Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Jasper Dekker

Marcus A Hoggarth

Edward Rose

Ivan Mark Rogers

Markus Quarta

A display system for a motor vehicle is provided. The display system comprises a holographic projector assembly and a steering wheel assembly. The steering wheel assembly includes a ring-shaped member configured to be held by a driver of the vehicle and rotated about a central axis in order to steer the vehicle. The holographic projector assembly is configured to produce a holographic image inside a central region about which the ring-shaped member circumferentially extends.

Holographic display system

A motor vehicle steering wheel assembly may include a ring-shaped member comprising a slot and an internal recess, wherein the slot and internal recess extend circumferentially about the ring-shaped member, the slot being provided in a surface of the ring-shaped member and forming an aperture into the internal recess; a support portion configured to be coupled to a vehicle support structure, the support portion extending through the slot; and a guide portion coupled to the support portion, the guide portion being slidably disposed in the internal recess such that the ring-shaped member is rotatable.

Steering wheel assembly

A steering wheel assembly includes a steer-by-wire steering wheel and a central axis about which the steering wheel rotates to control the direction of travel of a motor vehicle. The steering wheel assembly also includes (a) a support arm, the steering wheel being coupled to a first end of the support arm so as to permit rotation of the steering wheel about the central axis of the steering wheel and (b) an interior trim portion, wherein the second end of the support arm is slidably coupled to a track of the interior trim portion. The track is configured such that the steering wheel is movable relative to the interior trim portion from a first deployed position in which a first occupant of the vehicle steers the steering wheel to a position away from the first deployed position.

An ultrasonic haptic control system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system includes a steering wheel assembly comprising a ring-shaped member configured to be held by an occupant of the vehicle, and rotated about a central axis in order to steer the vehicle; and a plurality of ultrasound emitters associated with the steering wheel. The ultrasound emitters are configured to focus ultrasound waves within a central region about which the ring-shaped member circumferentially extends and/or radially outside of and adjacent to the ring-shaped member. The focused ultrasound waves are configured to form one or more haptic control surfaces. A method of operating a haptic control system is also provided.

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London, United Kingdom

Jasper Dekker