Vehicle steering device

• US 20020135163A1
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Derrick, John-Oliver
• Granted Patent: US 6,739,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1484 mounted on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21658 with integrated switches, e.g. horn switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle steering device comprising a steering wheel which has a gas bag module with a gas bag and a covering cap on a front side. The covering cap closes an outlet opening for the gas bag up to its unfolding. At least one of a display- and operating device is arrange in the covering cap. The outlet opening runs around at least one of the display- and operating device.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering device, comprising

a steering wheel which has a gas bag module with a gas bag and a covering cap on a front side, said covering cap closing an outlet opening for said gas bag up to its unfolding,

at least one of a display- and operating device being arranged in said covering cap and said outlet opening running around at least one of said display- and operating device.

2. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein said outlet opening has a closed ring shape.

3. The vehicle steering device according to claim 2, wherein said gas bag is constructed in a ring shape and can move outwards via said outlet opening.

4. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said display- and operating device on unfolding of said gas bag remains fastened in a stationary manner on said steering wheel.

5. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein said gas bag has a front wall onto which an occupant can strike, which front wall has a central indentation running up to at least one of said display- and operating device.

6. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein said display device is a screen to display various data, in particular vehicle data.

7. The vehicle steering device according to claim 6, wherein said screen is constructed for at least one of the following information reproduction purposes:

speed display,

navigation display,

PC display,

radio display and

telephone display.

8. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, a display device being provided in said covering cap and a steering angle detection sensor being provided which is coupled via a control arrangement with said display device, said display device always providing a horizontally aligned display independently of a steering wheel'"'"'s angular position.

9. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein on said covering cap a display device is provided, and on said steering device multifunctional switches are provided which are coupled with said display device by means of a control arrangement, said display device providing a display which indicates a function of said multifunctional switches.

10. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said display- and operating device is a touch screen constructed for operating at least one device.

11. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein in said covering cap an operating device is provided in the form of a touch pad.