Methode Electronics, Incorporated

Eaton Corporation

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Joseph E Khoury

Steven R Hoskins

Vladimir Karasik

Sheldon J Allen

Gerd Rudolph

Ruth E Hubbell

Rajkumar Ramamurthy

Conrad M Pastwa

Matthew G Rhinehart

Narayanarao Jayasimha

Igor A Shmulevich

Patrick Favre

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)

An automobile steering column switch includes a support rigidly mounted to the steering column tube of an automobile steering column. The support comprises at least one of a wiper switch, blinker switch, and driving light switch. The support includes a printed circuit board provided with electrical contacts to which the at least one of a wiper switch, blinker switch and driving light switch and an ignition starter switch are coupled. The support is configured in one piece and provided with an accommodation space for the ignition starter switch. The support with the switches can be mounted as a pre-assembled module to the steering column

Steering column switch for a motor vehicle

A sliding contact mechanism includes a sliding door contact, a spring having one end connected to the sliding door contact and another end connected to the sliding door of a mini-van, and a pillar contact attached to the stationary pillar of the mini-van. The pillar contact has a shape complementary to a shape of the sliding door contact. When the sliding door is in a closed position, the sliding door is adjacent the pillar and the sliding door contact engages and is in a closed electrical connection with the pillar contact. When the sliding door is in an open position, the sliding door is not adjacent the pillar and the sliding door contact is an open electrical connection with the sliding door contact.

Sliding contact mechanism

A remote key interlock system includes a locking device mounted on a steering column and a key actuated ignition switch located remote from the locking device, where a cable connects the locking device to the key actuated ignition switch. The locking device being engageable with a recess of a steering shaft housed within the steering column. The cable being either electrically insulated from one of the key actuated ignition switch and the locking device, or load bearing, or moveable.

Remote key interlock system

An electrical switch assembly includes a member by which a user selects one of a plurality of functions. Operation of the member applies different amounts of pressure to a transducer that has an impedance which changes in response to the applied pressure. An input circuit produces an output voltage which varies in relation to changes in the impedance of the pressure transducer. A voltage comparator compares the output voltage to a plurality of voltage ranges and in response to the voltage comparison, an output driver produces at least one electrical signal that indicates which one of plurality of functions the user has selected.

Multiple-function selector utilizing a force sensitive, variable

A switch assembly having a sliding actuator adapted to be moved by a cam on a stalk lever. Initial movement of the actuator from a neutral position by user movement of the lever moves a first contact carried by the actuator to break a connection between a power bus and a fog lamp terminal strip in a planar array of strips. Further movement causes a second contact carried by the actuator to make a connection between another power bus strip and a high beam terminal strip. Continued movement of the sliding actuator causes rotational movement of a bi-stable rotor latched in one of its two bi-stable positions. Movement of the rotor causes a third contact on the rotor to shunt the second contact to make a second connection on another high beam strip and a fourth contact on the rotor breaks a second connection on the strip for the fog lamp electrically in series with the first connection. Subsequent return of the sliding actuator to its beginning or neutral position by user release of the lever does not effect the position of the third and fourth contacts, as the rotor is latched. A subsequent actuation of the stalk lever by the user again moves the sliding actuator to effect movement of the bi-stable member in the opposite direction to disconnect the high beam headlamps and reconnect the low beam and fog lamps, and the bi-stable member is again latched in the position with the low beams headlamps on.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington, MI, United States of America

Joseph E Khoury