Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Other

Orison Corporation

Adrian B Chernoff

Christopher E Borroni-Bird

Mohsen D Shabana

Robert Louis Vitale

Tommy E White

Joseph F Szczerba

Julien Montousse

James Thomas Embach

Alan L Browne

Nancy L Johnson

Steven Morris

Richard Murray Kleber

Eric Douglass Clifton

Ukpai I Ukpai

Kevin G Kolpasky

Chongmin Kim

Pablo D Zavattieri

James Y Khoury

Edward Frank Ryntz

Rainer A Glaser

Bruce Edward Zemke

Tucker J Johnson

Robin Stevenson

Gary Lee Jones

John C Ulicny

John K Lenneman

Mark A Kramarczyk

Mark G Konopnicki

Senthil N Karuppaswamy

David A Young

Janet S Goings

Andrew J Hanzel

Lawrence K Baker

Adrian Oana

Stephen R Koshorek

Joseph W Cobble, Iii

Jacob Lyjak

Frederick I Johnson

Seth David Smith Chernoff

Stacey Lynn Smith Chernoff

Kristin B Zimmerman

Eugenio Pagliano

Patricia A Flores

Lawrence E Sully

The wireless wall thermostat utilizes a push-contact mechanical system that allows a user to raise or lower the temperature within a space by applying a force on the top or bottom center of the front of the thermostat. The perpendicular force applied by the user generates a moment arm around pivot connectors, which rotates the thermostat clockwise or counter-clockwise. When rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, contact buttons attached to the back of the thermostat come into contact with the trigger tabs of a stationary trigger plate mounted to a wall through use of an electromagnetic attraction between a steel disc and a magnet. When the trigger tabs press the contact buttons, the contact buttons send a signal to the central processing unit of the thermostat's internal circuit board to modulate the temperature setting. In addition, the wireless wall thermostat can be detachable by utilizing a magnetic release smart mount.

Wireless wall thermostat

The wireless wall thermostat of the present invention utilizes a push-contact mechanical system that allows a user to raise or lower the temperature within a space by applying a force on the top or bottom center of the front of the thermostat. The perpendicular force applied by the user generates a moment arm around pivot connectors, which rotates the thermostat clockwise or counter-clockwise. When rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, contact buttons attached to the back of the thermostat come into contact with the trigger tabs of a stationary trigger plate mounted to a wall through use of an electromagnetic attraction between a steel disc and a magnet. When the trigger tabs press the contact buttons, the contact buttons send a signal to the central processing unit of the thermostat's internal circuit board to modulate the temperature setting. In addition, the wireless wall thermostat can be detachable by utilizing a magnetic release smart mount.

A self-presenting device includes, a member in physical communication with a vehicle surface, wherein the member is configured to have a first form and a second form, wherein the first form is configured to store the member and the second form is configured to present the member, and an active material in operable communication with the member, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the member from the first form to the second form.

Active material enabled self-presenting devices

An apparatus and method for illuminating a vehicle including a light source connected to an illuminatable component such as an interior or exterior vehicle door handle or steering wheel, and a control system including a plurality of sensors that monitor the vehicle and surroundings for predetermined conditions and selectively illuminate the component as a means of conveying information or warnings about the vehicle or its surroundings. Illumination may be enhanced by other auditory signals such as audio alarms or vibration. Predetermined conditions may include the proximity of a vehicle user, key fob activation or proximity, input from an entertainment system, activation of a pressure sensor, the presence of a person or object in proximity to the vehicle, or the vehicle's ignition or gear state.

Vehicle illumination system and method

A concealment assembly includes a component, a member configured to have a first form and a second form, wherein the first form is configured to conceal the component and the second form is configured to expose the component, thereby making the component accessible for use, appearance, or function, and an active material in operable communication with the member, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the member from the first form to the second form.

Active material based concealment assemblies

A vehicle braking system is responsive to vehicle conditions to alter the response of the braking system for a given driver input. In one mode, the vehicle conditions are conditions that are indicated by sensor in real time. In another mode, the vehicle conditions are historical conditions, such as trends, patterns, etc. The braking system provides braking responses that are appropriate for vehicle conditions and enables personalization of the braking system to accommodate individual driver characteristics.

Vehicle braking system

An obstruction detection device for a motor vehicle having a door assembly movably connected to a vehicle body is provided. The device controls the vehicle door's opening angle to prevent inadvertent contact with an object foreign to the vehicle, while providing the largest opening for vehicle ingress and egress. The obstruction detection device includes a controller that is operatively connected to at least one sensor configured to actively monitor and transmit signals to the controller indicative of the presence and corresponding proximity of the object relative to the door assembly. An actuator is operatively connected to and controlled by the controller. The actuator is configured to apply a selectively variable force that restricts the movement of the vehicle door assembly with respect to the vehicle body when the door is a predetermined distance from the object.

Obstruction detection device for vehicle door and method

A wheel module is configured for use on a vehicle chassis. A drivable vehicle includes a wheel module operatively connected to a vehicle chassis. The wheel module includes at least one non-rotating structural unit, a rotatable wheel controllably connected to the structural unit, a vehicle attachment interface operatively connected to the non-rotating structural unit including a load-bearing vehicle retention coupling and a control signal receiver. The wheel module further includes chassis components including at least one of a brake system, steering system, motor and suspension system operatively connected to the non-rotating structural unit and to the wheel, and operatively connected to the control signal receiver for controlling the wheel in response to non-mechanical control signals received through the control signal receiver.

Wheel module

A headrest assembly including active material drivenly coupled to a headrest component, such as for example, an interior frame member, bag, or gear device wherein the material is actuated upon receipt of an activation signal, and configured to morph, reposition, reduce the resistance of, change a modulus property of, or otherwise modify an engaging surface defined by the headrest when actuated, and autonomously restore the headrest upon the deactivation of the material.

Active material actuated headrest assemblies

A storage console for a vehicle includes a vacuum cleaner. In an exemplary embodiment, the console includes an interface at which the vacuum cleaner is releasably affixed to the console. The console may include a hose operatively connected to the vacuum cleaner whereby suction from the vacuum cleaner is transferred through the hose. The interface may include electrical contacts for recharging a battery in the vacuum cleaner.

Vehicle storage console

A driver control input device includes a support post and a steering ring rotatably supported with respect to the support post. A steering transducer is operatively connected between the steering ring and support post to convert mechanical rotation of the steering ring into non-mechanical steering control signals to be sent to a steer-by-wire system. A braking ring and acceleration ring may also be provided for generating non-mechanical braking and acceleration control signals.

Driver control input device for drive-by-wire system

An instrument panel for a vehicle defines a cavity. A storage console is selectively movable within the cavity to provide enhanced accessibility of stored items within the storage console. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage console is a drawer that is selectively movable from a stowed position inside the cavity to an extended position outside the cavity for access by a vehicle user in a passenger compartment. In another exemplary embodiment, the console is movable between an elevated position in which the console occupies space inaccessible to a vehicle user, and a lowered position in which the console is accessible through an opening in the instrument panel.

Vehicle instrument panel having movable storage compartment

A headrest assembly including active material drivenly coupled to a headrest component, such as for example, an interior frame member, bag, or gear device ,wherein the material is actuated upon receipt of an activation signal, and configured to morph, reposition, reduce the resistance of, change a modulus property of, or otherwise modify an engaging surface defined by the headrest when actuated, and autonomously restore the headrest upon the deactivation of the material.

A chassis having systems responsive to a nonmechanical control signals and a simplified body-attachment interface includes preassembled modules to enhance ease and simplicity of chassis assembly. The chassis is preferably configured to minimize the possibility of a preassembled module being incorrectly positioned within the chassis. Methods for advantageously employing preassembled modules to assemble vehicle chassis are also provided.

Modular chassis with simplified body-attachment interface

Growing community of inventors

Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Adrian B Chernoff