IP Library Patent Application 13278268
Patent Application
App. No. 13/278,268

STEERING WHEEL FOR A VEHICLE AND VEHICLE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/278,268
Abstract

A steering wheel is provided for a vehicle with a middle section. The middle section exhibits a front side facing the driver and a rear side facing away from the driver. An input device with at least one scroll wheel is arranged in the region of the middle section. At least one first region of the scroll wheel on the front side of the middle section and a second region of the scroll wheel on the rear side of the middle section are exposed for activation purposes.

Claims (26)

1 . A steering wheel for a vehicle, comprising:

a middle section having a front side facing a driver and a rear side facing away from the driver; and

an input device having a scroll wheel arranged in a region of the middle section,

wherein at least one first region of the scroll wheel on the front side of the middle section and a second region of the scroll wheel on the rear side of the middle section are exposed for activation purposes.

2 . The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the input device comprises an optical rotary pulse generator to detect a change in position of the scroll wheel.

3 . The steering wheel according to claim 1 ,

wherein the scroll wheel comprises a rotational axis around which the scroll wheel is rotatably mounted, and

wherein the scroll wheel are further configured to activate by pressure perpendicular to the rotational axis.

4 . The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the scroll wheel is further configured to activate by laterally pressing the scroll wheel that is parallel to a direction of a rotational axis.

5 . The steering wheel according to claim 3 , wherein the input device is a capacitive switch that is configured to detect a change in position of the scroll wheel.

6 . The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the scroll wheel is mounted on a spherical surface.

7 . The steering wheel according to claim 6 , wherein the scroll wheel is resiliently mounted on the spherical surface.

8 . The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the scroll wheel comprises a diameter of approximately 3 cm≦d≦approximately 6 cm.

9 . The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the scroll wheel is exposed on an entire circumference for activation purposes.

10 . The steering wheel according to claim 1 ,

wherein at least one output device is connected with the input device, and

wherein the at least one output device is a display.

11 . The steering wheel according to claim 10 ,

wherein the at least one output device is connected with the input device, and

wherein the at least one output device is a voice output.

12 . The steering wheel according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one output device is arranged in an instrument cluster.

13 . The steering wheel according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one output device is arranged in the steering wheel.

14 . The steering wheel according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one output device is arranged in in another screen.

15 . The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the scroll wheel is configured to operate an automatic transmission

16 . The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the scroll wheel is configured to operate an infotainment system.

17 . The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the scroll wheel is configured to operates an air conditioner.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2012
From: KAHLER, PETER; WITTORF, MARTEN
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 028734/0712 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 28, 2012
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 028458/0184 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2012
From: SCHRAMM, THOMAS; RATHMACHER, RALF; SCHIEBAHN, MICHAEL
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 027502/0270 →