Steering Wheel, Shaft Or Column Mounted Patents (Class 200/61.54)
-
Patent number: 7687729Abstract: A turn signal switch assembly is constructed having a switch stalk and junction box rotatably coupled using a shoulder bolt. The shoulder bolt has a shoulder area useful for allowing the switch stalk to rotate freely relative to the junction box. The threaded end of the shoulder bolt is turned and tightened into at least one corresponding threaded aperture in the junction box, thereby mechanically coupling the switch stalk to the junction box. The threaded end of the shoulder bolt also extends past a surface of the junction box so that the threaded end is exposed. The threaded end is mechanically transformed by an orbital riveting device so as to act as a positive locking feature. The shoulder bolt thereafter secures the switch stalk to the junction box using the mechanical advantages of a threaded connection in combination with the positive locking feature of a riveted connection.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Grote Industries, Inc.Inventors: Walter F. Bronson, Karan Dua, James L. Townsend
-
Patent number: 7671288Abstract: A switch apparatus for the horn device of a vehicle includes an inflator housing and a terminal unit provided in the inflator housing and configured to include a first contact element connected to the inflator and a second contact element connected to the inflator housing. A switching plate is installed using elastic members, which are spaced apart and insulated from the inflator housing, so that the switching plate makes contact with the inflator housing if the inflator housing is pressed, thereby operating the horn. A connector unit is coupled to the terminal unit with inflator wires and a horn wire, and is provided therein with a first connection element and a second connection element so that the horn wire and the inflator housing are electrically connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Tae Wook Chung, Seoung Hoon Lee
-
Patent number: 7642475Abstract: Disclosed is a lever operating device having a simple structure and high durability without a contact defect. In the disclosed lever operating device, when an operating lever is tilted in one of the first and second operating surfaces that are substantially orthogonal to each other, a slider supported by a lever support is selectively moved in one of two directions that are substantially orthogonal to each other in a plane parallel to a circuit board, and the electric resistance of a GMR sensor mounted to the circuit board varies depending on the position of a permanent magnet held by the slider. In this way, the operating position of the operating lever is detected.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masatsugu Urakawa, Noriyuki Kowase, Hidefumi Koizumi
-
Publication number: 20090302172Abstract: Input/steering mechanisms and aircraft control systems are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, an input/steering mechanism is provided for use with an aircraft control system. The input/steering mechanism includes a yoke that includes a hub, an alphanumeric keyboard, and a first grip surface. The alphanumeric keyboard is disposed on a face of the hub and is adapted to receive a manual input from a user and to transmit an output signal to the aircraft control system in response to the manual input. The first grip surface is formed on an outer periphery of the hub and is contoured to correspond with one or more fingers of the user, the first grip surface is formed such that a thumb of the user is positioned to rest in proximity to at least a portion of the alphanumeric keyboard when the one or more fingers grip the first grip surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.,Inventors: John G. Suddreth, Aaron Gannon
-
Patent number: 7621560Abstract: An assembly is provided for steering a vehicle including a steering wheel (18) with an armature (300); an air bag module (14) is coupled to the steering wheel and is operable to expand to absorb the kinetic energy of the driver. A horn switch (16) is coupled to the steering wheel and the air bag module. The horn switch is operable to generate an electrical signal based on an input from the driver. The horn switch includes a pair of electrically conductive elements (40, 42) operable to generate the signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Key Safety Systems, IncInventors: Byron Spencer, Xiaoping Xu, Leslie A. Wade, Andrew P. Katsock
-
Publication number: 20090277760Abstract: An electrical switching device in a motor vehicle includes an anti-ESD device which is formed by a metallic or metal-coated element on a surface of the switching device, with which an earth connection is associated via a defined air gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventor: Juergen Grundmeier
-
Publication number: 20090250327Abstract: The invention proposes a steering column module intended to be mounted on a steering column, in particular of a motor vehicle, including a casing on which is mounted a rotary electrical connector which comprises a rotor and a stator, of the type including an angular indexing sleeve which is moveable between an indexing position in which it locks the rotor in a determined angular position relative to the stator, and a neutral position in which the rotor can rotate relative to the stator, wherein said module includes a detachable cover which is arranged on the so as to cover the upper axial end section of the indexing sleeve in order to prevent access to the indexing sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: NICOLAS TUAL, MICHAEL BIACCHI
-
Patent number: 7595457Abstract: A steering column module includes a lever, first and second printed circuit boards, and an electronics unit. The lever has a base next to a steering column and a head away from the column. The lever base includes a primary control which actuates upon the lever being pivoted. The lever head includes a secondary control which actuates upon being manipulated. The first PCB is situated in the lever base and includes a primary switch which cooperates with the primary control to activate a switching function in response to the primary control being actuated. The second PCB is situated in the lever head and includes a secondary switch which cooperates with the secondary control to activate a switching function in response to the secondary control being actuated. The electronics unit is electrically connected to the switches by a wiring harness having plug-in connectors for respectively electrically contacting the switches.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Volker Heite, Klaus Hirschfeld
-
Patent number: 7595456Abstract: A dimmer switch takes the form of a rotary switch including a stationary portion fixed to a vehicle and an operable rotary portion, and is constructed such that switching between a high beam position and a low beam position is made by a rotational operation in opposite directions at a same position in an axial direction of the rotary portion. In addition, the rotary portion is slideable in the axial direction, and a rotational operation to switch from the low beam position to the off position can not be made without the axial sliding movement of the rotary portion. Hence, switching from one of the high beam, low beam, and off positions to another can be made by a same rotational operation, while an erroneous operation to switch to the off state when a switching from high beam to low beam is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kunihiko Fukui, Masahiro Inoue, Masaki Yamazaki, Yukinori Kawaguchi
-
Patent number: 7592557Abstract: A horn actuator for a vehicle horn mounts to a steering wheel hub. The horn actuator has a number of support posts that each pass through a switch cup and mount into the steering wheel hub. A switch lies within the switch cup and a spring biases the switch cup away from the steering wheel hub. An air bag plate presses against the switch cup and biases the spring to cause the switch to make contact when a force is applied to the air bag. When activated, the switch relays electricity to a vehicle horn. The support posts are connected to each other by a connector portion that provides rigidity to the structure and provides a surface for wiring of the electrical switches. Additional support posts, cups and switches are connected by additional connector portions.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Roger M. Cortina, Steven L. Stram
-
Publication number: 20090223789Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel having integrated function switches for controlling the vehicle's head lights, turn signals and cruise control includes a generally circular wheel member; a central hub, left and a right spoke members extending between the central hub and the generally circular wheel member, the spoke members being angled away from a plane defined by the wheel member and left and a right four-way rocker type switches mounted in the left and right spoke members adjacent outer ends adjacent the generally circular wheel member, the left rocker switch comprising a headlight high-beam/low-beam selector and turn signal selector and the right rocker switch comprising an actuate and set selector of the vehicle's cruise control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventor: CLAUDIO R. BALLARD
-
Publication number: 20090223790Abstract: A turn signal switch device includes an operating lever, a holder supporting the operating lever so as to be rotatable along a first operation plane, and a casing supporting the holder so as to be rotatable along a second operation plane which intersects the first operation plane. The casing has a first case member and a second case member integrated by snapping. The casing is mounted on a housing that is a stator member on the side of a vehicle by using fixing screws. Outer wall portions of the first case member and the second case member are respectively provided with screw insertion portions which have holes or cutouts which allow the fixing screws to be inserted therethrough and overlap each other, and the casing is fastened and fixed to the housing by screwing the fixing screws inserted through the screw insertion portions, respectively, of the first and second case members into female thread holes of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventor: Taku Miura
-
Patent number: 7579559Abstract: A control knob for use in a motor vehicle is provided, having a hub for attachment of the control knob to a shaft, a torsion-proof part, a rotatable part, a rotation angle sensor, means for generating rotary haptics, and an electronic system by means of which the components, located in the control knob, can be controlled and the signals of the sensors can be evaluated and via which the control knob can be connected to the on-board electronics of the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: PREH GmbHInventors: Harald Schelbert, Andreas Kramlich, Martin Jeitner
-
Patent number: 7572992Abstract: A lever witch comprises first and second rotary levers arranged in outer and inner peripheries of the non-rotary lever, a base mounted in a tip end side of the non-rotary lever and a rotary knob supported by a tip end side of the second rotary lever and rotating together therewith. A through bore is formed in the base for penetrating in a lever rotational axis direction between the rotary knob and the first rotary lever, a pair of contact balls are provided in the through bore to be respectively arranged exposed to both ends of the through bore to put a coil spring between the pair of the contact balls, and detent convex is provided in a rotational direction in the rotary knob to be exposed to one end of the through bore and resiliently contact the contact ball, and a contact edge section is provided along a rotational direction in the first rotary lever to be exposed to the other end of the through bore and resiliently contact the contact ball.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shuichiro Ishikawa
