U.S. patent application number 09/897892 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-01 for modular steering column mounted switch system.
This patent application is currently assigned to VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH. Invention is credited to Hecht, Walter, Klein, Rudolf.
Application Number | 20010035336 09/897892 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34436351 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010035336 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hecht, Walter ; et
al. |
November 1, 2001 |
Modular steering column mounted switch system
Abstract
The invention concerns a modular steering column mounted switch
system for motor vehicles which is organized according to the
internal functions of the switch. The steering column mounted
switch system contains a plurality of functional modules which
correspond to the internal functions. Should the demands for
operation and/or design of a particular module change, the
associated module can be easily replaced. All other functional
modules remain unchanged, to thereby permit simple adaptation of
the steering column mounted switch to the given operation and
design demands. When there is a defect, the modular steering column
mounted switch can also be easily repaired and in an economical
fashion by simple replacing the defective functional module.
Inventors: |
Hecht, Walter;
(Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE) ; Klein, Rudolf;
(Lauffen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dreiss, Fuhlendorf, Steimle & Becker
Postfach 10 37 62
D-70032 Stuttgart
DE
|
Assignee: |
VALEO Schalter und Sensoren
GmbH
Stuttgarter Strasse 119
Bietigheim-Bissingen
DE
|
Family ID: |
34436351 |
Appl. No.: |
09/897892 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09897892 |
Jul 5, 2001 |
|
|
|
09214767 |
May 24, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
200/61.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60Q 1/1461 20130101;
B60K 37/06 20130101; H01H 9/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
200/61.27 |
International
Class: |
H01H 003/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 10, 1996 |
DE |
196 27 761.1 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A modular steering column mounted switch for a motor vehicle
comprising: a first module, said first module performing
substantially mechanical functions only including at least one of
reception of external signals, signal transfer and internal
switching of contacts, said first module having a first module
interface for electrical communication with said first module; a
second module, said second module performing substantially
electrical functions only including at least one of current
switching, current distribution and current control, said second
module having a second module interface in electrical communication
with said first module interface; and means for mounting said first
module and said second module to a steering column, wherein said
mounting means, said first module, said first module interface,
said second module, and said second module interface are structured
for replacement and exchange of at least one of said first module
and said second module.
2. The steering column mounted switch for a motor vehicle of claim
1, wherein said mounting means comprises a receptacle means in
which said first module and said second module are connected.
3. The steering column mounted switch for a motor vehicle of claim
1, wherein said second module comprises an electrical board having
an electronic controller for bus operation to control a plurality
of functions.
4. The steering column mounted switch for a motor vehicle of claim
1, further comprising a steering angle sensor mounted to said
mounting means.
5. The steering column mounted switch for a motor vehicle of claim
2, wherein said mounting means comprises a mounting unit mounted to
said receptacle means as a separate subassembly.
6. The steering column mounted switch for a motor vehicle of claim
2, wherein said mounting means comprises a mounting unit integral
with said receptacle means.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application No.
09/214,767 filed May 24, 1999 and claims Paris Convention priority
of DE 196 27 767.1 filed Jul. 10, 1996, the complete disclosure of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a modular steering column mounted
switch system for a motor vehicle.
[0003] Modular steering column mounted switches are disclosed in DE
2,810,790 and WO 95/13936. These steering column mounted switches
have a modular construction which is defined by the technical
requirements of assembly or of installation in a vehicle or which
has a modularity determined by the external functions to be
executed by the switch, such as operation of the light systems or
of the window washing systems. The modularity does not reflect a
division dictated by the different internal functions of the
switch, such as the reception of external mechanical signals, the
processing of internal mechanical signals, the mechanical switching
of electrical switches, and/or the electrical switching and control
of load current and of control current. These various internal
functions of the switch assemblies are all integrated in a single
module. Requisite electrical subassemblies for the switching and
control of load and control currents, the switches and mechanical
components for external operation of the switch functions as well
as the current terminal connections to the external assemblies
which are to be controlled (lights, blinkers, signal horn etc.) are
combined, to the greatest possible extent, into one single module.
In these conventional steering column mounted switches, failure of
one internal function disadvantageously causes the overall module
to be defective and to require replacement. In addition, a specific
modification of the switch system to the functional needs and
design requirements of certain motor vehicles cannot be realized by
only changing the components and assemblies that are affected,
rather the entire module must be reconfigured.
[0004] In view of these deficiencies in prior art, it is the
purpose of the present invention to introduce a steering column
mounted switch which is more economical to produce and to
repair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This purpose is achieved in accordance with the present
invention with a steering column mounted switch having modules
which are configured and assembled in accordance with functional
and design requirements and which may be individually replaced in
case of defect.
