Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130270899 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND CALIBRATION METHOD THEREFOR - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly and calibrating the switch assembly. The assembly includes proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field to sense activation. The control circuitry generates an activation output when a differential change in the signal exceeds a threshold and distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches. The control circuit further determines a rate of change and generates an output when the rate of change exceeds a threshold rate to enable activation of a switch and performs a calibration of the signals to reduce effects caused by changes in condensation. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271182 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD USING RATE MONITORING - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and determines activation upon detection of a stable signal. The control circuit further determines a rate of change and generates an output when the rate of change exceeds a threshold rate to enable activation of a switch. | 10-17-2013 |
20140278194 | PROXIMITY INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM HAVING ANALYZER AND METHOD - A development system and method are provided for testing proximity sensor interfaces, such as a capacitive switch assembly which may be employed in an automotive vehicle. The system includes software routines stored in memory for operating a proximity sensor interface having a plurality of sensors, and a data log including user outputs of the proximity sensors. The development system includes a replicator for replicating the proximity sensor interface based on the software routines and the data log and generating outputs of the proximity sensor interface to determine performance. The system further includes an analyzer for processing the test data for proper activation of the proximity sensor interface and generating an output indicative of the test results. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278240 | PROXIMITY INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM HAVING REPLICATOR AND METHOD - A development system and method are provided for testing proximity sensor interfaces, such as a capacitive switch assembly which may be employed in an automotive vehicle. The system includes software routines stored in memory for operating a proximity sensor interface having a plurality of sensors, and a data log including user outputs of the proximity sensors. The development system includes a replicator for replicating the proximity sensor interface based on the software routines and the data log and generating outputs of the proximity sensor interface to determine performance. The system further includes an analyzer for processing the test data for proper activation of the proximity sensor interface and generating an output indicative of the test results. | 09-18-2014 |
20150135828 | SYSTEM FOR MEASURING FLUID LEVEL - A system for measuring fluid level is provided. The system includes a dipstick configured to be received in a fluid reservoir and having a photoluminescent portion. The system also includes a light source operable to emit a first light to excite the photoluminescent portion. A fluid level is determined based on a degree of illumination of the photoluminescent portion when the dipstick is removed from the reservoir and the photoluminescent portion is exposed to the first light. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138797 | PHOTOLUMINESCENT BLIND SPOT WARNING INDICATOR - A vehicle indicator apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a forward vehicle pillar and a light source located proximate the forward vehicle pillar. The light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength directed toward the photoluminescent portion. The photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength to illuminate a surface of the forward vehicle pillar. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138802 | VEHICLE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY - A vehicle lighting assembly is provided herein. The assembly includes a housing including a light permeable portion and a photoluminescent portion. A first light source and a second light source are each located inside the housing. Light emitted from the first light source is outputted from the housing via the light permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate a visible light that is outputted from the housing. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138803 | VEHICLE LIGHT SYSTEM WITH ILLUMINATING ROOF RACK - A vehicle lighting system is provided herein. The lighting system includes a roof rack including at least one side rail having a photoluminescent portion configured to illuminate in at least one distinct color due to being excited by at least one wavelength of light. A light source is configured to emit the at least one wavelength of light directed toward the photoluminescent portion. A controller is configured to control a light output of the light source. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138804 | VEHICLE LIGHT SYSTEM WITH ILLUMINATING WHEEL ASSEMBLY - An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a surface of a first component of a vehicle wheel assembly. The illumination apparatus further includes a light source located proximate the first component. The light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength directed toward the photoluminescent portion. The photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength to illuminate the wheel assembly. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138806 | PHOTOLUMINESCENT CARGO AREA ILLUMINATION - A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a storage compartment forming an interior cavity disposed in a cargo area and a cover. The cover comprises a handle configured to facilitate access to the storage compartment from a closed position to an open position. The illumination apparatus further comprises at least one photoluminescent portion disposed proximate the storage compartment configured to illuminate at least a portion of the handle in the closed position. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138810 | VEHICLE LIGHT SYSTEM WITH ILLUMINATING EXHAUST - An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a surface of a vehicle exhaust system component. The illumination apparatus further includes a light source located proximate the component. The light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength directed toward the photoluminescent portion. The photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength to illuminate the exhaust system component and/or an area proximate the vehicle exhaust system. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138811 | PHOTOLUMINESCENT FUEL FILLER DOOR - A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an access panel configured to conceal an access region of a fueling receptacle. A light source is disposed proximate the access region and is in communication with a controller. The illumination apparatus further comprises at least one photoluminescent portion disposed proximate the access region and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the access region. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138815 | VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED SUBSTRATE - A vehicle lighting system is provided herein. The system includes a substrate having alternating first and second portions. A first and second light source are each operable to emit light toward the substrate, wherein each of the first and second portions are configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from one of the first and second light sources. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138816 | WINDSHIELD DISPLAY SYSTEM - A windshield display system for a vehicle is provided herein and includes a rearview mirror assembly having at least one light source configured to illuminate a location on a windshield. At least one photoluminescent structure is disposed at the location and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the at least one light source. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138817 | REAR VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM - A rear vehicle light system is provided herein. The system includes a rear windshield and a plurality of photoluminescent structures that are each disposed at a rear windshield location and configured to luminesce in response to light excitation. A plurality of light sources are each configured to supply light to a uniquely associated photoluminescent structure and actuate based on a position of a turn signal lever. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138820 | LUMINESCENT TRIM LIGHT ASSEMBLY - A vehicle trim light assembly is provided herein. The trim light assembly includes a substrate mated to a housing. A light source and luminescent structure are disposed within the substrate and housing. The light source provides light at a first wavelength. The luminescent structure is excited by light at the first wavelength thereby emitting light at a second wavelength through the housing to provide lighting to an occupant within the vehicle. | 05-21-2015 |