Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for setting a cruising mode of a vehicle, wherein a human/machine interface is arranged on a steering wheel of the vehicle for shifting a transmission of the vehicle, this human/machine interface comprising at least one first and at least one second switch segment and at least one switch, wherein the switch segments are arranged on the at least one switch, and in the event that the at least one first and the at least one second switch segment of the at least one switch are activated at the same time the cruising mode is set for the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a steering wheel, a support frame, a frame fixation part, and a steering transmission part. The support frame rotatably supports the steering wheel. The frame fixation part fixes the support frame to a vehicle body. The steering transmission part transmits a rotation of the steering wheel relative to the support frame to a steering mechanism of a wheel. The support frame and the frame fixation part are arranged at a position that does not overlap with a rotation center axis line of the steering wheel in a front view of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An exterior door handle for a vehicle particularly for an activation of an electric lock of the vehicle comprising: a door handle body with a wall, wherein the door handle body is configured such that an activation action is performable by a user at the door handle body in the deformation area, at least one inductive activation means which is arranged in the deformation area, at least one sensor device arranged within the door handle body for inductivity measurements at the activation means, wherein the door handle body is at least configured elastically deformable in the deformation area and the sensor device for the detection of the activation action is arranged spaced apart to the activation means such that the deformation of the door handle body is detectable by the inductivity measurement.

Abstract: Control of a self-powered floor preparation machine is provided by an ergonomic controller having a guarded control stick which has various characteristics, including its pitch, roll, yaw and height, that may all be adjusted.

Abstract: A system for detecting activities that pose a risk during driving is described. The system includes a vehicle comprising a steering device. Sensors are placed around various positions of the steering device that are configured to detect a presence of one or two hands on the steering device. The system further includes processing circuitry configured to: identify a position of the one or two hands on the steering device or a lack thereof based on binary signals received from the plurality of sensors; and determine whether to generate an alert to the operator of the vehicle based on the position of the one or two hands on the steering device or lack thereof, the alert requesting the operator of the vehicle to place one or two hands on the steering device and/or any other authorized device.

Abstract: A steering wheel horn assembly having two sections with an annular electrical circuit board member interposed and disposed between the sections and electrically coupled to a power source, an electrical ground, and an electrical horn. Also disposed within the two sections is an annular button membrane with a plurality of deformably resilient horn buttons, wherein each of the plurality of deformably resilient horn buttons have a terminal front surface and a rear surface opposing the terminal front surface and that is disposed adjacent to the annular electrical circuit board member, have a static position along a button translation path projecting through one of the plurality enclosed apertures, and have a depressed position with the rear surface directly coupled to the annular electrical circuit board member and electrically completing a circuit on the annular electrical circuit board member and causing the electrical horn to generate the audible sound.

Abstract: A steering wheel horn assembly operates the horn of a vehicle through driver initiated application of pressure on a steering wheel body. The assembly permits a driver to activate a vehicle horn without the driver having to remove one or more hands from the steering wheel. A circular steering wheel body is bifurcated into first and second steering wheel body sections having cooperating first and second electrical contact members. The steering wheel body sections are pressed together through application of pressure from the driver's hands to an active position. In the active position, the electrical contact members engage to complete a circuit; thereby actuating an audible sound from the horn. Springs bias the steering wheel body sections apart to disengage the electrical contact members to an inactive position. Applying pressure to create the active position also actuates illumination from vehicle lights, simultaneously with the audible sound from the horn.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel includes a rim having a cavity, and a device arranged in the cavity of the rim. The vehicle steering wheel further includes a hood designed to close the cavity and a polymer injected around the rim and around the hood. A seal is arranged to prevent the polymer from being introduced into the cavity during its injection.

Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle is provided. The steering wheel includes a steering wheel rim with an operating member formed as a ring segment of the steering wheel rim and has an exterior shell with at least a first shell part and a second shell part. The exterior shell is configured to at least partially rotate from an initial position around a framework structure. At least one first switch is switchable to at least partially rotate the exterior shell from the initial position around the framework structure. The exterior shell is in the initial position, at least one of the first shell part and the second shell part are actuated toward or away from the framework structure to switch at least one second switch.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a steering wheel in which a decorative member is easily mounted and fixed to a steering main body without a need to employ fixing parts such as screws, and which is capable of effectively absorbing an impact by appropriately deforming the decorative member at the time of input of a load. The steering wheel of the present invention has: a plurality of engaging fixed units by which the decorative member is mounted and fixed to the steering main body's side via a fixing unit, and demounting of the fixing unit is restrained at the time of deformation of the decorative member; and an engaging unit which is arranged on a site configured to produce a bending deformation of the decorative member, and by which demounting is disallowed to be restrained at the time of deformation of the decorative member.

