PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, Indian Patent App. No. 202121024070 (provisional specification) titled "Advanced Integrated (All in One) Smart Steering Wheel" and filed on May 30, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND USE OF INVENTION: The invention relates to various methods of incorporation of maximum possible driving functions, such as, horn, pass-light, turn-indicators, wind- shield-wipers etc., on or adjacent to the steering wheel/device by the means of one or many varieties of actuators (including, but not limited to, touch/force/pressure/gesture-sensitive, etc. inputs) and arrangement to improvise the utility and/or functionality and/or comfort of steering wheel/device. Automobile and other forms of logistics industry, as well as driver(s)/operator(s) thereof, shall clearly stand to benefit from this invention.

PRIOR ARTS AND PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

• US5855144A - Steering wheel

• US20130192967A1 - Steering wheel assembly with user controls

• US6327932B1 - Steering apparatus

• US6799488B2 -Thumb-accessible control housing for steering device

• US20050021190A1 - Method and apparatus for accessing vehicle systems

• US20120096969A1 - Driver-adaptive method for vehicle actuation with steering wheel controls

• US8738224B2 - Steering wheel system

• US20150097791 A1 - Force sensor with haptic feedback • US20170240095A1 - Steering switch device and steering wheel

• JP5871422B2 - Switch/sensor system for a vehicle steering wheel

• JP2018047895A - Steering wheel sensing pressure of hand

• US20110241850A1 - Steering wheel switch/sensor

The above mentioned prior arts are various forms and attempts of improvisation of the simple steering wheel with evolving concurrent technological developments of the corresponding era. The distinct nature of the present invention from the above listed related prior arts are listed below. There have been quite a few attempts to incorporate a few such functions on the outer side of steering wheel by providing capacitive-touch- switches/sensors and touch/pressure-switches/sensors. But such touch function provided on the outer periphery of the steering wheel seems to be ergonomically impractical and distracting, in the arrangements where the driver has to lift and tap/tap-and-swipe etc., on the steering wheel to execute the desired function(s) such as giving turn-indicators, honking, media-controls etc. Also, most of the prior arts, which come close the present invention disclosed herein, are limited to gesture sensing, capacitive sensors or pressure sensors. Further, they, most often, do not provide for a consistent and continuous functional operation of any given function all around the steering rim/handle. The sensors are discretely arranged at different positions of the steering rim/handle to cater for different commands, which makes it cumbersome for driver to remember what function is to be executed from where; further, the steering rim/handle rotates about its axis to give direction to the vehicle and therefore the functional sensor locations also rotates along with, giving rise to ambiguity and confusion. So, there was a need felt for innovating a better design with significant number of utilities which doesn't distract, but enhances the overall driving experience in terms of functionality and safety. The principal object of this invention is to integrate very important controls such as horn, pass-light, turn-indicators, wind-shield-wipers etc. into the wheel itself or on to certain accessories wherein the driver can access the such controls from almost all the positions of hand(s) on the steering wheel/device in a practical manner without having to lift-off or move-off to hub or spoke or pillar of steering wheel assembly. Also, in the present invention, further objective is to provide for such functions in the manner, wherein, any given function is seamlessly available all around the steering rim/handle in the circular-locus or along-the-steering-holding region (if the steering is non-circular), on, around or adjacent to the plane of steering wheel about its axis of rotation. Thus, the driver will never have any confusion on selection/actuation of function(s).

With this, the limitations of the prior arts with respect to the present invention is disclosed below:

• US5855144A - Steering wheel o This is one of the closest prior art related to the present invention. But access to any particular function is given at only a particular location of the associated switch and not all along the steering rim/handle.

• US20130192967A1 - Steering wheel assembly with user controls o This patent has plurality of control elements disposed on a user accessible surface. But here again, a given function is not accessible from any given position on the steering rim/handle.

