Trw Limited

Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.

Michael W Malesko

George B Wolfe

James R Moss

Steven J Anderson

Joseph E Browne

A keyless access control system (10) controls access through an entranceway (e.g., a door 16) into a vehicle (12). A sealed security input module (14) of the system (10) is mounted on the vehicle (12) at a location to be accessible by an operator (18) located outside of the vehicle (12). The module (14) includes a keypad (22) manually actuatable by the operator (18) to enter a security code. The module (14) also includes a code-transmitting transmitter (26 and 28). A code-receiving receiver (38 and 40) is located in the vehicle. An induction power coupling (50) connects the security input module (14) and a vehicle power system (58). Preferably, a first half (48) of the induction coupling (50) is located in the module (14), and a second half (52) of the induction coupling is adjacent to the first half (48). During operation, power from the vehicle power system (58) is transferred to the module (14) via the induction coupling (50). The operator (18) manually inputs the security code to the module (14). The code-transmitting transmitter (26 and 28) of the module (14) transmits a RF signal (30) conveying the security code. The code-receiving receiver (38 and 40) receives the signal (30).

Keyless access control system with wireless, induction-powered keypad

A vehicle turn signal system (10), and an associated method, utilizes turn selectors (14, 16) located on a steering wheel (12). The system has right and left turn signal indicator circuits (34, 38) that are each energizable to indicate an intended movement of the vehicle toward the right or left, respectively. A micro-controller 20 controls the energization of the right and left turn indicator circuits (34, 38). Each of the right and left selectors (14, 16) is actuatable in a first manner for causing the micro-controller (20) to energize the respective indicator circuit (34 or 38) to perform a first indication operation and actuatable in a second manner for causing the micro-controller to energize the respective indicator circuit (34 or 38) to perform a second indication operation. In one embodiment, the first manner of selector actuation is a relatively short duration actuation, and the second manner of selector is a relatively long duration actuation. Also, in one embodiment, the first indication operation is a timed duration indication for lane changing and the second indication operation is conventional turn indication (e.g., indication until cancelled).

Turn signal system and method with steering wheel mounted control of

A switch apparatus includes a carrier for an optical cable. The carrier supports the optical cable in a U-shaped configuration with parallel leg portions of the optical cable extending along opposite sides of the carrier. A pushbutton is supported by the optical cable. The pushbutton has actuation arms which engage the parallel leg portions of the optical cable. The optical cable is held by flexible arms which form channels into which the leg portions of the optical cable are snapped. Upon manual actuation of the pushbutton, the optical cable is deformed to reduce the intensity of a light beam transmitted through the optical cable.

Switch apparatus

An accelerometer (10) features a housing (12) having an passage (14) of rectangular cross-section formed therein, and one embodiment the width dimension gradually increases with increasing displacement along a central longitudinal axis (16) away from a first end (24) of the passage. A puck-shaped magnetic sensing mass (26) is located within the passage and oriented so that its magnetic axis extends in a direction normal to a basal surface (18) of the passage. A pair of magnetically-permeable pole pieces (22) extend from a coil (21) parallel to the passage (14) to magnetically-interact with the sensing mass so as to bias the sensing mass towards a first position within the passage. A pair of electrically-conductive nonmagnetic plates (32) on the housing magnetically interact with the sensing mass to damp the movement thereof within the passage. The coil (21) provides both test and reconfiguration functions.

Accelerometer having lateral pole piece biasing elements

An accelerometer (10) features a housing (12) having an passage (14) of rectangular cross-section formed therein, the width dimension of which gradually increases with increasing displacement along a central longitudinal axis (16) away from a first end (24) of the passage; and a puck-shaped magnetic sensing mass (26) located within the passage whose magnetic axis extends in a direction normal to the basal surface (18) of the passage. A pair of magnetically-permeable elements (22) on the housing magnetically-interact with the sensing mass so as to bias the sensing mass towards a first position within the passage; and a first and second pair of stationary beam contacts (30) project into the passage so as to be bridged by respective electrically-conductive circumferential surfaces (28) on the sensing mass when it moves to a second position within the passage. A pair of electrically-conductive nonmagnetic plates (32) on the housing magnetically interact with the sensing mass to damp the movement thereof within the passage. A pair of horizontally-wound coils (36,38) provide both test and reconfiguration functions.

Integrating accelerometer capable of sensing off-axis inputs

An improved acceleration sensor (10) includes a housing (12) having an internal passage (14) defined therein, a sensing mass (18) located within the passage which moves from a first position within the passage towards a second position therein in response to acceleration inputs to the sensor housing, and a pair of electrical contacts (22) projecting into the passage so as to be bridged by the sensing mass when it reaches its second position within the passage, thereby closing an electrical circuit. The supported end (28) of each of the contacts includes diametrical arms (32) which are themselves secured to the housing only at their outboard ends (36). The arms are thus free to rotate elastically when the sensing mass deflects the contact's cantilevered free end (30), thereby permitting greater elastic travel of the contact's free end, with its enhanced reliability and an attendant increase in contact dwell.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Michael W Malesko