Dual-state steering wheel/input device

US9333983B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT · DE
• AUDI AG · DE

Inventors

• William Brian Lathrop · San Jose, US
• James Toggweiler · San Francisco, US
• Erik Robert Glaser · San Francisco, US
• Nathaniel Coser · Palo Alto, US
• Bryan Grant · Veseli, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 11, 2013
• Grant date: May 10, 2016
• Expiry date: Jul 11, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/20256
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A steering wheel is configured as a dual-state input device configured to operate in two distinct states based on a current driving mode. In a manual driving mode, the input device is configured to control a limited set of vehicle functions and in an autonomous mode the input device is configured to control an expanded set of vehicle functions. The steering wheel includes a wheel rim movably mounted on a steering column and a hub disposed within a center of the wheel rim on the steering column, the main body portion comprising an interactive touch screen disposed on the main body portion. The wheel rim is configured to disengage from the hub and move along the steering column to a retracted position.