Innovative Brake Handwheel Concept for Paraplegic Drivers

With the desire bring more comfort and safety to disabled drivers, new technologies have been deemed appropriate for the development of innovative driving assistance. This paper describes the possibility of integrating these technologies for the development of a positive interacting system with disabled drivers. In this context, we suggest a new solution for a braking device that aims at helping paraplegic drivers: Integrated in a steer-by-wire handwheel, the driver has only to press on the handwheel to brake the vehicle. The device is equipped with automatic releasing of the handwheel movement when braking is no longer required. The proposed solution brings many advantages in terms of safety and ergonomics. Indeed, this device will enable the driver to brake and to accelerate while continuously keeping the hands on the handwheel. This gives the driver a significant gain in braking time. The use of an active braking feedback also provides a progressive and intuitive proportioning brake. This concept opens prospects to active braking assistance. To concretize this idea, theoretical and simulation studies are carried out for the main processes of the device. A prototype has also been developed.