Clockspring using resettable fuse for heated steering wheel
US6299466A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R35/025
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A clockspring for powering a heated steering wheel having a resettable fuse connected in series between the heating element and a power source for the heating element. When a predetermined current limit is exceeded the resettable fuse trips and breaks the circuit providing power to the heating element. After the resettable fuse cools, the resettable fuse automatically reestablished the connection between the heating element and the power source for the heating element. The resettable fuse can be easily and economically implemented into a conventional clockspring, thus enabling a conventional clockspring to provide electrical connections for high current devices, such as a steering wheel heating element. Moreover, the present invention provides a reliable and cost effective safety device for preventing damage to the clockspring and the vehicle, and serious injury to a driver or a passenger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.