Dial system for a steering wheel of an automobile

• US 7,548,770 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2006
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sunrex Technology Company Limited (Best Elite Holdings Limited)
• Original Assignee: Sunrex Technology Company Limited (Best Elite Holdings Limited)
• Inventors: Tsai, Huo-Lu
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Lana N
• Assistant Examiner(s): HU, RUI MENG
• Application Number:
  US11/325,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20070155439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/570, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/575.9, 455/90.3, 455/99, 455/345, 455/346, 455347-351, 379/58, 379/59, 379/428, 379/60
• US Class Current: 455/575.9
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• 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: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/18 including more than one keyboard unit

Abstract

A dial system for steering wheel of an automobile includes two dials respectively mounted on the steering wheel and each having a first housing and a dial set received in the first housing. The dial set includes a number button and multiple functional buttons partially extending the first housing for being operated. A circuit board is received in the first housing for wirelessly transmitting signals when the buttons are operated. A second housing is mounted to the first housing to form a space for receiving the dial set and the circuit board. A battery seat with a battery is laterally inserted into the space for providing power to the circuit board. A controller is disposed on the automobile for receiving and processing the signals from the first dial and the second dial.

Claims

1. A dial system for a steering wheel of an automobile comprising a first dial, a second dial respectively mounted on two opposite sides of the steering wheel and a controller disposed on the automobile for receiving and processing signals from the first dial and the second dial, wherein:

each of the first dial and the second dial comprises;

a first housing including a longitudinal opening, a plurality of stubs, and a stopper having a plurality of bores;

a dial set received in the first housing and including a metal plate mounted to the first housing, and a plurality of number buttons secured on the metal plate and received in the longitudinal opening in the first housing;

a circuit board received in the first housing, the circuit board including a plurality of button switches electrically mounted thereon, each button switch aligning with a corresponding one of the longitudinal number buttons such that the button switch is operated when the corresponding number button is pressed, and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter electrically disposed on the circuit board for wirelessly transmitting the signals to the controller;

a second housing mounted to the first housing to form a space for receiving the dial set and the circuit board;

a battery seat with a battery laterally inserted into a space between the first housing and the second housing, the battery electrically connected to the circuit board for supplying power to the circuit board when the battery seat is inserted into the space between the first housing and the second housing; and

a clamp mounted to the bottom of the second housing and adapted to clamp the steering wheel to hold the dial system in place on the steering wheel; and

the controller comprises;

a circuit board with a bluetooth circuit mounted therein for transmitting the signals to a mobile phone having a bluetooth module; and

a microphone and a speaker respectively disposed on the controller such that a driver can use the speaker and the microphone for conversation while driving without holding the mobile phone; and

wherein the stubs extend through the metal plate and the bores of the stopper to hold the metal plate in place; and

further comprising a cable interconnecting the first dial and the second dial such that the first dial and the second dial are adapted to share power and the RF transmitter.