Vehicle steering device

• US 6,739,620 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Derrick, John-Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Application Number:
  US10/103,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20020135163A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/743.1, 280/728.3, 280/750, 280/771, 745/52, 744/92
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1484 mounted on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21658 with integrated switches, e.g. horn switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle steering device comprising a steering wheel which has a gas bag module with a gas bag and a covering cap on a front side. The covering cap closes an outlet opening for the gas bag up to its unfolding. At least one of a display- and operating device is arrange in the covering cap. The outlet opening runs around at least one of the display- and operating device.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering device comprising:

a rotatable steering wheel which has a gas bag module with a gas bag and a covering cap on a front side, said covering cap closing an outlet opening for said gas bag up until unfolding of said gas bag,

an electronic display device arranged in said covering cap and remaining fastened stationary on said steering wheel on unfolding of said gas bag, said display device rotating together along with the rotatable steering wheel,

multifunctional electronic switches coupled with said display device via a control arrangement, said display device providing a display which indicates a function of said multifunctional switches,

said gas bag, on unfolding, having a front wall onto which an occupant can strike, said gas bag having a central indentation extending from the front wall to said display device in the inflated state of said gas bag, and

said outlet opening running around said display device.

2. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein said outlet opening has a closed ring shape.

3. The vehicle steering device according to claim 2, wherein said gas bag has a ring shape on unfolding via said outlet opening.

4. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein said display device is a screen to display various data corresponding to said multifunctional switches.

5. The vehicle steering device according to claim 4, wherein said screen is constructed for at least one of the following information reproduction purposes:

speed display,

navigation display,

PC display,

radio display, and

telephone display.

6. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein a steering angle detection sensor is coupled via a control arrangement with said display device, said display device always providing a horizontally aligned display independently of the angular position of the steering wheel.

7. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein an operating device is arranged in the part of the covering pad which remains stationary on unfolding of the gas bag so as to form a combined display and operating device.

8. The vehicle steering device according to claim 7, wherein said combined display and operating device is a touch screen.

9. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein in said covering cap an operating device is provided in the form of a touch pad.

10. A vehicle steering device comprising:

a steering wheel which has a gas bag module with a gas bag and a covering cap on a front side, said covering cap closing an outlet opening for said gas bag until unfolding of said gas bag,

an electronic display device arranged in said covering cap and remaining fastened stationary on said steering wheel on unfolding of said gas bag,

a steering angle detection sensor coupled via a control arrangement with said display device,

said gas bag, on unfolding, having a front wall onto which an occupant can strike, which front wall has a central indentation extending to said display device in the inflated state of said gas bag,

said outlet opening running around said display device, and

said display device always providing a horizontally aligned display independently of the angular position of the steering wheel.

11. The vehicle steering device according to claim 10, wherein an operating device is arranged in the part of the covering pad which remains stationary on unfolding of the gas bag so as to form a combined display and operating device.

12. The vehicle steering device according to claim 11, wherein said combined display and operating device is a touch screen.

13. The vehicle steering device according to claim 11, wherein said combined display and operating device is a touch pad.