Remote control assembly for operating audio components in motor vehicles

• US 5,847,664 A
• Filed: 10/08/1997
• Issued: 12/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Rauch, John E., Repp, James H., Zamplas, George J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/946,821
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 341/20, 341/22, 341/173, 341/174, 341/176, 455/602, 345/161
• US Class Current: 341/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0082 mounted on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0205 for radio sets B60R11/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• 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: G11B 19/027 Remotely controlled remote control systems in general G08C

Abstract

A remote control assembly for operating an audio component in a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel having a front side and a back side, and a control for operating a function of the audio component located on the back side of the steering wheel such that a driver'"'"'s finger can operate the control.

Claims

1. A remote control assembly for operating an audio component in a motor vehicle comprising:

a steering wheel having a front side and a back side; and

a control for operating a function of the audio component located on said back side of said steering wheel such that a driver'"'"'s finger can operate said control, said control being located in close proximity to a center line of said steering wheel.

2. A remote control assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control includes a first switch for operating a first function located on said back side of said steering wheel so that said first switch is operable by a finger of a driver'"'"'s right hand.

3. A remote control assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control includes a second switch for operating a second function located on said back side of said steering wheel so that said second switch is operable by a finger of a driver'"'"'s left hand.

4. A remote control assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first switch controls a seek function and a preset seek function of the audio component.

5. A remote control assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said second switch controls an AM/FM mode function and a volume function of the audio component.

6. A remote control assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control includes a first switch for operating a first function and a second switch for operating a second function, said first and second switches being located on said back side of said steering wheel so that said first switch is operable by a finger of a driver'"'"'s right hand and said second switch is operable by a finger of a driver'"'"'s left hand, said first switch and said second switch being substantially symmetrically disposed on said back side of said steering wheel.

7. A remote control assembly for operating an audio component in a motor vehicle comprising:

a steering wheel having a hub, a rim surrounding the hub and at least one spoke attached at a first end to the hub and at a second end to the rim, the hub extending at a preselected angle from the rim to the hub; and

a control for controlling a function of the audio component located on a back side of the spoke so that a driver'"'"'s finger can operate said control, said preselected angle complimenting a natural resting position of a driver'"'"'s fingers when supported by said rim.

8. A remote control assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said preselected angle is between 30 and 60 degrees.

9. A remote control assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said preselected angle is approximately equal to 40 degrees.

10. A remote control assembly for operating an audio component in a motor vehicle comprising:

a steering wheel having a front side and a back side, said back side including an aperture formed therein; and

a control for operating a function of the audio component located on said back side of said steering wheel such that a driver'"'"'s finger can operate said control, said control including a flange overlapping a rim defining said aperture.

11. A remote control assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said control is secured within said aperture by a snap fit.

12. A remote control assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said snap fit is effectuated by cooperation of an arm extending from said control and an infra-structure of said steering wheel.