Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Fca US LLC

Chrysler Group LLC

Chrysler Corporation

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stephen J Buckley

Gerald Cilibraise

Grigory Yezersky

Eric R Thompson

Paul Zoratti

Michael J Bliss

Nashat K Abdel Jalil

Adam C Chiapetta

Nathan Loria

Michael Bassier

Douglas E Rutter

Jason L Vincent

Betty L McClanahan

Douglas D Wellman

Steve L Ford

A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an air induction system configured to provide intake air to the internal combustion engine. The air induction system includes an intake port, an air box coupled to the intake port and having a wet side air box and a dry side air box, at least one sensor disposed within the air box and configured to detect a presence or level of liquid within the air box, and a watertight door disposed within the air box and configured to move between an open position that allows air to pass through the air box dry side, and a closed position that facilitates preventing liquid from passing into the air box dry side.

Air induction system with water detection

Methods and systems for implementing personalized driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and forward collision warning. The methods and systems collect specific vehicle data and then calculate values that populate a histogram representing driver habits and tendencies regarding following and stopping distances in relation to objects ahead of the vehicle. The methods and systems utilize the histogram data to provide the driver with a personalized driver assistance features.

Adaptive cruise control system and method

An apparatus and method for unfreezing a window from a window seal are disclosed. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus includes a vehicle door assembly including a vehicle door and a window. The apparatus further includes a window seal that receives an upper edge of the window and a heating element coupled to the upper edge or the window seal. The system further includes a power source that provides an electrical current to the heating element and a control module configured to receive a remote unlock signal from a remote device, obtain a temperature signal indicating a temperature in response to the remote unlock signal, compare the temperature indicated by the temperature signal to a temperature threshold, and cause the power source to provide the electrical current to the heating element when the temperature is less than the temperature threshold.

Apparatus and methods for unfreezing vehicle door window from window seal

A vehicle function switch and a controller electrically are connected together. The controller has a passive mode of operation in which the controller is not responsive to activation of the vehicle function switch to transmit a vehicle function signal. The controller also has an active mode of operation in which the controller is responsive to activation of the vehicle function switch to transmit a vehicle function signal. A mode switch is associated with the controller and adapted to cause the controller to change from the passive mode of operation to the active mode of operation.

Portable remote transmitter to remotely control a vehicle function

A proximity sensor system for a vehicle in reverse includes a zone detection module. The zone detection module switches a first remote sensor from a first mode corresponding to a near zone rearward of the vehicle to a second mode corresponding to a far zone rearward of the vehicle. The near zone includes an area of coverage wider and shorter in range than an area of coverage of the far zone. A response module responds to first objects in the near zone and selectively responds to second objects in the far zone when the second objects are in motion.

Dual mode vehicle blind spot system

A proximity sensor system for a vehicle includes a first remote sensor that senses objects in a rearward area relative to the vehicle. A trailer detection module determines that one of the objects is a trailer that is attached to the vehicle based on a repeating pattern of signals from the first remote sensor. A response module selectively responds to the objects other than the trailer based on the objects outside of a predetermined distance threshold. An indicator responds to response module signals.

Trailer detection system

A remote control system for a vehicle. The system has a fob with a microphone for receiving audible commands and a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting the commands at a radio frequency via a fob antenna. A receiver for positioning in the vehicle has an antenna for receiving the commands at the radio frequency, a demodulator for recovering the commands, a processor for decoding the recovered commands according to vehicle configuration information, and a network interface for controlling a vehicle system in accordance with the recovered commands and the vehicle configuration information.

Key fob with remote control functions

A system for enabling wireless communication among a removable stand-alone computer, a built-in vehicular display, and an electrical system of a vehicle. A wireless communications medium couples a third wireless communication interface to a second wireless communication interface, the first wireless communication interface to a third wireless communication interface, and a second wireless communication interface to the third wireless communication interface. The removable stand-alone computer incorporates trip computer functions via the wireless communications medium.

Vehicle instrument panel wireless communication

A seatbelt drive interlock system for adjusting airbag deployment power based on occupant presence and seatbelt usage enables communication between a plug-and-play stand-alone computer and numerous vehicular electrical systems. Airbag power deployment mode is determined by seatbelt compliance. In addition, seatbelt compliance determines whether the vehicle may enter a drive (forward) position.

Seatbelt drive interlock system

A communication system includes a removable computer which is information-coupled to a built-in computer system of a vehicle. The computer is removably resident in a predetermined location within the vehicle and communicates with a vehicle computer system either wirelessly or via a connectorized bus. Additionally, the removable computer is video-linked to a driver information display mounted in the instrument panel of the vehicle.

Vehicle instrument panel computer interface and display

A rear view mirror includes a transparent front glass that covers a matrix display, for example an LCD display. The matrix display is translucent when activated and transparent when inactive, and behind the matrix display is a mirror-backed rear glass. Thus, light can pass through the matrix display and reflect back off the mirror-backed rear glass. Consequently, the rear view mirror can assume its conventional function of presenting images of objects that are behind the vehicle, while the pixels of the matrix display can be activated to superimpose alpha-numeric characters on the images. The characters can represent vehicle speed, time, radio station data, or other vehicle control data.

Rear view mirror with integrated matrix display

A communication system includes a miniaturized palmtop computer which is information-coupled to a programmable node positioned in an instrument panel of a vehicle. The computer is removably resident in a pod or pocket of the instrument panel and communicates with a node either wirelessly or via a connectorized bus. Redundant radio and HVAC displays form at least one surface of the pod for use by vehicle operators not using the computer option.

Growing community of inventors

Novi, MI, United States of America

Stephen J Buckley