BMW 7 Series: Introduction

The Steering Column Switch Cluster - An Interface

The steering column switch cluster is a "mechanical and electrical interface" from the steering wheel to the vehicle; it is firmly connected mechanically to the steering column. On top of this purely mechanical connection, the steering column switch cluster is connected electrically via bus systems or directly to components.

In the F01/F02, the steering column switch cluster has a steering column stalk on either side of the steering column. The right-hand steering column stalk is for activating/deactivating the wiper/washer system functions.

The left-hand steering column stalk is for activating/deactivating the high-beam headlight or turn indicators and for operating the on-board computer functions.

A steering column switch cluster with optical steering-angle sensor is built into the F01/F02. The steering-angle sensor uses a non-contact optical measuring system for steering-angle detection.

The steering column switch cluster receives the button signal of the steering wheel directly or across the LIN bus. These signals are forwarded from the steering column switch cluster to the respective control units.

Signals such as the buttons for controlling the volume of the radio are transmitted by the steering column switch cluster across the FlexRay. The steering column switch cluster receives e.g. the signal to activate the vibration actuator across the FlexRay.

The steering column switch cluster forwards the trigger signal of the driver's airbag directly to the priming caps of the airbag.

For the electrical steering column adjustment, the switch cluster evaluates the button and transmits requests across the FlexRay.

The steering column switch cluster also evaluate the button for the steering wheel heating. The steering column switch cluster forwards this signal across the LIN bus to the steering wheel electronics.

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