The Mercedes-Benz Steering Wheel Is Artfully Cool
There has recently been a slew of new patent applications, particularly filings with intellectual property offices from coast to coast. A significant portion of these applications are fixated on new designs for steering wheels.
Some of these developments are a bit…unique, to say the least. There are some features meant to act as “improvements”, though some may deem to be rather unnecessary. With Hyundai in particular, getting a patent for a foldable steering wheel with all of the driver’s readouts being shown on a screen. However, this is a new creation that actually seems…refreshing.
According to CarBuzz, the deluxe German automaker, Mercedes-Benz has filed a patent application for a creative way to get us thinking about the future of steering wheels and our overall in-car experience.
The filings made in the German trademark office do more than simply hint than what the sketches are depicting: A plan to direct an air duct towards an opening someplace behind the steering wheel. Essentially, this would cause the air to disperse through the pot or rather within the bowl-part of the setting wheel (presumably from in a section close to the middle o the hub) through “air-permeable surfaces”. Another way to would be best to describe this is if you picture the type of airflow that you would get from a ventilated seat, but this time, it’s being directed from your steering wheel.
On top of this, this contraption would also heat the air, meaning that buyers with this setup would certainly have their cake and eat it too.
The technology-driven car company has also pondered on the effect that a climate control system could have, and would adjust the airflow and temperature in a way so subtle that discerning the change of body heat in your heads would go virtually unnoticed.
Another prospect for this ingenious system is that it can be manually adjusted, in the same way, that the vents for your car’s air conditioning system are. In this instance, flaps and vanes would be controlled by a simple lever, leaving the driver to decide when they want it to work with just a flick of a switch.
Conclusively, Mercedes-Benz has incorporated several different ways of regulating the airflow of its steering wheel, enabling the driver to be able to target the air centered at a small area or even more spread out. An example would be cool air blowing straight into your palms or covering your upper body.
Those who really know Mercedes-Benz know that its flagship S-Class sedan wouldn’t be caught dead in anything manual, like its lever. So if this cooler wheel even makes production, it’s likely that the company will choose to fix its controls on the steering wheel itself.
Speaking of the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz of Washington is currently selling the top-ranking Mercedes-Benz model for the 2022 model year. This car can be had as a sedan, coupe, or cabriolet. We also have several other models from the brand that range in various shapes and sizes.
Those interested in any of these models can simply view our online new car inventory and chat with a representative for further assistance.