Paccar Inc.

Jeffrey E Bargewell

Lew E Plummer

Richard P Bertalan

Jon M Quigley

Ted Scherzinger

Method and apparatus for interfacing steering wheel inputs on a steering wheel assembly with electronically-controlled devices in a vehicle. A steering wheel interface module in the steering wheel assembly is connected between the steering wheel inputs and a data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly. The steering wheel inputs provide control information to the steering wheel interface module, which in turn formulates data messages based on the control information and transmits the data messages on the data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly. Preferably, the steering wheel interface module includes a processing unit and a memory in communication with the processing unit. The data messages are formulated by the processing unit in accordance with programmed instructions stored in the memory. The programmed instructions and/or data messages stored in the memory may be modified or supplemented at a later time. The steering wheel interface module may also have a communication connection with one or more outputs on the steering wheel assembly for displaying status information. The data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly is electrically connected through a rotational connection assembly to a data communication bus in the vehicle that conveys the data messages sent by the steering wheel interface module to the electronically-controlled devices in the vehicle.

Steering wheel electronic interface

An electrical interface for connecting a truck electrical system to a trailer electrical system. The electrical interface includes a solid-state switching device for selectively connecting a power source in the truck electrical system to a circuit in the trailer electrical system. If a fault is detected in the provision of power to the circuit in the trailer electrical system, the solid-state switching device reduces the flow of power or disconnects the power source from the circuit in the trailer electrical system. A microcontroller system connected to the truck electrical system transmits control signals to the solid-state switching device to control the flow of power from the power source to the circuit in the trailer electrical system in accordance with instruction signals received from the truck electrical system. The solid-state switching device includes a transistor switch connected between the power source and the circuit in the trailer electrical system and a transistor driver circuit connected to the microcontroller system to control the operation of the transistor switch. The microcontroller system includes a processor and a transceiver that conveys data transmitted between the processor and the truck electrical system. The electrical interface may also include a daughter board connector for connecting an external circuit, such as a communications circuit, to the electrical interface that enables the processor to communicate data with the circuit in the trailer electrical system using an existing electrical connection to an output of the electrical interface.

Growing community of inventors

Burlington, WA, United States of America

Jeffrey E Bargewell