Vehicle steering wheel
First Claim
1. A vehicle steering wheel comprising:
- a circular rim;
a grip forming a part of the circular rim and being held by a user; and
input units formed inside the circular rim, wherein each of the input units comprises;
a first input switch to detect an input by a pressing action the first input switch located at a position within an area from the grip and located upward with respect to the grip;
a second input switch to detect a second input by a pressing action, the second input switch located at a position within the area and located downward with respect to the grip and at least partially within a user-reach arc defined by a fulcrum on the grip and an arcuately curved line along a movement path encompassing at least part of the first input switch; and
a third input switch longitudinally provided along an arcuate band which is convex relative to a center of the circular rim between the first input switch and the second input switch, to be actuated by a sliding action, and provided such that a first longitudinal end abuts the first input switch and a second longitudinal end abuts the second input switch;
wherein;
the first and second input switches are push-buttons;
the third input switch has a flat surface and the flat surface detects an up-and-down movement;
the third input switch is a sliding surface switch, wherein the sliding surface switch is one of a capacitance system, an infrared radiation system, a surface elastic wave system, an electrical resistance membrane system, and an electromagnetic induction system;
a third-input-switch side of the first input switch projects further toward the user than the flat surface of the third input switch; and
a third-input-switch side of the second input switch projects further forward than the flat surface of the third input switch.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a vehicle steering wheel including a circular rim, a grip forming a part of the rim and being held by a user, and input units formed inside the rim. Each input unit includes first and second input switches to be actuated by a pressing action of a user'"'"'s thumb, and a third input switch provided between the first and second input switches to be actuated by a sliding action of the user'"'"'s thumb on the third input switch while the user is holding the grip. The first input switch is located at a position of the user'"'"'s thumb that can be placed without applying any force when the user is holding the grip. The second input switch is located at a lower position where the user'"'"'s thumb can be placed without changing positions of other four fingers when the user is holding the grip.
28 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A vehicle steering wheel comprising:
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a circular rim; a grip forming a part of the circular rim and being held by a user; and input units formed inside the circular rim, wherein each of the input units comprises; a first input switch to detect an input by a pressing action the first input switch located at a position within an area from the grip and located upward with respect to the grip; a second input switch to detect a second input by a pressing action, the second input switch located at a position within the area and located downward with respect to the grip and at least partially within a user-reach arc defined by a fulcrum on the grip and an arcuately curved line along a movement path encompassing at least part of the first input switch; and a third input switch longitudinally provided along an arcuate band which is convex relative to a center of the circular rim between the first input switch and the second input switch, to be actuated by a sliding action, and provided such that a first longitudinal end abuts the first input switch and a second longitudinal end abuts the second input switch; wherein; the first and second input switches are push-buttons; the third input switch has a flat surface and the flat surface detects an up-and-down movement; the third input switch is a sliding surface switch, wherein the sliding surface switch is one of a capacitance system, an infrared radiation system, a surface elastic wave system, an electrical resistance membrane system, and an electromagnetic induction system; a third-input-switch side of the first input switch projects further toward the user than the flat surface of the third input switch; and a third-input-switch side of the second input switch projects further forward than the flat surface of the third input switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification