Signal transmission apparatus for steering control board

• US 4,635,029 A
• Filed: 06/17/1983
• Issued: 01/06/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Yamada, Takahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruehl, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/505,549
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: 180/78, 180/79, 180/90, 340/22, 307/10 R, 455/608, 339/3 S
• US Class Current: 398/136
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/027 between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column devices for measuring, signalling or controlling tyre pressure or temperature specially adapted for mounting on vehicles B60C23/00

Abstract

An apparatus for transmitting signals between a load-vehicle stationary unit and a control board mounted on a steering wheel. A light is utilized as a means for transmitting information. The control board is mounted on the steering wheel in a floating relation with such a structure that the relative position between the stationary unit and the control board remains unchanged. A plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements opposite to the formers are disposed at different positions in accordance with the shape and position of one or more spoke of the steering wheel, so that all light beams are not interrupted by the spoke of the wheel at the same time. The light emitting and receiving means are provided on each of the stationary unit and the control board to permit bidirectional transmission of signals.

Claims

1. A signal transmission apparatus for a steering control board comprising:

a steering control board disposed near a steering wheel in a floating relation with respect to said steering wheel and equipped with switches;

stationary member for supporting said steering wheel;

at least two light emitting means disposed on at least either one of said steering control board and said stationary member at different positions located outside of the position where at least one spoke for supporting said steering wheel is supported, so that all of said light emitting means are not entered in the projected area of said spoke at the same time;

at least two light receiving means disposed on at least the other one of said steering control board and said stationary member at positions opposite to said light emitting means, respectively, whereby at least one light path between one of the light emitting means and the opposed light receiving means is maintained at all times during rotation of the steering wheel;

a light emission energizing means adapted to energize said light emitting means;

a modulating means connected to said light emission energizing means;

a first control means adapted to control said modulating means;

a signal detecting means connected to said light receiving means;

a demodulating means connected to said signal detecting means; and

a second control means adapted to control said demodulating means.

2. A signal transmission apparatus for a steering control board according to claim 1, wherein said stationary member is provided with a first gear for rotatably supporting a steering shaft, said steering control board is provided with a second gear rotatably supported by said steering shaft or said steering wheel, and a member connecting said steering shaft and said steering wheel is provided with a third gear in mesh with said first gear and a fourth gear in mesh with said second gear, said third and fourth gears being connected to each other.

3. A signal transmission apparatus for a steering control board according to claim 2, wherein said first and second gears have the same number of teeth, and said third and fourth gears have the same number of teeth.

4. A signal transmission apparatus for a steering control board according to claim 2, wherein said third and fourth gears are secured at both ends of a shaft rotatably penetrating said spoke for supporting said steering wheel.

5. A signal transmission apparatus for a steering control board according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting and receiving means are provided on each of said control board and said stationary member in number at least two.

6. A signal transmission apparatus for a steering control board comprising:

a stationary member mounted on a vehicle body;

a first gear secured to said stationary member;

a steering shaft penetrating the central portion of said first gear;

a steering wheel secured to said steering shaft and having at least one spoke;

a second gear supported by said steering shaft or said steering wheel to be rotatable with respect to said steering wheel and having the same number of teeth as said first gear;

a steering wheel control board supported by said second gear and equipped with switches;

a gear shaft rotatably penetrating said spoke of said steering wheel;

a third gear secured at one end of said gear shaft and in mesh with said first gear;

a fourth gear secured at the other end of said gear shaft and in mesh with said second gear;

at least two light emitting means disposed on at least either one of said steering control board and said stationary member at different positions located outside of the position where said spoke for supporting said steering wheel is supported, so that all of said light emitting means are not entered in the projected area of said spoke at the same time;

at least two light receiving means disposed on at least the other one of said steering control board and said stationary member at positions opposite to said light emitting means, respectively, whereby at least one light path between one of the light emitting means and the opposed light receiving means is maintained at all times during rotation of the steering wheel;

a light emission energizing means adapted to energize said light emitting means;

a modulating means connected to said light emission energizing means;

a first control means adapted to control said modulating means;

a signal detecting means connected to said light receiving means;

a demodulating means connected to said signal detecting means; and

a second control means adapted to control said demodulating means.

7. A signal transmission apparatus for a steering control board according to claim 7, wherein said light emitting and receiving means are provided on each of said control board and said stationary member in number at least two.