Floating contact assembly for a steering wheel
US7029284B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20834
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is directed towards an electrical contact assembly in a steering wheel that allows the contacts of a primary circuit board to move relative to the corresponding contacts of a secondary circuit board without disengaging the electrical connection. Thus, any minor deviation in the positioning of the primary or secondary circuit board may be compensated for without the loss of electrical contact. The primary circuit board is located in the center of the steering wheel around the steering column. The primary circuit board includes left and right arms which engage and cooperate with left and right button assemblies on the steering wheel to actuate various vehicle controls, such as radio volume and tuning control, in the vehicle. The arms include leaf-spring contacts which resiliently and non-fixedly engage the secondary circuit board which is connected to control buttons on the steering wheel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.