구항 ▼

An automatic guidance device for an electrically driven vehicle adapted for use on a prepared roadway having an associated power source including a magnetic circuit containing a ferrous metal core to create a magnetic field, said vehicle having wheels including at least one pair of steerable wheels,

An automatic guidance device for an electrically driven vehicle adapted for use on a prepared roadway having an associated power source including a magnetic circuit containing a ferrous metal core to create a magnetic field, said vehicle having wheels including at least one pair of steerable wheels, a steering actuator connected to said wheels, a power receiving means including a ferrous metal core adapted to inductively couple with said roadway core and furnish power therefrom to a vehicle drive means, said automotive guidance comprising: an elongated ferrous rod attached to said vehicle in a position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of said vehicle; a first pair of sensor coils attached to said ferrous rod at spaced apart locations thereon, said coils being spaced equi-distant from the midpoint of said rod and also inwardly from its opposite ends so that the end portion of said rod extending outwardly from each sensor coil forms a receiving pole for magnetic flux from said roadway core, said flux being adapted to flow longitudinally through said ferrous rod and thereby produce voltage outputs from said sensor coils, said outputs from said sensor coils being equal when said vehicle is directly above said roadway core; means for comparing said voltage outputs from said sensor coils to produce an error signal when said vehicle moves laterally away from said roadway core and said outputs are therefore not equal; means for supplying said error signal to said steering actuator on said vehicle to cause it to maintain the vehicle and its power receiving means substantially directly above said roadway core as said vehicle moves forwardly along it.