| DENSO International America, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120095670 | INTELLIGENT ENGINE IDLE STOP LOGIC - A method of controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle may involve turning on the internal combustion engine, stopping the vehicle or while the vehicle is approaching a known potential stopping location, inquiring whether a first predetermined quantity of data samples exists in memory and further inquiring whether the first predetermined quantity of data samples corresponds to a specific time of day, of a specific day of the week, of a specific month of the year, for a specific GPS location, inquiring whether a second predetermined quantity of data samples exists in memory for the specific time of any day of the week for the specific GPS location, inquiring whether a third predetermined quantity of data samples exists for any single, specific time of day for any day of the week for the specific GPS location. Depending upon the reply to each of the above inquiries, the method may include turning off the internal combustion engine. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120077475 | CAR FINDER BY CELL PHONE - A system for locating a vehicle may include a hand-held device and a communication device on-board the vehicle. The hand-held device may include a screen, and may be adapted to import a map and display a present location of the hand-held device on the map. The communication device on-board the vehicle may be adapted to communicate a present location of the vehicle to the hand-held device. The hand-held device may be capable of displaying the location of the vehicle and the location of the hand-held device on the map at the same time. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120044093 | COMBINED TIME-OF-FLIGHT AND IMAGE SENSOR SYSTEMS - An object detection system of a vehicle includes a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor that receives a reflected object detection signal at a second time based on an object detection signal transmitted at a first time. An image sensor generates an image signal including an image of a detected object. The image sensor is distinct from and adjacent to the TOF sensor. A TOF control module generates distance data based on the first time and the second time and determines whether at least a portion of a detected object is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. An image control module generates image data based on the image signal. A detection control module correlates the distance data with the image data to generate a warning indicator when at least a portion of the detected object is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20110316669 | APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CHANGING STATE OF VEHICLE CLOSURE - An apparatus for changing the state of a vehicle closure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a primary mobile unit, a secondary mobile unit, and a detection device. The detection device is operable to automatically detect whether the primary mobile unit is within a first range of the detection device, and whether the secondary mobile unit is within a second range of the detection device. The apparatus further includes a controller operable to change the state of the vehicle closure when the detection device detects that the secondary mobile unit is within the second range while the primary mobile unit is detected within the first range. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110301813 | CUSTOMIZABLE VIRTUAL LANE MARK DISPLAY - A method of displaying virtual lane markings relative to a vehicle position within a roadway lane may entail reading vehicle data such as speed into a vehicle control module, determining if the vehicle data is above a particular threshold, switching a virtual lane display switch, determining weather conditions, and displaying virtual lane markings upon a vehicle windshield based upon a result of determining weather conditions. Detecting actual lane markings on one or both of a left side of the roadway lane and a right side of the roadway lane may be accomplished with a vehicle-mounted camera. Moreover, determining whether a steering wheel has rotated a predetermined number of degrees may further play a role in displaying the virtual lane markings on a windshield of the vehicle. From a driver viewing perspective through a windshield, virtual lane markings may be displayed on the windshield to overlay actual lane markings. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110265765 | DIRECT INJECTION PUMP CONTROL STRATEGY FOR NOISE REDUCTION - A pump may have a first chamber and a solenoid coil to control movement of a first valve member. A second chamber may have a second valve member to control fluid moving into a third chamber. A first fluid passageway may link the first and second chambers, a second passageway may link second and third chambers and a third passageway may link third and fourth chambers. After pressurizing the third chamber causing fluid to flow into and leave a fourth chamber, the third chamber depressurizes due to downward movement of a plunger. Upon depressurization with a solenoid coil energized, second valve member floats and then moves against a valve seat. While the second valve member is moving toward the valve seat, the solenoid coil is de-energized causing the first valve member to move and strike the second valve member when the second valve member is moving at maximum velocity. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110259558 | HEAT EXCHANGE DEVICE - A heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface comprising a plurality of tubes, a pair of tanks, an end plate, and a shroud disposed to cover the heat exchange surface, wherein, the shroud provides a first hook and a second hook at it's a vertical wall, and the end plate is held in place either between the first hook and the second hook, or between the second hook and the vertical wall. With the above structure, the fan shroud assembly can hold two types of heat exchangers having different thickness. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110246051 | METHOD OF DISPLAYING TRAFFIC INFORMATION AND DISPLAYING TRAFFIC CAMERA VIEW FOR VEHICLE SYSTEMS - A method or a system for displaying a traffic camera view of a road on a display within a vehicle. The method or the system may include monitoring a movement of the vehicle, determining an existence of a traffic event based on the movement of the vehicle, receiving a traffic camera view on the road, and displaying the traffic camera view if the traffic event is detected. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110246016 | METHOD OF DISPLAYING TRAFFIC INFORMATION - A method of displaying traffic on a display within a vehicle may include monitoring a current vehicle speed, monitoring external traffic data by various methods, determining if a brake is applied for at least a predetermined time period, determining if the vehicle is a predetermined distance from a traffic signal that the vehicle is approaching, determining that a traffic event exists on a road upon which the vehicle is traveling, inquiring if traffic cameras exist on the road upon which the vehicle is traveling, and displaying traffic data on a display within the vehicle that corresponds to the road ahead upon which the vehicle is traveling. The method may include determining if the vehicle speed is maintained at a speed less than the posted speed for a predetermined time period. The display may display traffic data captured by the traffic cameras, downloaded from remote servers, or communicated directly from another vehicle. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110244778 | HEATING, VENTILATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS - An HVAC system is provided for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment volume. The HVAC system includes a HVAC housing having a duct opening formed in an exterior sidewall thereof. An evaporator is further provided for exhausting air downstream that is cooler than the air on the upstream side. An auxiliary compartment, such as a storage bin, is spaced apart from the HVAC housing, such as in a remote location of the passenger compartment. An auxiliary duct fluidly interconnects the HVAC housing and the auxiliary compartment via the duct opening for transmitting the cool exhausted air to the auxiliary compartment to provide a cooling effect within the auxiliary location. The auxiliary duct, in some embodiments, is disposed external from the HVAC housing for improved service and retrofitting to existing HVAC systems. