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US 11,453,429 B2Granted
Steering wheel assembly
AssigneeZf Automotive Safety Germany GmbH
InventorsMatthias Helmstetter, Jeff Harvey, Christopher Baucher, Marco Tumminello, Christopher Staab
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about first and second pivot axes, respectively, between a steering position and a folded position. At least one linear actuator is connected to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Actuation of the linear actuator pivots the first and second rim portions about the first and second pivot axes.
Claims23
A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a support member connectable to a vehicle steering column;
- a steering wheel having first and second rim portions pivotable about first and second pivot axes, respectively, between a steering position and a folded position;
- at least one linear actuator connected to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions, actuation of the at least one linear actuator pivoting the first and second rim portions about the first and second pivot axes;
- a first link having a first end connected to the support member;
- a second link having a first end connected to the support member;
- a first pivot extension on an end of the first rim portion, a first end of the first pivot extension being pivotably connected to a second end of the first link, a second end of the first pivot extension being operably connected to the at least one linear actuator, linear motion of the at least one linear actuator causing the first pivot extension to pivot relative to the second end of the first link, the first rim portion pivoting relative to the support member as the first pivot extension pivots relative to the second end of the first link;
- and
- a second pivot extension on an end of the second rim portion, a first end of the second pivot extension being pivotably connected to a second end of the second link, a second end of the second pivot extension being operably connected to the at least one linear actuator, the linear motion of the at least one linear actuator causing the second pivot extension to pivot relative to the second end of the second link, the second rim portion pivoting relative to the support member as the second pivot extension pivots relative to the second end of the second link.
5 more elements
A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a support member connectable to a vehicle steering column;
- a steering wheel having first and second rim portions pivotable about first and second pivot axes, respectively, between a steering position and a folded position;
- and
- at least one linear actuator connected to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions, actuation of the at least one linear actuator pivoting the first and second rim portions about the first and second pivot axes;
- wherein
- an end of the first rim portion has having a first pivot extension thereon, a first end of the first pivot extension being operably connected to the at least one linear actuator, a second end of the first pivot extension being pivotably connected to the support member, linear motion of the at least one linear actuator causing the first pivot extension to pivot relative to the support member, the first rim portion pivoting relative to the support member as the first pivot extension pivots relative to the support member;
- and
- an end of the second rim portion has having a second pivot extension thereon, a first end of the second pivot extension being operably connected to the at least one linear actuator, a second end of the second pivot extension being pivotably connected to the support member, the linear motion of the at least one linear actuator causing the second pivot extension to pivot relative to the support member, the second rim portion pivoting relative to the support member as the second pivot extension pivots relative to the support member.
5 more elements
A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a support member having a base portion connectable to a vehicle steering column and first and second support arms extending substantially in the same direction as a steering axis from the base portion;
- a steering wheel rotatable about the steering axis and having first and second rim portions pivotable about first and second pivot axes, respectively, between a steering position and a folded position, each of the first and second rim portions having a first end adjacent the first support arm and a second end adjacent the second support arm, the first and second pivot axes extending through the first and second ends of the first and second rim portions;
- at least one first linear actuator having a first mounting portion connected to the support member adjacent the first support arm and a first driving portion operably connected to the first ends of the first and second rim portions;
- and
- at least one second linear actuator having a second mounting portion connected to the support member adjacent the second support arm and a second driving portion operably connected to the second ends of the first and second rim portions, linear motion of the second driving portion relative to the second mounting portion and the first driving portion relative to the first mounting portion pivoting the first and second rim portions about the first and second pivot axes.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.