Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080252432 | REMOTE CONTROL WITH ENERGY HARVESTING - A remote control includes energy harvesting that provides power in addition to a battery. The energy harvesting and the battery may be switchably used to power transmit operations, receive operation, and/or display operations. The remote control may be used as part of an automotive vehicle remote keyless entry system in which vehicle status is displayed by the remote control. | 10-16-2008 |
20090229955 | Multi-function control assembly - This invention relates to a multi-function control assembly for the lighting in a vehicle. The multi-function control assembly includes a housing, a first light, and a second light. A switch body is movably mounted on the housing, the switch body being movable between first and second positions for regulating power supplied to the first light. A touch sensitive sensor is mounted relative to the switch body. The touch sensor is operable to control a first characteristic of one of the first light and the second light when the switch body is in the first position. The touch sensor is operable to control a second characteristic of one of the first light and the second light when the switch body is in the second position. | 09-17-2009 |
20090243634 | CAPACITIVE SENSING IN AN AUTOMOTIVE MIRROR - An automotive mirror assembly includes a mirror and transparent substrate adjacent to the mirror. The patterned coating is attached to transparent substrate and defines at least part of capacitive element. A capacitance sensor is in communication with the patterned coating thereby allowing capacitance changes induced in the patterned coating to be monitored. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248255 | PACKAGING AND LOGISTICS OF REMOTE HEAD RESTRAINT ACTUATION TECHNOLOGY - A remote rearview mirror system includes a transmitting module and receiving module that operate at a distance. The transmitting module is included in a rear view mirror. These modules require a matching that need to be preserved until the components are installed in a vehicle. The steps of such matching include the incorporation of the transmitting module into a mirror-transmitting module combination that is associated with its respective receiving module. | 10-01-2009 |
20090256677 | PASSIVE ENTRY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A passive entry system is provided for permitting an authorized user access to a vehicle, building, or the like. The passive entry system includes a handle associated with a door and equipped with a plurality of sensors disposed in the handle's interior. The plurality of sensors can be coupled together to form a long-range proximity sensor capable of detecting a user in a target zone provided by the long-range proximity sensor. Upon subsequent validation of the user as an authorized user, the plurality of sensors may be decoupled to provide for individual detection of corresponding actions by the user's hand, including an intent to enter based upon a touching of the handle. | 10-15-2009 |
20100295508 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR BALANCING THE TRANSFER OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM AN EXTERNAL POWER SOURCE TO A VEHICLE - In at least one embodiment, a device for balancing a flow of electrical energy from a vehicle to an external power source is provided. The device comprises a balance circuit being configured to receive an input current signal from the power source and to transmit an output current signal to the external power source for charging a element in a vehicle. A differential resistance causes the input current signal and the output current signal to be different. A current measuring device is configured to generate an output differential signal indicating a difference between the input and output current signals. A current generating device is configured to generate a compensated current signal in response to the output differential signal and to adjust the output current signal with the compensated current signal such that the input and output current signals are generally similar to one another. | 11-25-2010 |
20110137529 | Active Image Generation and Selective Remote Actuation of Head Restraint - A head restraint actuation system is provided having a receiver configured for receiving an image signal, a transmission status signal, a head restraint request signal and a seat information signal. A mirror controller is configured for communicating with the receiver for analyzing the received signals and selecting a rearview mirror mode. A user interface is configured for communicating with the mirror controller for displaying the image signal based on the selection of a first mode, and for enabling transmission of a head restraint request to the mirror controller based on the selection of a second mode. A transmitter is configured for communicating with the mirror controller for transmitting the head restraint request to a seat controller based on the selection of the second mode. A head restraint actuator receives the head restraint request and actuates a corresponding head restraint. | 06-09-2011 |
20110298466 | GROUND MONITOR - A ground monitor is disclosed. The ground monitor may be configured to conduct a ground continuity test based on a determined ground resistance. The ground monitor may be operable to determine the ground resistance as a function of a voltage differential detected during application of a test current. | 12-08-2011 |
