US 2016/0257338 A1 · STEERING SYSTEMS INCLUDING LOCKING CONTROLS FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND MOTOR VEHICLES INCLUDING STEERING SYSTEMS

Abstract

A steering locking system is provided for a motor vehicle that includes a pin, a locking disc to receive the pin, an actuation device, and a control unit. The actuation device is configured to control movement of the pin. The control unit is configured to control rotation of the locking disc and movement of the pin via the actuation device. Further, the control unit is configured to permit movement of the pin into the pocket after the occurrence of a predetermined event. The steering locking system can further include a motor operatively associated with the locking disc. The control unit may be configured to control the motor at a first power level to maintain the motor in a state of readiness and to control the motor at a second power level, different from the first power level, when the locking system detects a torque applied to the steering system.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A steering locking system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a pin;
a locking disc comprising at least one pocket configured to receive the pin;
an actuation device configured to control movement of the pin;
and
a control unit configured to control rotation of the locking disc and movement of the pin via the actuation device,
wherein the control unit is configured to permit movement of the pin into the pocket after the occurrence of a predetermined event.

3 more elements

A steering locking system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a pin;
a locking disc comprising at least one pocket configured to receive the pin;
an actuation device configured to control movement of the pin;
a motor operatively associated with the locking disc;
and
a control unit configured to communicate with the motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the locking disc relative to the pin based on signals received from the control unit;
wherein the control unit is configured to control the motor at a first power level to maintain the motor in a state of readiness and to control the motor at a second power level, different from the first power level, when the locking system detects a torque applied to the steering system.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/639,547Filed 5 Mar 2015

Published

8 Sep 2016

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B62D 6/001
Arrangements for automatically controlling steering depending on driving conditions sensed and responded to, e.g. control circuits: the torque NOT…
B60R 25/02
Operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens: operating on the steering mechanism
B62D 3/02
Steering gears: mechanical
B62D 5/008
Power-assisted or power-driven steering: changing the transfer ratio between the steering wheel and the steering gear by variable supply of…

Steering systems including locking controls for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicles including steering systems

Life of this patent

Steering systems including locking controls for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicles including steering systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26