Steering system

• US 6,349,616 B1
• Filed: 11/08/1999
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Onodera, Mikio, Mitsuzuka, Katsuya
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US09/435,153
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 745/52, 341/22, 341/23, 200/54, 200/533, 200/61.54, 200/61.55
• US Class Current: 74/552
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/782 on the steering wheel
• 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0082 mounted on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/0006 for converting electric switches H01H13/564 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/0018 for allowing different operating parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/20 wherein an auxiliary movement thereof, or of an attachment thereto, is necessary before the main movement is possible or effective, e.g. for unlatching, for coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/20 Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels

Abstract

A steering system mounted wherein a plurality of switch knobs are vertically movably inserted in a housing provided within a steering wheel, and a self-function detecting switch actuated by the pushing operation of each of the switch knobs is mounted on a printed circuit board located on the underside of said housing. The self-function detecting switch is comprised of four push switches having one driving pin. A driving portion is formed on the underside of each of the switch knobs to simultaneously press one or a plurality of driving pins. The shape of the driving portion varies with the switch knob to be used. The switch knob is restricted, by the holding cover openably provided on the steering wheel, so as not to fall out of the housing. When the operator presses any arbitrary switch knob projecting out of the holding cover, a specific identifying signal is outputted from the self-function detecting switch in accordance with the shape of the projection of the driving portion provided on the switch knob.

Claims

1. A steering system in which a plurality of switch knobs are mounted on a steering wheel, each switch knob indicating a different type of function, said switch knobs being removably arranged in a plurality of arrangement positions on said steering wheel, and a plurality of self-function detecting switches for outputting identifying signals in accordance with the type of function of each switch knob, wherein each of said switch knobs comprises a driving portion of a different shape in accordance with the type of function of said switch knob, and wherein said self-function detecting switches output a different identifying signal in accordance with the type of function of each of said switch knobs in response to the shape of the driving portion of each of said switch knobs.

2. A steering system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said self-function detecting switch has a plurality of driving pins each capable of independently changing over a contact point, and the shape of the driving portion of each of said switch knobs is capable of pressing at least one of said driving pins provided in said self-function detecting switch.

3. A steering system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said steering wheel is provided with a holding cover which is movable between an opened position to permit the switch knobs to be arranged in the plurality of arrangement positions and a closed position to prevent accidental removal of said switch knobs from said steering wheel, said holding cover comprising an engagement portion that is releasebly engaged by a lock member on said steering wheel to lock said holding cover in the closed position.

4. A steering system as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is provided a detecting switch for detecting the opened position and the closed position of said holding cover, and a warning means which is operated by a signal outputted from said detecting switch when said holding cover is in the opened position.

5. A steering system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steering wheel is provided with a holding cover which is movable between an opened position to permit the switch knobs to be arranged in the plurality of arrangement positions and a closed position to prevent accidental removal of said switch knobs from said steering wheel, said holding cover comprising an engagement portion that is releasebly engaged by a lock member on said steering wheel to lock said holding cover in the closed position.

6. A steering system as claimed in claim 5, wherein there is provided a detecting switch for detecting the opened position and the closed position of said holding cover, and a warning means which is operated by a signal outputted from said detecting switch when said holding cover is in the opened position.

7. A steering system in which a plurality of switch knobs are mounted on a steering wheel, each switch knob indicating a different type of function, said switch knobs being removably arranged in a plurality of arrangement positions on said steering wheel, and a plurality of self-function detecting switches for outputting identifying signals in accordance with the type of function of each switch knob, wherein each of said switch knobs comprises a driving portion of a different shape in accordance with the type of function of said switch knob, wherein each of said self-function detecting switches has a plurality of driving pins each capable of independently changing over a contact point, wherein the shape of the driving portion of each of said switch knobs is capable of pressing at least one of said driving pins provided in said self-function detecting switch, and wherein said self-function detecting switches output a different identifying signal in accordance with the type of function of each of said switch knobs in response to the shape of the driving portion of each of said switch knobs pressing at least one of said plurality of driving pins in said self-function detecting switch.

