Steering Wheel Illuminated Emblem Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination systems in vehicles often distract drivers by requiring them to take their hands off the wheel and divert attention from the road, as they typically rely on central displays or jarring head-up displays that are not optimized for peripheral vision.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated emblem assembly integrated into the steering wheel rim, featuring a conductive plate, light sources, and optical films that direct light towards the driver's peripheral vision, allowing for hands-on driving and minimizing distraction by using ambient light reflection and diffusing films to create a decorative and informative display without direct visibility of the light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional central displays or head-up displays are used to provide visual information to the driver, then the driver can receive information, but the driver's attention is diverted from the road and hands must be taken off the wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the visual display from central field of view (instrument panel or head-up display) to the periphery field of view by integrating the emblem assembly into the steering wheel rim. This spatial repositioning allows drivers to perceive information without shifting attention from the road, effectively using the peripheral vision dimension to resolve the contradiction between information delivery and driver distraction.
2Loss of information
If the light source is made visible to provide clear visual information, then information transmission is improved, but the light source becomes distracting and draws attention away from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical film as an intermediary between the light source and the driver's eye. This film diffuses and reflects light to create a visible emblem display while concealing the actual light source. The intermediary element enables clear information transmission through the emblem while preventing the distracting effect of a visible light source, thus resolving the contradiction.
3Ease of operation
If the emblem assembly is integrated into the steering wheel rim to enable peripheral vision viewing, then hands-on driving is maintained, but the structural complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the emblem assembly is integrated within the existing steering wheel rim architecture. The conductive plate, optical film, and light source are nested within the rim structure, utilizing the available space efficiently. This nesting approach enables peripheral vision display functionality while minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity by harmonizing with the existing steering wheel design.
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
The solution enables drivers to maintain focus on the road while receiving visual information through a hands-free, minimally distracting system that utilizes peripheral vision, enhancing safety by reducing visual workload and maintaining hands-on driving.
Implementation Method 1
an optical film disposed along the top surface of the base, the optical film diffusing the light transmitted from the opening in the base and into the U-shaped volume defined by the top surface of the base
Implementation Method 2
the optical film causes ambient light directed towards the optical film to be reflected back towards the outer cap
Implementation Method 3
a light source coupled to a PCB... through which light is transmitted from the light source towards the user
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to an illuminated emblem assembly coupled to a steering wheel assembly and a method of assembling the same. The illuminated emblem assembly includes a conductive plate having a generally U-shape and formed from an electrically conductive material, a light source coupled to a PCB which is coupled to the conductive plate such that an electrical signal is provided to the light source from the vehicle control system via the PCB. The emblem assembly includes a base disposed on a top surface of the conductive plate also having a generally U-shape where the base includes an opening adjacent the light source for directing light emitted from the light source towards a U-shaped volume defined by a top surface of the base. Light is transmitted from the light source towards the user through an outer cap being disposed over the base.