• US6327932B1 - Steering apparatus o This again defines plurality of selectable switching functions with unique vibration feedback associated with particular functions individually. And all such switches are mounted at a particular location and not all around the rim/handle. • US6799488B2 -Thumb-accessible control housing for steering device o This relates to rotary switch and can only be placed at a given location on the rim. And the function therein relates to throttle and braking mainly.

• US20050021190A1 - Method and apparatus for accessing vehicle systems o This again presents the method with 1 ^st actuation of discrete control function with a switch located only at a given position of the steering rim. Also then the user needs to actuate further 2 ^nd level of control using the display and scrolling mechanisms.

• US20120096969A1 - Driver-adaptive method for vehicle actuation with steering wheel controls o This relates to placing of rotatable dials on the steering wheel at fixed locations on the steering wheel for throttle and brake only. And does not provide method for having control switches all around the rim/handle.

• US8738224B2 - Steering wheel system o This is associated with touch sensitive sensor across the steering rim, but has 1 ^st , 2 ^nd , 3 ^rd and 4 ^th unique gesture movements, required for affecting a function or activating a particular algorithm to affect a function.

• US20150097791 A1 - Force sensor with haptic feedback o This patent uses force sensor coupled with haptic feedback to reduce driver distraction. And the force sensor is not directly located on or around the steering rim/handle.

• US20170240095A1 - Steering switch device and steering wheel o This patent discloses a steering switch device on the steering wheel rim in the manner of a linear switch. Wherein the pressing portions are notches or an opening formed on the sensor cover. Doing so the patent again provides for the distinct functions using the linear switches only at certain distinct locations of the linear switch on the steering wheel.

• JP5871422B2 - Switch/sensor system for a vehicle steering wheel o This patent uses three sensor system disposed within interior region of steering wheel for determining the type of contact of driver's hand(s) on the steering wheel - for detecting hand placement.

• JP2018047895A - Steering wheel sensing pressure of hand o This patent again relates to safety system for detecting driver's hand(s) on the steering wheel.

• US20110241850A1 - Steering wheel sensor o This patent focuses on the pressure sensing element and forgoes with any electromechanical, make / break - type of switches. Also, the patent discloses the plurality of switch functions over the length of the sensing element and the sensing is basically limited to touch, pressure and gesture.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION

There have been many types of improvisation in the steering wheel design to increase the functionality and comfort of using a steering wheel. The focus has been to minimize the distractions of a driver by incorporating various functions into to driving wheel such as, horns, media functions, voice commands, phone-controls, dashboard-setting-controls, cruise-control, air- conditioner-controls etc. In-spite of placing all these controls on the steering wheel itself, hardly has there been any attempt to integrate very important controls such as horn, pass-light, turn-indicators, wind-shield-wipers etc. into the wheel itself or on to certain accessories wherein the driver can access such controls from almost all positions of hand(s) on the steering wheel in a practical manner without havingto lift-off or move-off to hub or spoke or pillar of steering wheel assembly. There have been quite a few attempts to incorporate a few such functions on the outer side of steering wheel by providing capacitive-touch-switches/sensors and touch/pressure- switches/sensors. But such touch functions provided on the outer periphery of the steering wheel seems to be ergonomically impractical and distracting, in the arrangements where the driver has to lift and tap/tap-and-swipe the steering wheel to execute the desired function such as giving turn-indicators, honking, media-controls etc. So, there was a need felt for innovating a better design with significant number of utilities which doesn't distract, but enhances the overall driving experience in terms of functionality and safety. The principal object of this invention is to integrate important controls such as horn, pass-light, turn-indicators, wind-shield-wipers etc. into the wheel/device itself or on to certain accessories wherein the driver can access such controls from almost all positions of hand(s) on the steering wheel in a practical manner without having to lift-off or move-off to hub or spoke or pillar of steering wheel assembly. Also, in the present invention, further objective is to provide for such functions in the manner, wherein, any given function is seamlessly available all around the steering rim/handle in the circular-locus or along-the-steering-holding region (if the steering is non-circular), on, around or adjacent to the plane of steering wheel about its axis of rotation. Thus, the driver will never have any confusion on selection of function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide method(s) for incorporating vital steering/driving functionalities ergonomically into the steering wheel/device. This will enable to the driver to minimize distractions and enhance driver's attention with more effective control on the steering wheel/device. The method(s) provided herein are focused on providing the vital driving 'control Actuators' in such manners wherein the driver has no need to lift-off/maneuver their hand(s) from off-the steering wheel to use a certain function such as horn, pass-light, turn-indicators, wind-shield-wipers etc. during the normal course of driving and using such functions. It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below, example embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail with reference to the drawings, which show:

