The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 03, 2022
Filed:
Sep. 16, 2019
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Munich, DE;
Philipp Kerschbaum, Munich, DE;
Markus Wadepuhl, Munich, DE;
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Munich, DE;
Abstract
A changeable-shape steering wheel of a motor vehicle has a steering wheel rim composed of a plurality of rim parts, of which some can be pivoted relative to one another, in order for it to be possible, in addition to a circular shape, for it to also be transferred into an approximately oval shape. In a neutral position of the steering wheel which is rotatable about a circular shape center point, the semi-major axis in an oval shape is oriented at least substantially horizontally. The rim parts are movable by way of levers which are provided on the steering wheel rim, such that, in the neutral position, the semi-major axis of the oval shape of the steering wheel is no longer than half the diameter in the case of a circular shape of the steering wheel. In the neutral position, central rim side parts are preferably connected rigidly to a central steering wheel hub structure, whereas a single actuator which brings about a shape change can pivot, and pivot back, the lower rim side parts in the neutral position of the steering wheel in the direction of the circular shape center point in the case of the transition from the circular shape to the oval shape.