Column electronics control assembly

• US 6,731,020 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2001
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company), Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Berg, Frederick J., Cerva, Joel T., Burr, Larry W., Gillman, Stephen V., Childs, Timothy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Polk, Sharon A.
• Application Number:
  US09/794,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20010028196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/115, 200/61.54, 200/61.27, 280/735, 439/15, 343/711, 343/841
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/027 between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column devices for measuring, signalling or controlling tyre pressure or temperature specially adapted for mounting on vehicles B60C23/00

Abstract

A device and method for a vehicle steering column subassembly having current electronic features (equipment) and integrating such electronic features and additional wireless communication circuits within a common node to reduce over crowding of the electronics within the body of the vehicle, and further integrating an antenna utilized for such wireless communication devices to enhance signal strength. The common node is modularly disposed around the steering column and preferably on top of the steering column proximate a steering handwheel to protrude from the instrument panel and above the vehicle sheet metal to reduce shielding.

Claims

1. An electrical system mounted high on a steering column subassembly for a vehicle comprising a column electronics control assembly having a plurality of interconnectable components plugged into a common node configured for operable communication therewith, said operable communication consists of each of said plurality of components having integral electrical contacts plugged into said common node, wherein said common node comprises:

a circuit assembly modularly depending from the steering column subassembly; and

a communications interface for data exchange between said circuit assembly and vehicle systems.

2. The electrical system according to claim 1, wherein said common node is a modular sense and control module positioned, adapted and configured for proximate engagement and modular communication with said plurality of interconnectable components.

3. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein said control module is configured to extend along a length of the steering column without limiting a collapsible function of the steering column.

4. An electrical system substantially disposed on a steering column subassembly for a vehicle comprising a column electronics control assembly, said column electronics control assembly including:

a modular sense and control module positioned, adapted and configured for modular operable communication with a plurality of interconnectable components, said modular operable communication consists of electrical communication with said plurality of interconnectable components via integral electrical contacts therebetween, said modular sense and control module is configured for proximate engagement and modular communication with said plurality of interconnectable components, said sense and control module comprising

a circuit assembly modularly depending from the steering column subassembly; and

a communications interface for data exchange between said circuit assembly and vehicle systems.

5. The electrical system according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of interconnectable components includes at least one multifunction stalk switch adapted to be in electrical communication with said circuit assembly.

6. The electrical system according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of interconnectable components includes a clockspring coil adapted to be in electrical communication with said circuit assembly.

7. The electrical system according to claim 4, wherein said clockspring coil includes a sensor.

8. The electrical system according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of interconnectable components includes an ALDL connector adapted to be in electrical communication with said circuit assembly.

9. The electrical system according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of interconnectable components includes a hazard switch adapted to be in electrical communication with said circuit assembly.

10. The electrical system according to claim 4, wherein said sense and control module includes integration of at least one wireless communication circuit with said circuit assembly.

11. The electrical system according to claim 10, wherein said sense control module includes integration of an antenna.

12. The electrical system according to claim 4, wherein said sense and control module is disposed proximate a steering handwheel and topside of the steering column subassembly.

13. The electrical system of claim 4, wherein said control module is configured to extend along a length of the steering column without limiting a collapsible function of the steering column.

14. An electrical system substantially disposed on a steering column subassembly for a vehicle comprising:

a bracket attached to the steering column subassembly;

a housing modularly coupled to said bracket, said housing disposed on one side defining a periphery of the steering column subassembly; and

a circuit assembly coupled to said housing;

said circuit assembly further including a communications interface for data exchange with vehicle systems, said housing, communication interface, and circuit assembly comprise a sense and control module extending a length of the steering column assembly and surface mounted thereto, and wherein modularly depending from said bracket in operable communication with said sense and control module further includes at least one of;

at least one multifunction stalk switch;

a clockspring coil; and

an ALDL connector, said operable communication consists of electrical connection therebetween.

15. The electrical system according to claim 14 wherein said at least one multifunction stalk switch is configured for releasable containment within said bracket and in electrical communication with said sense and control module.

16. The electrical system to claim 14 wherein said at least one multifunction stalk switch includes a tab that is received and retained in a complementary opening configured to releasably and securely contain said tab.

17. The electrical system according to claim 14 wherein said configuration of said at least one multifunction stalk switch allows about a twenty percent reduction in size of a multifunction stalk.

18. The electrical system according to claim 14 wherein said clockspring coil includes a sensor.

19. The electrical system according to claim 14 wherein sense and control module further includes a hazard switch operably depending therefrom.

20. The electrical system according to claim 14 wherein said sense and control module further includes an antenna for transmission and reception of signals for wireless communication devices.

21. The electrical system according to claim 14 wherein said communications interface comprises:

a wiring downlead connector; and

a supplemental inflatable restraint downlead connector.

22. The electrical system claim 14, wherein said control module is configured to extend along a length of the steering column without limiting a collapsible function of the steering column.

23. An electrical system substantially disposed on a steering column subassembly for a vehicle comprising:

a bracket attached to the steering column subassembly;

a housing modularly coupled to said bracket, said housing disposed on one side defining a periphery of the steeling column subassembly;

a circuit assembly having a communications interface for data exchange coupled to said housing; and

a wireless communication circuit, wherein said housing, said circuit assembly and said wireless communication circuit comprise a sense and control module configured for operable communication with a plurality of interconnectable components, wherein said operable communication consists of electrical communication therebetween.

24. The electrical system according to claim 23 wherein said sense and control module further comprises a hazard switch operably depending therefrom.

25. The electrical system according to claim 23 wherein said sense and control module further comprises:

an antenna for said wireless communication circuit.

26. The electrical system of claim 25 wherein said sense and control module and said bracket are disposed on top of the steering column subassembly proximate a steering handwheel for optimizing signal strength to said antenna.

27. The electrical system of claim 25 wherein said sense and control module and said bracket are disposed on top of the steering column subassembly proximate a steering handwheel for optimizing signal strength to any wireless communication circuit and for case of service and replacement.

28. The electrical system according to claim 23 wherein said wireless communication circuit comprises at least one of:

a vehicle control module;

a safety system;

a vehicle state information system;

a remote start system;

a remote lock and entry system; and

a driver informational/driver controls/entertainment system.

29. The electrical system of claim 23, wherein said control module is configured to extend along a length or the steering column without limiting a collapsible function of the steering column.

30. A method for intergrating an automobile wireless communication device compromising:

modifying a steering column subassembly to include a circuit assembly modularly depending from a steering column subassembly and further including a communications interface for data exchange between said circuit assembly and vehicle systems, wherein said communications interface, and circuit assembly comprise a sense and control module;

positioning, adapting and configuring said sense and control module for operable communication with a plurality of interconnectable components, wherein said operable communication consists of electrical communication therebetween

intergrating a wireless communication circuit for a wireless communication device is said sense and control module; and

integrating an antenna in said sense and control module for said wireless communication device.

31. A method for increasing relative signal strength of an automobile wireless communication device comprising:

integrating an antenna in an upper steering column assembly to receive and transmit signals for the wireless communication device;

integrating a wireless communication circuit the upper steering column assembly, thereby eliminating connecting wires to arid from a steering column bulkhead;

disposing said antenna and said wireless communication device within a sense and control module; and

disposing said sense and control module on the topside of said steering column subassembly and further towards a steering handwheel to increase a relative signal strength when said sense and control module protrudes above the vehicle sheet metal and protrudes further from an instrument panel, thereby reducing any shielding caused by said sheet metal and said instrument panel, while maintaining a collapsible function of steering column.