DIAG. 1 (a, b, c): Simplified representations of a typical prevalent steering wheels,

DIAG. 2: Diagrams to illustrate the under-side area (107) of the steering wheel, which can be used for a method according to the invention, DIAG. 3: Diagrams to illustrate the inner-side area (108) of the steering wheel, which can be used for a method according to the invention,

DIAG. 4 (a, b): Diagrams to illustrate the outer-side (109) and top-side (110) area of the steering wheel, which can be used for a method according to the invention, DIAG. 5 (a, b, c, d): Diagrams to illustrate the separate-rim(s) (111), and segment(s) (112) (Full or Partial) adjacent to the steering wheel, which can be used for a method according to the invention, DIAG. 6 (a, b): Diagrams to illustrate the split-rim (113) of the steering wheel, which can be used for a method according to the invention,

DIAG. 7 (a, b, c): Diagrams to illustrate examples of the combinations of actuators, which can be used for a method according to the invention,

DIAG. 8: A diagram to illustrate an example of a ring-actuator (fixed type) (107) having various degrees of freedom for actuation motion (116), according to the invention,

DIAG. 9: A diagram to illustrate an example of a ring-actuator (floating type) (107) having various degrees of freedom for actuation motion (116, 117, 118), according to the invention,

DIAG. 10: A diagram to illustrate an example of a separate-rim-actuator (111) having various degrees of freedom for actuation motion (116, 117, 118, 119), according to the invention, (here 116 and 119 will actuate only one function, as rim is non-segmented).

DIAG. 11 : A diagram to illustrate an example of a segment-actuator (112) having various degrees of freedom for actuation motion (116, 117, 118, 119), according to the invention, (here 116 and 119 will actuate two different functions - if so desired, as the rim is segmented).

DIAG. 12: A diagram to illustrate an example of a 'Method 1' according to the invention,

DIAG. 13: A diagram to illustrate an example of a 'Method 2 ' according to the invention,

DIAG. 14: A diagram to illustrate an example of a 'Method 3' according to the invention,

DIAG. 15: A diagram to illustrate an example of a 'Method 3' according to the invention,

DIAG. 16: A diagram to illustrate an example of a 'Method 4' according to the invention, DIAG. 17 (a, b): A diagram to illustrate an example of a 'Method 5' according to the invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

Detailed Description of invention

This invention is illustrated with the help of the accompanying drawings, as briefed above and detailed herein. The methods according to the invention for providing such controls is done by providing additional actuators at the below specified locations, and having orientation and form, of such actuators, levers/stalks, dials ergonomically placed at right places. The general form of current steering wheel arrangements are depicted in diagram (1 - a, b, c). We have taken Diag. 1 (c) for the general illustration of the invention. The present invention can be applied to any model of various shape and size of steering wheel/device. There are multiple ways and appropriate locations which can be used to achieve the objectives of this invention. Such eiectricai/eiectronic switches may be mounted on a steering-wheel steehng-nm/handle. steering- column or dashboard of the vehicle.

Some of the most appropriate location(s) for making provisions for such arrangements are illustrated with accompanying diagrams for general reference:

1) The underside of the steering wheel rim/handle (see diag. 2).

2) The inner-rim of the steering wheel rim/handle (see diag. 3).

3) The outer side (see diag. 4(a)) and top side (see diag. 4 (b)) of the steering wheel rim/handle. 4) Separate rim(s)/handle (s) or segments thereof (see diag. 5(a, b, c, d)).

