Truck Repair: Power Steering functions.

Question

Power steering   QUESTION: Dear Jeff

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_steering

Is it also possible to integrate the Brake, Accelerator Functions available to the Driver available on the Steering wheel to the Driver through re-engineering process ?.

If it is possible, then do you feel this could be advantageous to the current acceleration, braking mechanism available to the driver near the feet ?.

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar

ANSWER: Here in America all of our functions are on the floor. The only function we use on the steering wheel is cruise control which uses the engine computer to hold your speed. The only time any other function is placed on the steering wheel here is for handicapped people that cant use their feet to control their vehicle.

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QUESTION: Dear Jeff

Thank you.

If it is possible to design Brake, Accelerator Functions within steering vehicle, it will be also applicable to implement Brake, Accelerator Functions for Power Steering in Heavy vehicles viz Bus, Truck, Tempos, Lorries etc apart from Medium Class vehicles Cars, Jeeps, Tractors etc ?.


Awaiting your reply,

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar

ANSWER: Yes the same thing that you showed in the picture of the switches on the car could possible with some engineering be done to medium and heavy duty vehicles. All would be based on the electronics in each vehicle and what would need to be modified.

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Rubber coating   QUESTION: Dear Jeff

Thank you.

Maybe the Soft keys controls made of rubber or any other alternative material identifying the two functions for applying Brake and Acceleration on the steering wheel is painted with Red and Green color respectively ?.

Also Brake and Accelerate Text written on the soft keys controls can help for identifying the two functions ?.

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar

Answer
I'm sure you could accelerator would be easy thats already electronically controlled. Just a matter of moving the electronic components to the steering wheel. Brakes would be harder those are air or hydraulically controlled so you would have to come up with a actuator that would do the same as what your foot does to control the brake valves. Possible just would take more engineering.