Patent · US Expired

Dual position vehicle steering command module

US6360149B1 · kind B1 · utility

70Cited by
5References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 8, 1999
Grant dateMar 19, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 8, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49488
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle steering command module as disclosed wherein the command module is necessary to start and control the motion of a vehicle, and once removed from the vehicle the command module can function as a personal computer. The vehicle steering command module includes a housing having a computer processing unit and a connection port. The connection port releasably connects the command module to one of a pair of spaced apart mating connection ports on an instrument panel of the vehicle, thereby completing a steer by wire circuit of the vehicle. Rotation of the command module controls the direction of travel of the vehicle when the command module is connected to one of the mating connection ports. The command module includes at least one input device operably connected to the computer processing unit. A cover of the steering command module is moveable between a closed position and an opened position, and includes a display screen operably connected to the computer processing unit. The steering command module further includes a pair of opposed handles, which are moveable between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.