-
Publication number: 20090194398Abstract: A vehicle control device including: a support; a steering member mounted mobile relative to the support; and at least one speed ratio shifting member including a base rigidly fixed to the support and having a single end, the at least one speed ratio shifting member including one part mounted mobile on the base and forming the end.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2006Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: Renault S.A.S.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Rykaert, Didier Fandart
-
Publication number: 20090165592Abstract: Paddle levers protrude from lower sides of a center pad of a steering wheel into two lower spaces partitioned using a horizontal spoke and a vertical spoke of the steering wheel. The paddle lever is formed of a transparent photoconductor, and a periphery of the paddle lever is illuminated in a rimmed shape. Hence, the paddle lever can be visually recognized easily, and a finger touching the paddle lever can be visually recognized instantaneously. Therefore, operation almost nearly equivalent to complete blind touch operation can be attained, and the operability is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: Toyo Denso Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naohiro Sakai, Yoshitaka Noguchi
-
Patent number: 7554436Abstract: A self-contained turn signal indicator unit for signaling to the hearing impaired driver of a motor vehicle that the vehicle's turn signals are activated. The indicator unit is attached to the cover of the vehicle's steering column and produces a loud audible signal and a light signal when the turn signal lever is moved to the turning position. The circuitry includes a battery, a turn switch activated by movement of the turn signal lever, and a buzzer and a lamp. A volume control, operable by a user, controls the volume of the sound. An optional timed switch for turning off the circuit has a normally closed position and has an open position for a predetermined period of time after the turn switch is closed and remains closed.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Inventor: Lucius W. Keller
-
Patent number: 7541550Abstract: A turn signal switch device comprises a control lever that has a lever portion that projects from a base portion that has a shaft hole, and a shaft that has a head disposed at one end. The head has a larger diameter than that of the other portion of the shaft, and is inserted into the shaft hole so as to serve as a rotating shaft of the control lever. The device also comprises a holder that is formed of synthetic resin, has an opening into which the base portion is inserted, and supports the shaft such that the control lever can be tilted along one plane. The device further comprises a case that supports the holder such that the control lever and the holder can be integrally tilted along the other plane which substantially crosses the one plane at right angles. A ring-shaped concave groove that extends in a circumferential direction is provided at the other end of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ken Kosaka
-
Publication number: 20090127079Abstract: An operation lever comprises a main section, a cover section and a photoconductor. While the photoconductor is overlaid on the main section, sliding protrusions of the cover section are inserted into guide grooves formed in the periphery of the main section, the cover section is slidingly pushed to insert a tip end section of the cover section inside an overhanging fringe of the main section. An engaging protrusion and an engaging pawl of the cover section are engaged with the main section to assemble the operation lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: Toyo Denso Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toru Muramatsu, Masahito Kobayashi
-
Publication number: 20090114512Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a light switch and a wiper switch assembled to a column tube of a column shaft via an assembly bracket. The assembly bracket includes a body, to which the light switch and the wiper switch are coupled, and a coupling section, to which a top portion of the column tube is fixed. With the assembly, the light switch and the wiper switch can be easily and closely assembled to the column. Also, the assembly tolerance between the column and the assembly bracket can be minimized.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Who Guen Son
-
Patent number: 7527293Abstract: A lockable steering wheel quick-release unit (10) for use in an automotive vehicle having a steering shaft and a steering wheel. The unit consists of a steering shaft hub (30) that attaches to an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) vehicle steering shaft (28). An extending hub (42) attaches to the hub (30) with threaded fasteners (44), and an adapter (50), covered by a release sleeve (56), attaches the steering wheel to the unit (10) and interfaces directly with the extending hub (42). A plurality of balls (62) are locked between the extending hub (42) and the adapter (50), thereby maintaining a locked position until released by sliding the sleeve (56) into an unlocked ball position. An ejection compression spring (48) provides loading to assist in ejecting the adapter and attached steering wheel when released. A lock unit (24) is provided having a high-security push bolt lock (94) which is disposed upon the extending hub (42) for vehicle protection when the steering wheel with the adapter has been removed.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Inventor: Calvin S. Wang
-