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110244777 | WINDSHIELD DE-ICING DUCT SYSTEM - An air duct system may employ an HVAC case having an exit air duct and a return air duct, a windshield with an interior surface, an approximately vertical duct, and a horizontal duct. Ducts mount to the windshield and each define an interior passageway with the interior surface of the windshield and a second, return air, passageway. The interior passageway may receive air from the exit air duct and the second passageway may return air to the return air duct. End chambers of each duct reverse air direction 180 degrees. Air of each interior passageway may warm an adjacent area of the windshield that forms part of each interior passageway and a windshield wiper. The first air duct interior passageway may warm a windshield area coincident with a maximum non-park wiper position and the second air duct interior passageway may warm a windshield area coincident with a wiper park position. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243818 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR SCR UREA SYSTEM - A system may include a urea injection device, first, second and third conduits and a valve. The first conduit may contain a fluid and may be in heat transfer relation with the urea injection device. The second conduit may be in selective fluid communication with the first conduit. The third conduit may be in selective fluid communication with the first conduit and in heat transfer relation with a heat source. The valve may be connected to the first, second and third conduits and may be movable between first and second positions. The first position may allow fluid communication between the first and third conduits and restrict communication between the first and second conduits. The second position may allow fluid communication between the first and second conduits and restrict fluid communication between the first and third conduits. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242789 | EDGE LIGHTING DIAL STRUCTURE - An instrument includes a transparent dial and a light source. The transparent dial includes an indicia, a graduation, and first and second surfaces, wherein the first and second surfaces are parallel to each other, and wherein the second surface is closer than the first surface to a viewer of the instrument. The light source provides light through the transparent dial to project the indicia and the graduation to a location that is closer than the second surface to the viewer of the instrument. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241521 | SPARK PLUG ELECTRODE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a housing having a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer periphery extending therebetween. A mounting thread formed on the outer periphery at the proximal end of the housing secures the spark plug to the engine. A center electrode fixedly secured along a central axis of the housing has a first end extending outwardly from the proximal end of the housing. A ground electrode secured to the proximal end of the housing has an electrode tip at a first distance from the center electrode. The electrode tip has a central aperture extending through the ground electrode from an upper surface to a lower surface. A protruding edge circumscribes the aperture and extends a second distance from the upper surface of the electrode tip towards the center electrode. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240388 | THERMAL EXPANSION RESISTANT HEAT EXCHANGER SEAL - A seal member may include a base portion, a plurality of deflector portions, and an expansion portion. The base portion may include a plurality of tabs adapted to be mounted to a heat exchanger. The plurality of deflector portions may each extending from a corresponding one of the plurality of tabs and manipulate a flow of fluid proximate the heat exchanger. The expansion portion may be disposed between adjacent deflector portions and may be expandable in response to exposure to heat between a first position at which the adjacent deflector portions are a first distance apart from each other and a second position at which the adjacent deflector portions are a second distance apart from each other. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240387 | THERMAL STRAIN REDUCING MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR A HEAT EXCHANGER - A bracket for retaining a heat exchanger includes a base member having a first end portion and a second end portion. An aperture at the first end portion of the base member receives a fastener. The bracket is fixedly secured to a vehicle through the fastener. An arcuate hook at the second end of the base member receives the heat exchanger. A flex zone extends between the first and second end portions of the base member. The flex zone is movable between a first, relaxed position and a second, flexed position. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240275 | LOW THERMAL STRAIN MULTI-COOLER - A heat exchanger with multi-flow capabilities includes a pair of intermediate tanks located between a pair of header tanks. An open gap is provided between the two intermediate tanks. A first plurality of tubes extend between the header tanks. A second plurality of tubes extend between one of the header tanks and one of the intermediate tanks. A third plurality of tubes extend between the other header tank and the other intermediate tank. In a two flow system, the two intermediate tanks are in fluid communication through a flexible jumper tube. In a three flow system the two intermediate tanks are isolated from each other. The open gap between the intermediate tanks allows for the uneven heat expansion between the various fluid flows. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240257 | VIBRATION STABILIZATION SYSTEM FOR MULTI-COOLER - A bracket for stabilizing a heat exchanger has a base member extending between first and second ends. An aperture at the first end of the base member receives a fastener. The bracket is fixedly secured to a vehicle through the fastener. A flex zone extends between the first and second ends of the base member. The flex zone is movable between a first, relaxed position and a second, flexed position. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239993 | DIESEL FEEDSIDE BOOST PUMP - A fuel system of a vehicle that delivers fuel to an engine includes a fuel tank, a main fuel pump that pumps fuel to the engine, and a fuel supply line through which fuel flows from the fuel tank to the main fuel pump. Moreover, the fuel system includes a boost pump assembly providing variable pumping of fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel supply line toward the engine. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239697 | EVAPORATOR UNIT - An evaporator unit comprising an evaporator, an internal heat exchanger defining a high pressure flow passage and a low pressure flow passage, an expansion device connected downstream of the high pressure flow passage of the internal heat exchanger and upstream of the evaporator. The internal heat exchanger is attached to the evaporator. With the above structure, the internal heat exchanger can utilize the remaining cooling capability of the refrigerant exiting from the evaporator for its greatest benefit. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239690 | AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS - An air conditioning apparatus has, a first domed door comprising a first pivot and a first sealing surface, and a second domed door comprising a second pivot and a second sealing surface, wherein, said second pivot is positioned different from said second pivot. With the above structure, the radial gap between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface is varied when at least one of the two domed doors is moved. Accordingly, the air conditioning apparatus described above does not have to set the constant small radial gap or constant wide radial gap for the sake of reducing unintentional air leaking or preventing said friction. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239285 | AUTHENTICATION BYPASS METHOD - A method for reactivating a telematics device configured to make a data call via a roaming partner of a service provider is disclosed. The service provider has an authentication bypass feature which uses an authentication bypass key common to the telematics device and the service provider to allow the telematics device to make a data call without authentication. The method comprises setting the authentication bypass key on a server of the service provider equal to a previous authentication bypass key, wherein the previous authentication bypass key was used by the authentication bypass feature prior to deactivation of the telematics device. The method includes setting the authentication bypass key on the telematics device equal to the previous authentication bypass key. The method further comprises commencing the data call through the roaming partner by sending the authentication bypass key to the service provider from the telematics device via the roaming partner. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110232609 | INTEGRATED FUEL INJECTOR ORIENTATION AND RETENTION DEVICE - Attaching a fuel injector to a common rail may utilize a fuel injector and an integral tab that has a solid head portion from which a first flexible prong and a second flexible prong protrude and define a gap therebetween. A fuel injector cup may define a notch through which the first prong and the second prong reside to secure the fuel injector to the fuel injector cup, which is attached to the rail. A first prong interior straight wall surface and a second prong interior straight wall surface may face the gap and be parallel. The prongs may define entry contact surfaces and exit contact surfaces that meet at prescribed angles to aid in insertion and hinder retraction of the injector tab from the injector cup. The tab defines a solid head portion below the gap that resides in the notch. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110232608 | MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR FUEL INJECTOR - A fuel injector mounting structure may employ a flat bottom, a first (e.g. exterior) vertical wall that meets flat bottom, a second (e.g. interior) vertical wall that meets flat bottom, and a top wall. The top wall may define a flat surface transitioning into a curved surface. The top wall, flat bottom, first vertical wall and second vertical wall may be in the shape of a circular ring with a center hole through the center of the ring. An engine cylinder head may contact the bottom wall and a fuel injector may contact the curved surface of the top wall. Fuel injector and flat surface of top wall may define an air gap between them to inhibit vibration transmission from the fuel injector into the cylinder head. A powder metal material or an elastomer may occupy a cavity within the circular ring. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110230186 | PREVENTION OF OVERREACH CONDITION IN CELLULAR COMMUNICATION - A method of wireless communication between a base station and a mobile station may entail scanning a first entry of a preferred roaming list for a first base station channel, transmitting a downlink signal from the base station to the mobile station; determining that the downlink signal to the mobile station from the base station has not been received, scanning the preferred roaming list for a second base station, identifying that the second base station does not exist on the preferred roaming list, and inquiring whether a vehicle ignition is off upon determining that the second base station does not exist. Moreover, the method may entail determining that the vehicle ignition is on, and return an excluded channel of a base station to the preferred roaming list and determine that the vehicle ignition is off and invoke a sleep mode of the digital control module. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110226359 | FLUID RESERVOIR WITH LIGHT SOURCE - A hollow container may have a light source entirely positioned in a cavity defined by a bottom exterior surface of the container. A rigid base of the light source may be flush with the bottom exterior surface around the cavity. The cavity may be concave inward toward a center of the hollow container. A fluid level sensor switch may protrude through a bottom wall of the hollow container to sense a fluid level in the hollow container. A circuit connected to the fluid level sensor switch and the light source may be wired to cause the light source to blink when the fluid level sensor switch detects a predetermined fluid level within the hollow container and a hood switch detects an open vehicle hood. A hole in a top exterior surface may have a cap and facilitate addition or removal of a liquid to the hollow container. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110225960 | SECONDARY AIR CONTROL VALVE - A secondary air control valve connected to an exhaust system includes a passage forming member and a valve mechanism. The passage forming member includes a container unit and a plurality of fins. The container unit that defines therein an exit cavity and an exit passage. The plurality of fins projects from the container unit into the exit cavity such that the plurality of fins collides with counter-flow exhaust gas that counter-flows in a direction from the exit passage to the exit cavity through the first opening. The plurality of fins divides the exit cavity into a plurality of cavities, in which counter-flow exhaust gas forms a plurality of vortex flows. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110220318 | HEAT EXCHANGER FLOW LIMITING BAFFLE - A heat exchanger, such as a radiator, may transfer heat from a liquid and employ a first header tank, a second header tank, a plurality of tubes fluidly joining the first and second header tanks, and a baffle within one of the first or second header tanks. The baffle may be located in a header tank positioned substantially parallel or perpendicular to a surface upon which a vehicle employing the hear exchanger rests. The baffle may be a wall defining only one slot, a wall defining only one slot that is open through one side of the wall, a wall that defines a plurality of slots, or a wall that defines a plurality of holes. The heat exchanger may further employ fluidly isolated first and second tube and fin sections each defining a self-contained flow path for cooling different liquids. The baffle may slow coolant flow in a flow path. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110208388 | AUDIO NOISE REDUCTION METHOD FOR TELEMATICS SYSTEM - A telematics system for a vehicle includes an infotainment module, a codec module, and a control module. The infotainment module outputs data to a speaker via a first audio data path. The codec module outputs data to the speaker via a second audio data path when a telematics function of the telematics system is triggered. The control module switches from the first audio data path to the second audio data path after the telematics function is triggered. The control module changes a state of a relay of the speaker and a gain of the codec module in a first predetermined order before outputting data to the speaker via the second audio data path. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110208386 | METHOD OF ACTIVATING A TELEMATICS DEVICE - A method of registering a vehicle with a call center of a telematics system may entail turning a key within a vehicle ignition to begin a call from a telematics control module within the vehicle to a server at a telematics call center, connecting the telematics control module within the vehicle to the server at the telematics service center, sending a health check request from the telematics control module within the vehicle to the server at the telematics service center; and receiving a health check confirmation in the telematics control module within the vehicle from the server at the telematics service center. The method may further entail inquiring if such a health check request request-confirmation was successful. The method may also include a call fail counter and a message fail counter to automatically re-initiate a health check request and a successful answer to such a request. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110200860 | BATTERY COOLING WITH MIST EVAPORATION AND CONDENSATION - A battery pack cooling system may utilize a shroud defining a throat and a body, which may contain a battery pack. An evaporator may be arranged against the battery pack. A liquid coolant delivery pipe may deliver liquid coolant from a reservoir to the throat section with the aid of gravity, a pump, or an ultrasonic misting device. A spray nozzle may also deliver liquid coolant into the throat. When in the throat, liquid coolant mixes with air blown by a fan. Gaps in the battery pack may align with gaps of the evaporator to permit liquid and air to be blown completely through the battery pack and through the evaporator. A refrigeration system including a refrigerant compressor, a condenser and an expansion device work to cool the evaporator to condense, cool and remove liquid coolant from the liquid and air mixture, and deposit it in the reservoir. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110169626 | HAND-HELD DEVICE INTEGRATION FOR AUTOMOBILE SAFETY - A system for aiding a user when travelling in a vehicle with a portable, handheld electronic device includes a sensor that detects an object outside the vehicle and that detects a condition regarding movement of the vehicle with respect to the object outside the vehicle. The sensor is supported in the vehicle for travel with the vehicle. The system also includes a communication system that allows the vehicle and the electronic device to communicate a signal therebetween. The signal relates to the condition detected by the sensor. Furthermore, the system includes an output device included on at least one of the vehicle and the electronic device. The output device is operable to output an alarm based on the signal communicated between the vehicle and the electronic device. