Hand Wheels Patents (Class 74/552)
  • Patent number: 12109963
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes a steering wheel body, an airbag module, and a damper unit that connects the steering wheel body and the airbag module. The airbag module is mounted to the steering wheel body via the damper unit facing in a Z-axis first direction that is an example of a first direction. The damper unit is configured to apply a force on the airbag module in a state where the airbag module is mounted on the steering wheel body in a direction of pushing up the airbag module in a direction that intersects with the Z-axis first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Ryotaro Ishida, Kazuhiro Abe, Keisuke Honma, Hiroyoshi Shimono, Sumit Kumar
  • Patent number: 12097649
    Abstract: A steering wheel damper for a vehicle, and a manufacturing method thereof, the method includes putting a plate which is directly fixed to a steering wheel and has a plurality of through holes and a mass member having a predetermined weight to reduce vibration and a central pin in a mold in order, injection-molding rubber, and molding a connection member for connecting the plate and the mass member and a cushion member for limiting movement of the mass member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: AIA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Ho Yeo, Sang Ho Seok, Sung Soo Jin
  • Patent number: 12091078
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for actively controlling an at least semi-autonomously driven motor vehicle. The steering apparatus includes a steering body having an axis of rotation, a steering wheel handle and a steering wheel canister. The steering wheel handle and the steering wheel canister are rotatably connected to one another about an axis of rotation. An airbag module is arranged within the steering wheel canister, wherein the steering body has an active position and a stowed position, and is movable between these positions. In the active position, the steering body is rotatable about the axis of rotation for active control of a relevant motor vehicle. The airbag module is held in the steering wheel canister in a functionally identical orientation irrespective of the position of the steering body. An increase in the seating and movement freedom of the driver during a (fully) autonomous operation can be realized while maintaining safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jasmin Ostertag
  • Patent number: 12071070
    Abstract: A lighting device of a steering wheel and an assembling method of the lighting device improving an assembly process and mass productivity of the lighting device by simplifying an assembly structure thereof, includes a grip body forming a rim of the steering wheel and including a body groove portion formed in a shape in which the body groove portion is cut away along the rim, a bezel fitted to the body groove portion and assembled to the grip body so that the body groove portion is covered by the bezel, the bezel including a center portion provided with a light transmission hole, and includes a light emitting body assembled to the bezel to overlap the light transmission hole from between the body groove portion and the bezel, the light emitting body being configured to emit light through the light transmission hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR CORPORATION, KIA CORPORATION, DH AUTOLEAD CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soo Hee Kim, Hyo Ryeol Sim, Jun Ho Bang, Eung Joo Kim, Seok Geun Lee, In Taek Jeong, Yun Su Kim, Jong Hyun Koo
  • Patent number: 12060000
    Abstract: The LED steering wheel cover is a steering wheel cover that consists of LED (light emitting diode) lights with various colors and patterns. The lit up colors and patterns by the LEDs are controlled by the controller that is attached to a steering wheel cover. The LED steering wheel cover uses a wireless remote controller or a wired controller or the LEDs can be preprogrammed. The controller may be programmed to allowed the LED to change the patterns (flashing, cascade, S-O-S, etc.) or color, adjust the brightness of the LEDs, and adjust the speed of the patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Inventor: Caleb R Farrar
  • Patent number: 12060023
    Abstract: The present invention is an airbag device mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle having a rim with a shape in which the distance from the center of rotation to the distance to the upper edges is shorter than to left and right edges, that includes a gas generator that generates an expansion gas and an airbag that expands and deploys toward the occupant due to the expansion gas. Furthermore, at the stage before the occupant comes into contact with the expanded and deployed airbag, the thickness (width) D1 of the upper end part of the airbag in the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the steering wheel when the airbag is viewed from the side is configured to be larger than the thickness (width) D2 of the lower end part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Abe, Kazuki Morita, Hiroyoshi Shimono
  • Patent number: 12049261
    Abstract: According to the embodiments, it is possible to provide the driver with a comfortable steering feel even with a low power motor, thereby reducing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: SeulKi Yeom
  • Patent number: 12037052
    Abstract: A working machine includes a steering, a steering post supporting the steering, and a steering column covering the steering post. The steering column has a switch panel arranged below the steering on an upper surface of the steering column, and the switch panel has a first switch group including a plurality of switches arranged to have an inclining configuration in plan view where the switches align in a machine outward direction as shifting forward, the first switch group being arranged on both sides of the steering post in a machine width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teruhiko Iwamoto, Toshihiro Nakao
