Methode Electronics, Incorporated

Trw Limited

Conrad M Pastwa

Steven R Hoskins

Rajkumar Ramamurthy

Joseph E Khoury

Joseph Elias Khoury

Yih-Chin Lin

Rafic Jergess

A modular steering column device includes a lock housing, a primary switch module, a secondary switch module, an electronics module, a clockspring, and an ignition switch. The lock housing is removeably attachable to a steering column of a vehicle. The primary switch module is removeably attachable to the lock housing. The secondary switch module is removeably attachable to the primary switch housing and to the lock housing. The electronics module is removeably attachable to the lock housing. The clockspring is removeably attachable to the primary switch module. The ignition switch is removebaly attachable to the lock housing. The modularity of the serviceable steering column module design provides for the easy replacement of defective, worn-out, or broken modules, or to replace functioning modules with an upgraded, premium module. Furthermore, standard components can be swapped-out between different brands of vehicles. While non-standard modules can be specially designed for specially branded vehicles where the non-standard modules are compatible and attachable with the standard modules.

Serviceable steering column module (SCM)

A steering lock device includes an override cam slidingly engageable with a steering column, a lock bolt engageable with a recess on a steering shaft, and an override spring clutch attaching the lock bolt to the override cam. In a locked position, i.e., the steering wheel can not rotate, the lock bolt engages the recess of the steering shaft. In an unlocked position, i.e., when the steering wheel can freely rotate, the lock bolt is disengaged from the recess of the steering shaft. When the ignition key is removed from the ignition switch, the lock bolt engages the recess of the steering shaft. When the ignition key enters the ignition switch and is rotated, the lock bolt is removed from the recess of the steering shaft.

Steering lock device with safety system

An electric switch (20) for use in vehicle electric circuitry is mountable on a trim panel (30) of the vehicle. The switch (20) comprises a circuit board (60) having first and second electrical circuits (80, 100) which are electrically disconnected from each other. The switch (20) has a movable member (130) for controlling the operation of the first and second electrical circuits (80, 100). The apparatus also includes an electrically conductive jumper clip (50) that can be mounted at either a first location (44) or a second location (64) on the trim panel (30). The circuit board (60) includes first jumper terminals (84) engageable with the jumper clip (50) to enable the first circuit (80) when the jumper clip is mounted at the first location (44) on the trim panel (30). The circuit board (60) includes second jumper terminals (104) engageable with the jumper clip to enable the second circuit when the jumper clip (50) is mounted at the second location (64) on the trim panel (30).

Configurable electric switch for vehicle

Growing community of inventors

Orion Township, MI, United States of America

Conrad M Pastwa