Steering column assembly
First Claim
1. A vehicular steering column assembly of the type including an integrated display panel, said assembly comprising:
- a steering column moveable in at least one of an angular adjustment and a telescoping adjustment and having a connection for receiving a steering wheel;
an adjustable column support having a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed relative to a support structure of a vehicle with said adjustable column support coupled to and rotatably supporting said steering column for moveably mounting said steering column relative to the support structure of the vehicle in one of said angular adjustment and said telescoping adjustment; and
a data display coupled to said column support and moveable with said steering column during one of said angular adjustment and said telescoping adjustment.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steering column assembly for operating a vehicle packages mechanical components and electrical devices normally found in or around the steering column of the vehicle into a single unit. An on-board processor accepts signals from the electrical devices, which may include motor actuators for steering column adjustments and/or pedal position adjustments. The on-board processor connects to a vehicle communications bus to communicate data received from the electrical devices to various systems throughout the vehicle. The on-board processor also receives data from the various systems. The steering column assembly also includes a display connected to the on-board processor. The display and on-board processor moves with the steering column as it is adjusted for telescope and/or tilt position. The operator receives information about the operation of the vehicle from the display. All components, including the on-board processor, are operatively connected to a column support, allowing the steering column assembly to be installed as a unit. Therefore, the steering column assembly installs quickly into the vehicle with a reduced chance of installation error.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A vehicular steering column assembly of the type including an integrated display panel, said assembly comprising:
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a steering column moveable in at least one of an angular adjustment and a telescoping adjustment and having a connection for receiving a steering wheel; an adjustable column support having a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed relative to a support structure of a vehicle with said adjustable column support coupled to and rotatably supporting said steering column for moveably mounting said steering column relative to the support structure of the vehicle in one of said angular adjustment and said telescoping adjustment; and a data display coupled to said column support and moveable with said steering column during one of said angular adjustment and said telescoping adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 23)
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8. A steering column assembly comprising:
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a steering column moveable in at least one of an angular adjustment and a telescoping adjustment and having a connection for receiving a steering wheel; a column support having a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed relative to a support structure of a vehicle and coupled to and rotatably supporting said steering column for moveably mounting said steering column relative to the support structure of the vehicle in one of said angular adjustment and said telescoping adjustment; at least one electrical device operatively attached to said column support and including at least one actuator for an operator to control a vehicle feature; and an on-board processor coupled to said column support and moveable with said steering column in one of said angular adjustment and said telescoping adjustment and having an electrical outlet for connection to a vehicle communications bus for receiving and consolidating signals from said electrical devices and sending data to and from the vehicle communications bus. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24)
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Specification