Nartron Corporation

Holland Hitch Company

Ronald D Ingraham

Peter H Strom

Christian J Andersen

Todd M Nykerk

Duane W Gebauer

John M Washeleski

Gerald W Hungerink

Mario P Boisvert

Stephen R Cooper

David W Bull

Darrel A Dolph

Daniel D Wilhelm

Michael J Rymut

Mark R Wheeler

John P Heeb

Daniel Wilheim

Anne Gebauer

Frederick C Simar

An electronic coupling control system for a vehicle trailer hitch assembly having a hitch plate in which a throat is defined for receiving a trailer kingpin and having a locking mechanism for locking the kingpin in the hitch throat. The electronic coupling control system includes a trailer proximity sensor for sensing when a trailer is in proximity to the hitch assembly, a kingpin sensor for sensing the presence of the kingpin in the hitch throat, a lock sensor for sensing when said locking mechanism is in a locked and secured position, and indicator means located in the vehicle for providing hitch coupling status information to an operator of the vehicle. The indicator means is coupled to the trailer proximity, kingpin, and lock sensors for informing the operator when a trailer is in proximity to the hitch assembly, when the kingpin is positioned in the hitch throat, and when the locking mechanism is in a locked position. The indicator means may include an indicator light and control circuit. The electronic coupling control system may further include an interface for coupling to a control input of an electrical control system of the vehicle, wherein the control circuit is coupled to the interface for generating and providing a control signal to the vehicle electrical control system when the locking mechanism is not in a locked position such that a vehicle function, such as the vehicle's brakes are operated. The electronic coupling control system may also perform a self-diagnostic routine to insure proper operation of its components when the vehicle ignition is turned ON.

Fifth wheel hitch coupling control system

The invention concerns magnetic field energy responsive position sensing apparatus and method. A Hall sensor has an element defining a generally planar active face and circuitry coupled to said Hall sensor for producing a two state electrical output signal in response to magnetic field energy in a region of said active face. A ring magnet has spaced apart annular end walls that are adjacent a north pole and south pole of the ring magnet and defines a magnetic field in a center region of the ring magnet. The ring magnet and the Hall sensor are mounted for relative linear movement in a direction substantially normal to the active face of the Hall sensor so that the active face moves through the center region of the ring magnet. One annular end wall of the ring magnet moves past the active face while avoiding mechanical contact with the active face. This causes the electrical output signal to change state as the end wall moves past the active face of the Hall sensor element. A latch circuitry is coupled to the Hall sensor for maintaining a signal output from said sensor subsequent to initiation of the output signal.

Magnetic field energy responsive position sensing apparatus and method

An improved glow plug controller is disclosed. The glow plug controller includes an analog temperature sensor, circuitry for converting an analog temperature signal to digital form, a microprocessor for analyzing temperature and other operating parameters and for controlling glow plugs and monitoring indicators in accordance with algorithms defined in the microprocessor. The temperature and control signals from the microprocessor are converted to analog form and applied to actuate glow plugs and indicators in accordance with determinations made by the microprocessor. A specific embodiment includes a manual override for facilitating operation even if the microprocessor should fail. A false temperature input is provided so that a false temperature representation can be directly applied to the microprocessor for factory and service center testing of microprocessor operation. Glow plug operation is controlled by way of a relay and multiple, independently fused glow plug circuits. Diagnostic means are provided for indicating to an operator when a glow plug short circuit has caused a fuse to open the glow plug circuit, and to indicate as well the number of such circuits which have been opened by short circuit malfunctions. Disabling means are provided for cutting off power to the glow plugs in response to engine temperature exceeding a predetermined maximum of 88.degree. Celsius. The programmed microprocessor includes means for establishing a preglow period as a function of engine temperature, and for initiating the afterglow in response to the cessation of cranking the engine.

Glow plug controller

An apparatus for driving a piston with fluid power is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fluid filled cylinder having an inner and an outer wall and defining a longitudinal axis. A piston is slidably positioned in the cylinder to move along a path of travel parallel to the longitudinal axis. A magnet is coupled to the piston for movement with the piston, The apparatus further includes a pump in fluid communication with the cylinder and being selectively actuated to intermittently pump pressurized fluid into the cylinder to apply force to and move the piston in a first direction along the path of travel. A fluid releasing apparatus is provided to release fluid from the cylinder to move the piston in a direction opposite the first direction. The apparatus also includes a Hall effect sensor situated at a location along the outer wall of the cylinder for sensing a position of the piston by sensing a magnetic field associated with the magnet at the location of the sensor. Control circuitry is coupled to an output from the Hall effect sensor for actuating the pump.

Fluid power assist method and apparatus

A protective control box is disclosure for providing protection for a starter system and other components of equipment, such as vehicles, incorporating internal combustion engines. Improved starter protection apparatus and circuitry using frequency to voltage conversion disables a starter motor from starting the internal combustion engine when engine speed exceeds a pre-determined level. The starter cannot be re-actuated until and unless engine speed has fallen below a second lower pre-determined speed level. The protection box includes a lockout solenoid which in turn selectively locks out the main starter solenoid in accordance with the foregoing conditions. A wait-to-start lamp and associated comparator and latching circuitry is provided for actuating the wait lamp in response to initiation of glow plug controller pre-glow operation, and for subsequently extinguishing the lamp. Once extinguished, the lamp cannot be re-actuated until and unless the ignition has been toggled. Circuitry including a field effect transistor is provided for controlling glow plug controller operation by means of an auxiliary solenoid. Load dump control circuitry responsive to frequency to voltage conversion inhibits disconnection of electrical loads from a motor-driven alternator even when the ignition is turned off, until engine speed has dropped to a safe level. This prevents voltage spikes which would otherwise result from the sudden unloading of the alternator, a phenomenon which could damage a voltage regulator or other electrical circuitry. After-glow control maintains glow plug controller operation until ambient engine temperature has reached a pre-determined level.

Vehicle starter and electrical system protection

A protective control box is disclosed for providing protection for a starter system and other components of equipment, such as vehicles, incorporating internal combustion engines. Improved starter protection apparatus and circuitry using frequency to voltage conversion disables a starter motor from starting the internal combustion engine when engine speed exceeds a pre-determined level. The starter cannot be re-actuated until and unless engine speed has fallen below a second lower pre-determined speed level. The protection box includes a lockout solenoid which in turn selectively locks out the main starter solenoid in accordance with the foregoing conditions. A wait-to-start lamp and associated comparator and latching circuitry is provided for actuating the wait lamp in response to initiation of glow plug controller pre-glow operation, and for subsequently extinguishing the lamp. Once extinguished, the lamp cannot be re-actuated until and unless the ignition has been toggled. Circuitry including a field effect transistor is provided for controlling glow plug controller operation by means of an auxiliary solenoid. Load dump control circuitry responsive to frequency to voltage conversion inhibits disconnection of electrical loads from a motor-driven alternator even when the ignition is turned off, until engine speed has dropped to a safe level. This prevents voltage spikes which would otherwise result from the sudden unloading of the alternator, a phenomenon which could damage a voltage regulator or other electrical circuitry. Afterglow control maintains glow plug controller operation until ambient engine temperature has reached a pre-determined level.

A non-contacting type sensor and method for sensing angular position are provided for sensing the angular position of a body such as a throttle valve. The sensor includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly adapted to be coupled to the body for rotation relative to the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a closed-loop magnetic flux concentrator which defines a controlled electromagnetic cavity and generating means for generating a first magnetic field within the cavity. The stator assembly includes a semiconductor device disposed within the cavity and having an electrical property which is a function of the orientation and strength of a resultant magnetic field. The stator assembly further includes a coil wound about the device for producing a second magnetic field which substantially cancels the effects of the first magnetic field on the device so as to obtain the resultant magnetic field. The electrical current in the coil required to produce the second magnetic field provides an indication of the angular position of the body.

