STEERING ARRANGEMENT

• US 20160375926A1
• Filed: 03/03/2016
• Published: 12/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lubischer, Frank P., Riefe, Richard K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,845,103 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/183 adjustable between in-use and out-of-use positions, e.g. to improve access

Abstract

A steering arrangement provided with an autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel. The steering wheel is selectively coupled to a steering shaft. The steering wheel is selectively switched between a rotatable condition and a non-rotatable condition by an advanced driver assist system. The steering wheel has a steering wheel body defining a receptacle and a convenience assembly that is movable between an open position and a closed position.

Claims

1. A steering arrangement in a selectively autonomous vehicle, comprising:

a steering wheel selectively coupled to a steering shaft, the steering wheel having a driver convenience assembly movable between a closed position and an open position; and

a controller in communication with the vehicle, the controller programmed to, in response to a request to activate an advanced driver assist system, operatively decouple the steering wheel from the steering shaft and enable the driver convenience assembly to move from the closed position towards the open position.

2. The steering arrangement of claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed to, in response to the request to activate the advanced driver assist system, inhibit rotation of the steering wheel.

3. The steering arrangement of claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed to, in response to the request to activate the advanced driver assist system, move the steering wheel from an extended position towards a retracted position.

4. The steering arrangement of claim 1, wherein the driver convenience assembly includes a cover coupled to at least one of a steering wheel body and a rim that extends at least partially about a steering wheel body.

5. The steering arrangement of claim 4 wherein the steering wheel body defines a receptacle that is covered by the cover when in the closed position.

6. The steering arrangement of claim 4, wherein the driver convenience assembly includes a locking mechanism coupled to the steering wheel body, the locking mechanism inhibiting movement of the cover away from the closed position while the advanced driver assist system is deactivated.

7. A steering arrangement provided with an autonomous vehicle, comprising:

a steering wheel, selectively coupled to a steering shaft and selectively switched between a rotatable condition and a non-rotatable condition by an advanced driver assist system, the steering wheel having;

a steering wheel body defining a receptacle; and

a convenience assembly movable between an open position and a closed position.

8. The steering arrangement of claim 7, wherein the steering wheel is movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

9. The steering arrangement of claim 7, wherein the convenience assembly includes a door pivotally connected to the steering wheel body, the door movable between the closed position and the open position to selectively permit access to the receptacle.

10. The steering arrangement of claim 9, wherein the door is enabled to move from the closed position towards the open position in response to the steering wheel being decoupled from the steering shaft and the steering wheel being in the non-rotatable condition.

11. The steering arrangement of claim 9, wherein the door is inhibited from moving away from the closed position while the steering wheel is operatively coupled to the steering shaft and the steering wheel being in the rotatable condition.

12. A steering arrangement, comprising:

a steering wheel is provided with an autonomous vehicle, the steering wheel having a driver convenience assembly, the driver convenience assembly is enabled for use in response to activation of an advanced driver assist system and the steering wheel being in a non-rotatable condition.

13. The steering arrangement of claim 12, further comprising an adjustment assembly that translates the steering wheel from an extended position towards a retracted position, in response to a request to activate the advanced driver assist system.

14. The steering arrangement of claim 13, wherein when the steering wheel is in the retracted position the steering wheel is in the non-rotatable condition.

15. The steering arrangement of claim 13, wherein when the steering wheel is in the retracted position the steering wheel is operatively decoupled from a steering shaft.

16. The steering arrangement of claim 12, wherein the driver convenience assembly includes:

a panel connected to a steering wheel body, the panel being movable between a closed position and an open position; and

an extensible member received within a recess defined by the steering wheel body and connected to the steering wheel body, the extensible member movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

17. The steering arrangement of claim 16, wherein the panel is enabled to move between the closed position and the open position when the steering wheel is in the non-rotatable condition and the advanced driver assist system is activated.

18. The steering arrangement of claim 16, wherein the extensible member is movable between the stowed position and the deployed position when the panel is in the open position.

19. The steering arrangement of claim 16, wherein the extensible member defines a working surface and a stop surface disposed opposite the working surface.

20. The steering arrangement of claim 19, wherein the stop surface engages a rim of the steering wheel when the extensible member is in the deployed position.