Horn control system responsive to rapid changes in resistance of a flexible potentiometer
US5576684A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01C10/106
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An automobile control system includes a flexible potentiometer that is connected to a horn control circuit. The flexible potentiometer changes resistance as it is deflected. The flexible potentiometer is adjacent to a steering wheel hub cover. The horn control circuit activates a horn in response to deflection of the flexible potentiometer when a driver presses against the hub cover. The horn control circuit responds to rapid changes in the resistance of the flexible potentiometer, but not to more gradual changes caused by, for example, temperature changes. Additional flexible potentiometers may be used to control other functions such as cruise control.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.