Linear-output, temperature-stable rotational sensor including magnetic

A control for a resistive heating element embedded within a motor vehicle seat is disclosed. In one embodiment, a transistor is biased into conduction to energize the heating element when the temperature of the element is below a threshold that is adjusted by the vehicle operator. A fault sensing system monitors operation of the control unit and de-energizes the heating element if a fault is sensed. Sensed faults include both short circuits and undesirable open circuits. Power application to the resistive heating unit can be either pulsed or continuous. In one embodiment, once a fault is detected, the heating system cannot be re-energized until the vehicle ignition switch is turned off and then returned to its on position.

Motor vehicle heated seat control

A brake pedal actuation sensor includes an optical coupler. In a preferred embodiment: the optical sensor is carried by a housing; a shutter is provided to interrupt the optical coupling according to the distance between the housing and a bearing; the shutter is carried by the bearing; and the distance between the housing and the bearing is dependent upon the force applied to the brake. Additionally, a circuit responsive to an output of the optical coupler is provided for generating an electrical output signal indicating brake pedal actuation.

Pressure sensitive signal device for vehicle brake pedal

An automotive vehicle having accessories as for example an anti-dive suspension and anti-dive suspension control, has an electrical circuit which is effective for applying control type signals to such accessories reflective of the rate of change in magnitude of the force applied to the vehicular braking system by the driver; a force sensitive resistor placed in the vehicular braking system is effective to create output signals to the electrical circuit which signals are employed by the electrical circuit to produce corresponding control type signals for application to the accessories.

Combination vehicular braking and accessory control system

A capacity responsive keyboard which eliminates the necessity for metal films on the touch surface includes an insulated substrate having a plurality of electrically conductive plate members mounted thereon and a dielectric member positioned over the plate members. A piece of compressible, electrically-conductive foam is compressed between each plate member and the dielectric member to eliminate air from the electrical path between the dielectric member and the plate members. A grid of conductor segments separates the plate members defining a guard band to reduce interference between the switches. The guard band is connected with one power supply line of a switching circuit which produces outputs in response to capacity changes caused by a user touching the dielectric member.

Capacity responsive keyboard

An automotive vehicle having accessories as for example cruise control, transmission torque converter lock-up control, or anti-dive suspension control, has an electrical logic circuit which is effective for applying control type signals to such accessories in response to magnitude of the force applied to the vehicular braking system by the driver; a force sensitive resistor placed in the vehicular braking system is effective to create output signals to the logic circuit which signals are employed by the logic circuit to determine when respective control type signals are to be applied to such accessories.

A vehicular brake lever arrangement is shown as having a brake lever pivotally supported at one end and a swingable other end provided with a pad for the application of a braking force thereto; a brake rod linkage leading to the vehicular braking system is pivotally connected to the brake lever as to have a slight translational movement relative to the brake lever; and a force sensitive resistor is placed as to experience a force thereagainst as such translational movement occurs between the brake lever and brake rod linkage.

Signal mechanism responsive to force applied to vehicular brake pedal

A capacitive detecting circuit for detecting transient capacitive changes such as that of a person moving into proximity of a sensing element. A sensing element is coupled to a threshold level controlled amplifier supplied with relatively high frequency signals from an oscillator through a high input impedance. A detector circuit is coupled to the amplifier output to detect D.C. variations in the level control loop caused by transient capacitive changes and provide a control output signal representative of such change.

Capacity responsive control circuit

A switching circuit includes a source of direct current for operating an oscillator which in turn applies a signal to a detector circuit including a touch plate. The detector includes a voltage dividing capacitive system or, in one embodiment, a phase detector circuit. In either embodiments, the output signal from the phase detector circuit or the voltage divider provides a control signal which can be used for actuating a solid-state switch such as a transistor or the like for providing control functions.

Growing community of inventors

Reed City, MI, United States of America

Ronald D Ingraham