STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER FROM STEERING SHAFT

摘要

A steering wheel arrangement includes a steering wheel (10) that is off-center or non-axially aligned with a steering shaft (40). The steering wheel (10) includes a rim (11) having an inner cylindrical surface with teeth (22) that mesh with a corresponding gear (24) of an offset link mechanism (26). The link mechanism (26) couples the steering wheel (10) to the steering shaft (40) such that rotation of the steering wheel (10) causes rotation of the steering shaft (40). The link mechanism (26) also allows for a longitudinal axis (A) of the steering wheel (10) to be off-center or non-axially aligned with a longitudinal axis (B) of the steering shaft (40) so as to provide a large unobstructed line of sight from the driver's eye (44) between the rim (11) and the hub (20) to the information area of the instrument panel.