US 11,685,307 B2Granted

Turn signal control system and methods

AssigneeDSRJ Inc.

InventorDoug Paul

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Abstract

An aspect of the disclosure sets forth a turn signal system for a steering wheel that is easier to use and improves turn signal usage compliance and, accordingly, safety. The turn signal system includes at least one hand location detection sensor; at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism which is actuatable by the operator; a turn signal control, the turn signal control operatively connected to the at least one hand location detection sensor and the at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism, the turn signal control also operatively connected to left and right turn signals of the vehicle to indicate a turn to the left or right. Wherein actuation of the at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism by a hand of the operator of the vehicle provides a signal to the turn signal control to indicate a turn to the left or right.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A turn signal system for a steering wheel, the turn signal system comprising:

at least one hand location detection sensor on at least on one side of the steering wheel facing an operator;
at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism on at least an opposite side of the steering wheel from the at least one hand location detection sensor, the at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism actuatable by the operator;
and
a turn signal control, the turn signal control operatively connected to the at least one hand location detection sensor and the at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism, the turn signal control also operatively connected to left and right turn signals of the vehicle to indicate a turn to the left or right;
wherein actuation of the at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism by a hand of the operator of the vehicle provides a signal to the turn signal control to indicate a turn to the left or right;
wherein the turn signal control determines if the operator has one or two hands on the steering wheel and determines a left and right side on the steering wheel;
and
wherein the least one pressure actuated switch mechanism is configured to be actuatable by constant pressure applied by a left side or right side of the operator's hand to indicate a left turn or right turn of the vehicle, respectively.

5 more elements

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing code representative of control of a turn signal system by a turn signal control, the code enabling the turn signal control to:

determine whether an operator is grasping a steering wheel;
monitoring a location and a number of hands grasping the steering wheel;
determine locations of at least one of right hand and left hand on the steering wheel;
determine whether pressure is applied to the steering wheel to indicate a turn;
determine whether the pressure applied indicates a left turn or a right turn depending the pressure location with respect to the location of the right hand or left hand;
and
actuate a right turn signal or a left turn signal dependent on the pressure indicating a left turn or a right turn;
and
ceasing actuating of the right turn signal or the left turn signal when pressure indicating a left turn or a right turn is no longer applied to the steering wheel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/186,170Filed 26 Feb 2021
Published: US 2022/0274522 A11 Sep 2022
Granted: 27 Jun 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B60Q 1/343
For indicating change of drive direction: manually actuated switching arrangements therefor
B60Q 1/346
For indicating change of drive direction: with automatic actuation
B60Q 1/0082
Switches therefor: mounted on the steering wheel
B62D 1/046
Hand wheels: adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches