Functional module

US5944534A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Leopold KOSTAL GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Ernst Wilhelm Hoffmann · Herscheid, DE
• Rudiger Menz · Iserlohn, DE
• Jorg Welschholz · Herscheid, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 18, 1997
• Grant date: Aug 31, 1999
• Expiry date: Nov 18, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60Q1/1461
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A steering column module electrically connected to the electrical system of a vehicle with the fewest number of connector parts is attached to the outer tube of a steering column of the motor vehicle. The module includes a carrier and functional units attached to the carrier. The carrier is attached to the outer tube of the steering column. Plug-in connector parts are provided on the lower sides of the functional units. A plate-shaped distributing device having upper and lower sides is also included. The distributing device encompasses the steering column and is aligned perpendicular thereto. The distributing device includes mating connector parts on its upper side and a plug-in connector arrangement on its lower side. Each mating connector part is coupled to a respective one of the plug-in connector parts. The plug-in connector arrangement is electrically connected to the mating connector parts and is coupled to a connecting connector part provided on the steering column and linked to the electrical system to electrically connect the module to the electrical system.