20120161797 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING VEHICLE CHARGING CIRCUITS - A system and method is provided for evaluating performance of a supply circuit for electric vehicle charging. An electrical connection is established between a vehicle circuit and a supply circuit for an external Alternating Current (AC) power supply. The electrical connection includes a hot, neutral, and ground conductor. A control signal is transmitted to activate a switch disposed along the electrical connection for selectively initiating vehicle charging. Input signals are received including: a line current signal indicative of a current along at least one of the hot conductor and the neutral conductor, and at least one of a line voltage signal and a neutral voltage signal. The line voltage signal being indicative of a voltage potential between the hot conductor and the neutral conductor. The neutral voltage signal being indicative of a voltage potential between the neutral conductor and the ground conductor. At least one of the input signals is compared to predetermined resistance data for evaluating supply circuit performance. | 06-28-2012 |
20120206840 | THERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL DEVICE - A thermal protection system for an electrical system having a control system and an electrical outlet connected to an electrical power source includes an electrical cord having a plug attached thereto that is configured to electrically connect with the outlet. A non-contact temperature sensor is disposed within the plug and configured to measure a temperature of the outlet. The temperature sensor is in communication with the control system and configured to send a signal to the control system to effect a reduced flow of current through the outlet and plug when the temperature sensor indicates that a predetermined condition is met. | 08-16-2012 |
20120212179 | THERMAL WALL PLUG SENSING AND CONTROL - A system and method operable to facilitate thermal wall plug sensing and control may include an ability to control current drawn by a charging system or other load according to a temperature determined at an interface between the charging system and an energy source used to provided energy to the charging system. A temperature sensed with a temperature sensor included in a plug assembly or other housing or cord used to connect the charging system to the energy source may be used to implement the temperature regulated current control. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212235 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE EXISTENCE OF A SAFETY GROUND - An apparatus including a test device for assessing the quality of a safety ground is provided. The test device is configured to receive an energy signal from a power source for charging a vehicle and to generate a first output signal in response to the first energy signal. The test device is further configured to measure a characteristic of the first output signal and to provide a test signal. The test device is further configured to generate a second output signal in response to providing the test signal and to measure a characteristic of the second output signal. The test device is further configured to assess the quality of a safety ground in at least one of the power source and the vehicle based on a difference between the characteristic of the first output signal and the characteristic of the second output signal. | 08-23-2012 |
20120235452 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE HEAD RESTRAINT - A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a support structure and a head restraint supported by the support structure and being movable relative to the support structure between a first position and a second position. An actuator is connected to the head restraint for moving the head restraint, and a controller is in communication with the actuator. A sensor array is supported by one of the support structure and the head restraint and in communication with the controller. The sensor array has a first region and a second region. The sensor array is configured to sense an input of the first region and second region being sequentially activated. The sensor array communicates the input to the controller, and the controller causing the actuator to move the head restraint. | 09-20-2012 |
20120235459 | Automatic Head Restraint Adjustment System for a Vehicle Seat - A seat assembly having an automatically adjustable head restraint is provided. A seat back is mounted within a vehicle and a head restraint assembly is adjustably mounted to the vehicle and disposed adjacent the seat back. The seat back includes a sensor mounted adjacent an upper portion of the seat back for detecting the presence and position of a passenger relative to the head restraint. A controller is in communication with the sensor and receives the output signal of the sensor. The controller then generates a control signal in order to position the head restraint based on the output signals of the sensor. An actuator is connected to the head restraint for positioning the head restraint based on a control signal received from the control module. | 09-20-2012 |
20120249067 | APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING A DC BIAS FOR LEAKAGE CURRENT - An apparatus for correcting leakage current during a vehicle charging operation is provided. The apparatus comprises a balance circuit configured to receive a sensed current indicative of a vehicle leakage current in response to an external power source providing a charging current to a vehicle. The vehicle leakage current includes a first leakage component and a second leakage component. The balance circuit is further configured to generate a first voltage value that corresponds to a negative value of the first leakage component and to provide a second voltage value that generally corresponds to a positive value of the first leakage component. The balance circuit is further configured to apply the second voltage value to the first voltage value to substantially remove the first leakage component from the vehicle leakage current. | 10-04-2012 |
