Kostal of America

Chrysler Group LLC

Fca US LLC

Michael F Tefend

Steven R Hoskins

Josef Kortan

Eugene Karpinsky

Brian L Wagoner

Andrew Paul Redwood

Yi Zhu

Matthew S Martin

Michael Tai Thanh Tran

Kalpeshkumar Patel

Fadi Korkis

Ahmad Sahib

Renee L Studebaker

Improved rotary switch systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may be used in vehicles that implement shift-by-wire transmission systems. The switch systems and methods may include programmable end-stops and/or variable tactile feedback.

Rotary switch with programmable end-stops and variable tactile feedback

Example embodiments of a reflective switch and methods for preventing inadvertent actuation of the reflective switch are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the reflective switch comprise a plurality of photo emitters that emit light through a translucent zone and a plurality of photo detectors that detect light rays that are reflected back through the translucent zone by an operator input. Upon detecting reflected light rays, the photo detectors send reflective signals to a controller. The controller then monitors whether the unique addresses of the photo detectors are increasing or decreasing and whether the addresses have increased or decreased to a predetermined threshold to merit a change in switch state. An indicia may be configured to notify an operator that a new switch state has been achieved.

Reflective switch input surface

An electronic selector switch assembly and method for a vehicle includes a housing and selector knob supported by a shaft. A knob position gear is connected to the selector knob and knob measurement gear is connected to the knob position gear. A first sensor senses an angular position of the selector knob. A rack is rotatable about the shaft and selector knob and a rack measurement gear is connected to the rack. A second sensor senses a position of the rack measurement gear. A drive assembly is connected to the rack, and if the knob position, rack position and transmission gear position do not compare, the drive assembly realigns the rack to match the transmission gear position. The methodology periodically senses selector knob and transmission gear positions to determine if there is a mismatch, and locks the selector knob position and adjusts the rack position if there is a mismatch.

Electronic selector switch

Methods and systems are provided pertaining to a turn signal. AUTO CANCEL of a turn signal may be performed electrically, eliminating cancelling pawls and undesirable noise emanating from such pawls as they click against conventional structure in predominantly mechanical turn signal systems. An electromagnetic brake may dampen or prevent turn signal stalk movement if an object is in a blind spot of a vehicle. Such brake may be released or canceled electronically and quietly.

Turn signal systems and methods

A rotary selector switch prevents accidental rotation to an undesired position. For example, an automobile moving forward at 55 kph may have a rotary selector switch in electrical communication with its transmission. The disclosed switch prevents accidental rotation that would indicate that a REVERSE gear is desired when it is not. Optionally, on override feature may permit users to overpower an otherwise prevented rotation.

Rotary selector switch and related systems and methods

A method and apparatus for detecting and correcting mismatches between an electronic shifter position and a vehicle's actual transmission gear. The method and system implement a correction scheme that may initially set a period for manual correction, if possible, then initiate automatic correction if correction is required.

Method of addressing and correcting mismatches between E-shift position and actual transmission gear

A steering angle sensor assemblyfor determining absolute angular position of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle and includes a multi-axis detectorhaving an active operating mode and a standby operating mode and being adapted to measure speed and direction of rotation of the steering wheel. The steering angle sensor assemblyfurther includes at least one second detectorarranged to form a quadrature encoder to detect movement and direction of the steering wheel when the multi-axis detectoris in the standby or powered down operating mode.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Orion, MI, United States of America

Michael F Tefend