The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 04, 2002
Filed:
May. 26, 2000
Joachim Engelmann, Ratingen, DE;
Peter Andreas Gratzl, Erdweg, DE;
Hagen Friedrich, Markt Indersdorf, DE;
Valeo Deutschland & Co. Sicherheitssysteme, Erdweg, DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for locking the steering column of a motor vehicle steering mechanism, with a locking device arranged within the zone of the steering column, and with a central controller electrically connected to said locking device, whereby the locking device comprises an electrical setting member for displacing a slidably arranged locking element from its unlocking into its locking position, and a sensor for monitoring a predetermineable condition of the locking device. In order to make it possible for the condition of the locking device to be monitored by means of the sensor also while the motor vehicle is driving, without causing thereby any increase of the safety risk, the invention proposes that the sensor be connected to the central controller in such a way that if the supply voltage for the locking device is switched off, the central controller is capable of scanning and evaluating the condition of the locking device detected by the sensor.