  • Patent number: 12024219
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel, comprising: —a framework (10) consisting of an electroconductive material; at least one sensor for detecting the position and/or contact (20) of a limb of the user on the steering wheel; at least one decorative part (30) comprising an electroconductive material; fixing means arranged so as to hold the decorative part (30) on the steering wheel; and at least one anchoring part (42) arranged so as to secure the fixing means onto the framework (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Gweltaz Jacq, Thierry Matrat, Jonathan Boittiaux, Vincent Lemevel, David Sourisseau
  • Patent number: 11970378
    Abstract: Systems for inspecting a warehouse are disclosed. A system includes a laser scanner attachable to an industrial truck and adapted to scan in a plane substantially perpendicular to the industrial truck's main direction of travel to scan an environment of a warehouse on at least one side of the industrial truck and to generate scan data. The system includes a computing unit adapted to receive the scan data and data on the absolute position and/or relative position change of the industrial truck, or data from which one or more of these variables can be derived. The computing unit is further adapted to construct three-dimensional data of the environment on the basis of the scan data and data on the absolute position and/or relative position change of the industrial truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hannes Bistry, Ralf Wetegrove, Maximilian Richter
  • Patent number: 11964720
    Abstract: An airbag module that serves as a damper mass mounted to the steering wheel surrounding the center of steering of the steering wheel via vibration damping parts, the vehicle steering wheel structure damping steering wheel vibration, wherein the vibration damping parts includes at least a first vibration damping part positioned upward from the center of steering and a second vibration damping part positioned downward from the center of steering with reference to a neutral position of the steering wheel and the spring constant or elastic modulus of the first vibration damping part is set lower than the spring constant or elastic modulus of the second vibration damping part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Norihisa Shiraishi, Kazuhiro Abe, Takayuki Kura
  • Patent number: 11938995
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes a boss connected to the steering shaft and steering portions arranged around the boss, and the steering portion has a non-circular portion including a corner portion or an end portion, where the non-circular portion is covered with one or more cover pieces. Preferably, the one or more cover pieces cover the front surfaces facing the occupant in the non-circular portion, the rear surfaces positioned on the opposite side of the occupant, and the upper surfaces positioned between the front surface and the rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Shoutarou Hada, Shunichiro Shinmen, Masaji Hasegawa, Adonis Egdane
  • Patent number: 11926371
    Abstract: Example steering wheel systems and torque feedback actuator assemblies for use in steer-by-wire vehicles are described herein. An example steering wheel system includes a steering wheel and a torque feedback actuator assembly. The torque feedback actuator assembly includes a housing and a helical gear rotatably disposed in the housing. The steering wheel is coupled to and coaxially aligned with the helical gear. The torque feedback actuator assembly also includes a motor with a worm gear engaged with the helical gear to provide torque feedback to the steering wheel by driving the helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Rawlings, Robert Mrozek, Lodewijk Wijffels, Eugene Lau
  • Patent number: 11912330
    Abstract: A modular steering wheel assembly includes a central hub having a center support, a first support element extending outwardly from the center support in a first direction and a second support element extending outwardly from the center support in a second direction. The first support element includes a first connector member and a second connector member, and the second support element includes a first connector element and a second connector element. A first steering wheel member is detachably connected to at least one of the first connector member and the second connector member, and a second steering wheel member is detachably connected to at least one of the first connector element and the second connector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Dong Yeon Yoo
  • Patent number: 11834093
    Abstract: Various implementations include a light bar system for a steering wheel of a vehicle that includes a high intensity light source, a light diffusing layer, and an outer lens. For example, in certain implementations, the light diffusing layer is disposed between a plurality of high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an outer lens, and the light diffusing layer causes the light from the LEDs to appear as a continuous stream of light across a length of the lens and provides sufficiently bright lighting to warn or communicate with the driver in various ambient lighting conditions. In certain implementations, the outer lens is colored to blend in with the rest of the steering wheel when the LEDs are not activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Valerie D. Gardner, Jason Carl Lisseman, David Ryan Varcoe
  • Patent number: 11767015
