Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Stephen Betts

Charles Francis Weber

Ronald Paul Russ

David Ronald Fryc

Douglas Hughson

Alfredo Perez

Mark Endicott

A backlighting system and a method for utilizing instrument cluster backlighting for a dynamic styling are disclosed, wherein the backlighting system comprises a plurality of light sources separated into a plurality of light zones, adjacent light zones having walls disposed therebetween, wherein the walls militate against the light emitted in each zone from radiating into an adjacent zone. A controller is in electrical communication with the light source to produce the dynamic styling of the light zones, thereby providing the operator with a situational warning in response to a vehicle condition.

Method for utilizing instrument cluster backlighting for dynamic styling

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for driving and homing a stepper motor. In a preferred embodiment, 24 micro step pulse width modulated (PWM) voltage signals are used to drive the coils of the stepper motor. The phases between the driving signals are 90&#xb0; out of phase. Thus, a sine/cosine methodology is used to drive the motor. Using micro-programmable pulse width modulation (PWM) levels involves the microprocessor reading stored voltage levels from a table stored in memory which corresponds to the amount of angular displacement desired by the motor. These voltage levels are then applied to the motor's coils. The microprocessor performs these operations by executing software instructions stored in memory. The software can be stored in memory located in the controller or in a separate logic block or logic chip. The magnitude of the bounce of a pointer attached to the output shaft of the motor and the magnitude of the noise generated as the pointer contacts a mechanical stop, are both directly related to the applied voltage and speed or frequency of the homing strategy. To reduce the bounce of the pointer and the generated noise to barely discernable levels, the applied voltage is reduced to between 15% and 30% of the normal driving voltage (approximately 1 volt for a 5 volt system). Additionally, the speed of homing is set to a value below the new start-stop frequency of the motor.

Re-zeroing of a stepper motor without noise or movement

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Canton, MI, United States of America

Stephen Betts