Development of Non-Rotating Steering Wheel-Switch

The expanded application of automotive electronics in recent years has increased the number of control switches, thus necessitating the optimization of their layout around the driver and improvement in operability. As an effective means in improving operability, switches mounted on the steering wheel have been developed, placing controls closer to drivers for easier access while driving. However, since the switches rotate along with the steering wheel, recognition and operation of those switches left a few things to be desired.

Recently we developed a "steering wheel with a non-rotating center switch pad" where the pad section with the switches are kept stationary.

In this paper we describe the general outline of this development.