    Abstract: A system, vehicle, method and non-transitory computer readable storage medium for improving driving safety are provided. The system includes: a steering wheel; a paddle attached to the steering wheel; a pressure sensor, which is installed between the paddle and a contact point of the paddle to the steering wheel and is coupled to a control component, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure exerted on the pressure sensor by the paddle and send the sensed pressure to the control component; and the control component, which is configured to, in responsive to receiving the sensed pressure, determine a level of deceleration corresponding to the sensed pressure and send a deceleration command which instructs to decelerate, based on the determined level of deceleration, a vehicle on which the system for improving the driving safety is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU AUTOMOBILE GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hai Xiao
  • Patent number: 11760405
    Abstract: A handle in which a sensor layer capable of detecting grip is disposed on a gripping portion that is gripped at a time of steering. The gripping portion includes a core material, a covering layer formed of urethane foam, which is disposed by die-molding so as to cover a periphery of the core material, the sensor layer, and a protective layer covering the sensor layer. The sensor layer is formed of a mold coat agent formed of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material. The mold coat agent is applied to a die surface of a molding die of the covering layer. At a time of molding the covering layer, the sensor layer formed of the mold coat agent is disposed on a surface side of the covering layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Tsunekawa, Toshihiko Asai, Norio Umemura, Akira Nakiri
  • Patent number: 11745783
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes a steering wheel axis, a hub for fastening the steering wheel to a steering shaft rotatable about a steering wheel axis, and a steering wheel rim connected to the hub and at least partially surrounding the hub in the circumferential direction. A mounting projection for fastening an operating unit is formed on the steering wheel rim and includes a coupling element for detachably fastening the operating unit as well as a positioning portion for fixing the operating unit in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: DALPHI METAL ESPANA, S.A.
    Inventors: Ramon Baña Castro, Pedro Pereiro Coto, Miguel Segovia Romero, Alberto Santorio Cancelas, Rafael Carballido, Laurent Bauvineau, Clément Lemele, Nathalie Richeux Guilloux
  • Patent number: 11738871
    Abstract: A tactile interface including a touch pad and a support, the touch pad being hingedly attached to the support between the extended active position and a retracted inactive position, in which the pad is folded back towards the support wherein the support constitutes a drawer which is movable in a casing between a pulled-out position in which the interface is in the active position and an inserted position in which the interface is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Safran Electronics & Defense Cockpit Solutions
    Inventor: Thomas Thorpe
  • Patent number: 11713070
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for controlling the steering of an autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae Hong Kim
  • Patent number: 11667317
    Abstract: A steering device includes a rotation central portion having a rotation axis Ax of the steering device and a steering unit connected to the rotation central portion. The direction in which the rotation axis of the rotation central portion extends is an axial direction. One of directions perpendicular to the axial direction is a radial direction. A direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the radial direction is a width direction. The steering unit protrudes from the rotation central portion in the radial direction in plan view of the steering device in the axial direction. A maximum width of the steering unit in the width direction is less than or equal to a maximum width of the rotation central portion in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventor: Tadayuki Yakushi
  • Patent number: 11654825
    Abstract: A system for indicating an operating mode of a motor vehicle having a vehicle interior and an operator seat arranged therein includes a rotatable steering wheel arranged inside the vehicle interior relative to the operator seat. The steering wheel includes a front side facing the operator seat and an opposing back side. The system additionally includes a light source configured to project a beam of light onto the back side of the steering wheel. The back side of the steering wheel is configured to capture the light beam and illuminate therewith the front side of the steering wheel to thereby generate a sensory signal indicative of the operating mode to a vehicle operator positioned in the operator seat. A motor vehicle employing the system for generating a sensory signal to a vehicle operator for indicating an operating mode of the vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tzvi Philipp, Yael Shmueli Friedland, Asaf Degani
  • Patent number: 11628902
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for use with a ride-on vehicle which has a frame with at least two wheels. The steering wheel assembly comprises a steering rod operatively coupled to the frame of the ride-on vehicle. The steering rod includes a chuck secured to the steering rod. The chuck includes a body extending between a base and an upper end. The steering wheel assembly further comprises a steering wheel with a sleeve adapted to be coupled to the chuck in a tool-less manner such that the steering wheel is configured to be engaged by a rider for moving the steering wheel and thereby steering the ride-on vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Huffy Corporation
    Inventor: Donald K. Jessie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11564421