5) Split-rim/handle mechanisms or segments thereof (see diag. 6 (a, b)).

6) Various permutations and combinations of above positions and also the spaces / surfaces in-between them, etc. (see diag. 7 (a, b, c)). The objective is to provide a continuous access to the control-actuators at any given position of driver's hand on the steering wheel/device. For such contemplated systems, we can use existing types of transducer(s)/actuator(s)/switch(es)/sensor(s) and materials already available or any such future transducer(s)/actuator(s)/switch(es)/sensor(s) which would become available in the market. A sensor can be any suitable tactile sensor including but not limited to, a mechanical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a magnetic sensor, an optical fiber sensor, force sensor, potentiometers, force sensing linear (or ring) potentiometer, a piezoelectric sensor, a silicon sensor, a temperature sensor etc. The sensor can include an array of sensing units. The motion(s) of actuation(s) which are made available in various method(s) of use can be selected and assigned out of plurality of the target functions (like horn, pass-light, turn-indicators, wiper etc.). Such motion(s) can also be coupled with graduated feedback mechanisms (by mechanical or haptic or audio/visual means). The pressing functions can also be pressure/force sensitive, so as to provide for a graduated means of functional and/or feedback enhancements. For example, if an actuator is pressed to the first degree and the function is selected/configured for horn, then the horn will honk lightly; if pressed harder then it will honk harder. This can also be achieved by using nested combination of actuator(s)/switch(es)/sensor(s). Another example can be, if the function is for horn coupled with pass-light then, if it is pressed mildly the horn will honk and if pressed harder it will lead to honking coupled with pass-light indication. In order to achieve such an objective, various permutations and combinations of "Actuators" and "Switches/sensors" can be used, and an indicative list, but not limited to, of such contemplated "Actuators" and "Switches/sensors" are mentioned below:

Actuators:

1) Ring-Actuator (circular or non-circular or as per profile of steering wheel/device), fixed (see diag. 8, for an example).

2) Ring-Actuator (circular or non-circular or as per profile of steering wheel/device), floating (see diag. 9, for an example).

3) Rim/handle -Actuator (circular or non-circular or as per profile of steering wheel/device) (see diag. 10, for an example).

4) Segment-Actuator (circular or non-circular or as per profile of steering wheel/device) (see diag. 11 , for an example). 5) Any other type of actuator suitable for the purpose. The above list is indicative only.

Switches/sensors: 1) Contact switch or Circuit switch.

2) Make/break type switch/sensor.

3) Touch switch/sensor.

4) Gesture Switch/sensor.

5) Pressure switch/sensor. 6) Force Switch/sensor.

7) Force sensing linear (or ring) potentiometer Switch/sensor.

8) Mechanical Switch/sensor.

9) Electro-mechanical Switch/sensor.

10)Tape Switch/sensor. 11 ) Piezo-electric switch/sensor.

12) Capacitive/resistive switch/sensor.

13) Inductive switch/sensor.

14) Magnetostrictive switch/sensor.

15) Strain gauge switch/sensor. 16) Optical switch/sensor.

17) Force Sensing Resistor switch/sensor etc.

18) Any other type of sensors(s)/switch(es), the above list is indicative only.

