Steering wheel light bar
First Claim
1. A light bar system for a steering wheel of a vehicle, the display system comprising:
- a light guide having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the light guide, the outer and inner surfaces of the light guide being arcuate-shaped between the ends of the light guide and spaced apart and opposite each other relative to a plane that extends through the first and second ends of the light guide and is parallel to the outer and inner surfaces of the light guide;
at least one light source disposed adjacent the first end of the light guide, the light source configured for emitting light into the first end of the light guide, wherein the light guide is configured for transmitting light from the light source through at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guidean outer lens having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the outer lens, the outer and inner surfaces of the outer lens being arcuate-shaped between the ends of the outer lens and spaced apart and opposite each other relative to a plane that extends through the first and second ends of the outer lens and is parallel to the outer and inner surfaces of the outer lens, wherein the inner surface of the outer lens is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the light guide; and
a liquid crystal display (LCD) having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the LCD, the outer and inner surfaces of the LCD being arcuate-shaped between the ends of the LCD and spaced apart and opposite each other relative to a plane that extends through the first and second ends of the LCD and is parallel to the outer and inner surfaces of the LCD, wherein the LCD is disposed between the outer surface of the light guide and the inner surface of the outer lens.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various implementation of a light bar warning system for a steering wheel of a vehicle include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light guide, and at least one light source disposed adjacent the light guide. The LCD and light guide having arcuate shaped surfaces that follow along a portion of the steering wheel rim. Light emitted from the light source is transmitted through the light guide and out of its outer surface into an inner surface of the LCD that is disposed adjacent the light guide. The light is emitted through portions of the LCD that are activated for illumination by an LCD driver. The LCD may provide various types of warnings to the operator, including blind spot warnings, forward collision/proximity warnings, and lane departure warnings, for example.
134 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A light bar system for a steering wheel of a vehicle, the display system comprising:
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a light guide having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the light guide, the outer and inner surfaces of the light guide being arcuate-shaped between the ends of the light guide and spaced apart and opposite each other relative to a plane that extends through the first and second ends of the light guide and is parallel to the outer and inner surfaces of the light guide; at least one light source disposed adjacent the first end of the light guide, the light source configured for emitting light into the first end of the light guide, wherein the light guide is configured for transmitting light from the light source through at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide an outer lens having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the outer lens, the outer and inner surfaces of the outer lens being arcuate-shaped between the ends of the outer lens and spaced apart and opposite each other relative to a plane that extends through the first and second ends of the outer lens and is parallel to the outer and inner surfaces of the outer lens, wherein the inner surface of the outer lens is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the light guide; and a liquid crystal display (LCD) having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the LCD, the outer and inner surfaces of the LCD being arcuate-shaped between the ends of the LCD and spaced apart and opposite each other relative to a plane that extends through the first and second ends of the LCD and is parallel to the outer and inner surfaces of the LCD, wherein the LCD is disposed between the outer surface of the light guide and the inner surface of the outer lens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A light bar system for a steering wheel of a vehicle, the display system comprising:
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a light guide having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the light guide, the outer and inner surfaces of the light guide being arcuate-shaped between the ends and spaced apart and opposite each other relative to a plane that extends through the first and second ends of the light guide and is parallel to the outer and inner surfaces of the light guide; at least one light source disposed adjacent the first end of the light guide, the light source configured for emitting light into the first end of the light guide, wherein the light guide is configured for transmitting light from the light source through at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide; an outer lens having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the outer lens, the outer and inner surfaces of the outer lens being arcuate-shaped between the ends of the outer lens and spaced apart and opposite each other relative to a plane that extends through the first and second ends of the outer lens and is parallel to the outer and inner surfaces of the outer lens, wherein the inner surface of the outer lens is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the light guide; and an outer cap having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the outer cap, the outer and inner surfaces of the outer cap being arcuate-shaped between the ends of the outer cap and spaced apart and opposite each other, wherein the inner surface of the outer cap is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the light guide, and wherein the outer cap defines an arcuate shaped opening, and the outer lens is coupled to the outer cap adjacent the opening. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification