Steering Apparatus

• US 20090189373A1
• Filed: 08/10/2005
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Corp.
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Letendre, Guy R., Westgate, Lori S., Clark, Marcus T., Schramm, Michael R., Green, David J., Parks, Brent A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,193,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/152 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/155 Virtual instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/213 Virtual instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/02 Arrangement of instruments arrangement of lighting devices for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• 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 21/21658 with integrated switches, e.g. horn switches
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/046 : Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches

Abstract

The improved steering apparatus is an invention that increases vehicular operational safety by providing means for a vehicle operator to control various vehicle functions and accessories while keeping both hands on the steering apparatus. The apparatus also automatically provides for the display of a variety of driver relevant information including automatic live video (160) feed of blind spots, rear vehicle cabin area, and road sign information (320), by displaying the information on the steering apparatus mounted video screen. The apparatus includes a built-in speaker (170) and is controlled by either voice commands or by a touching of the touch activatable video display screen (160).

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. An improved steering apparatus to effect the steering of an automotive vehicle, said apparatus comprising a steering device, an airbag module having an airbag, and at least one electronic display screen, wherein said airbag module is deployably mounted to said steering device to form a steering assembly, said steering assembly having an external surface of said steering assembly defining a deployable flap, and wherein said screen is viewably mounted to said deployable flap such that when said airbag module is deployed, said airbag opens said deployable flap and said airbag expands out of said steering assembly, and wherein said display screen is substantially rapidly moved relative to said steering assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said flap includes a retaining cavity formed in said flap, and wherein said display screen is viewably mounted within said cavity, and wherein when said airbag module is deployed, said display screen is not ejected from said cavity.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said flap includes a retaining cavity formed in said flap, and wherein said display screen defines a substantially frangible display screen, and wherein said display screen is viewably mounted within said cavity, and wherein when said airbag module is deployed, said display screen is fragmented to form display screen fragments, and wherein when said airbag module is deployed, said display screen fragments are substantially retained within said cavity.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said apparatus does not have a conventional mechanical control button.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said apparatus includes means to control vehicle devices, and wherein said control means defines at least one control means of the following group of control means consisting of a touch activatable display screen control means and a voice activatable control means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said control means provides the means to control at least one function of the following group of functions consisting of a phone call function, a vehicle climate change function, a vehicle speed change function, a vehicle entertainment activation function, a vehicle global positioning display activation function, a vehicle turn indication signal activation function, a vehicle windshield wiper activation function, a vehicle light activation function, a vehicle horn activation function, a vehicle performance indication display function, a vehicle real time blind spot observation function, a vehicle real time rear cabin area observation function, a vehicle rearward direction real time observation function, a public address function, a memo dictation and record function, an electronic data download function, an electronic data upload function, a displayed menu customization function, a real time bird'"'"'s eye view of a vehicle function, a traffic sign display function, an automatic verbal warning emission in a user preferred language function, a voice modulation function, a DSRC reception function, a DSRC transmission function, and a DSRC server function.

8. An improved steering apparatus to effect the steering of an automotive vehicle, said apparatus comprising a steering device and an airbag module having contents including an airbag retained within said module, and wherein said airbag module is deployably mounted to said steering device to form a steering assembly having an outer surface, and wherein a predetermined portion of said steering assembly outer surface defines a substantially transparent window formed in said outer surface such that when said steering apparatus is steerably mounted to a vehicle, said inner contents of said airbag module are substantially visible from without said steering apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said airbag module contents include an electronic display screen.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said window forms a portion of a retaining cavity formed in said steering assembly, and wherein said display screen is viewably mounted within said cavity, and wherein when said airbag module is deployed, said display screen is not ejected from said cavity.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said apparatus does not have a conventional mechanical control button.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said apparatus includes means to control vehicle devices, and wherein said control means defines at least one control means of the following group of control means consisting of a touch activatable display screen control means and a voice activatable control means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said control means provides the means to control at least one function of the following group of functions consisting of a phone call function, a vehicle climate change function, a vehicle speed change function, a vehicle entertainment activation function, a vehicle global positioning display activation function, a vehicle turn indication signal activation function, a vehicle windshield wiper activation function, a vehicle light activation function, a vehicle horn activation function, a vehicle performance indication display function, a vehicle real time blind spot observation function, a vehicle real time rear cabin area observation function, a vehicle rearward direction real time observation function, a public address function, a memo dictation and record function, an electronic data download function, an electronic data upload function, a displayed menu customization function, a real time bird'"'"'s eye view of a vehicle function, a traffic sign display function, an automatic verbal warning emission in a user preferred language function, a voice modulation function, a DSRC reception function, a DSRC transmission function, and a DSRC server function.