Abstract: Provided is a system for generating a vehicle steering signal. A non-rotatable steering control is mounted about a steering axis. The steering control includes a pressure sensor configured to generate an output signal in response to hand movements along the steering control. The system includes a hub and at least one spoke connecting the steering control to the hub. The hub is offset from the steering axis. A control unit is configured to generate the vehicle steering signal based on the output signal from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A steering switch device mounted on a spoke portion of a steering wheel allows a first operating knob which can operate to press an operating surface upward obliquely of the front side to be adjacent to a second operating knob which can operate to tilt an operating surface approximately toward the rear of a vehicle. The first and second operating knobs are arranged such that the operating surface and the operating surface of each other are smoothly continuous due to the presence of a minute gap, and are continuous so as to form a surface following the surface entirely from an upper surface (surface opposing a driver) up to a lateral surface (front side surface when viewed from the driver) of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A system for driver-vehicle interaction has a soft key arrangement located on a steering wheel and a display key arrangement located on a dashboard and having a layout corresponding to that of the soft key arrangement. The vehicle has multiple function modes each of which has a set of selectable options in order to affect a behavior of the vehicle. Each function mode is associated with a respective layout of the display key arrangement in order to display the set of options. For each function mode layout, each display key is illustrates and corresponds to a selectable option for each soft key. Actuation of the soft key arrangement both commands changes between the function modes and selects among the available selectable options within the chosen function mode.

Abstract: A steering switch device mounted on a spoke portion of a steering wheel allows a first operating knob which can operate to press an operating surface upward obliquely of the front side to be adjacent to a second operating knob which can operate to tilt an operating surface approximately toward the rear of a vehicle. The first and second operating knobs are arranged such that the operating surface and the operating surface of each other are smoothly continuous due to the presence of a minute gap, and are continuous so as to form a surface following the surface entirely from an upper surface (surface opposing a driver) up to a lateral surface (front side surface when viewed from the driver) of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A turning direction indicator device includes an actuator that rotates by an operation of the operating lever, a cam body that shifts in a rearward direction approaching a cancel cam. The cam body is rotatable about a rotation axis, and shifts in the rearward direction when the actuator rotates. The cam body includes a rear wall surface opposite to the cancel cam. The rear wall surface has two end parts symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis. A spring elastically contacts the end parts to urge the cam body in the rearward direction. The spring also urges the cam body in a rotating direction about the rotation axis when the longitudinal axis of the cam body rotates. The turning direction indicator device suppresses a hitting noise produced by the cam body and a release element with such a simple structure, and operates reliably.

Abstract: A steering control for vehicles, such as for automobiles or motorcycles in the form of a steering wheel or of a handlebar, with a gripping zone presenting an elastically variable geometry deformable under the action of the hand or the hands of the driver gripping the steering control fast and forcefully in case of danger. Thus, in the event of panic, an hydraulic or pneumatic sensor located inside the gripping zone is activated. The sensor extends over essentially the whole gripping zone of the steering control that can be gripped by at least one hand of the driver, and includes a tube of elastic material, filled with a liquid, and embedded entirely in a foamed plastic material. The steering control exhibits then high effectiveness and reliability of a safety device, in the elimination of potential danger caused by mistaken reactions of the driver, and in the economic feasibility of the inventive device.

Abstract: The present provides a system which integrates motor vehicle turn signal operation into actuators located in the rim of a motor vehicle steering wheel. The actuators of the system of the present invention, one for controlling the right-hand turn signal and one for controlling the left-hand turn signal, are located in an arc segment of the steering wheel defined by the three o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the right-hand actuator and the nine o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the left-hand actuator. The actuators may operate in parallel with a conventional stalk switch and only turn on the respective turn signal lights when activated and subsequently depressed. The turn signal lights turn off when the actuators are released. The integrated turn signal system of the present invention further provides for turn signal operation which does not require a driver to remove his or her hands from the steering wheel.

