Motor vehicle arrangement

• US 6,672,421 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: AB Volvo
• Inventors: Lamarre, Simon, Reikerås, Karin, Gunnarsson, Anders, Thorsson, Birgitta, Lenartsson, Einar, Reikerås, Kjell, Bergqvist, Åke, Larsson, Göran
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DRAPER, DEANN L
• Application Number:
  US09/681,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20010054522A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 180/287, 180/271, 280/775, 340/426, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.5
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/002 Locking of control actuating or transmitting means of steering mechanism B60R25/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02 operating on the steering mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A motor vehicle arrangement having a control device for controlling the vehicle. The control device is at least adjustable in the vertical direction. The control device has a parking position in which the vehicle cannot be driven and there is no operative connection for starting, accelerating or braking the vehicle etc. from the operating controls of the vehicle. The control device is releasable from the parking position to a driving position using an authorization verification element which adjusts the driving position. In the driving position, an operative connection is established between the operating control elements of the vehicle and corresponding actuating elements.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle arrangement comprising:

an authorization verification element able to store electronic data thereon; and

a steering wheel for controlling the vehicle, the steering wheel having an upwardly raised parking position in which the vehicle cannot be driven and an adjustable lowered driving position in which the vehicle can driven, the steering wheel adapted for interacting with the authorization verification element,

wherein the authorization verification element electronically interacts with the steering wheel to release the steering wheel from the parking position thus allowing the vehicle to be driven.

2. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the steering wheel is adjustable at least in the vertical direction when the authorization verification element releases the steering wheel from the parking position.

3. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the steering wheel operates electrically.

4. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 3 further comprising operative control elements and corresponding actuating elements for starting, accelerating and braking the vehicle, wherein there is no operative connection between the operative elements and corresponding actuating element when the steering wheel is in the parking position.

5. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 3 further comprising operative control elements and corresponding actuating elements for starting, accelerating and braking the vehicle, wherein there is operative connection between the operative elements and corresponding actuating element when the steering wheel is in the driving position.

6. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the steering wheel is adjustable in tilt angle, length, and laterally.

7. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the authorization verification element is a smart card.

8. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 7 further comprising a docking part adjacent to the hub of the steering wheel.

9. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the docking part is arranged on the front face of the steering wheel hub.

10. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the docking part is arranged on the steering wheel hub.

11. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the raised parking position of the steering wheel provides additional space for the driver to get in and out of the vehicle.

12. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 further comprises a display unit designed to be activated in a driving position and to show relevant data for driving of the vehicle.

13. The motor vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 further comprising a parking brake which is activated when the steering wheel is in the parking position.

14. A motor vehicle arrangement comprising:

an authorization verification element, and

a control device for controlling the vehicle, the control device having an upwardly raised parking position in which the vehicle cannot be driven and a driving position in which the vehicle can be driven, the control device adapted further comprising a docking part adapted for electronic interaction with the authorization verification element,

wherein the authorization verification element interacts with the docking part in the control device to release the control device from the parking position thus allowing the vehicle to be driven.

15. A motor vehicle arrangement comprising:

an authorization verification element,

a control device for controlling the vehicle, the control device having an upwardly raised parking position in which the vehicle cannot be driven and a driving position in which the vehicle can be driven, the control device adapted further comprising a docking part adapted for interacting with the authorization verification element,

wherein the authorization verification element interacts with the docking part in the control device to release the control device from the parking position thus allowing the vehicle to be driven, and

a display unit designed to be activated when the control device is moved from the parking position to the driving position, the display unit showing relevant data for driving the vehicle.