Anti-vibration driver assist
A vehicle anti-vibration device includes a vibration sensor programmed to detect vibrations and output a vibration signal representing the vibrations detected. The device further includes a motor that vibrates in accordance with a vibration dampening signal, a communication interface programmed to wirelessly transmit the vibration signal to a remote device, and a processor programmed to process the vibration signal and generate the vibration dampening signal to dampen the vibrations detected.
1. A vehicle anti-vibration device comprising:
a vibration sensor programmed to detect vibrations and output a vibration signal representing the vibrations detected;
an electroactive stiffener that stiffens in accordance with a vibration dampening signal;
a communication interface programmed to wirelessly transmit the vibration signal to a remote device; and
a processor programmed to process the vibration signal and generate the vibration dampening signal to dampen the vibrations detected;
the processor is further programmed to decrease the stiffness of the electroactive stiffener to dampen the vibrations detected.
2. The vehicle anti-vibration device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to output the vibration signal to a user interface located in a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
3. The vehicle anti-vibration device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a housing; and
a first strap disposed on the housing for attaching the vehicle anti-vibration device to a steering wheel.
4. The vehicle anti-vibration device of claim 3 , further comprising a second strap disposed on the housing and spaced from the first strap.
5. The vehicle anti-vibration device of claim 1 , further comprising a housing, wherein the vibration sensor, the electroactive stiffener, the communication interface, and the processor are located inside the housing.
6. The vehicle anti-vibration device of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface includes an input/output port for connecting to the remote device.
7. The vehicle anti-vibration device of claim 1 , further comprising a battery that outputs electrical energy to at least one of the vibration sensor, the communication interface, and the processor.
8. The vehicle anti-vibration device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to command the communication interface to transmit the vibration signal to the remote device.
9. The vehicle anti-vibration device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to command the communication interface to transmit historical data to the remote device with the vibration signal.
10. A vehicle steering wheel comprising:
at least one vibration sensor programmed to detect vibrations and output a vibration signal representing the vibrations detected;
an electroactive stiffener that stiffens in accordance with a vibration dampening signal;
a communication interface programmed to wirelessly transmit the vibration signal to a remote device; and
a processor programmed to process the vibration signal and generate the vibration dampening signal to dampen the vibrations detected;
the processor is further programmed to decrease the stiffness of the electroactive stiffener to dampen the vibrations detected.
11. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 10 , wherein the processor is programmed to output the vibration signal to a user interface located in a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
12. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 10 , wherein the electroactive stiffener is formed from an electroactive polymer having a stiffness that increases in accordance with an electric field.
13. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 10 , wherein the communication interface includes an input/output port for connecting to the remote device.
14. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 10 , further comprising a battery that outputs electrical energy to at least one of the vibration sensor, the communication interface, and the processor.
15. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 10 , wherein the processor is programmed to command the communication interface to transmit the vibration signal to the remote device.
16. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 10 , wherein the processor is programmed to command the communication interface to transmit historical data to the remote device with the vibration signal.
17. A handlebar comprising:
at least one vibration sensor programmed to detect vibrations and output a vibration signal representing the vibrations detected;
an electroactive stiffener that stiffens in accordance with a vibration dampening signal;
a communication interface programmed to wirelessly transmit the vibration signal to a remote device; and
a processor programmed to process the vibration signal and generate the vibration dampening signal to dampen the vibrations detected;
the processor is further programmed to decrease the stiffness of the electroactive stiffener to dampen the vibrations detected.
18. The handlebar of claim 17 , wherein the communication interface includes an input/output port for connecting to the remote device.
19. The handlebar of claim 17 , wherein the processor is programmed to command the communication interface to transmit the vibration signal and historical data to the remote device.