Patent number: 7518071Abstract: A motor vehicle turn signal cancelling device operated by a turn signal cancelling member projecting from the steering wheel includes a frame structure and a mounting member attached thereto. A fixture having a central portion positioned between oppositely extending first and second arms is pivotally mounted to the mounting member at the central portion to move the first and second arms into the path of movement of the cancelling member. The device further includes a turn signal activating lever pivotally mounted between its ends to the frame structure. A cancellation arm is pivotally mounted to the mounting member and defines a slot near its distal end. An engagement post associated with the lever is received in the slot defined in the cancellation arm. The engagement post and the slot are positioned between the pivotal axis of the turn signal activating lever and the pivotal axis of the cancellation arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Grote Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas DeWitt, III, Gary Dean Smith
-
Patent number: 7511236Abstract: A manual control unit having a handle body in which is integrated at least one manually operable control element. The handle body has a housing with a spherically bulged central section for ergonomically supporting an inner surface of a hand, the central section forming an upper apex surface of the handle body, and in that the at least one control element is arranged at a distance from the apex surface in such a way that, when the inner surface of a hand is being supported, the control element can be operated by one finger of the hand.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Kaessbohrer Gelaendefahrzeug AGInventor: Franz Mack
-
Patent number: 7511237Abstract: To provide a structure in which a rotary connector, a turning signal switch and a wiper switch can be combined into a sub-assembly, and besides even when an unduly-large force acts on the turning signal switch or the wiper switch after the rotary connector and the two switches are mounted on their respective mounting portions, an adverse effect of this force on the rotary connector can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.Inventor: Norio Uchiyama
-
Patent number: 7507921Abstract: A control device has a rotating actuator which is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation so that control parameters can be input by rotation. The rotating actuator is mounted displaceably along a movement curve so that control parameters can be input into the device by means of a longitudinal displacement of the rotating actuator. The additional degree of operating freedom increases the information density of the exchange between user and machine in an ergonomically particularly advantageous manner.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Nina Anderbrügge, Norbert May, Simon Rauter, Michael Scheicht
-
Patent number: 7504600Abstract: The invention concerns a control assembly, in particular for motor vehicle steering column top portion (1), comprising several switching modules (7; 9; 13; 15) and a microcontroller (19) mounted on a motherboard (17) for interpreting a switching state based on the identifier of the module to deliver an appropriate control signal, the motherboard (17) having several connecting locations (E1, E2, E3, E4), and each module (7; 9; 13; 15) having an identical number N of predetermined tracks (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, ID1, ID2; CS1; CS2; CS3; CS4) to be connected to tracks associated with the motherboard (17). The corresponding exit tracks (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, ID1, ID2) of each switching module (7; 9; 13; 15) are interconnected and connected together on the same input of the microcontroller (19), and the control assembly comprises for each location (E1, E2, E3, E4) means for activating reading of a switching state of a module connected at said location, said activating means being monitored by the microcontroller (19).Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: SC2NInventors: Michel Hallet, Yoann Briois
-
Patent number: 7488907Abstract: A third insulator of a washer switch constituting the second electrical switching unit is set to be long in the axial direction, the insulator is provided with fixed contacts extending in the axial direction and at the same time a base portion thereof is provided with connecting terminals, and the connecting terminals are disposed in the vicinity of the connecting terminals of a wiper switch constituting the first electrical switching unit. Second lead wire and third lead wire are connected to the connecting terminals, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Masane Funahashi, Hiroshi Kusama, Norikazu Yoshida, Fumitaka Hayase
-
Patent number: 7485819Abstract: A steering column switch, especially for a motor vehicle, contains a switch lever, which is activated transversely and which has a magnetic signal transmitter, to which several stationary magnetic-field sensors coupled to an evaluation unit are allocated for determining the switch positions of the switch lever. The switch lever supports a rotary switch and the signal transmitter and also the magnetic-field sensors are used for determining the switch positions of the rotary switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Erik Reischl, Peter Leng, Klaus Schnell, Joachim Koehler
-
Patent number: 7482545Abstract: An in-vehicle knob switch comprises a tubular housing that has an opening disposed in a portion of an outer circumferential surface thereof, a holder that is disposed inside the housing, a circuit board that is fixed to the holder, and a push switch that is mounted on one surface of the circuit board that faces the holder. The in-vehicle knob switch also comprises a slide operating type electric part that is mounted on the other surface of the circuit board, an operating key that pushes the push switch, and a rotating body that has a tubular driving portion that can operate the slide operating type electric part. The operating key is exposed to the outside of the housing through the opening. The rotating body includes an operating ring portion that is rotatable and exposed from the outer circumferential surface of the housing. A spiral hole engaged with a slider of the slide operating type electric part is disposed in a portion of a circumferential wall of the tubular driving portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kikuchi
