Multiplex signal system for vehicle steering column assembly
First Claim
1. A multiplex signal system for use with a vehicle steering column assembly, said system comprising:
- a steering wheel electronic module having;
a resistive switch network including a switch component operably coupled to a steering wheel mounted control, a resistor wired in series with said switch component, and a signal output for providing a first voltage signal representative of the state of the steering wheel mounted control, and;
a voltage controlled oscillating device including a signal input coupled to said resistive switch network signal output for receiving said first voltage signal, and a signal output for providing an oscillating signal representative of said first voltage signal, and;
a column electronic module coupled to the steering wheel electronic module having;
a converter including a signal input coupled to said voltage controlled oscillating device signal output for receiving said oscillating signal, and a signal output for providing a second voltage signal representative of said oscillating signal, and;
an electronic processing device having a signal input coupled to said frequency to voltage converter signal output for receiving said second voltage signal, wherein said electronic processing device is capable of utilizing said second voltage signal to determine the state of the steering wheel mounted control.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multiplex signal system for use with a vehicle steering column assembly includes a steering wheel electronic module mounted to a steering wheel and a column electronic module mounted remotely from the steering wheel. The steering wheel electronic module includes a resistive switch network and a voltage controlled oscillator to transform activation by an operator of one or more steering wheel mounted controls, such as audio volume controls, into an oscillating signal having a frequency representative of the particular control that was activated. This oscillating signal is provided to the column electronic module, which utilizes an electronic processing device to determine which of the steering wheel mounted controls has been activated. Once this is determined, the electronic control module operates the electrical or electromechanical device, such as an audio system, that corresponds to the activated steering wheel mounted control.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A multiplex signal system for use with a vehicle steering column assembly, said system comprising:
-
a steering wheel electronic module having;
a resistive switch network including a switch component operably coupled to a steering wheel mounted control, a resistor wired in series with said switch component, and a signal output for providing a first voltage signal representative of the state of the steering wheel mounted control, and;
a voltage controlled oscillating device including a signal input coupled to said resistive switch network signal output for receiving said first voltage signal, and a signal output for providing an oscillating signal representative of said first voltage signal, and;
a column electronic module coupled to the steering wheel electronic module having;
a converter including a signal input coupled to said voltage controlled oscillating device signal output for receiving said oscillating signal, and a signal output for providing a second voltage signal representative of said oscillating signal, and;
an electronic processing device having a signal input coupled to said frequency to voltage converter signal output for receiving said second voltage signal, wherein said electronic processing device is capable of utilizing said second voltage signal to determine the state of the steering wheel mounted control. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A steering column assembly for use with a vehicle, said assembly comprising:
-
a steering wheel having a steering wheel mounted control for engagement by an operator;
a steering column shaft fixedly attached to said steering wheel such that rotational movement in one causes a corresponding rotational movement in the other;
a tubular column component for rotatably receiving at least a part of said steering column shaft, and;
a multiplex signal system comprising;
a steering wheel electronic module mounted to said steering wheel and having;
a resistive switch network including a switch component operably coupled to said steering wheel mounted control, a resistor wired in series with said switch component, and a signal output for providing a first voltage signal representative of the state of said steering wheel mounted control;
a voltage controlled oscillating device including a signal input coupled to said resistive switch network signal output for receiving said first voltage signal, and a signal output for providing an oscillating signal representative of said first voltage signal;
a conductor coupled to said voltage controlled oscillating device signal output for transmitting said oscillating signal, and;
a column electronic module mounted on said steering column assembly remotely from said steering wheel and being coupled to the steering wheel electronic module, said module having;
a converter having a signal input coupled to said conductor for receiving said oscillating signal, and a signal output for providing a second voltage signal representative of said oscillating signal, and;
an electronic processing device having a signal input coupled to said converter signal output for receiving said second voltage signal, wherein said electronic processing device is capable of utilizing said second voltage signal to determine the state of said steering wheel mounted control. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification