Other

Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.

Valeo Corporation

Itt Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc.

Johnson Electric S.a.

Globe Motors, Inc.

Itt Automotive Electrical System, Inc.

Richard Louis Ponziani

Robert Garbacik, Jr

Harry C Buchanan, Jr

Steven L Tracht

Joseph P Whinnery

Christopher H Jones

Everett P Trittschuh, Iii

Eugene B Porter

Dennis P Thorton

Echardt W Schmid

Mark M Benner

Daniel J Bocklage

William E Davies

Chad R Putnam

A vehicle executing a turn will most likely be slowed down before the turn and when a driver activates a turn signal to indicate the turn, a vehicle internal controller uses this information to engage regenerative braking for energy recapture while slowing down the vehicle for the pending turn. Since the turn signal is usually activated very early in the turn event, and turns are an ongoing, frequent part of driving, a greater overall vehicle efficiency can be realized without special effort from the driver. Implementation is relatively simple for the manufacturer and adds no cost since the controllers and sensors are already installed on nearly all roadworthy vehicles. Fuel mileage and vehicle driving ranges are improved on a large scale and brake system wear is reduced.

Turn signal controlled regenerative braking and decelerative loading

A haptic feedback device () comprises a stationary frame (); a carrier () configured for at least one degree of motion relative to the stationary frame; a user interface () mounted on the carrier and configured to receive a human impulse; a set () of pole pieces; and, a suspension system (). The haptic actuator () comprises a first pole piece () mounted to the stationary frame (); a second pole piece () mounted to the carrier (); and, an electromagnetic coil () carried by one of the first pole piece and the second pole piece. The first pole piece and the second pole piece are separately mounted to define an air gap () therebetween in a first direction when the electromagnetic coil is not energized, the first direction corresponding to the at least one degree of motion. The suspension system () is mechanically separated from both the first pole piece () and the second pole piece ().

Haptic feedback devices

A vehicle safety system to improve lane change turn signal use by creating a conditioned response in the driver of a motor vehicle such that turn signals are used more appropriately over time for changing lanes. This is achieved using existing lane departure warning components and comparing each lane change at lower speeds to the coinciding turn signal on/off status, and determining if turn signal usage was appropriate. If lane changes indicate repeated, neglectful turn signal usage, a reminder message is presented to the driver. The lane departure warning remains functional at higher speeds, but at lower speeds, the present invention provides a less abrupt, friendly reminder message to use turn signals for lane changes. Drivers who repeatedly neglect to use turn signals will over time increase usage and reminder messages will cease, thereby improving vehicle safety by increasing appropriate turn signal use while changing lanes.

Lane change turn signal appropriate use reminder system

A vehicle safety system to improve turn signal use by creating a conditioned response in the driver of a motor vehicle such that turn signals are used more appropriately over time. This is achieved using existing vehicle components to monitor a running recent history of executed turns, comparing each turn to the coinciding turn signal on/off status, and determining if turn signal usage was appropriate. If the recent history is indicative of neglectful turn signal usage, a reminder message is presented to the driver. If a driver is appropriately using turn signals nearly all of the time, then no reminder is ever presented, thus the system will never be considered a nuisance and is transparent to most drivers. Drivers who repeatedly neglect to use turn signals will over time increase usage and reminder messages will cease, thereby improving vehicle safety by increasing appropriate turn signal use.

Turn signal appropritate use reminder system

A sensor apparatus for a power steering system on a vehicle, where the apparatus includes an input shaft for receiving a steering input and for rotating about a rotational axis. An output shaft is provided for transmitting the steering input from the input shaft to a steered wheel assembly of the vehicle. A torque transmitting member connects between the input shaft and the output shaft for transmitting a torque from the input shaft to the output shaft. A sensor provides an analog output voltage in response to a sensed magnetic field. A magnet is located adjacent and in radially spaced relation to the sensor, and a magnetic field varying member is positioned in a magnetic field of the magnet, where the magnetic field varying member is movable in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to the rotational axis to vary a magnetic flux between the magnet and the sensor in response to relative movement between the input shaft and the output shaft.

Steering system torque sensor

An intelligent turn signal control system for turning on and off left and right turn signals in a vehicle. The system includes a computer, such as an antilock braking system computer, with programmed software operably disposed on a vehicle, and a driver interface switch assembly as input to the computer. Sensors transmit angle, differential wheel movement or related data as input to the computer, while a circuit drives turn signal indicator lamps from conditionally computed output data from the computer to turn on and off turn signals in a situation-appropriate manner. Upon turn signal indication intent data input from the driver, extensive travel and turn data is computed, including yaw rotation and steering system position to turn off or cancel the turn signal at the appropriate point.

Electronic intelligent turn signal control system

A wiper arm window latch system and method includes an end of a wiper arm which is mounted on a window and which is received in a drive coupler coupled to a drive motor mounted on a door. The drive coupler permits the wiper arm to be drivingly coupled to a wiper motor. The drive coupler and end of the wiper arm also cooperate to lock the wiper arm to the drive coupler, thereby causing the window of the vehicle to be locked in a closed position, such as against the door. This system and method is particularly suited for use in a vehicle having a rear window which is pivotable between an open position and a closed position and where a rear window wiper is desired or required.

Window wiper arm drive and window lock system

An intelligent turn signal control system for turning on and off left and right turn signals in a vehicle includes a computer, such as an antilock braking system computer, with programmed software operably disposed on a vehicle, a driver interface switch assembly as input to the computer. Two or more wheel speed sensors transmit differential wheel movement data as input to the computer, a circuit drives turn signal indicator lamps from conditionally computed output data from the computer to turn on and off turn signals in a situation-appropriate manner. Upon turn signal indication intent data input from the driver, extensive travel and turn data is computed, including yaw rotation and steering system position to turn off or cancel the turn signal at the appropriate point.

This invention relates to a system and method for providing a single module, which has a plurality of integrally-molded features and components. The module is used to provide a support capable of supporting a plurality of tailgate components, such as a windshield wiper motor, electric door latches and illumination system for illuminating a license plate, stop light and even a cargo area of the vehicle.

Door assembly module and method

This invention relates to a system and method for providing a single module which has a plurality of integrally-molded features and components which are mounted on a door of a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the module is used to provide a support capable of supporting a plurality of tailgate components, such as a windshield wiper motor, electric door latches and illumination system for illuminating a license plate, stop light and even a cargo area of the vehicle. The system and method provide a module platform having at least one integrally-molded handle which permits an operator to pick up the module with its various components integrally-molded in or mounted thereon and situate the module directly onto the door, thereby substantially reducing the number of assembly steps and assembly time required in the past. The module includes a plurality of molded features such as guide and aligning wedge wings which align the module on the door and which are also capable of housing and securing a plurality of wires. A latch docking station is also integrally-molded into the module to house a plurality of electronic mounting latches during transportation. The one-piece module also has an area for receiving a windshield wiper motor which drives a windshield wiper blade. The module further includes a circuit board which is mounted directly onto the module for controlling the operation of the various electrical components associated with the door. An LED illumination system for illuminating a license plate, stop light and/or even a cargo area of the vehicle is provided directly on the circuit board or is separately wired thereto. Once the components are completely assembled and mounted onto the module, an assembler may pick up the module using a module handle molded in the module at a handle area where a plurality of overturning moments associated with the module are or become substantially balanced to assist the assembler in positioning the module onto the door.

The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing an optical signal at the rear of a vehicle to warn the following traffic of an ongoing electronic control intervention in the vehicle behavior. Such an electronic control function can be for instance ABS, TCS or automatic yaw control. A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes the center brake light of a vehicle to emit an intermittent optical signal during electronic control. In case of ABS, the two side brake lights shine continuously to indicate a brake pedal actuation while the center brake light flashes in an on/off- mode according to the electronic antilock control.

Method and system for providing an optical signal at the rear of a

An intelligent wiper system and method for wiping a windshield is disclosed having a microprocessor which controls the operation of a motor and which is capable of setting a baseline delay time using one or more wipe times, with the baseline delay time generally corresponding to a time interval between consecutive wipes of at least one wiper blade. The system and method automatically adjusts the baseline delay time in response to the second wipe time if the second wipe time is not substantially the same as a function of the first wipe time, wherein the function includes a predetermined constant which is at least one hundred percent of a first wipe time. An upper baseline wipe time threshold and a lower baseline wipe time threshold may be established such that the delay time is not adjusted if a current wipe time falls between such thresholds.

Growing community of inventors

Centerville, OH, United States of America

Richard Louis Ponziani