-
Publication number: 20090020398Abstract: A lever witch comprises first and second rotary levers arranged in outer and inner peripheries of the non-rotary lever, a base mounted in a tip end side of the non-rotary lever and a rotary knob supported by a tip end side of the second rotary lever and rotating together therewith. A through bore is formed in the base for penetrating in a lever rotational axis direction between the rotary knob and the first rotary lever, a pair of contact balls are provided in the through bore to be respectively arranged exposed to both ends of the through bore to put a coil spring between the pair of the contact balls, and detent convex is provided in a rotational direction in the rotary knob to be exposed to one end of the through bore and resiliently contact the contact ball, and a contact edge section is provided along a rotational direction in the first rotary lever to be exposed to the other end of the through bore and resiliently contact the contact ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: NILES CO., LTD.Inventor: Shuichiro Ishikawa
-
Generator support for a driver air bag module to be mounted in the steering wheel of a motor vehicle
Patent number: 7478830Abstract: The invention relates to a generator support for a driver air bag module to be mounted in the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The generator support includes at least one fastening area for fastening a gas generator to the generator support and at least two horn contacts that can be brought into electrical contact with each other in order to trigger an acoustic horn signal in a mounted state of the generator support together with the driver air bag module in a motor vehicle. In one form, one of the horn contacts is electrically grounded in the mounted state of the generator support and the fastening area is adapted and positioned relative to the grounded horn contact in such a manner that, when the gas generator is fastened to the fastening area of the generator support as prescribed, an electrical contact is established between the grounded horn contact and the gas generator.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Takata-Petri AGInventors: Steffen Weigand, Norbert Muller -
Publication number: 20080309473Abstract: The invention is a combination horn button and gear position indicator system for an automobile, the automobile having wire having a first end terminating at the steering wheel and a second end terminating at least partially down the steering column. In detail, the invention includes a housing movably mounted to the steering wheel, said housing movable from a first position to a second position, with a spring biasing the housing to the first position. horn actuation switch mounted in the housing, which is actuated to a closed position when the housing is moved from the first position to the second position. A gear position indicator is mounted on the housing. Processor circuits for sending the horn actuation switch signal to the horn relay and sending a gear position signal from the transmission to the gear position indicator via the one wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventors: Christopher Charles Trevino, Gerhard Heinrich Fiedler
-
Publication number: 20080283371Abstract: A switch activator device for ATVs and like vehicles operating in robust environments having a switch housing including an open back side and a front side having a central opening and at least one slots for receiving a switch actuator. At least one switch activator is mounted in the housing with a flange sized to engage the at least one slot in the housing. A central housing insert is put in the housing between the at least one activator to substantially close off the front side of the housing and provide mounting support to maintain the at least one actuator flange in the slot. Preferably the housing, actuators and insert are made by injection molding plastic.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2007Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Mark D. Reed, Al B. Cable
-
Patent number: 7453048Abstract: An indicator device for vehicles includes a fixed support mounted in the vicinity of a steering column, an actuation lever, a moveable finger mechanically connected to the actuation lever, and safety means. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the moveable finger is mounted on the fixed support slidingly between a position of engagement of its free end, pivoting of the moveable finger being possible only in the engagement position. Return means are provided to return the finger into its disengaged position. The moveable finger and the fixed support each include an indexing surface, and the two surfaces are superimposed as to co-operate with an elastic push button on the end of the actuation lever.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Emmanuel Cordier, Claude Simon
-
Patent number: 7441800Abstract: A steering wheel for a motor vehicle is provided having a hub element, a steering wheel rim, at least one steering wheel spoke for attaching the steering wheel rim to the hub element and at least one activation device which is arranged on the hub element, the steering wheel rim or the steering wheel spoke for controlling and/or regulating an assembly of a motor vehicle. The activation device is preferably embodied as an optical reflection sensor device with a functional face. Such a sensor device operates without mechanically moving parts and during the service life of the steering wheel it is independent of general scratching and soiling of its functional faces. In addition, the functionality of the measurement of distances and/or speeds of the objects located above the functional faces of the sensor device permits further functions to be integrated without requiring further separate devices in order to do so.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Takata-Petri AGInventors: Helmuth Weber, Horst Muller
