# US 12,759,611 B2 · Steering wheel-mounted button module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,759,611 B2 - Document ID: US12759611B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/883,744 - Filed: 2024-09-12 - Published: 2025-10-23 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2024-04-19 - Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Corporation - Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Corporation - Inventors: Eun Sik Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759611B2 ## CPC - B62D 1/046: {Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches} - 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 steering wheel-mounted button module may include a case mounted on a steering wheel body, a retractable unit installed inside the case to be movable forward and backward, and a button unit rotatably installed on the retractable unit. In particular, the button unit includes a rear end elastically supported to rotate away from the retractable unit and a button. The button unit may rotate forward to unfold based on the retractable unit moving forward out of the case. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering wheel-mounted button module, comprising: a case mounted on a steering wheel body; a retractable unit installed inside the case and configured to move forward and backward; and a button unit rotatably installed on the retractable unit and positionable in a concealed state in which the button unit is positioned inside the case, the button unit having a rear end elastically supported to rotate away from the retractable unit and comprising at least one button, wherein forward movement of the retractable unit out of the case causes the button unit to rotate toward a front side of the steering wheel body and transition from the concealed state to an exposed state, and wherein the case and the retractable unit are provided with a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member, respectively, to attract each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 1, wherein the case is provided with guide slots formed on inner sides thereof into which guide protrusions protruding on sides of the retractable unit are inserted and guided. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 1, wherein the case is mounted on an upper surface of the steering wheel body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 3, wherein the first magnetic member is provided on sides of a front end of the case, and the second magnetic member is provided on sides of a rear surface of a front frame attached to the front end of the retractable unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 1, wherein the retractable unit comprises: a main frame configured to move within the case; a front frame extending downward from a front of the main frame; side frames extending downward from side ends of the main frame; and a rear frame extending downward from a rear end of the main frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 5, wherein the side frames are formed from a center to the rear end along the side ends of the main frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 6, wherein the button unit, at the rear end thereof, is hinged to front ends of the side frames. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 5, wherein the front frame is provided with a handle to operate the retractable unit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 8, wherein the handle protrudes downward from sides of a lower end of the front frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 5, wherein the button unit comprises: a button pad with the at least one button; a hinge pin penetrating through a rear end of the button pad and rotatably coupled to the retractable unit; and an elastic member provided on the hinge pin to elastically support the button pad to rotate away from the retractable unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 10, wherein the button unit is positioned at a bottom of the main frame, and the hinge pin is rotatably coupled to a front end of the side frames. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 10, wherein the button pad is provided with step portions that are situated on sides of the main frame. ### Claim 13 A steering wheel-mounted button module comprising: a case mounted on a steering wheel body; a retractable unit installed inside the case and configured to move forward and backward; a button unit rotatably installed on the retractable unit and positionable in a concealed state in which the button unit is positioned inside the case, the button unit having a rear end elastically supported to rotate away from the retractable unit and comprising a button; and a drive unit installed on the case to provide power to move the retractable unit, wherein forward movement of the retractable unit out of the case causes the button unit to rotate toward a front of the steering wheel body and transition from the concealed state to an exposed state, and wherein the drive unit is provided with a gear shaft with threads on an outer surface thereof, and the retractable unit, on one side thereof, is provided with a gear shaft connector through which the gear shaft passes, the gear shaft connector having threads formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 13, wherein the drive unit is installed on one side of the case. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 13, wherein the case comprises guide slots formed on inner sides thereof into which guide protrusions protruding on sides of the retractable unit are inserted and guided. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The steering wheel-mounted button module of claim 13, wherein the case is mounted on an upper surface of the steering wheel body.