Apparatus and method for sensing positions of an ignition switch

US6479908B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• General Motors LLC · US

Inventors

• Thomas E. Utter · Royal Oak, US
• Carol L. Daprai · Lake Orion, US
• Kerfegar K. Katrak · Fenton, US
• David T. Proefke · Madison Heights, US
• Thomas M. Forest · Chesterfield Township, US
• Michael J. Kachman · Macomb Township, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 20, 2000
• Grant date: Nov 12, 2002
• Expiry date: Apr 20, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R25/04
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An ignition switch sensor having a plurality of contacts arranged on a sensor to make intermittent contact with a movable contact and generate a first plurality of outputs corresponding to the position of the movable contact relative to the plurality of contacts. A power mode module receives the first plurality of outputs and compares the outputs to data stored within the memory of the module and provides a second plurality outputs according to the value of the first plurality of outputs. A theft resistor may be integrated into the ignition switch sensor circuitry to facilitate protection from tampering and unauthorized starting of the vehicle's engine.