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interactive objects including illuminated surfaces are provided. An interactive object includes a flexible substrate comprising a soft material that is non-transmissive to light. The interactive object includes a plurality of holes extending from an inside surface of the flexible substrate to an outside surface of the flexible substrate to form a light-transmissive pattern at one or more locations of the flexible substrate. An illuminated surface is positioned adjacent to the inside surface of the flexible substrate with its front surface extending along at least a portion of the inside surface of the flexible substrate at the one or more locations including the plurality of holes. The interactive object includes one or more electronic components electrically coupled to the illuminated surface to control the illuminated surface to provide a visual output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Mark Zarich, Tong Wu, Bryan Allen, Brendon Beardsley, Adam Bernstein
  • Patent number: 11548342
    Abstract: A coilover shock absorber includes a damper element and a coil spring, where the coilover shock absorber includes a first mount for the damper element and a second mount for the damper element, and where the coilover shock absorber includes a first seat for the coil spring and a second seat for the coil spring, where the first mount for the damper element is operatively separate from the first seat for the coil spring, where the second mount for the damper element is operatively separate from the second seat for the coil spring. The resulting inverted coilover shock absorber allows for separate load paths for the damper element and the coil spring to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.
    Inventor: Magnus Nilsson Gatenholm
  • Patent number: 11541926
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes a boss, a grip having a substantially rod shape and arranged away from the boss, and a spoke portion connecting the boss and the grip. The grip includes a core for the grip, a coating layer which covers an outer peripheral side of the core, and the decorative body exposed on the upper surface side of the grip. The decorative body has a decorative main body exposed on the upper surface side of the grip and a mounting portion having a long shape, being arranged substantially along the grip, holding the decorative main body and being attached to the coating layer. Mounting fitting portions to be attached to the coating layer is arranged on a lower surface side of the mounting portion and on a side separated from the boss and the spoke portion with respect to the core in a cross section of the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiyasu Kojima, Kenji Fujimura, Takanori Yamada
  • Patent number: 11541583
    Abstract: This injection-molded article is an injection-molded article using a cellulosic fiber composite resin, including: a resin insert piece including a colorant or a cellulose fiber; a first region formed of the cellulosic fiber composite resin; and a second region formed along a weld line of the cellulosic fiber composite resin extending from the resin insert piece, in which the first region and the second region have different color tones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouma Nishino, Hideo Mine, Masashi Hamabe, Masayoshi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 11447068
    Abstract: Various implementations of an illumination system include a light guide, a housing having a ceiling and defining a window, and a base coupled to the housing. The light guide is supported between the base and the ceiling. At least one light source is disposed adjacent a first end of the light guide. The light guide transmits the light from the light source through at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide and the window. One or more tabs extending from the base each define at least one opening, and the at least one opening defined by each tab is alignable with an opening in a spoke portion of a frame. The openings receive a fastener to couple the base to the spoke portion. The housing may be integrally formed with a trim cover coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Jason Lisseman, Adorian Marc, Erick Staszak, Valerie Gardner
  • Patent number: 11440309
    Abstract: A method for trim preparation of car interior parts includes the steps of cutting out templates of natural jute or linen fabric primer and a second natural cotton fabric or fiber paper, and impregnation of the fabrics with a water-based adhesive resin in each of the fabrics and drying thereof. The method also includes the steps of fabric pressing, forming a structure by adding an adhesive layer and a decorative sheet, applying primer on the decorative layer and drying it, and applying at least one layer of varnish onto the primer layer and drying it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Aurelio Dieguez Garcia
  • Patent number: 11383750
    Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly has a steering handle for steering a vehicle and a suspension part that can be secured to the vehicle. The steering handle is secured to the suspension part and it can be pivoted with respect to the suspension part about a pivot axis in a steering position and a table position, in which the steering handle can be used as a table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Robert Martin
  • Patent number: 11318980
    Abstract: A steering section of a steer-by-wire system includes a handle having a center axis of rotation arranged in the front-rear direction, and a handle-support shaft having a center axis arranged in the front-rear direction and that is supported so as not to be able to rotate about the center axis with respect to the vehicle. The handle is rotatably supported so as to be able to rotate about the center axis of rotation with respect to the rear-end portion of the handle-support shaft. The center axis of the handle-support shaft is arranged so as to be offset upward with respect to the center axis of rotation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NSK, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kurokawa, Yuichiro Taguchi