-
Patent number: 7438312Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel (11) of an automotive vehicle including a framework (17), a foam filling (19) and a horn device (33) with an integrated airbag module (21) including an element (31) for actuating said horn device (33) once the airbag module (21) is positioned and fixed in the steering wheel (11) by pressing the cover (25) of the airbag module (21), and also including securing means for securing the cover (25) of the airbag module (21) in the foam filling (19) of the steering wheel (11) so that the airbag module (21) can pivot thereupon when the horn is actuated.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Alphi Metal Espana, S.A.Inventors: Javier Boullosa Vazquez, Jorge Ollero Ollero
-
Patent number: 7439459Abstract: A switch device is provided. A switch device includes a housing. A circuit board is provided with fixed contacts. A rubber sheet is disposed on the circuit board and has protuberances, a tiltably-supported actuator, a rotatable knob, and a torsional coil spring serving as a restoring spring. The actuator is disposed adjacent to the rotatable knob. The rotatable knob is provided with a drive portion, which extends through a cutout in the actuator so as to be slidably engaged to engagement portions of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Choi Nok Hyun, Mikio Shirakawa, Tatsuya Yokoyama
-
Patent number: 7432462Abstract: A steering wheel provided with a remote control switch. The remote control switch includes a user-settable unit and a variable circuit unit for changing a function of the remote control switch according to the configuration of the user-settable unit; for example, the function of the remote control switch may be changed by attaching a removable button with the desired function.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Jae Young Kim
-
Patent number: 7417201Abstract: Future motor vehicles will require additional lighting means. Additional lighting means are required, above all, in conjunction with environmental sensors, especially sensors which are used in night vision systems. As a result of the generally increasing number of electric and electronic systems in motor vehicles, such systems must be easy to operate for the driver. The invention thus relates to a switching arrangement which enables a plurality of lighting systems to be ergonomically operated on one motor vehicle. Said switching arrangement comprises a single switch having a plurality of switching stages. In this way, all switching stages pertaining to different lighting systems are located in the same switching region, enabling the lighting systems to be operated in a simple and intuitive manner.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Helmuth Eggers, Gerhard Kurz, Juergen Seekircher, Thomas Wohlgemuth
-
Patent number: 7411141Abstract: A combination switch includes a combination switch body 1 fixed to a steering column of a vehicle, an operating lever 2 swingably mounted on the combination switch body 1, and a wiper switch for operating a wiper of the vehicle in accordance with a swing movement of the operating lever 2 relative to the combination switch body 1. An A/C switch 4, a fan switch 5 and a temperature control dial 6 for operating an air-conditioner are mounted on the operating lever 2.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Asahi Denso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akihiko Tsuchikiri, Yujiro Mizuguchi
-
Patent number: 7402768Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a recording and playback element, a lead conductor layer for feeding a power to the recording and playback element, an electrically conductive bump for conductively connecting the lead conductor layer to an electrode pad for external connection, and an insulating protective layer filling between the recording and playback element and the electrically conductive bump. A thermal deformation-preventing layer composed of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than that of the insulating protective layer is disposed in the insulating protective layer in such a way as to locate between a medium-facing surface and the electrically conductive bump without being exposed at the medium-facing surface. In the resulting thin film magnetic head, protrusion of the recording and playback element toward the recording medium side can be prevented without changing the configuration of the recording and playback element nor the forming material.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Alps Electric Co., LtdInventors: Naoki Sugino, Hiroki Suto
-
Patent number: 7402767Abstract: In a handle switch device of a vehicle, a switch casing which surrounds a bar handle and accommodates a switch in the inside thereof is mounted on the bar handle, and a manipulation knob which manipulate the switch is mounted on a rear wall of the switch casing. The manipulation knob is arranged substantially at the same height as the bar handle and is tiltably supported on the switch casing by way of a pivot shaft, the switch is formed of a slide-type switch in which a movable contact holder slides, the switch is arranged in the inside of the switch casing above or below the bar handle, and the manipulation knob and the movable contact holder are connected with each other by way of moving direction conversion means which converts a tilting of the manipulation knob to a linear movement and transmits the linear movement to the movable contact holder. Thus, it is possible to provide a handle switch device of a vehicle which exhibits favorable manipulability of a manipulation knob and has a compact shape.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2007Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignees: Toyo Denso Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Tozuka, Takashi Nakamura, Hirokazu Nakata, Koichi Hikichi, Shigeru Kodaira, Masaru Nakayama
