Dial system for a steering wheel of an automobile

• US 20070155439A1
• Filed: 01/05/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunrex Technology Company Limited (Best Elite Holdings Limited)
• Original Assignee: Sunrex Technology Company Limited (Best Elite Holdings Limited)
• Inventors: Tsai, Huo-Lu
• Granted Patent: US 7,548,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/569.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/18 including more than one keyboard unit

Abstract

A dial system for steering wheel of an automobile includes two dials respectively mounted on the steering wheel and each having a first housing and a dial set received in the first housing. The dial set includes a number button and multiple functional buttons partially extending the first housing for being operated. A circuit board is received in the first housing for wirelessly transmitting signals when the buttons are operated. A second housing is mounted to the first housing to form a space for receiving the dial set and the circuit board. A battery seat with a battery is laterally inserted into the space for providing power to the circuit board. A controller is disposed on the automobile for receiving and processing the signals from the first dial and the second dial.

Claims

1. A dial system for a steering wheel of an automobile comprising a first dial, a second dial respectively mounted on two opposite sides of the steering wheel and a controller disposed on the automobile for receiving and processing the signals from the first dial and the second dial, wherein:

each of the first dial and the second dial comprises;

a first housing including a longitudinal opening therein;

a dial set received in the first housing and including a metal plate mounted to the first housing, a number button secured on the metal plate and received in the longitudinal opening in the first housing;

a circuit board received in the first housing, the circuit board including multiple button switches electrically mounted thereon, each button switch aligning with a corresponding one of the longitudinal number button such that the button switches are operated when the corresponding number button is pressed, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter electrically disposed on the circuit board for wirelessly transmitting signals to the controller;

a second housing mounted to the first housing to form a space for receiving the dial set and the circuit board;

a battery seat with a battery laterally inserted into the space between the first housing and the second housing, the battery electrically connected to the circuit board for providing power to the circuit board when the battery seat inserted into the space between the first housing and the second housing; and

a clamp mounted to a bottom of the second housing and adapted to clamp the steering wheel to hold the dial system in place on the steering wheel for an easy operation; and

the controller comprises;

a circuit board with a bluetooth circuit mounted therein for transmitting the signals to the mobile phone that has a bluetooth module; and

a microphone and a speaker respectively disposed on the controller such that the driver can use the speaker and the microphone during speaking without taking the mobile phone for promoting the safety of driving.

2. The dial system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a stopper mounted to the first housing to hold the metal plate in place.

3. The dial system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first housing comprises multiple stubs extending therefrom and extending through the metal plate, a stopper having multiple bores defined to securely receive the multiple stubs after extending through the metal plate to hold the metal plate in place.

4. The dial system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cable is provided to connect the first dial and the second dial such that the first dial and the second dial can share the power and the RF transmitter.