  • Patent number: 11318979
    Abstract: A changeable-shape steering wheel of a motor vehicle has a steering wheel rim composed of a plurality of rim parts, of which some can be pivoted relative to one another, in order for it to be possible, in addition to a circular shape, for it to also be transferred into an approximately oval shape. In a neutral position of the steering wheel which is rotatable about a circular shape center point, the semi-major axis in an oval shape is oriented at least substantially horizontally. The rim parts are movable by way of levers which are provided on the steering wheel rim, such that, in the neutral position, the semi-major axis of the oval shape of the steering wheel is no longer than half the diameter in the case of a circular shape of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Kerschbaum, Markus Wadepuhl
  • Patent number: 11292503
    Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a hub connected to a steering column of the vehicle, a spoke connected to the hub, a rim disposed around the hub and connected to the spoke so as to be rectilinearly movable, a first gear provided in the spoke and rotated by a power source, and a second gear that is provided on the rim so as to be engaged with the first gear and rectilinearly moved by the rotation of the first gear and that moves the rim relative to the spoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ho Ssang Jo
  • Patent number: 11241961
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle instrument, a display method, and a vehicle speed monitoring display system. The vehicle instrument includes a display panel including an indicator structure used together with a scale on the dial for reading; a dial exposed by the display panel; and an actuating mechanism connected to the display panel and configured to control a movement of the display panel relative to the dial. The vehicle instrument has a first state, in which the display panel and the dial are in a first positional relationship, the display panel displays a first pattern region, and the first pattern region and the dial are in a second positional relationship; and a second state, in which the display panel and the dial are in a third positional relationship, the display panel displays the first pattern region, and the first pattern region and the dial are in the second positional relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI TIANMA AM-OLED CO, LTD.
    Inventors: Shuang Cheng, Jinghua Niu, Mingzhi Dai, Yinhe Liu, Yibin Xing, Ruixuan Dang, Tiezhen Gao
  • Patent number: 11180177
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes a rim that is movably connected to a base for movement between driving and utility positions. A movement control mechanism is configured to selectively lock the rim in the driving position relative to the base structure. The motion control mechanism includes a detent that is configured to retain the rim structure in the utility position relative to the base structure, whereby a user can apply a force to the rim structure to overcome the detent and move the rim structure from the utility position to the driving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Macit Aktas, Joseph Michael Kish, Martin Fassbender, Philipp Kuepper
  • Patent number: 11148702
    Abstract: A damper structure provided in a steering wheel of a vehicle to be able to achieve an improved effect of reducing vibration in a low frequency region and structurally prevent noise generation. The damper structure includes a plate member which faces the steering wheel and to which an airbag module is to be attached, an insulator attached to the plate member, a connector inserted into the insulator and having one end fixed to the steering wheel to be oscillated by vibration of the steering wheel, an elastic member surrounding the connector in the insulator, a ring provided with the elastic member to transmit the oscillation of the connector to the elastic member, a stopper provided around another end of the connector to face the elastic member, and a coil spring which brings the elastic member of the insulator into pressure contact with the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Ikeda, Shoma Fushimi, Eisuke Kurata, Yosuke Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 11072358
    Abstract: There is provided a steering covering member in which it is possible to dispose a wire on a grip section in a wider range while a wrinkle or a slack is suppressed, a steering wheel including the steering covering member, and a method for manufacturing the steering wheel. The steering covering member includes a sheet-shaped sheet member having extensibility and a wire held by the sheet member. The sheet member is set to have a length, in a natural length, having a corresponding relationship with an inner circumferential-side length of a rim section main body portion. Both end portions of the sheet member in the longitudinal direction are disposed at positions corresponding to recessed portions of the rim section main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobutaka Uematsu
  • Patent number: 11066092
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes a decorative component and a surface skin on a surface of the rim. The decorative component is formed into a band and a leading-end portion of the decorative component has a tapered form in which an inner edge curves towards an outer circumference of the rim and serves as a curving edge. The surface skin includes a curved-side section adjoining the curving edge and a non-curved-side section adjoining a non-curving edge of the leading-end portion. The curved-side section includes a main body that includes a curving portion which corresponds to the curving edge of the leading-end portion in shape, and an extended portion that extends beyond an apex of the leading-end portion and extends towards the non-curving edge of the leading-end portion of the decorative component. A region of the extended portion beyond the apex is joined to a leading edge of the non-curved-side section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignees: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Nonoyama, Jun Sato, Sanae Oritaka, Makoto Noda, Yosuke Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 11046320
    Abstract: A system for initiating and executing an automated lane change maneuver in a vehicle may include a steering wheel interface having a display; and a monitor to detect a viewing direction of the user. The interface may detect a first predetermined gesture by the user; in response to the first predetermined gesture, transmit a first signal to the vehicle instructing the vehicle to prepare for the automated lane change maneuver; display a status of the automated lane change maneuver; display a prompt for the user to visually confirm safety of the automated lane change maneuver. The monitor may continuously detect the viewing direction of the user; and in response to the viewing direction of the user changing, transmit a second signal to the vehicle instructing the vehicle to execute the automated lane change maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Bertollini, Joseph F. Szczerba, Roy J. Mathieu, Alicia Napoleon
  • Patent number: 11027768
    Abstract: A steering system for a road vehicle; the steering system comprises: a steering wheel provided with an outer ring, which is mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis and has no connection to steering wheels; a position sensor, which is designed to detect the angular position of the outer ring of the steering wheel around the rotation axis; and a mechanical limit stop device, which is coupled to the outer ring of the steering wheel and limits, in both directions, the maximum angular width of the rotation of the steering wheel around the rotation axis, so that the steering wheel can make, on the whole, a rotation around the rotation axis that is greater than 360°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: FERRARI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Patent number: 10996770
    Abstract: Disclosed are computer peripheral interface devices (such as computer mice) that include a wheel member configured to rotate around an axis in a plurality of modes, where each of the plurality of modes corresponds to a respective unique friction profile. The plurality of operation modes includes a freewheel mode and at least two additional modes. The at least two additional modes includes two or more different ratchet modes, two or more different constant friction modes, or at least one constant friction mode and at least one ratchet mode. The interface device also includes an actuator assembly configured to set the wheel member to each of the plurality of operation modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: Padraig McLoughlin, Arnaud Perret-Gentil, Nuno Miguel Pereira dos Anjos Valverde, Jan Stoeckli, Lars Lauridsen, Jean-Claude Dunant
  • Patent number: 10953791
    Abstract: Various implementations of an illumination system include a light guide, a housing having a ceiling and defining a window, and a base coupled to the housing. The light guide is supported between the base and the ceiling. At least one light source is disposed adjacent a first end of the light guide. The light guide transmits the light from the light source through at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide and the window. One or more tabs extending from the base each define at least one opening, and the at least one opening defined by each tab is alignable with an opening in a spoke portion of a frame. The openings receive a fastener to couple the base to the spoke portion. The housing may be integrally formed with a trim cover coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Jason Lisseman, Adorian Marc, Erick Staszak, Valerie Gardner
  • Patent number: 10933901
    Abstract: A control yoke for steering a motor vehicle, with a hub attached to a steering shaft, is connected to two steering handles protruding laterally in opposite directions, and has a motor-driven adjustment device by means of which the steering handles are displaceable from a usage position at a greater distance from the hub into a standby position at a smaller distance from the hub and vice versa. In an automatic steering mode of the motor vehicle the steering handles are rotatable by means of the adjustment device towards the driver in the usage position and away from the driver in the standby position about a transverse axis which connects the two steering handles and is arranged transversely to the rotation axis of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventor: Daniel Kreutz
  • Patent number: 10906575
    Abstract: A collapsible steering wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel rim having a number of segments that can be moved in relation to each other between a first position and a second position. A first angle is formed between respectively adjacent segments in the first position and a second angle different from the first angle is formed between respectively adjacent segments in the second position. The disclosure also relates to a steering device of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventor: Roland Riedel
  • Patent number: 10792843
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carbon fiber wheel rim is provided, including flowing steps of: preparing a core ring, including a core material which is disintegrable and annular; continuously obliquely winding at least one first dry carbon yarn around the core ring, to form a first semifinished rim; placing the first semifinished rim in a mold, and performing vacuuming, resin injection and thermoforming, to form a second semifinished rim; removing the second semifinished rim out of the mold, and disintegrating and removing the core material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: MARSHAL INDUSTRIAL CORP.
