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:
May. 11, 2010
Filed:
Apr. 24, 2006
Mark Hirche, Velbert, DE;
Hans-joachim Limburg, Schwabenhausen, DE;
Horst Zillmann, München, DE;
Andreas Van Den Boom, Essen, DE;
Mark Hirche, Velbert, DE;
Hans-Joachim Limburg, Schwabenhausen, DE;
Horst Zillmann, München, DE;
Andreas Van Den Boom, Essen, DE;
Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG, Velbert, DE;
Abstract
A locking device for a steering spindle, includes a locking bolt arrangement and a control element coupled thereto, such that the locking bolt arrangement can be displaced in the axial direction between a locking position and a release end position by rotating the control element. An electronic control unit controls a motor drive and a sensor arrangement, coupled to the control unit for detection of at least one axial position of the locking bolt arrangement. The control unit switches off the motor drive when the locking bolt arrangement is displaced in the axial direction from the locking position to the release end position. The sensor arrangement emits an output signal which displays when a switching off position of the locking bolt arrangement has been reached. The sensor arrangement is so constructed that the output signal can receive a plurality of monotone output signal values which are dependent on the axial position thereof, at least in one displacement interval of the locking bolt arrangement precedent to the release end position and comprising a desired switching position, thus enabling the desired switching position to be selected by selecting an associated output signal value. The control unit includes a selection device which enables one of the desired switching off positions, corresponding to the output signal value as a threshold value to be selected, such that a signal is emitted when the motor drive is switched off, when the threshold value is reached, exceeded or is fallen below.