[0006] The modular construction of the switch in accordance with
the invention is therefore defined by its internal functions. These
internal functions of the switch include the accommodation of
functional subassemblies and their mounting to the steering column,
the receiving and processing of external mechanical signals as well
as the switching and control of internal electrical signals. The
inventive structure facilitates flexibility in functional group
combinations as required by the application. The subdivision of the
inventive switch into modules according to function makes repair
and maintenance considerably more economical since only defective
parts must be replaced. In addition, manufacture is considerably
more economical since higher piece counts can be produced.
[0007] In accordance with the invention, the different functions
required of a steering column mounted switch are consistently
assigned to separate individual modules which are detachable from
each other and which, when assembled, form the entire switch. For
example, one or more modules may be provided which have mechanical
functions only to convert the manual operation of the driver (e.g.
twisting or turning with respect to the steering column) into a
corresponding mechanical movement of a switch member. The at least
one mechanical module cooperates with at least one additional
module which substantially performs electrical functions only such
as electrical connections and optionally electrical amplification
and filtering. There is therefore a clearly separated boundary
between mechanical and electrical operations. These functions are
then combined via interfaces between the corresponding modules. A
module may also be provided which exclusively serves to anchor the
other modules to the steering column in a simple way. Such a module
therefore serves to receive functional subassemblies and to mount
them to the steering column. Another module may also be provided
which performs a measuring function, e.g. measuring the turning
angle of the steering wheel and, consequently, of the steering
column relative to the retaining case of the steering column,
wherein the steering column mounted switch is mounted to that
retaining case.
[0008] When a desired change is performed on a switch, this is
usually directed to a certain function. For example, it is possible
that only the external design of a switch lever module is to be
changed or adapted to the spatial conditions of a new type of motor
vehicle. In this event, only the associated module or modules must
be modified and the construction of the module having the
electrical circuit connections need not be changed. In addition, a
module which carries electrical circuits may be furnished having
built-in auxiliary features to enable new switching functions in
conjunction with the insertion of a corresponding mechanical module
to e.g. convert switching movements made by the driver into
corresponding contact changes on the electrical module (electric
board).
[0009] Conversely, certain mechanical movements of a shift lever
may be assigned new electrical functions. In this case, only an
electrical module must be replaced while the mechanical module(s)
may remain unchanged. By changing the mounting module used to mount
all of the other modules to the steering column housing, a switch
can be adapted to different housing and, consequently, to different
types of motor vehicles with the remainder of the switch
advantageously remaining unchanged. The invention is therefore
particularly well suited for adapting a switch to new electrical or
mechanical requirements, since only one of the corresponding
modules must be replaced. This is also the case in the event that
new technical developments are to be incorporated.
[0010] An embodiment of the invention is described below with the
assistance of the figure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a modular steering
column mounted switch consisting of six modules; and
[0012] FIG. 2 shows the switch of FIG. 1 with two modules in a
detached state.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT
[0013] The switch of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a receptacle 1 that
defines internal interfaces 7, 8 among the operation modules 3, 4,
steering angle sensor 6, and an electrical board 2. The electrical
board 2 comprises all subassemblies necessary for switching
current, distributing current, controlling current and for
electronic control. Each operation module 3, 4 is a mechanically
constructed functional group which serves to receive external
signals mechanically and to transfer them to the electrical board
2. A mounting bracket 5 serves to fix the modular steering column
mounted switch to the steering column of a motor vehicle. A
steering angle sensor 6 serves to sense the current steering angle
of the vehicle.
[0014] If, in vehicles of different manufacturers, identical
technical functions but different designs are required of a
steering column mounted switch, then the invention enables use of
identical basic function modules such as the receptacle 1 and the
electrical board 2 while facilitating exchange of operation modules
that characterize design.
[0015] This is also possible for differing functions of individual
operation modules 3, 4 or of the entire steering column mounted
switch. If interfaces are defined in terms of mechanical and
electrical function, corresponding individual functional modules
may be combined with each other, independent of their function and
of their constructive design, in accordance with functional and/or
design demands.
[0016] A modular design of an overall system also simplifies
repair. When a functional module is defective, the defect is
eliminated through replacement of the module, without affecting the
remaining components of the steering column mounted switch
system.
[0017] Should increased complexity of functional requirements
necessitate more complex mechanical and electrical interfaces, the
operation modules 3, 4 and electrical board 2 can be furnished with
additional interfaces 7, 8 that fit together with each other and
which can then be exchanged.
[0018] If it is necessary to expand functions through use of an
electronic controller for bus operation to control miscellaneous
electronic functions, the electrical board 2 is exchanged for a
board equipped with a controller.
[0019] In order to integrate a steering angle sensor 6 into a
steering column mounted switch, the receptacle 1 and the electrical
board 2 are modified to receive the sensor 6, while retaining the
interfaces 7, 8 for the operation modules 3, 4. The sensor 6 is
integrated but all other modules may then be used unchanged.
* * * * *