Multifunction steering wheel
First Claim
1. A multifunction steering wheel for operating functions of a vehicle having a steering column comprising:
- steering wheel member rotatably carried on said steering column;
first means supported on said steering column member for receiving instruction from an operator;
means for maintaining said first means stationary relative to said steering column;
transmitting means responsive to said first means for generating a radiant energy signal in accordance with said instruction;
receiving means disposed on said vehicle and receptive of said radiant energy signal for operating said vehicle functions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The multifunction steering wheel controls the operation of vehicle functions or devices such as headlights, windshield wipers, cruise control, and so forth, using a transmitter/receiver pair to convey information relative to the operation of the devices between the rotatable steering wheel and stationary steering column or between an anti-rotating control pad and the steering column. In particular, the transmitter/receiver pair may take the form of an optoelectronic infrared transmitter disposed on the steering wheel member and a matching infrared receiver positioned on the steering column within the field of elimination of the transmitter. If desired, a second transmitter/receiver pair conveys information in the opposite direction to confirm that the function or device is properly responding to control.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A multifunction steering wheel for operating functions of a vehicle having a steering column comprising:
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steering wheel member rotatably carried on said steering column; first means supported on said steering column member for receiving instruction from an operator; means for maintaining said first means stationary relative to said steering column; transmitting means responsive to said first means for generating a radiant energy signal in accordance with said instruction; receiving means disposed on said vehicle and receptive of said radiant energy signal for operating said vehicle functions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for operating a vehicle function in a vehicle having a steering wheel comprising:
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first means disposed on said vehicle for receiving instruction from an operator; transmitting means responsive to said first means for generating a radiant energy signal in accordance with said instruction; receiving means disposed on said vehicle and resceptive of said radiant energy signal for operating said vehicle function; and planetary means coupled to said steering wheel for maintaining said first means stationary relative to said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification