Denso International America, Inc.

Denso Corporation

Denso Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc.

Christopher Alan Arms

Silviu Pala

Martin Nespolo

Scott Heflin

Gareth Webb

Sibu Varughese

Justin McBride

Bo Sun

Jagadeesh Krishnamurthy

David Cook

Jill Garcia

Christopher Abrego

Carolina Rigney

Victor George Vulcu

Zakary Gertlar

Steve Tononi

Joel Stooksbury

Bart Zudell

Daniel Paul Tran

Nhi Van Pham

Systems and methods are disclosed and include a needle control module that includes a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium, a motor driver circuit in communication with the needle control module, the motor driver circuit controlling a stepper motor attached to a needle, and a housing enclosing the needle control module, the motor driver circuit, and the stepper motor, the housing being physically attached to a display of a vehicle. In response to the needle control module receiving a signal representing vehicle state information, the needle control module is configured to instruct the motor driver circuit to control movement of the stepper motor and adjust a position of the needle based on the signal.

Plug-and-play stepper motor for a pointer display assembly

A control system for a vehicle includes first and second modules. The first module receives input from an operator of the vehicle via an input device, wherein the operator input includes a change to an operating parameter of a vehicle system. The second module selectively adjusts a resistance of the input device based on the operator input and a predetermined threshold. A method for controlling a vehicle includes receiving input from an operator of the vehicle via an input device, wherein the operator input includes a change to an operating parameter of a vehicle system, and selectively adjusting a resistance of the input device based on the operator input and a predetermined threshold.

Systems and methods for haptic feedback control in a vehicle

A display system for a vehicle system includes at least one light sensor that detects a light condition, and a display member that displays an information message. The information message includes a background and an object that is displayed adjacent the background. The display system further includes a controller that changes legibility of the information message by changing each of the background and the object based on the light condition detected by the light sensor. A method of controlling the display system is also disclosed.

Smart legibility adjustment for vehicular display

A viewed component of a vehicle instrument cluster includes a dial structure. A printed circuit board is arranged on the dial structure and has an outboard surface. A layer of printed ink is arranged on the outboard surface of the printed circuit board. A series of LEDs are arranged on the outboard surface of the printed circuit board wherein the series of LEDs occupy an outermost layer of the dial structure.

Continuous LED instrument panel

A gauge has a face plate which includes indicia thereon to indicate specific values of a parameter. A laser system is disposed behind and/or in front of the face plate to project a beam onto the face plate to indicate the value of a parameter. A stepper motor moves the beam based upon the output of a sensor which monitors the parameter.

Gauge laser pointer

Various manufacturing techniques may be employed to construct an appliqu&#xe9; for use in an instrument cluster. In one commonly employed technique, an appliqu&#xe9; may be formed by applying different colored ink layers onto a surface of a polycarbonate sheet using a silk screen printing. In some instance, an edge of an underlying ink layer may cause a visible step line on the face of the appliqu&#xe9;. To reduce or eliminate these visible step lines, an outer boundary area of the printing layers invention are defined as a dispersing dot pattern.

Gradient dot pattern for reducing visible step lines on the face of an applique

A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch. The housing which forms the cavity also includes a vent system for the cavity.

High temperature shut-off for an LCD heater

A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Christopher Alan Arms