Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Chrysler Corporation

Fca US LLC

Chrysler Group LLC

John M Gaynier

Frank Trovato

Joseph G Machak

Marian Mirowski

Gary Joseph Burlak

John Fiaschetti

Gary B Flaishans

Bradley S Chupp

David A Lescamela

Luis Juan Morenilla

Norman T Caramagno

Peter J Narbus

Philip Chamberlain

Michael C Long

Michael A Cox

Rod S Fraser

Lisa A Gronowski

Alexander Eyhorn

William T Presley

Alessandro Milite

Gary Burlak

Luis J Morenilla

A smart power outlet system for a vehicle has a power outlet control module and a plurality of power outlets. Each power outlet has an associated set of power switching devices with each power switching device of a set of power switching devices coupled to a different power source. The power outlet control module drives a display and is responsive to user input via the display. The power outlet control module energizes one of the power switching devices in each set of power switching devices corresponding to a power source selected by a user via the display to provide power to the power outlet associated with that set of power switching devices from the power source selected by the user.

Smart power outlet system

An electronics module for automotive vehicles includes a housing; an electrical connector having a commercial standard electrical connector footprint mounted on the housing; and an electronics assembly including commercial standard communication bus electronics contained in the housing, the electronics assembly being electrically connected to the electrical connector. The electronics module is adapted to be plugged into a power distribution unit of an automotive vehicle in order to control power distribution components of the unit.

Pluggable system for reading inputs, controlling outputs and communicating with another module for power distribution unit

A universal vehicle electric power distribution module employs reconfigurable inputs and outputs enabling use of the same hardware across vehicle lines. The module is scalable for ease of expansion and is capable of handling both low current and high current load management on the same module.

Integrated vehicle power distribution and gateway system

A vehicle power distribution system for selectively providing battery power to a circuit. A circuit-interrupting device is arranged to respond to a control signal by selectively applying the battery power to the circuit. A circuit protection device is moveable between a first circuit position and a second circuit position, where the first circuit position is arranged to pass a current through the circuit concurrently with the circuit interrupting device. The second circuit position is arranged to pass the current around said circuit interrupting device.

Method to eliminate shipping fuse handling

A vehicular interior lighting system features a lamp assembly having two input terminals, each connected to a power source via two control switches. The lamp assembly further includes a lighting element connected at one end to an input terminal and at the other end to dual position manual switch that is connected in parallel to a diode. This configuration allows the lighting element to be illuminated from either the control switches or via the manual switch, depending on the polarity.

Vehicular lighting control system

An automotive external lighting system uses pulse width modulation to drive a single filament for turn signaling and park signaling purposes. A control circuit generates a variable brightness signal based on a predetermined brightness level, and an external lamp produces external illumination based on the brightness signal. A single wire is therefore able to electrically connect the control circuit to the external lamp. The control circuit includes a microcontroller for generating a pulse width modulated signal, and a high side driver for driving the lamp in response to the pulse width modulated signal. When the pulse width modulated signal has a duty cycle corresponding to a parking brightness level, the filament will produce less illumination than in the case of turn signaling. When the pulse width modulated signal has a duty cycle corresponding to a turning brightness level, the control circuit generates a switching signal in response to an operator manipulation, and the microcontroller controls generation of the pulse width modulated signal in response to the switching signal.

Single wire automotive external lighting system

A digital verification system and method is described for verifying that the terminal connector assembly of an automobile's battery cable is properly connected to the connector assembly of a power distribution module (PDM). The terminal connector assembly is provided with an integrated CPA assembly having an engagement member, such as an elongated appendage. The PDM connector assembly is provided with a shorting bar that contacts a bus bar so as to cause a short circuit to occur when current is supplied to the PDM connector assembly through the battery's terminal connector assembly. A sense lead in contact with the shorting bar sends a response signal through a printed circuit board to a microprocessor indicating that electrical power is flowing though the short circuit. The CPA assembly can only be engaged when the terminal connector assembly is fully mated to the PDM connector assembly. When the CPA assembly is engaged, the engagement member simultaneously contacts the shorting bar and causes the short circuit to be interrupted. The sense lead then sends a response signal to the microprocessor indicating that no electrical power is flowing through the circuit. In this manner, a technician can be assured that a proper connection has been established between the terminal connector assembly and the PDM connector assembly.

Digital verification of battery cable connection to power distribution

Growing community of inventors

Carleton, MI, United States of America

John M Gaynier