Steering column assembly
A steering column assembly for operating a vehicle packages mechanical components and electrical devices normally found in or around the steering column of the vehicle into a single unit. An on-board processor accepts signals from the electrical devices, which may include a steering sensor, an acceleration pedal sensor, a brake pedal sensor, a turn signal switch, a cruise control switch, a windshield wiper switch, etc. The on-board processor connects to a vehicle communications bus to communicate data received from the electrical devices to various systems throughout the vehicle. The on-board processor also receives data from the various systems. The steering column assembly also includes a display connected to the on-board processor. The operator receives information about the operation of the vehicle from the display. All components, including the on-board processor, are operatively connected to a column support, allowing the steering column assembly to be installed as a unit. Therefore, the steering column assembly installs quickly into the vehicle with a reduced chance of installation error.
1. A steering column assembly comprising:
a steering column having a connection for receiving a steering wheel;
a column support coupled to said steering column for mounting said steering column to a support structure of a vehicle;
at least one electrical device operatively attached to said column support for an operator to control the vehicle;
an on-board processor carried by said column support for receiving and consolidating signals from said electrical devices and having an electrical outlet for connection to a vehicle communications bus for sending data to and from the vehicle communications bus;
at least one control pedal pivotally supported by said column support; and
said at least one electrical device including a pedal sensor electrically connected to said on-board processor for sensing a pivotal movement of said control pedal.
2. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one control pedal is further defined as an accelerator pedal pivotally supported by said column support.
3. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pedal sensor is further defined as an accelerator pedal sensor electrically connected to said on-board processor for sensing a pivotal movement of said accelerator pedal.
4. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one control pedal is further defined as a brake pedal pivotally supported by said column support.
5. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pedal sensor is further defined as a brake pedal sensor electrically connected to said on-board processor for sensing a pivotal movement of said brake pedal.
6. A steering column assembly comprising:
a steering column having a connection for receiving a steering wheel;
a column support coupled to said steering column for mounting said steering column to a support structure of a vehicle;
at least one electrical device operatively attached to said column support for an operator to control the vehicle;
an on-board processor carried by said column support for receiving and consolidating signals from said electrical devices and having an electrical outlet for connection to a vehicle communications bus for sending data to and from the vehicle communications bus;
a display supported by said column support and electrically connected to said on-board processor for displaying the data; and
said at least one electrical device including a selector switch electrically connected to said on-board processor for changing the data presented on said display.
7. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least one electrical device includes a steering sensor electrically connected to said on-board processor for sensing the rotational movement of the steering wheel.
8. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least one electrical device includes an ignition switch electrically connected to said on-board processor for allowing starting of an engine of the vehicle.
9. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least one electrical device includes a turn signal switch electrically connected to said on-board processor for activating turn signals of the vehicle.
10. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least one electrical device includes a windshield wiper switch for controlling a windshield wiper of the vehicle.
11. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least one electrical device includes a cruise control switch for controlling a cruise control system of the vehicle.
12. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 6 further comprising a clockspring coil supported by said column support for providing an electrical connection between said on-board processor and the steering wheel.
13. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 6 further comprising a knee bolster supported by said column support for protecting the operator in the event of an accident of the vehicle.
14. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 6 further comprising an integrated bracket supported by said column support and having a first portion for supporting said steering column and a second portion for supporting said on-board processor and said display.
15. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 14 further comprising a cluster mechanism supported by said first portion of said column support for mounting said at least one electrical device.
16. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said cluster mechanism includes a clockspring coil for providing an electrical connection between said on-board processor and the steering wheel.
17. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a wireway for electrically connecting said cluster mechanism and said on-board processor.
18. A steering column assembly comprising:
a steering column having a connection for receiving a steering wheel;
a column support coupled to said steering column for mounting said steering column to a support structure of a vehicle;
at least one electrical device operatively attached to said column support for an operator to control the vehicle;
an on-board processor carried by said column support for receiving and consolidating signals from said electrical devices and having an electrical outlet for connection to a vehicle communications bus for sending data to and from the vehicle communications bus; and
an energy absorbing (EA) mechanism electrically connected to said on-board processor for adjusting an energy absorption load of said steering column based on physical characteristics of the operator.
19. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said at least one electrical device includes a fingerprint sensor electrically connected to said on-board processor for determining an identification of the operator of the vehicle.
20. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said fingerprint sensor includes a memory for storing a record of said physical characteristics of the operator.
21. A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said fingerprint sensor sends said record of said physical characteristics of the operator to said on-board processor to adjust said energy absorption load of said EA mechanism.