14-59. -59. (canceled)

60. An improved steering apparatus to effect the steering of an automotive vehicle, said apparatus comprising a steering device, an airbag module having an expandable airbag, and a indication device, wherein said airbag module is deployably mounted to said steering device to form a steering assembly, and wherein said indication device is mounted to said steering assembly, and wherein when a portable wireless monitoring device having the means to detect a first condition from a second condition detects a second condition and transmits a second condition indication signal, said indication device indicates a second condition.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said first condition defines a predetermined acceptable condition and wherein said second condition defines an unacceptable condition.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said monitoring device defines a seatbelt tension monitoring device and wherein said acceptable condition defines a first seatbelt load range and wherein said second condition defines a second seatbelt load range.

63. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said indication device defines at least one device from the following group of devices comprising an electronic video display device, a light device, and a sound emitting device.

64. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said apparatus includes means to control vehicle devices, and wherein said control means defines at least one control means of the following group of control means consisting of a touch activatable display screen control means and a voice activatable control means.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein said control means provides the means to control at least one function of the following group of functions consisting of a phone call function, a vehicle climate change function, a vehicle speed change function, a vehicle entertainment activation function, a vehicle global positioning display activation function, a vehicle turn indication signal activation function, a vehicle windshield wiper activation function, a vehicle light activation function, a vehicle horn activation function, a vehicle performance indication display function, a vehicle real time blind spot observation function, a vehicle real time rear cabin area observation function, a vehicle rearward direction real time observation function, a public address function, a memo dictation and record function, an electronic data download function, an electronic data upload function, a displayed menu customization function, a real time bird'"'"'s eye view of a vehicle function, a traffic sign display function, an automatic verbal warning emission in a user preferred language function, a voice modulation function, a DSRC reception function, a DSRC transmission function, and a DSRC server function.

66-70. -70. (canceled)

71. A steering apparatus having means to control the performance of predetermined functions, said apparatus comprising a steering wheel, an airbag module having an airbag, and an electronic display screen, wherein said airbag module is deployably mounted to said steering wheel, said airbag module having an external surface defining a deployable flap, and wherein said electronic display screen is mounted to said deployable flap such that said display screen is viewably accessable to a driver of a vehicle, and wherein when said airbag module is deployed, said airbag expands in a first direction and said display screen moves in a second direction.

72. the steering apparatus of claim 71 wherein when said airbag module is deployed, said deployable flap retains said display screen.

73. The steering apparatus of claim 72 wherein said deployable flap includes a retaining cavity and wherein said display screen is viewably contained within said retaining cavity and wherein when said airbag module is deployed, said display screen is substantially retained within said cavity.

74. The steering apparatus of claim 73, wherein when said airbag module is deployed, said display screen is fragmented to form display screen fragments and wherein said display screen fragments are substantially retained within said retaining cavity.

75. The steering apparatus of claim 71, wherein said control means defines a touch activated display screen having at least one predetermined area of said display screen defining a virtual control button such that touching said virtual control button on said display screen controls the performance of a predetermined function.

76. The steering apparatus of claim 71, wherein said control means defines a voice actuation control means to control the performance of predetermined functions.

77. The steering apparatus of claim 75, wherein said control means further defines a communication means for communication between said display screen and a function performing device.

78. The steering apparatus of claim 77, wherein said communication means defines at least one communication means of the following group of communication means comprising a wire a wireless communication means and a non-wireless communication means.

79. The steering apparatus of claim 71 wherein said predetermined function defines at least one function of the following group of functions comprising warning of a vehicle hazard function, warning of a traffic hazard function, activation of a vehicle real-time sight enhancement system function, activation of a vehicle comfort system function, activation of a vehicle global positioning system type navigation system function and activation of a vehicle post crash notification system function.