# US 10,766,518 B2 · Rotation control system for a steering wheel and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,518 B2 - Document ID: US10766518B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/827,511 - Filed: 2017-11-30 - Published: 2018-03-22 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-25 - Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Applicants: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer; Richard K. Riefe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766518B2 ## CPC - B62D 1/183: adjustable between in-use and out-of-use positions, e.g. to improve access - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A rotation control system for a steering wheel is provided. The rotation control system includes a steering wheel and a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft configured to switch the steering wheel between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotation control system for a steering system comprising: a steering wheel having a single steering wheel; a steering shaft operatively coupled to the single steering wheel; at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft, the steering wheel switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition during operation of the vehicle, the rotational condition occurring during a manual driving mode and the non-rotational condition occurring during an autonomous driving mode; and a condition switching device for allowing a user to switch between the rotational condition and the non-rotational condition, the condition switching device comprising at least one of a switch, a button, and a voice prompt. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rotation control system of claim 1, wherein the entire single steering wheel remains stationary in the non-rotational condition. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rotation control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one component decouples the steering shaft from a steering shaft gear operatively coupled to road wheels of a vehicle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rotation control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one component decouples the steering shaft from the steering wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The rotation control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one component comprises a mechanical device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The rotation control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one component comprises an electrical device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The rotation control system of claim 6, wherein the electrical device de-activates a component operatively coupled to the steering wheel. ### Claim 8 An autonomous vehicle driving system comprising: a controller for providing a plurality of autonomous driving functions with a plurality of controller subsystems, wherein one of the controller subsystems comprises a steering wheel rotation control system, the rotation control system comprising: a steering wheel consisting of a single steering wheel; a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel; at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft, the steering wheel switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition during operation of the vehicle, the rotational condition occurring during a manual driving mode and the non-rotational condition occurring during an autonomous driving mode; and a condition switching device for allowing a user to switch between the rotational condition and the non-rotational condition, the condition switching device comprising at least one of a switch, a button, and a voice prompt. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The rotation control system of claim 8, wherein the entire single steering wheel remains stationary in the non-rotational condition. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The autonomous vehicle driving system of claim 8, wherein the at least one component decouples the steering shaft from a steering shaft gear operatively coupled to road wheels of a vehicle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The autonomous vehicle driving system of claim 8, wherein the at least one component decouples the steering shaft from the steering wheel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The autonomous vehicle driving system of claim 8, wherein the at least one component comprises a mechanical device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The autonomous vehicle driving system of claim 8, wherein the at least one component comprises an electrical device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The autonomous vehicle driving system of claim 13, wherein the electrical device de-activates a component operatively coupled to the steering wheel.