Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical means for damping a steering wheel of a vehicle, and more specifically to the mechanical means for damping the steering wheel of the vehicle when a primary means for damping the steering wheel of the vehicle is disabled.

Background of the invention:
[0002] CN 2846241 Y describes an emergency automatic brake controlling device for a steering wheel. The emergency automatic brake controlling device comprises an automobile power supply, an engine, a brake system and the steering wheel, wherein an annular groove which circuits is arranged below the steering wheel. A gap is arranged on the annular groove, a conductor which is matched with the shape of the annular groove is arranged in the annular groove, a plurality of key switches which are in clearance fit with the annular groove are arranged on the conductor and the key switches are connected in series. The key switches are also connected with a first solenoid switch and a second solenoid switch, wherein the first solenoid switch is connected with the engine and the second solenoid switch is connected with the brake system through a pneumatic tube. At the moment that an automobile meets with an accident, people' hands can naturally react to hold the steering wheel tightly because of excessive spirit tension, and the key switches which are arranged in the steering wheel can be depressed so that a first solenoid valve and the second solenoid switch are operated. Meanwhile, the brake system is automatically opened, and a power source of the engine is switched off, so the brake system is started, and the engine is extinguished to ensure passengers' safety.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0003] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings:
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a mechanical means for damping a steering wheel of a vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a drawing of a disc brake that is secured to the steering wheel of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a mechanical means 10 for damping a steering wheel 24 of a vehicle. The mechanical means 10 comprises an electric battery 12, and an electronic switch 14 in electronic communication with the electric battery 12 and a microcontroller 16. The electronic switch 14 receives electric power from the electric battery 12 and an electronic signal from the microcontroller 16. A solenoid actuator 18 is in electronic communication with the electronic switch 14 and is adapted to receive a signal from the electronic switch. A first brake pad 20 and a second brake pad 22 are mechanically secured to the solenoid actuator 18. The solenoid actuator 18 is adapted to disengage the first brake pad 20 and the second brake pad 22, to facilitate disengaging the steering wheel 24 that is positioned between the first brake pad 20 and the second brake pad 22 of the vehicle from the first brake pad 20 and the second brake pad 22 when no electronic signal is received from the microcontroller 16.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical means 10 for damping the steering wheel 24 of the vehicle is disclosed. The mechanical means 10 comprises an electric battery 12, and an electronic switch 14 in electronic communication with the electric battery 12. More specifically, the electronic switch 14 is adapted to toggle the electric battery 12 between an on state and an off state to enable controlling a flow of electric current to the solenoid actuator 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic switch 14 is in electronic communication with a microcontroller 16, and receives an electronic signal from the microcontroller 16. If the microcontroller 16 does not transmit a signal to the electronic switch 14, the electronic switch 14 does not get actuated and therefore power is not transmitted from the battery 12 to the solenoid actuator 18. If the microcontroller 16 transmits a signal to the electronic switch 14, the electronic switch 14 gets activated, and therein power is transmitted from the battery 12 to the solenoid actuator 18.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, a solenoid actuator 18 is in electronic communication with the microcontroller 16 and the electric battery 12 via the electronic switch 14. The solenoid actuator 18 is adapted to receive an electronic signal from the microcontroller 16 and electric power from the electric battery 12 via the electronic switch 14 for actuating a brake of a steering wheel 24 of the vehicle. More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, a first brake pad 20 and a second brake pad 22 are mechanically secured to the solenoid actuator 18. The solenoid actuator 18 is adapted to disengage the first brake pad 20 and the second brake pad 22, thereby facilitating disengaging the steering wheel 24 that is positioned between the first brake pad 20 and the second brake pad 22 of the vehicle from the first brake pad 20 and the second brake pad 22 when no electronic signal is received from the microcontroller 16. When an electronic signal is received from the microcontroller 16, the solenoid actuator 18 is adapted to engage the first brake pad 20 and the second brake pad 22, thereby facilitating engaging the steering wheel 24 that is positioned between the first brake pad 20 and the second brake pad 22 of the vehicle to the first brake pad 20 and to the second brake pad 22 respectively. Therefore, when the steering wheel 24 that is positioned between the first brake pad 20 and the second brake pad 22 is secured to the steering wheel 24 of the vehicle, a torsional stiffness of the steering wheel 24 of the vehicle is increased.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a drawing of a disc brake 100 that is secured to the steering wheel of the vehicle in one embodiment of the invention. The housing 104 of the disc brake 100 contains the steering wheel damping components that include the solenoid 18, and the brake pads (22, 24). The housing 104 of the disc brake 100 is positioned proximate to the disc brake 100, and the brake pads (22, 24) are adapted to engage and disengage with the disc brake 100. When the switch 14 receives a signal from the micro-controller 16, the switch 14 is closed thereby permitting a flow of electric current from the electric battery 12 to the solenoid 18. Therein, the solenoid 18 actuates the brake pads (20, 22) that are positioned proximate to the disc brake 100. The actuation of the brake pads (20, 22) causes the brake pads to contact with the disc brake 100 that is secured to the steering wheel 102 of the vehicle. Therefore, due to the brake pads (20, 22) coming in contact with the disc brake 100 that is secured to the steering wheel 24 of the vehicle, the torsional stiffness of the steering wheel 24 of the vehicle is increased which makes it harder for a driver to steer the vehicle. Therefore, the driver who is gripping the steering wheel 24 of the vehicle is required to steer the steering wheel 24 of the vehicle with a greater rotational torque, thereby requiring him to drive the vehicle to a service station for disengaging the brake pads (22, 24) from the disc brake 100 that is secured to the steering wheel 102 of the vehicle.

[0010] It should be understood that the embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We claim:

1. A mechanical means (10) for damping a steering wheel (24) of a vehicle, said mechanical means (10) comprising:
a electric battery (12);
a electronic switch (14) electronically connected with said electric battery (12) and in electronic communication with a microcontroller (16), said electronic switch (14) receives electric power from said electric battery (12) and an electronic signal from said microcontroller (16);
a solenoid actuator (18) in electronic communication with said microcontroller (16) and electronically connected to said electric battery (12) via said electronic switch (14), said solenoid actuator (18) adapted to receive an electronic signal from said microcontroller (16) and electric power from said electric battery (12) via said electronic switch (14); and
a first brake pad (20) and a second brake pad (22) mechanically secured to said solenoid actuator (18), said solenoid actuator (18) adapted to disengage said first brake pad (20) and said second brake pad (22), to facilitate disengaging said steering wheel (24) that is positioned between said first brake pad (20) and said second brake pad (22) of a vehicle from said first brake pad (20) and said second brake pad (22) when no electronic signal is received from said microcontroller (16).

2. A mechanical means (10) for damping a steering wheel of a vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said solenoid actuator (18) is adapted to engage said first brake pad (20) and said second brake pad (22), to facilitate engaging said steering wheel (24) that is positioned between said first brake pad (20) and said second brake pad (22) of said vehicle to said first brake pad (20) and said second brake pad (22) when an electronic signal is received from said microcontroller (16) thereby increasing a torsional stiffness of said steering wheel (24) of said vehicle.