20130049429 | ADJUSTABLE VEHICLE HEAD RESTRAINT - A vehicle seat with an adjustable head restraint assembly is provided with a controller configured to receive an instruction signal to actuate a head restraint from a use position to a stowed position. A detection signal indicates whether an object is within a predetermined range of the head restraint. A stow signal is transmitted to an actuator to actuate the head restraint to the stowed position in response to the instruction signal and in response to the detection signal indicating that an object is not within the predetermined range of the head restraint. A use signal is transmitted to the actuator to maintain the head restraint in the use position in response to the instruction signal and in response to the detection signal indicating that an object is within the predetermined range of the head restraint. | 02-28-2013 |
20130141041 | Offline Power Supply And Charging Apparatus - An offline power supply includes a power supply circuit including a primary-side circuit for connecting to a power source, a secondary-side circuit for connecting to a load, and a transformer connecting the primary-side circuit and the secondary-side circuit. A switch operates to selectively connect the primary-side circuit to the power source. A trigger circuit is connected to the secondary-side circuit and has at least one input. The trigger circuit generates an output to selectively operate the switch based on the at least one input. | 06-06-2013 |
20130278271 | Ground Monitor - A ground monitor is disclosed. The ground monitor may be configured to conduct a ground continuity test based on a determined ground resistance. The ground monitor may be operable to determine the ground resistance as a function of a voltage differential detected during application of a test current. | 10-24-2013 |
20140210239 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE SEAT ASSEMBLY - A vehicle seat assembly has a vehicle seat with a seat base and a seat back. The vehicle seat has at least one actuator configured to move one of the seat back and seat base along a path between a first position and a second position. A sensor has a generally planar surface defining a sensing area. A controller is in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to, in response to receiving a sliding input on the sensing area, control the at least one actuator to move the one of the seat back and seat base along the path. | 07-31-2014 |
20140265477 | VEHICLE SEAT ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY - A vehicle seat adjustment assembly has an actuator adapted to move a component of the vehicle seat assembly, and a generally planar sensor array in communication with the controller and accessible from an outer surface of the vehicle seat assembly. The sensor array has a plurality of adjacent sensors accessible from an outer surface of the vehicle seat assembly. A controller is in communication with the actuator for controlling the actuator and in communication with the sensor array. The controller is configured to control the actuator to move the component in response to receiving a signal indicative of a touch input of the sensor array by a user such that the movement of the component correlates with the input to the sensor array. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277952 | System and Method for Controlling Vehicle Seat Movement - A system and method are disclosed for controlling movement of a seat in a vehicle. A sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to sense a presence of an object and to generate an output signal representing a proximity of the object to the sensor. A control unit is configured to receive the sensor output signal and to generate a control signal for use in controlling movement of the seat. | 09-18-2014 |
20150035483 | ELECTRICAL CABLE ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An electrical cable assembly is provided with an electrical connector sized to be received into an electrical outlet. A cable is in electrical communication with the electrical connector. A lockable connector is in electrical communication with the cable. An adapter receptacle is sized to receive the lockable connector for electrical communication with the lockable connector. The lockable connector is lockable within the adapter receptacle. A vehicle connector assembly is in electrical communication with the adapter receptacle and is sized to be received by a vehicle receptacle to convey current to the vehicle receptacle. | 02-05-2015 |
20150038025 | ELECTRICAL TERMINAL ASSEMBLY - An electrical terminal assembly is provided with at least one blade having a distal end that is sized to be received within an electrical outlet. One of a lug and a pair of crimp tabs with distal ends is provided on a proximal end of the at least one blade. A wire is in electrical communication with a vehicle charger. The wire is welded to the lug or received between the pair of crimp tabs with the distal ends of the crimp tabs deformed centrally within the crimp tabs to press the wire against the proximal end of the at least one blade, with the wire welded to the pair of crimp tabs. | 02-05-2015 |
20150054461 | Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Assembly Convertible Between a Cord Set and a Charge Station - An EVSE assembly convertible between a charge cord and a charge station includes a charge unit having a connector of a first type, a charge station sub-assembly having a connector of a second type, and a cord set sub-assembly having a connector of the second type. The connector of the charge station sub-assembly is hard-wired to an (240V) electrical circuit. The charge unit electrically connects to the charge station sub-assembly while the connectors of the charge unit and the charge station sub-assembly are connected to one another to thereby form a (240V) charge station. The cord set sub-assembly further includes a power plug connectable to (one of a 120V and 240V) electrical outlet. The charge unit electrically connects to the cord set sub-assembly while the connectors of the charge unit and the cord set sub-assembly are connected to one another to thereby form a (120V or 240V) cord set. | 02-26-2015 |