Some of the preferred embodiments and best methods of devising such arrangements as to fulfil the objective of this invention are described as follows: Method 1: In this method a Ring-Actuator (floating) (108) is conveniently and ergonomically placed at the inner-side of the steering wheel. This method of invention is illustrated with the help of the accompanying drawing as shown in diag. 12. Various types of actuations available in this type of arrangement is shown in diag. 12 (117, 118, 119). The circular rotational actuation is assigned to Left and Right turn indications, depending on the direction of rotation. Anti clockwise for Left (117) and Clockwise for Right (118) turn indications respectively. The function can be further enhanced by providing the rotation in digitized fashion instead of just smooth rotation, which will serve as feedback to the driver's finger(s)/hand(s)/palm(s). To elucidate it further, we can give one form of the mechanism and procedure as follows. Say we need to just give a fixed number of blinks (say 5 blinks or as preferentially preset) on the right-turn-indicator. We can give this by just slightly actuating the ring- actuator in clockwise motion (118) till the first feed-back (or as per our preferred setting - which we can set preferentially) and may return to its original position. If such mechanism is provided (for making it return to its original position) or it may remain there itself as this is a ring Actuator and returning to original position is almost identical with remaining in the moved position - this fully depends on design of the underlining actuating system adopted, which can be of many types, as per the suitability and preferences. Getting this actuation, the right-turn-indicator lamp will blink for 5 times and stop. Similarly, we can give left-turn indication by turning/actuating the ring- actuator anti-clockwise (117) slightly and it will then work in the same fashion as was described above for right-turn-indication. Now, say, we need to give usual right-turn indication. Then we can turn/actuate the ring-actuator clockwise (118) till the second feedback. Getting this actuation, the right-turn- lamp shall keep blinking till you revert your steering back sufficiently as usual. And then the ring-actuator may return back to its original position or may remain there only as per the design preference as mentioned before. Likewise, usual left-turn-indication can be given by actuating the ring-actuator anti clockwise (117) and a similar action will follow as was described for right-turn- indication. Now, the interesting part is, there are times when we need to keep the Left or Right indicator blinking till the time we ourselves stop it. This can be easily achieved by actuating the ring-actuator till the time we get third or more feedback(s). Then that particular turn-indicator shall keep flashing/blinking till we actuate the ring-actuator in opposite direction until the point of getting first feedback (or as preferentially set). Generally to press horn, driver has to explicitly reach out to the horn push-actuator which is not on the steering wheel rim/handle, but somewhere in the hub/spoke/pillar of the steering wheel. In the present invention, this can be very simply achieved by assigning the Press-inward or push actuation (119), optionally. In this way, the driver can very easily access the horn just by movement of his fingers wherever his hand be on the steering wheel rim/handle. The rest of control actuators such as those for media-center, dashboard-controls, cruise-control, phone, voice, AC etc. can be at their usual locations on the hub/pillar/spoke of the steering wheel as per the manufacturer's design and preferences. Method 2: In this method Segment-Actuators (112) are conveniently and ergonomically placed at the under-rim/handle side of the steering wheel. This method of invention is illustrated with the help of the accompanying drawing as shown in diag. 13. Various types of motions available in this type of arrangement is shown in diag. 13 (116, 117, 118, 119). The circular rotational motion/actuation is assigned to Left and Right turn indications depending on the direction of rotation/actuation. Anti-clockwise (117) for Left and Clockwise

(118) for Right turn indications respectively. With downward push actuation

(119), we can actuate the horn function. Also, pull upward actuation (116), can be assigned to pass-light. These functions will operate in a manner similar to the description in the 'Method 1'.

Method 3: In this method Touch-switch/sensor (e.g. capacitive/resistive touch switch/sensor) (111) is conveniently and ergonomically placed on the separate rim/handle or segment of rim/handle placed adjacently to the steering wheel. This method of invention is illustrated with the help of the accompanying drawings as shown in diag. 14 and diag. 15. Various types of tap, swipe and press gestures available in this type of arrangement is shown in diag. 14 and 15. The swipe, or simple-swipe motion is assigned to Left and Right turn indications depending on the direction of swipe. The function can also be complimented by the having mechanical or haptic vibratory or audio visual feedback. This will again follow the similar method of function control and desired commands as explained in the 'Method 2 ' and 'Method 1'. The pressing on its top and pulling from its bottom can lead to functions such as horn and pass-light respectively or any other function(s) assigned to it. Since this method is based on touch sensor, we can also have multiple gesture/multi-finger, swipe and press/pull functions for further enhanced functionality, with orwithout threshold limits. The threshold limit if any can be as per the design-preferences and setting-controls from the manufacturer. For example, pushing (119) with two fingers can lead to hard honking, pulling (116) with two fingers can lead to strobe pass-light, etc. Further, pulling with three fingers may lead to honking and strobe combined together. Also, many such gesture functionality can be duly incorporated. For example, swiping with one finger towards left (117) or right (118) directions can lead to fixed number of left (117) or right (118) blinks of the turn indicators respectively, as per preferential setting. Swiping with two fingers finger towards left (117) or right (118) directions can lead to normal left (117) or right (118) actuation of turn indicators respectively, wherein the indicators will stop blinking once the steering is turned in the opposite direction or finger is swiped in the opposite direction on the sensor. Further, swiping with three finger towards left (117) or right (118) directions can lead to respective actuation of turn indicators and will be turned off only when the finger(s) is swiped on the sensor in the opposite direction.

