Ford Motor Company Limited

Peter Langer

Karl W Wojcik

David John Rutkowski

Richard Alan Kraus

Clair E Mitchell

Paul Chester Dara

Todd A Snover

Hyung Kim

Payal Agarwal

Douglas R Mutter

Mark Stanley Pikula

Carlos Dominguez

Peter J Bills

An automotive electrical system and method for coupling power to such a system in which current cumulatively drawn by the various modules of the system during its inactive state is minimized. In one aspect of the invention, the electrical system (10) comprises at least one remote module (14a-n) coupled to a power bus (21) and a signal bus (16), at least one of the remote modules (14a-n) is coupled to at least one wake-up input switch (28A-I); a central module (12) coupled to the remote module (14a-n) by the signal bus (16), the central module (12) coupling electrical power from a power source (20) to the power bus (21) in response to a detection of an activation of any of the wake-up input switches (28A-I). In another aspect of the invention, a method for awakening an automotive electrical system (10) from an inactive state, the electrical system (10) having a central module (12) for coupling power from a power source (20) to a power bus (21), at least one remote module (14a-n) coupled to the power bus (21), and the remote module (14a-n) coupled to at least one wake-up input switch (28A-I), the method comprising the steps of: generating a current transient upon activation of the wake-up input switch (28A-I), sensing the current transient, generating a power control signal in response to the sensed current transient and coupling power to the power bus (21) in response to the power control signal.

Automotive electrical system and method for coupling power to such

A method and circuit is provided which controls and monitors a load through a single I/O pin of a microprocessor. A predriver circuit including a level shifter responds to a driver control signal from the microprocessor to control energization of a power driver connected in a load circuit. The predriver circuit also includes a monitor stage for detecting fault conditions of the load circuit. The output of the monitor stage is connected with the I/O pin which is configured as either an input or an output pin under microprocessor program control.

Method and circuit for controlling and monitoring a load

Seat belts in a vehicle are monitored, and a reminder is initiated in response to a restraint sensor indicating the engaged or nonengaged state of a seat restraint, a vehicle sensor indicating when the vehicle is in use, an annunciator controllably producing a reminder, and an electronic control controlling the annunciator. The reminder is produced when the seat restraint is in a nonengaged state after having been an engaged state while the vehicle is in use. Thus, monitoring of the continued buckling of a seat belt, especially a rear seat belt, is provided without need for seat occupancy sensors.

Seat belt usage indicating system

A plurality of sensors, such as a door handle lift switch, a headlight switch, and an ignition switch, are normally provided in an automotive electrical system. A master microcontroller normally is coupled to each of these sensors for receiving a signal therefrom and responsive thereto generating a corresponding controller signal. Power drivers, each operatively coupled to the master controller, normally are provided for energizing and powering loads coupled thereto, with each load being either an indicator or actuator that is operated responsive to its corresponding sensor. The self-diagnostic method includes the steps of mechanically actuating a selected one of the sensors, and then electrically actuating a first confirming indicator, such as an audible chime, indicative of the master controller receiving and successfully processing the corresponding sensing signal. A second confirming indicator, such as an illuminated lamp, is energized responsive to sensing that the master controller has energized the corresponding power driver responsive to receiving the sensing signal.

Audible and visual feedback for user stimulated self-test diagnostics

Method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of a plurality of electrical loads in an automotive vehicle with a single current sensor. The current sensor detects the change in the total output current associated with the electrical loads and generates an output signal based on the current change. The apparatus also includes a controller which activates each electrical load at a given time to obtain a like plurality of timing signals so that each electrical load receives a portion of the output current. The controller processes the output signal and the timing signals to obtain a diagnostic signal related to an operating condition of at least one of the electrical loads. Finally, the controller controls an operating state of the at least one of the electrical loads based on the diagnostic signal.

Method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of electrical loads in

A diagnostic means is connected to various electrical locations in an air bag system to detect and process faults. When a fault is detected, it is assigned a unique code sequence consisting of equally spaced pulses of equal length. The number of pulses determines the fault which is indicated by a single light inside the car.

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Troy, MI, United States of America

Peter Langer