International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC

Matthew J Gumbel

Joseph A Bell

Gerald L Larson

Kevin Ronald Carlstrom

A vehicle flasher hazard function is implemented on an electrical controller having control over vehicle exterior lights. The flasher hazard function features an optimized duty cycle and operational frequency, consistent with legal requirements for the flasher rate. The point in time that individual bulbs are turned on is staggered in time to avoid all bulbs being simultaneously activated. This distributes the current surges associated with bulb activation being distributed in time. When a vehicle battery can no longer sustain the legally mandated flasher rate an optional path for flasher operation at a reduced rate is provided.

Vehicle hazard flasher control system

A system and method for testing operation of that portion of a transportation vehicle's electrical system that has switches accessible for selective actuation by an occupant of an interior of the vehicle to control exterior lamps through an ESC (). During a learn mode () of a test, processor apparatus executes a learn algorithm stored in the ESC and as the learn algorithm executes, a person inside the vehicle operates the switches in a desired sequence to cause the ESC to store data related to the sequence. During a playback mode () of the test, the processor apparatus executes a playback algorithm stored in the ESC to cause the ESC to actuate the lamps in accordance with the stored data. A defect in any portion of a lamp circuit is observed by failure of a lamp to illuminate in the stored sequence.

Dynamic vehicle electrical system test

Control of an accessory lighting array for temporary installation on a towed vehicle through the controller area network of a towing vehicle is effected through access to the controller area network over a bus extension, and connection of an accessory controller to the bus extension for decoding network status messages for operation.

Towed vehicle lighting module

A system and method for the automated sequencing of certain operations when a vehicle, such as a school bus, () approaches a railroad crossing where it is required to stop before proceeding across the crossing. A devoted switch () is actuated by the driver to initiate the sequence. After stopping, vehicle speed or distance traveled is used to restore conditions of various devices whose operation was affected by the initial switch actuation.

Automated sequencing of operations in a motor vehicle upon stopping at a railroad crossing

Vehicle on-board measurement of axle load and gross combined vehicle weight is improved for an air bladder suspended vehicle by allowing for suspension hysteresis. Suspension hysteresis results in at least two distinct air pressures being possible in an air bladder for a single load. The system also reduces the disruptive effect of vehicle acceleration and deceleration on load determination. Vehicle drive train management is enhanced using the load information to effect transmission gear selection.

System and method for vehicle axle load measurement with hysteresis compensation and acceleration filter

A vehicle provides the automatic activation and deactivation of vehicle lights in a predetermined sequence upon user request to assist the user in making a sight inspection of operation of the lights without further human help.

Vehicle lamp inspection system

A controller area network diagnosis instrument for diagnosis and evaluation of electronic components on a vehicle control system The controlled area network diagnostic instrument (CANDI) includes a computer processor with a graphics display The processor has a cable to plug into the diagnostic connector engaged to a common data bus of the vehicle The processor is programmed to graphically show a mock gauge cluster or vehicle instrument panel on the display in that has the same appearance as a real vehicle gauge cluster or vehicle instrument panel When connected to the diagnostic connector, the processor mines data off of the data bus and converts it into human readable form on the display This may take the form of mock conventional gauges mock warning lights mock switch status or mock LCD displays shown via computer graphics on the processor's display

Growing community of inventors

Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Matthew J Gumbel