Steering-Wheel Cover Integrating Light Diffuser for Vehicle Status Warnings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airbag devices in vehicle steering wheels hinder the installation of warning systems that inform drivers about vehicle status, causing driver distraction and potential crashes, as they prevent the central steering-wheel part from being used for such purposes.
Innovation Solution
A steering-wheel cover with a support element, diffuser means, electronic control means, and a light source that processes vehicle status data to provide visual warnings to the driver, using a data acquisition interface, microprocessor, and control device to modulate the light source for alerts such as fading, blinking, or color changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the central part of the steering-wheel is used for airbag device, then passive safety of driver is improved, but the ability to display warning information is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the airbag device with a warning information display system by integrating a light source, diffuser means, and electronic control means into the airbag housing's central part. This allows the same space to serve both passive safety (airbag) and information communication (visual warnings) functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between safety and information display capability
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag housing's central part is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses both the airbag device for passive safety and an integrated visual warning system that can display various vehicle status information. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dashboard displays, allowing the driver to receive warnings without diverting attention from the road
2Loss of information
If warning devices are located in the instrument panel, then information display capability is improved, but driver safety is worsened due to distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the warning information display from the traditional horizontal dashboard plane to the vertical steering-wheel column dimension. By placing visual warning indicators on the steering-column cover, the information is presented in the driver's peripheral vision field, eliminating the need to shift gaze from the road to the instrument panel, thus maintaining driver safety while providing comprehensive vehicle status information
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables drivers to receive critical vehicle status information without diverting attention from the road, enhancing safety by utilizing the airbag device's central part for integrated warning systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source 4, diffuser means 5 for diffusing light emitted from the light source 4
Implementation Method 2
diffuser means 5 for diffusing light emitted from the light source 4
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention addresses a vehicle steering-wheel cover (1) comprising a body (2) and a support element (3) having a predetermined profile, said support element (3) being associated to said body (2) The characterizing feature of the present invention is that diffuser means (5) for diffusing a light emitted from at least one light source (4), as well as electronic control means (6) for controlling said light source (4) to obtain a visual effect in response to data (D) concerning the status of the vehicle (8) are interposed between said body (2) and said support element (3).