8. A steering system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said steering wheel is provided with a holding cover which is movable between an opened position to permit the switch knobs to be arranged in the plurality of arrangement positions and a closed position to prevent accidental removal of said switch knobs from said steering wheel, said holding cover comprising an engagement portion that is releasebly engaged by a lock member on said steering wheel to lock said holding cover in the closed position.

9. A steering system as claimed in claim 8, wherein there is provided a detecting switch for detecting the opened position and the closed position of said holding cover, and a warning means which is operated by a signal outputted from said detecting switch when said holding cover is in the opened position.

10. A steering system in which a plurality of switch knobs are mounted on a steering wheel, each switch knob indicating a different type of function, said switch knobs being removably arranged in a plurality of arrangement positions on said steering wheel, and a plurality of self-function detecting switches for outputting identifying signals in accordance with the type of function of each switch knob, wherein each of said switch knobs comprises a driving portion of a different shape in accordance with the type of function of said switch knob, wherein said self-function detecting switches output a different identifying signal in accordance with the type of function of each of said switch knobs in response to the shape of the driving portion of each of said switch knobs, and wherein said steering wheel is provided with a holding cover which is movable between an opened position to permit the switch knobs to be arranged in the plurality of arrangement positions and a closed position to prevent accidental removal of said switch knobs from said steering wheel, said holding cover comprising an engagement portion that is releasebly engaged by a lock member on said steering wheel to lock said holding cover in the closed position.

11. A steering system as claimed in claim 10, wherein there is provided a detecting switch for detecting the opened position and the closed position of said holding cover, and a warning means which is operated by a signal outputted from said detecting switch when said holding cover is in the opened position.

12. A steering system in which a plurality of switch knobs are mounted on a steering wheel, each switch knob indicating a different type of function, said switch knobs being removably arranged in a plurality of arrangement positions on said steering wheel, and a plurality of self-function detecting switches for outputting identifying signals in accordance with the type of function of each switch knob, wherein each of said switch knobs comprises a driving portion of a different shape in accordance with the type of function of said switch knob, wherein each of said self-function detecting switches has a plurality of driving pins each capable of independently changing over a contact point, wherein the shape of the driving portion of each of said switch knobs is capable of pressing at least one of said driving pins provided in said self-function detecting switch, wherein said self-function detecting switches output a different identifying signal in accordance with the type of function of each of said switch knobs in response to the shape of the driving portion of each of said switch knobs pressing at least one of said plurality of driving pins in said self-function detecting switch, wherein said steering wheel is provided with a holding cover which is movable between an opened position to permit the switch knobs to be arranged in the plurality of arrangement positions and a closed position to prevent accidental removal of said switch knobs from said steering wheel, said holding cover comprising an engagement portion that is releasebly engaged by a lock member on said steering wheel to lock said holding cover in the closed position, and wherein there is provided a detecting switch for detecting the opened position and the closed position of said holding cover, and a warning means which is operated by a signal outputted from said detecting switch when said holding cover is in the opened position.

13. A steering system in which a plurality of switch knobs are mounted on a steering wheel, each switch knob indicating a different type of function, said switch knobs being removably arranged in a plurality of arrangement positions on said steering wheel, and a plurality of self-function detecting switches for outputting identifying signals in accordance with the type of function of each switch knob, wherein each of said switch knobs comprises a driving portion of a different shape in accordance with the type of function of said switch knob, wherein said self-function detecting switches output a different identifying signal in accordance with the type of function of each of said switch knobs in response to the shape of the driving portion of each of said switch knobs, wherein said steering wheel is provided with a holding cover which is movable between an opened position to permit the switch knobs to be arranged in the plurality of arrangement positions and a closed position to prevent accidental removal of said switch knobs from said steering wheel, said holding cover comprising an engagement portion that is releasebly engaged by a lock member on said steering wheel to lock said holding cover in the closed position, and wherein there is provided a detecting switch for detecting the opened position and the closed position of said holding cover, and a warning means which is operated by a signal outputted from said detecting switch when said holding cover is in the opened position.