    Inventor: Ming-Jen Tsai
  • Patent number: 10780908
    Abstract: Various implementations include a light bar system for a steering wheel of a vehicle that includes a high intensity light source, a light diffusing layer, and an outer lens. For example, in certain implementations, the light diffusing layer is disposed between a plurality of high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an outer lens, and the light diffusing layer causes the light from the LEDs to appear as a continuous stream of light across a length of the lens and provides sufficiently bright lighting to warn or communicate with the driver in various ambient lighting conditions. In certain implementations, the outer lens is colored to blend in with the rest of the steering wheel when the LEDs are not activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Valerie D. Gardner, Jason Carl Lisseman, David Ryan Varcoe
  • Patent number: 10773744
    Abstract: There is provided a steering wheel covering member which is capable of disposing a wire in an opening edge of a recessed portion of a rim section main body portion and which is easy to be attached to the rim section main body portion, a steering wheel, and a manufacturing method of a steering wheel. The steering wheel covering member includes sheet-shaped sheet member having dividing portion that is a cut-out portion. The steering wheel covering member includes wire that is held on sheet member excluding non-setting area A along dividing portion. The dividing portion is accommodated in recessed portion such that dividing portion and non-setting area A of wire are disposed inward of an opening edge of recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobutaka Uematsu
  • Patent number: 10759462
    Abstract: A steering wheel structure configured to control cooling and heating, the steering wheel structure including: an inner layer forming a rim of the steering wheel; and an outer layer surrounding at least a part of the inner layer; wherein the outer layer including, an outer circumferential part forming at least a part of outer circumference of the outer layer; at least one gap disconnecting the outer circumferential part; and a cold-hot adjusting part formed in the at least one gap; wherein the cold-hot adjusting part has a lower heat capacity and a higher thermal conductivity than the outer circumferential forming part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MI-SEOJIN, INC.
    Inventors: Seo Young Kim, Hang Cheol Choi, Keun Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 10746280
    Abstract: A steering device includes: an input shaft main body portion including an input shaft first region, and protruding from the housing, and an input shaft second region received within the steering shaft receiving space; and an input shaft cover including; an input shaft cover main body portion surrounding a portion of the input shaft first region which is closer to the input shaft second end portion than the first input shaft seal portion in the rotation axis direction, and an input shaft cover seal portion provided to the input shaft cover main body portion, abutted on the first input shaft seal portion, and arranged to suppress moisture from entering between the input shaft and the input shaft cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Kamaguchi, Masato Kadokura
  • Patent number: 10748392
    Abstract: A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a contact region to be touched by an operating body, a thermal sensation providing element that is disposed in the contact region and provides at least cold sensation information, and a warm sensation providing element that is disposed in the contact region and provides warm sensation information. The warm sensation providing element is disposed at least in regions that sandwich the thermal sensation providing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunio Sato, Daisuke Takai, Yuzuru Kawana, Katsunari Sato