Abstract: A multi-function switch module which rotates along with a steering wheel of an automotive vehicle is arranged between the spokes of the steering wheel and includes a quadruple switching rocker and at least one pull button.

Abstract: In a switch device, such as a horn switch device attached to a steering wheel, a water column is prevented from being formed between contact sections of a pair of contact points facing each other. A movable member (30) and a fixed member (40) of a horn switch device (20) are disposed in an opposed manner such that the movable member (30) on an upper side can be moved toward and away from the fixed member (40) on a lower side and such that it is urged upward by urging means (50). Furthermore, at least a pair of protruding contact points (35) and (45) are formed on the movable member (30) and the fixed member (40), at positions facing each other. By bringing them into contact with each other, the members (30) and (40) are electrically connected, closing a horn circuit.

Abstract: Rotary support bodies which support both ends of a rod penetrating a manipulating knob body are formed by joining a first rotary support member which is arranged at one side of the manipulating knob body and supports one end of the rod and a second rotary support member which is arranged at another side of the manipulating knob body and supports another end of the rod, and one end of the rod is fixed to the second rotary support member, and another end of the rod is engaged with the first rotary support member. Accordingly, a manipulating knob can be mounted on a casing in a state the manipulating knob is mounted on the rotary support body.

Abstract: A technique for controlling vehicle functions is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as an apparatus for controlling vehicle functions. Such an apparatus may comprise a support member configured to attach to a steering wheel of a vehicle, a switch assembly fixedly attached to the support member for electrically controlling functions of the vehicle, and a prosthetic steering device rotatably attached to the support member for manually controlling steering of the vehicle. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, such an apparatus may comprise a support member configured to attach to a steering wheel of a vehicle, and a prosthetic device rotatably attached to the support member for manually controlling steering of the vehicle, wherein the prosthetic device has a switch assembly for electrically controlling functions of the vehicle.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A steering wheel provides a control device that is easily maneuverable, by one hand, by an operator who is gripping the rim of the steering wheel. Release of the rim is not necessary to affect a change in the control parameter of an engine or other element of a marine vessel through use of the control device. The control device is rotatable about an axis of rotation which is generally parallel to a line which is tangent to a centerline of the rim of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A switch apparatus, including: a substantially box-like case; a cylinder section; a lever; a substantially cylindrical columnar support; an engagement convex section; an engagement concave section; and a press-in section. The cylinder section is provided at a substantial center of the case and has at an inner circumference thereof a reception section. The lever is attached to the case and is pivoted and operated to provide an electric connection of switch contacts provided in the case. The columnar support is inserted to the cylinder section and has one end that is abutted with the reception section. The engagement convex section is provided at one of the reception section and the columnar support and the engagement concave section is provided at the other. The press-in section is provided at one of the engagement convex section or the engagement concave section. The engagement convex section is pressed-in to and engaged with the engagement concave section via the press-in section.

Abstract: An upper plate portion having a pair of openings formed therein, an external surface portion inclined to the inner side from an upper end of the outer circumference of the upper plate portion toward the lower side of the case, and a holding plate portion protruding from an inner surface of the external surface portion toward the inner side are integrally provided in a case. A cover is inserted into the case from the sides of the upper plate portion and the holding plate portion to be integrated with the case constitute a switch housing. Operating knobs are fitted to the case from the upper sides of the openings to thus assemble a switch unit. The switch unit is fixed to the side portion of a pad portion of a steering wheel, so that the operating knobs protrude to a space between the inner circumference of a ring portion and the pad portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing gap variation between an airbag module and a steering wheel insert while acting as a horn switch for a horn. The apparatus includes a contact spring disposed between the airbag module and the steering wheel insert. The spring has at least two raised locations having one side of each raised location biasing the airbag module in a first direction while an opposite second side thereof electrically connects with a contact when the airbag module is biased in a second direction opposite said first direction to actuate the horn. An insulative spring retainer has one surface disposed on the steering wheel insert and an opposite surface configured to retain the contact spring. The retainer is further configured to operably couple with the steering wheel insert and includes at least one contact aligned with a corresponding raised location to actuate the horn upon electrical contact therebetween.