Method 4: In this method split-rim/handle steering wheel (113) is used. This method of invention is illustrated with the help of the accompanying drawing as shown in diag. 16. In this method one part of the split can be fixed (115) and the other part is floating (114) type, which is suitably coupled to the fixed part to provide for various control-motions (117, 118, 119). An embodiment of the same is shown in diag. 16. In such a system, the pressing or pushing downwards (119) motion/actuation can be assigned to horn, and may function as described in the previous methods. This will again follow the similar method of function control and desired commands as explained in the previous methods for turn signals (117, 118).

Method 5: In this Combo method, a combination of the above described methods can be used together in various permutations. The arrangements can be configured so as to meet the need of having multiple switches for various functions as desired. One such possible combination is shown in diag. 17(a) and diag. 17 (b). The working of such a Combo method shall follow the descriptions as explained in the above methods. In addition to the 'Method 1', Ring-actuator (of fixed type, continuous or segmented) can be provided on the inner-top-side (110) and inner-under-side (107) of the steering wheel rim/handle. Inner-top-side ring-actuator can function as horn when pressed/push-actuated (119). And inner-under-side ring can function as pass- light when pressed/push-actuated (119). The strobe-pass-light function can also be assigned fora higher threshold limit of pushing (119). Also, if rotational actuation is assigned to this ring, then it can accommodate the wiper functions. Clockwise rotation/actuation (118) can be assigned to increasing wiper speed and anticlockwise (117) for reducing the same. Also in neutral position the anticlockwise motion (117) can lead to spray and single/double wipe, for clearing the windshield of any debris or marks. This can be achieved by any of the switches/sensors as previously listed. The actuation can be calibrated with predetermined actuation force required for actuators to operate. In some variation, the user can also be given the option to set the threshold actuation force by mechanical or electronic programming means. Also, in such variations, gradations (light, medium and hard) of pressing force can lead to enhanced functional achievement. Such as, light pressing can blow the horn mildly, medium pressing can lead to increased volume of horn and hard press can lead to loud horn volume. This type of gradations of press force can also come handy for otherfunctions such as pass-light, wiper-blade speed etc. or combination thereof.

The associated functionality with any particular actuator arrangement can be conveniently used for any other function as per the choice of design and settings-control(s) provided to the user. The description embodies the technical principles that the invention is based on. Here it is shown in principle, how numerous permutations and combinations of such actuators and assigned functionalities will work. The methods described above are just to provide examples of few methods only, to elucidate various manners of possible types of implementation out of many such possible embodiments. In particular, the underlying principle of innovation and its ability to provide enhanced functionality, safety and thereby minimizing diver's distraction by, methods of providing access to vital driving functions (such as turn-indicators, horn, wiper, pass-light, combination of pass-light and horn together etc.) on the rim/handle of the steering wheel/device itself or on the second rim(s), arc(s) and segment(s) thereof, or actuator(s)/switch(es)/sensor(s)/transducer(s) adjacent to the steering wheel rim/handle so that the driver doesn't need to separately maneuver their hand(s) off the steering wheel/device or even move/swipe hand(s) over the steering wheel/device to a certain position to attend to driving controls such as horn, turn-indicators, pass-light etc., are elucidated.