-
Patent number: 7398994Abstract: An assembly of an airbag module and a steering wheel of a vehicle has the airbag module moveable between a resting position and a working position, corresponding to the actuation of the horn of the vehicle. Advantageously, the retaining assembly drives the airbag module exclusively along parallel to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel, providing constant horn activation loads.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Valerio Poli, Roberto Ridolfi, Andrea Anselmi
-
Patent number: 7392724Abstract: A steering wheel is provided with at least one device for the fastening of build-on parts, the steering wheel having a steering wheel skeleton surrounded by foam. A holding part is substantially fixed by the steering wheel foam surround and projects out of the steering wheel foam surround for the fastening of at least one build-on part.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Takata-Petri AGInventors: Achim Hartlaub, Dietmar Ludwig
-
Publication number: 20080142345Abstract: A steering column module includes a lever, first and second printed circuit boards, and an electronics unit. The lever has a base next to a steering column and a head away from the column. The lever base includes a primary control which actuates upon the lever being pivoted. The lever head includes a secondary control which actuates upon being manipulated. The first PCB is situated in the lever base and includes a primary switch which cooperates with the primary control to activate a switching function in response to the primary control being actuated. The second PCB is situated in the lever head and includes a secondary switch which cooperates with the secondary control to activate a switching function in response to the secondary control being actuated. The electronics unit is electrically connected to the switches by a wiring harness having plug-in connectors for respectively electrically contacting the switches.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Volker Heite, Klaus Hirschfeld
-
Patent number: 7385152Abstract: The invention relates to a switch module comprising a selector lever that is pivotally mounted in a bearing housing. The selector lever comprises two opposing, projecting trunnions and the bearing housing has receiving openings, at least sections of the latter being configured in polygonal form. A force is exerted on the selector lever, together with its trunnions, in the direction of one vertex.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Martin Hasch, Rainer Lipfert, Karl Simonis, Roland Gruener, Bernd Binder, Juergen Suchanek
-
Publication number: 20080128249Abstract: A steering wheel provided with a remote control switch. The remote control switch includes a user-settable unit and a variable circuit unit for changing a function of the remote control switch according to the configuration of the user-settable unit; for example, the function of the remote control switch may be changed by attaching a removable button with the desired function.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventor: Jae Young Kim
-
Patent number: 7380828Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle and a method for manufacturing the steering column assembly. The steering column assembly includes a steering column member having an aperture extending along an axis. The steering column assembly also includes a steering shaft rotatably disposed at least partially in the aperture. The steering shaft includes a steering wheel engaging end axially spaced from the aperture. The steering column assembly also includes a supporting member for supporting a vehicle accessory. The supporting member is cantilevered from the steering column member and cooperates with the steering column member to define a groove substantially surrounding the steering wheel engaging end.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ratko Menjak, Timothy W. Kaufmann, Stephen V. Gillman, Brian J. Magnus, Michael J. Cole, Damir Menjak
-
Patent number: 7380816Abstract: The invention relates to a device for actuating the horn on steering wheels, comprising a steering wheel frame and at least one fixed horn contact provided thereon, and comprising a moving paddling support i.e. generator support and at least one horn contact, which is provided thereon and to which the fixed horn contact is assigned. The invention provides that the padding support i.e. the generator support is mounted on the steering wheel frame in a manner that enables it to pivot at a position.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Takata-Petri AGInventor: Takashi Sakaguchi
-
Patent number: 7380817Abstract: As improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel has an airbag module housing having an airbag cover, an internally stored airbag. The airbag module housing has two pairs of attachment legs. A base plate assembly has a base plate with a pair of mounting brackets pivotally attached at ends of the mounting brackets to the hinge supports projecting from the base plate and being linearly movable relative to the hinge supports. A resilient member such as a spring returns the airbag module housing to a resting position upon activation of a horn. The resilient member is interposed between one mounting bracket and the base plate. The pair of mounting brackets are connected by a pin and a slot. Each end of a mounting bracket is attached to an attachment leg of the airbag module housing. Movement of the airbag module housing assembly is constrained to a displacement parallel to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Valerio Poli, Roberto Ridolfi, Andrea Amselmi, Adolfo Ridolfi