Abstract: In order to obtain a switch structure of a steering wheel in which a number of kinds of parts can be reduced and cost can be greatly reduced, there is provided a switch structure of a steering wheel at which a pair of opening portions symmetrically formed between an inner periphery of a rim of the steering wheel and an outer periphery of a pad cover as seen from a vehicle occupant side, at each of which opening portions a switch assembly formed by a plurality of switches is disposed, wherein arrangement and shape of the plurality of switches constituting the each switch assembly are determined so as to be symmetrical with respect to a predetermined base line intersecting the respective opening portions.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel comprises a first switch (2) and a first actuating element (4) for actuating the first switch, and a second switch (132) and a second actuating element (110) for actuating the second switch. There is further provided a carrier (134) adapted to be displaced by the second actuating element (110) in an actuating direction (B) for actuating the second switch (132) and on which the first switch (2) is mounted. The steering wheel also has a base body (122), relative to which the carrier (134) is mounted so as to be displaceable in said actuating direction (B). The first actuating element (4) is provided with a stop element (9) which abuts against the base body (122) when the first actuating element (110) is displaced up to a complete actuation of the first switch (2). The stop element also prevents a displacement of the carrier (134), leading to the actuation of the second switch (132), by means of the first actuating element (4).

Abstract: A steering switch assembly structure which facilitates mounting of a pad member and switch assemblies to a metal core of a steering wheel, and which reduces assembly steps and is low in cost. The pad member is disposed between first leg pieces and second leg pieces on a bracket, compression coil springs are arranged between mount pieces of the pad member and the second leg pieces. In this state, the first leg pieces are inserted into mount slots of the switch assemblies. When the mount pieces are moved against elastic force of the springs and brought into contact with horn contacts, a horn device is actuated. The pad member is engaged by bottom surfaces of the switch assemblies, and is prevented from falling off the bracket, which is secured to the metal core, in a direction of separation from the bracket, without use of any further fastening means.

Abstract: An outer casing (4) of a switch (3) is provided with mounting hooks (9), which are engaged with a core metal (11) of a steering wheel (1). A lower cover (12) of the steering wheel (1) is provided with retaining portions (13), which are made to abut against the mounting hooks (9) in such a way as to restrain the retaining portions (13) from moving in a direction in which the engagement between the core metal (11) and each of the retaining portions (13) is canceled. Consequently, the switch 3 (is) firmly mounted on the steering wheel (1). Thus, a stable mounting state of the switch (3) is obtained.

Abstract: A trailer brake control system comprises a trailer. The trailer has brakes. The trailer also has a secondary electrical receiver. A towing vehicle is also provided. The vehicle has a steering wheel. The vehicle also has a secondary electrical transmitter. A steering wheel cover having a primary wireless signal transmitter is provided. The signal transmitter has a power source and a flexible torus-shaped tube. The tube has a hollow bore. Secured within the bore are a pair of wires, one flat and one toothed, offset from each other. Both wires are electronically coupled to the primary signal transmitter. A trailer brake processor is provided next. The brake processor has a trailer brake actuating switch. The actuating switch is electrically coupled with the brakes of the trailer. A primary signal receiver is coupled to the actuating switch and adapted to receive signals from the primary signal transmitter. A manual switch is also coupled to the actuating switch.

Abstract: The switching unit has the switching member on the front side and the switching member on the back side which are mutually mechanically and electrically connected when mounted on the spoke portion of the steering wheel, and is designed such that when the switching members are assembled in one unit, the elastic electrode portion on one side comes into elastic contact with the electrode pattern portion on the other side. The switching members, therefore, are not required to be assembled into one unit prior to installation on the steering wheel. In addition it is possible to dispense with such a complicated operation as electrically connecting the switching members by a wiring harness after installation to the steering wheel, therefore improving the ease of installation. Furthermore, since there is no necessity to form a through hole in the spoke portion of the steering wheel, the steering wheel will not be deteriorated in mechanical strength.

Abstract: A steering module is so designed that a switch module coupled to a steering wheel has switch operating sections which can be replaced when necessary. The switch module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a switch programmable function; a connecting circuit element which electrically connects the PCB to an electronic combination switch; connectors which are detachably connected to switching units forming switch operating sections; and a semiconductor read-only memory (ROM) which can be replaced from outside a rear casing which accommodates the connecting circuit element and the PCB.