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110168135 | SEALED WIRE INTERFACE - A fuel pump module flange assembly includes a flange member with an outer surface, an inner surface, and an external boss protruding from the outer surface. The external boss defines an external cavity, and the flange member is monolithic. The assembly also includes an electrically conductive wire that extends through the flange member. The wire has a first portion that protrudes away from the inner surface, and the wire also includes a terminal end that is disposed within the external cavity of the external boss. The wire is monolithic from the terminal end to the first portion. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110162624 | DIESEL START-STOP FUEL PRESSURE RESERVE DEVICE - An apparatus in a fuel path to assist in delivering fuel to an engine, the apparatus comprising: a fuel tank to contain a fuel and define a first end of the fuel path; a fuel rail to receive fuel and define a second end of the fuel path; a vacuum fuel pump to draw the liquid fuel from the fuel tank; a fuel injection pump to increase a pressure of the liquid fuel to an elevated fuel pressure before delivery of the fuel to the engine; and a check valve in the fuel path to retain fuel at the elevated fuel pressure in the fuel path. A fuel reservoir located between the vacuum fuel pump and the fuel injection pump in the fuel path, the check valve located within the fuel reservoir. The fuel injection pump is located downstream of the fuel reservoir. The fuel reservoir further comprises a fuel inlet and the check valve is located at the fuel inlet. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110146628 | RETURN FUEL DIFFUSION DEVICE AND FUEL GUIDE - A fuel pump module mounted to a fuel tank may employ a flange on a top surface of the fuel tank, a fuel inlet pipe that passes through the flange, a fuel reservoir situated near a bottom interior surface of the fuel tank, and a fuel diffuser, which may be attached to the fuel inlet pipe, that protrudes away from the flange into an interior volume of the reservoir. A fuel cylinder may surround at least part of a longitudinal length of the fuel diffuser to control passage of fuel and bubbles and may have a first end that is open and a second end that is attached to a top surface of a bottom wall of the reservoir. Alternatively, the fuel cylinder may be attached at a first end to the fuel inlet pipe and define a second end that is open such that the fuel cylinder and a reservoir bottom define a gap therebetween. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110132328 | PASSIVE AND SEMI-ACTIVE DIESEL AND GASOLINE FUEL MODULE - A vehicle fuel system may employ a fuel pump module with a reservoir within a fuel tank. The system may also employ a fuel injection common rail, a fuel supply line leading from the fuel pump module reservoir to the fuel injection common rail, and a fuel return line leading from the fuel injection common rail through a fuel pump module flange. Additionally, the system may employ a first return fuel check valve to release fuel only into a reservoir jet pump and/or a transfer jet pump, while a second return fuel check valve may release fuel only directly into the fuel pump module reservoir. An electric fuel pump within the reservoir may have a fuel pump check valve and supply fuel only to the reservoir jet pump and/or the transfer jet pump, and not to an engine, when activated by a pressure sensor in the fuel return line. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110120176 | VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT COMPRESSOR SHAFT OIL SEPARATOR - A compressor shaft may have a fluid inlet that leads into and may be concentric with a fluid inlet tube, which may be perpendicular to a longitudinal hole in the length of the shaft. An intermediate inlet into the longitudinal hole is located between the fluid inlet and an outlet at an end of the longitudinal hole. A drive plate mounted to the compressor shaft may have a protruding drive arm, which may use a holding mechanism (e.g. a pin) to connect to a swash plate. At certain swash plate angles, the intermediate inlet may be covered and sealed by the swash plate, or uncovered. The drive arm may define an internal bore and a through slot. At opposite ends, the bore may merge into the longitudinal hole and open into the through slot. The holding mechanism and/or swash plate guide may cover the bore in the slot and create a seal. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110044021 | THREE DIMENSIONAL IMAGE DIAL FOR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - An indicating instrument, such as for an instrument cluster, may employ a dial with numerous lighted indicia and numerous lighted graduations, to individually demark the indicia. The indicia and graduations may be viewable on a first side of the dial, while on a second side of the dial, a frustum of a rectangular pyramid may be located immediately behind, relative to a viewer, each graduation. A light emitting diode may provide light into and through the protruding frustum, and a reflector case mounted to the dial may direct light from the light emitting diode into the frustum. Light directed into the frustum may pass through the frustum, through the graduation, and out of the graduation to the first side of the dial. Instead of a frustum, a recessed portion with four sloping and converging sides into the dial may be utilized to produce an illuminated graduation with a three-dimensional appearance. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110030929 | SELF-POWERED HEAT EXCHANGER - A heat transferring apparatus may employ a heat exchanger with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and be coupled to a power exchange unit, which employs a driving fan fluid inlet, a series of inner fan blades to receive the fluid from the driving fan fluid inlet, and a rotable driving fan unit. The inner fan blades are attached to the rotable driving fan unit along with driving magnets. A rotatable driven fan unit has numerous outer fan blades and a series of imbedded driven magnets. The fluid drives the inner fan blades and flows into the heat exchanger. The outer fan blades force air through the heat exchanger and cools the fluid. A power transfer wall located between the inner magnets and the outer magnets transfers magnetic fields from the inner magnets to the outer magnets to impart rotation in the driven fan unit and outer fan blades. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110007074 | METHOD OF MAP SCALE CONVERSION OF FEATURES FOR A DISPLAY - A method of controlling a vehicle navigation system may entail inquiring if the navigation system is displaying a road map in a first map scale on a display, inquiring if a scrolling feature was used to pan the road map in the first map scale on the display to a specific scrolled point, concluding that the scrolling feature was used, calculating a detail road display area based on the specific scrolled point of the display; loading detailed road link data in a second map scale from memory of the navigation system, the detailed road link data corresponding in actual geographic area to the detail road display area, converting the detailed road link data from the second map scale to the first map scale to create converted detail road link data, and displaying the converted detail road link data together with the road map in the first map scale. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100332116 | OFF ROAD NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A method of operating a navigation system in a vehicle may entail invoking an off-road mode of the navigation system; displaying a first off-road terrain on a navigation system display; displaying a first present location of the vehicle on the display, inputting a first user-input off-road destination into the navigation system; inputting a first user-input off-road waypoint into the navigation system; displaying straight line trajectories between the start point, the first user-input off-road waypoint and the destination on a display of the navigation system and displaying a first real-time path of on-screen breadcrumbs as the vehicle travels off-road in current or real-time; shifting on the display, each user-entered off-road waypoint to a closest on-screen breadcrumb of the first real-time path; shifting on the display, the user-entered destination to the closest on-screen breadcrumb; and storing the first real-time path in a memory of a navigation control unit. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100269767 | RADIATOR SHUTTER USING FILM DOOR TECHNOLOGY - An apparatus for controlling airflow to and a temperature of an engine may employ a radiator with liquid coolant, a first roller positioned parallel to an inlet tank and a second roller positioned parallel to an outlet tank, and a single film shutter that winds upon each roller. Thin strip leaders define gaps for airflow to reach the radiator. A method of controlling an open position of the film shutter may entail calculating a first film shutter open position based upon an engine coolant temperature, calculating a second film shutter open position based upon an air conditioning output pressure, comparing the first film shutter open position to the second film shutter open position, determining the larger open position, and moving the film shutter to the larger open position to expose a greater radiator surface area than the smaller open position. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100250130 | NAVIGATION LOCATION MARK BY CELL PHONE - A system is provided that may mark and communicate a location to a navigation system via a portable device. The portable device may include a user interface, a first GPS device, a first memory device and a transmitter. The user interface may selectively allow the first GPS device to acquire geographical coordinates of a current location of the portable device and store the geographical coordinates in the first memory device. The navigation system may include a second GPS device, a second memory device, a receiver, and a display. The transmitter of the portable device may communicate the geographical coordinates to the receiver of the navigation system. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250071 | DUAL FUNCTION TOUCH SWITCH WITH HAPTIC FEEDBACK - A control interface system is disclosed. The system comprises an input device that receives input of a user to control a plurality of systems of the vehicle and a plurality of dual function sensors interposed along a surface of said input device. Each of the dual function sensors includes a first circuit that is sensitive to contact of the user with the surface of said input device and a second circuit sensitive to pressure exerted upon the surface of the input device greater than a predetermined threshold. The dual function sensors generate a first signal when the first circuit senses the contact of the user and generate a second signal when the second circuit senses the pressure exerted upon the surface of the input device. The system further includes a processing unit which receives the first and second signals and controls the plurality of systems within the vehicle based upon the received signals. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250044 | VEHICLE DATA INPUT CONTROL METHOD - A method of controlling data input to a vehicle data input system determines a speed of a vehicle, determines an occupancy state of a non-driver position of the vehicle based on a presence of a non-driver in the non-driver position, determines a behavior of a driver based on input from a driver behavior system, and adjusts an input functionality of a vehicle data input system based on the vehicle speed, the occupancy state of the passenger, and the behavior of the driver. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248636 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION IN VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - A vehicle communication system includes a connection quality module and a channel scan frequency module. The connection quality module determines that a vehicle is out-of-range (OOR) from a host when a connection quality between the vehicle and the host is below a predetermined connection quality threshold. The channel scan frequency module controls a frequency of attempts by the vehicle to connect to the host when the vehicle is OOR based on at least one of whether an engine is on and a movement rate of the vehicle. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248608 | HVAC AIR VALVE - A passive air valve for an HVAC module allows air to flow through a conditioning passage in a single direction. The valve can be disposed on a downstream side of a heat exchanger. The valve can inhibit back airflow from one of the conditioning passages to the other one of the conditioning passages. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248607 | HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING CASE WITH HONEYCOMB - An apparatus for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system may include an outer shell and a honeycomb structure. The outer shell may define an interior volume having an inlet and an outlet providing an airflow path therethrough. The honeycomb structure may be attached to the outer shell and disposed in the airflow path. The honeycomb structure may include a plurality of polygonal apertures extending substantially in a direction of the airflow. The honeycomb structure may deflect sound waves away from a predetermined area. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248605 | INTEGRATED BLOWER GRID - An apparatus for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system may employ a blower case that houses a fan and a motor to drive the fan, an air intake case that houses an air filter, a grill that contacts and supports the filter, a fresh air intake and a recirculation air intake. The grill may be located directly over the fan to protect the fan and motor from debris. The air intake case may employ a fresh air inlet and a recirculation air inlet such that air entering either may have an airflow path through the HVAC system in the order of: the fresh air intake, the filter, the grill, the fan, and the blower case. An intermediate grill panel and the grill may be integrally molded together as one single piece to improve NVH, reduce overall part count and save manufacturing time. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244621 | AUDIBLE BRUSH WEAR INDICATOR FOR ROTATING ELECTRIC MACHINES - An electric machine incorporates a brush assembly that provides an audible warning when the brush in the brush assembly approaches the end of its useable length. The brush incorporates a device incorporated into the brush or a brush design which cooperates with the brush holder to generate the noise. The noise provides a warning to the user of the electric machine that the useable length of the brush material is near. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100243824 | INSERT FOR TUBE RETAINING BRACKET - A retaining bracket for holding conduits may employ a first half or stationary portion defining a semi-circular first conduit holding portion and a semi-circular second conduit holding portion. A second half or movable portion may be foldable onto the stationary portion such that a first arcuate groove and a second arcuate groove of the movable portion match the first and second conduit holding portions, respectively, to accommodate the cylindrical conduits. A first rigid binder piece may contact a long side of the stationary portion and attach to a first compressible insert and a second compressible insert. The first compressible insert may reside within the first conduit holding portion and the second compressible insert may reside within the second conduit holding portion and compress against the conduits, respectively. The binder and inserts may install into the retain bracket before or after the movable portion is closed onto the stationary portion. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100243199 | HVAC MODULE INTERIOR WALL INSERT - A case for a heating, ventilating and cooling system may include a shell and a plurality of fins. The shell may define an interior volume and may include an air inlet, a first air outlet and a second air outlet. The interior volume may define an airflow path between the air inlet and the first and second air outlets. The shell may be in fluid communication with a blower. The plurality of fins may be disposed in the airflow path between the air inlet and the first and second outlets. The plurality of fins may extend into the interior volume and distribute a first predetermined airflow amount to the first air outlet and a second predetermined airflow amount to the second air outlet. A temperature of the first predetermined airflow amount may be substantially equal, or different by a predetermined amount, to a temperature of the second predetermined airflow amount. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242923 | TWO STEP PRESSURE CONTROL OF FUEL PUMP MODULE - A fuel system comprises a fuel line that supplies fuel to an engine at a fuel line pressure. A first fuel pump selectively supplies fuel to the fuel line at a first pressure. A second fuel pump selectively supplies fuel to the fuel line at a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure. A check valve having an inlet in communication with an exit port of the first fuel pump and an outlet in communication with the fuel line is positioned based on the fuel line pressure and the first pressure. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242597 | MULTI-JOINT FUEL LEVEL SENDER GAGE ASSEMBLY - A fuel level measuring system for a liquid fuel tank may utilize a primary sender gage assembly employing at least a primary sender gage, a primary sender arm, and a primary sender float. The system may further utilize a secondary sender gage assembly employing at least a secondary sender gage, a secondary sender arm, and a secondary sender float. A dash indicator may display a fuel level of fuel within the fuel tank based upon resistances from the sender gages. The primary sender float and the secondary sender gage are contained within a single unit that is buoyant in liquid fuel. The fuel tank may have a top dome portion and a bottom dome portion that the secondary sender float is capable of occupying while the sender gages transmit a signal corresponding to fuel levels in the tank. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242574 | PROTECTIVE HEATED SCREEN FOR ELEMENT - A protective heated screen for an element of a sensor surrounds a portion of the element and reduces and/or minimizes the propensity for liquid droplets to come in contact with the heated element. The screen can allow fluid flow therethrough to allow the sensor element to come in contact with the fluid stream. The screen can be in continuous heat-transferring contact with the sensor element such that both the sensor element and screen are at a temperature significantly greater than the ambient temperature. Liquid droplets contacting the heated screen may evaporate such that the liquid droplets do not come in contact with the sensor element. The screen can also break down the liquid droplets into smaller droplets such that the thermal stress created by the droplets contacting the heated element is reduced over that caused by a larger droplet. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242206 | VEHICLE VACUUM MODULE - A vehicle vacuum cleaning system may have a portable vacuum module that employs a vacuum module case, a vacuum fan within the interior of the vacuum module case and a vacuum fan drive shaft coupled to the vacuum fan. The vacuum module attaches and detaches to an HVAC module within the vehicle. The HVAC module may utilize an HVAC case, an electric motor within the HVAC case, an HVAC fan drive shaft coupled to the electric motor and an HVAC fan coupled to the HVAC fan drive shaft. The vacuum fan drive shaft is adapted to receive rotational energy from the HVAC fan drive shaft, either directly or through an auxiliary shaft. The vacuum module may employ gears to increase the speed and drawing force of the vacuum fan. A debris receptacle is detachable to the vacuum module. The HVAC fan drive shaft ultimately drives the vacuum fan. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100236471 | FREE SHAPE GAUGE BY LASER POINTER - A gauge can include a face plate and an indication area disposed about a gauge center. The indication area can have a shape that can be defined by a bottom boundary, a top boundary, and first and second ends joining respective ends of the top and bottom boundaries. The top and bottom boundaries can be spaced apart from the gauge center by first and second radial distances. The indication area can be angled rearward relative to the face plate with the top boundary being spaced rearward from the face plate. A plurality of indicia can be disposed on the face plate. The gauge can further include a laser system disposed behind a rear side of the face plate and arranged to rotate and reflect a laser beam to a position adjacent or relative to a specific one of the plurality of indicia based on a signal output from a sensor. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100229577 | CARBON DIOXIDE REFRIGERANT-COOLANT HEAT EXCHANGER - A climate control system may include a condenser, an evaporator, a compressor, a coolant circuit, and a heat exchanger. The evaporator may be in fluid communication with the condenser. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator and may circulate a first fluid therebetween. The coolant circuit may include an engine, a radiator, and a second fluid circulating between the engine and the radiator. The heat exchanger may include a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit. The first fluid conduit may fluidly couple the compressor and the condenser. The second fluid conduit may fluidly couple the radiator and the engine. The heat exchanger may be configured to allow the second fluid to absorb heat from the first fluid. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100229549 | CHARGE AIR COOLER CONDENSATE SEPARATION AND DISPERSION SYSTEM - A system for separating and dispersing condensate formed in a charge air cooler of a turbocharged engine system. The system includes a drain tube on the charge air cooler lower surface that is plumbed to a reservoir, with a charge air recirculation tube plumbed from the reservoir to the turbocharger compressor inlet duct. The pressure difference between the charge air cooler and the compressor inlet draws any condensate formed in the charge air cooler back into the reservoir. A valve at the bottom of the condensate reservoir will open under predetermined vehicle operating conditions to drain the stored condensate out from the reservoir. The condensate could be simply drained to the ground, or a spray bar could be connected to the reservoir outlet to spay the condensate on to the outside surface of the charge air cooler, providing additional performance for brief periods of high engine load operation. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100228477 | METHOD OF MAP ADDRESS DATA UPDATE - A method of updating map address data in a navigation system by first determining when the navigation system has used a destination address number that was input by a driver to calculate the route to the destination address, then determining when an engine of a vehicle has been shut off after the navigation system was used to calculate a route to the destination address. Next, the navigation system determines whether the vehicle is within a predetermined range from the map address stored in a memory of the navigation system. If so, the navigation system learns the address that is the closest to the location where the vehicle was shut off and the navigation system adjusts the map address in memory based on the address that is closest to the location where the vehicle was shut off. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100202052 | A/C SYSTEM SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE GLASS DE-ICER - A vehicle heating system employs a vehicle rearview mirror outer case that defines a cavity within which a mirror resides. A vehicle rearview mirror inner case may define a cavity and the rearview mirror inner case may reside within the rearview mirror outer case. A mirror surface or mirror structure, such as glass or plastic, may reside against the rearview mirror inner case to enclose the inner case, with the exception of air inlet and outlet tubes. A rearview mirror inlet tube may pass through the outer case and the inner case and permit air to enter the rearview mirror inner case. A rearview mirror outlet tube that passes through the outer case and the inner case may permit air to exit the rearview mirror inner case. An HVAC unit attaches to the rearview mirror inlet tube to blow air into the rearview mirror outer case or inner case. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100199637 | ROTATIONAL GENERATION TYPE WIRELESS OXYGEN SENSOR - An oxygen sensor for a motor vehicle having an electrode within an outer shell measures oxygen in exhaust gas exiting the vehicle and generates a signal based on the oxygen measurement. A communication device, powered by a battery or capacitor, wirelessly transmits the measured amount of oxygen from the electrode to a powertrain control module. The flow of exhaust gas through the exhaust system spins blades to spin a generator in a rotational power generation device to generate electrical current to be stored and used by the battery or capacitor. The rotational power generation device may be located in the exhaust pipe, such as through an exhaust pipe wall, and either be connected to the oxygen sensor shell or separate and connected only with electrical wires between the generator and the battery or capacitor. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100188835 | ILLUMINATED INDICATING DEVICES FOR INSTRUMENT PANELS - An illuminated indicating device includes a dial plate, a pointer, a first light source, a light guide and a light filter. The first light source emits a beam of light and the light guide diverts the beam of light into a first light to the pointer and a second light to a front side of the dial plate. The light filter includes a first filtering portion and a second filtering portion. The first filtering portion is located in a path of the first light to allow a first color of light to pass through and the second filtering portion is located in a path of the second light to allow a second color of light to pass through. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100186661 | HUB GLOW POINTER - A gauge of an instrument cluster includes a glow hub. The gauge includes a dial and a pointer including a hub portion rotatably mounted in the instrument cluster and movable to a plurality of positions. A light source is disposed in the gauge and adapted to direct light in a first direction through a translucent portion of the hub. A first reflecting surface portion of the hub is adapted to receive light directed from the light source and adapted direct light in a second direction. A second reflecting surface portion of the hub is adapted to receive light directed from the first reflecting surface portion and adapted to direct light in a third direction. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100186440 | THERMAL STORAGE FOR CO2 SYSTEM - A climate control system may include a cooling system having a compressor in fluid communication with a condenser and a evaporator and circulating a first fluid therebetween; a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the cooling system and operable to remove heat from a second fluid; a reservoir in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and adapted to receive the second fluid; a pump in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and the reservoir and circulating the second fluid therebetween; a second heat exchanger in selective fluid communication with the first heat exchanger, the reservoir and the pump; and a valve movable between a first position allowing fluid communication between the reservoir and the second heat exchanger and a second position preventing fluid communication between the reservoir and the second heat exchanger, wherein heat is absorbed by the second fluid flowing through the second heat exchanger. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100174455 | FARADAY TYPE WIRELESS OXYGEN SENSOR - An oxygen sensor device and method for a motor vehicle having an electrode within an outer shell for measuring oxygen in exhaust gas exiting the vehicle. A communication device, powered by a capacitor, wirelessly transmits the measured amount of oxygen from the electrode to a powertrain control module. Vibration transmitting from the motor vehicle shakes a magnet, wound inside a coil, for generating the electrical current used by the capacitor. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100170464 | CLEAN AIR DUCT NOISE SILENCING - An air intake system for reducing air induction noise, which includes an air duct housing that has a lower shell and an upper shell, each having a first end and a second end and a plurality of tuning holes formed therein. The air intake system further includes an air duct that is connected to the air duct housing and includes a circumferential wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The circumferential wall defines an aperture between a first end and a second end. A venturi is formed between the first and second ends and restricts the amount of sound passing from the first end to the second end of the air duct. The circumferential wall has a predetermined thickness that enables sound to pass through the circumferential wall and into the air duct housing. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100162806 | Detection of cylinder-to-cylinder air/fuel imbalance - An air/fuel imbalance detection module includes a fueling control module, a response time determination module, and a comparison module. The fueling control module commands a fueling change according to a predetermined fueling pattern. The response time determination module determines a measured response time for a wide-range air/fuel sensor (WRAF) to output a predetermined voltage. The comparison module compares the measured response time with a reference time range and diagnoses air/fuel imbalance when the measured response time is outside the reference time range. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100154468 | Air flow around blower resistor and at evaporator - A climate control system includes a compressor that circulates fluid between a condenser and an evaporator, an electric motor that drives a blower that includes a quantity of fan blades, and a duct fluidly coupling the blower and the evaporator. The blower forces air through the duct to the evaporator. A resistor is in electrical communication with the motor and has a quantity of fins extending into the passage of the duct. The duct may include a contoured wall that bulges outward and away from the resistor fins to enlarge a volume of the duct adjacent or beside the quantity of fins to allow a first portion of the air from the blower to flow around the fins while a second portion of the air cools the fins. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100096533 | Fuel pump module snap-in support rod attachment - A connection structure for a fuel pump module may employ a rod with a circumferential groove, and a flange with a vertical wall defining a longitudinal recession for installation of the rod. The entire length of the longitudinal recession may be exposed through a non-top and non-bottom side of the vertical wall. A boss protrudes from the vertical wall and the groove of the rod resides around the boss to prevent longitudinal motion of the rod. The vertical wall may further define a gap between two flat lands, which may be parallel. The distance between the lands is less than a diameter of the rod when the rod is installed within the recession. The vertical wall material defining the flat lands partially encloses and secures the rod within the longitudinal recession. The flat lands provoke an interference fit during rod installation but flex and bend permitting rod passage and installation. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100096528 | FUEL PUMP MODULE SNAP-IN SUPPORT ROD ATTACHMENT - A connection structure for a fuel pump module flange and support rod may employ a flange having a top plate and a vertical wall that is perpendicular to the top plate. A vertical wall bottom edge may define a bottom edge slot. The flange may further define a recession in the vertical wall that merges with the bottom edge slot. The recession may house semi-circular first and second boss arms that protrude from a ceiling that bounds the recession. First and second semicircular clip arms may reside in the recession and define a gap with the first and second boss arms. A cylindrical rod may have a rod tip that slides between the boss arms and a rod shaft that clips into the clip arms by biasing apart the clip arms. Installation of the rod may be from the side of the flange and not the bottom of the flange. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100089561 | PIPE JOINT BLOCK FOR FLUID TRANSFER - A connection block employs a support block with two parallel through holes that pass through parallel first and second flat block surfaces. First and second insert pipes have elongate portions and flanges. The elongate portions press-fit into the connection block and the flanges, not at pipe ends, abut against the first flat surface of the connection block when the pipes are installed. Upon installation, the ends the elongate portions of the pipes are formed into a flange by flattening the end against the second connection block surface. The junctures of the elongate portions and the first flanges form a flange radius that contacts a radius of the support block when the pipes are installed into the block. The elongate portions residing within the first and second through holes make a full contact fit against the inside diameters of the through holes. The flanges are perpendicular to the elongate portions. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100073201 | CAR FINDER BY CELL PHONE - A system for locating a vehicle may include a hand-held device and a communication device on-board the vehicle. The hand-held device may include a screen, and may be adapted to import a map and display a present location of the hand-held device on the map. The communication device on-board the vehicle may be adapted to communicate a present location of the vehicle to the hand-held device. The hand-held device may be capable of displaying the location of the vehicle and the location of the hand-held device on the map at the same time. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100073158 | System for recommending maintenance for fuel economy improvement - A method of optimizing fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions of a vehicle may entail utilizing an interior vehicle display to alert a driver as to the state of various vehicle components and parameters and their effect on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The components and parameters may be monitored by or direct information into a vehicle efficiency ECU which communicates with the display. The method may entail reading and displaying a real-time tire pressure into the efficiency ECU and displaying the corresponding fuel economy. a manufacturer's recommended tire pressure and corresponding fuel economy could also be displayed. The method may also entail reading a variety of real-time weather conditions into the efficiency ECU that correspond to a plurality of different road routes to a driver-selected destination. The fuel economy of each route may be displayed for driver selection to optimize fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100071611 | MOVING GRADUATION LIGHTING ACCENT FROM POINTER - A gauge may employ a dial plate, a pointer shaft driven by a motor, a printed circuit board having a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, and a motor. An upper pointer may be located on a viewed side of the dial plate and a lower pointer may be located on an unviewed side of the dial plate. The upper and lower pointers are attached to the pointer shaft. The lower pointer is positioned to receive light from the light source and direct the light into indicia and graduations of the dial plate, and into the upper pointer. An area surrounding the upper pointer is more brightly lit than other areas of the dial plate. A light-collecting ring may collect light and transmit light into the lower pointer. The ring may be an integral or attached part of the lower pointer or it may be a detached and separate piece. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100066077 | PIPE JOINT DESIGN - A connection joint brazed to a heat exchanger may employ a first block and a second block. The first block may have two fluid passages that align with two fluid passages of the second block. A first male insert may reside within a first fluid passage of each of the first block and the second block and a second male insert may reside within a second fluid passage of each block. Each of the male inserts may employ a first seal and a second seal with a raised boss region midway between the seals. The raised boss portion lies at the mated flats of the juncture of the first and second blocks, which are chamfered to permit part of the boss to locate in each of the chamfers. The seals may be o-rings they may be molded onto an insert base using an over molding or double shot manufacturing process. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100030568 | Unused allocated mileage counter - A system for tracking mileage for a vehicle may include a controller, an input device and a mileage sensor. The input device may be adapted to receive a first predetermined allocated mileage rate and communicate the first predetermined allocated mileage rate to the controller. The mileage sensor may be adapted to sense a mileage value and communicate the mileage value to the controller. The controller may be adapted to determine an actual mileage rate based at least partially upon the mileage value and a predetermined time period. The controller may be adapted to determine a deviation between the actual mileage rate and at least one of the first predetermined allocated mileage rate and a second predetermined allocated mileage rate. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20090247240 | Auxiliary power management method for cellular based device - A method of operating a control module of a mobile device that communicates with a cellular network and that is powered by an auxiliary power supply comprises generating an interrupt signal based on a tick of a system timer interrupt of the control module; incrementing a counter value based on the interrupt signal; and commanding the auxiliary power supply to cease powering the mobile device when the counter value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090244017 | Haptic tracking remote control for driver information center system - A control interface system for a driver of a vehicle comprises a touchscreen, a control module, and a display. The touchscreen is located proximate to the driver of the vehicle and upon driver interaction therewith is operable to generate a sensor signal. The control module is adapted to receive the sensor signal from the touchscreen and is operable to initiate control of a vehicle function and to generate a haptic feedback signal in response thereto. The touchscreen is adapted to receive the haptic feedback signal from the control module and is operable to provide haptic feedback to the driver of the vehicle in response thereto. The display is embedded in an instrument panel of the vehicle and provides an indicia of the vehicle function controlled by the touchscreen and of driver interaction therewith. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090243819 | Smart legibility adjustment for vehicular display - A display system for a vehicle system includes at least one light sensor that detects a light condition, and a display member that displays an information message. The information message includes a background and an object that is displayed adjacent the background. The display system further includes a controller that changes legibility of the information message by changing each of the background and the object based on the light condition detected by the light sensor. A method of controlling the display system is also disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090243172 | Resilient Vibration Isolator Having a Plurality of Bumps on an Engagement Surface Thereof - A dual-rate resilient isolator having a plurality of raised, generally conical bumps formed on an engagement surface thereof. The bumps in combination with a main body of the resilient isolator provide a dual-rate for isolating CRFM noise vibration and or other vibrations (via the relatively softer resiliency of the bumps) and isolating road vibration and shock (via the relatively harder resiliency of the main body) even though the bumps and the main body are composed of the same resilient material. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090242652 | Power saving compressor and control logic - An air conditioner control method may entail measuring an evaporator first temperature at an exit side of the evaporator, maintaining the evaporator first temperature, measuring a length of time that the evaporator maintains the evaporator first temperature, providing a user-set evaporator target temperature; and reducing a rate of refrigerant compressed by a compressor based on a relationship between the length of time that the evaporator maintains the evaporator first temperature and the evaporator target temperature. Furthermore, an air conditioner control method utilizing a condenser and a cold storage unit may entail turning off an air conditioner compressor, maintaining operation of a condenser cooling fan, closing a thermostatic expansion valve, opening a bleed port to bypass the thermostatic expansion valve, and receiving a liquid refrigerant into the cold storage unit from the condenser after the refrigerant passes through a thermostatic expansion valve bleed port and the evaporator. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090242323 | Air duct as tuning mechanism and engine cover - A tuning device may include a tubular portion having a hollow cross section and a flat body portion covering an engine. The body portion may have a chamber disposed therein and a throat providing fluid communication between the chamber and the tubular portion. Air flowing through the tubular portion causes the chamber to produce interfering sound waves having a predetermined frequency. The interfering sound waves manipulate sound waves produced by the engine. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090241865 | Electric cooling fan control based on known vehicle load conditions - A method of controlling a cooling fan for an engine of a vehicle may entail determining an engine coolant temperature, providing a normal load operation mode for the cooling fan and a high load operation mode for the cooling fan, determining whether a tow-haul operation is selected within the vehicle, determining a vehicle load of the vehicle by detecting whether a towing load sensor is activated or not activated, determining whether a vehicle load threshold is reached based upon activation of the towing load sensor, and operating the cooling fan. Operating the cooling fan may be based on the coolant temperature and one of the normal load operation mode and the high load operation mode. Operating the cooling fan in the normal load operation mode may mean reducing a cooling fan operation frequency and decreasing a cooling fan operation percentage over a predetermined coolant temperature range. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090241515 | EXHAUST CONDENSATION SEPARATOR - An exhaust gas recirculation system disposed between an exhaust system and an intake system incorporates a water separator which separates acidic water from the exhaust gas prior to the exhaust gas being sent to the intake system of the engine. The water collected by the water separator is sent back to the exhaust system at a position downstream from the exhaust gas recirculation system. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090240845 | Audio help system - A communication system includes a communication device and a controller that detects input supplied to a vehicle subsystem. The controller consequently causes the communication device to output operational instruction information about the subsystem. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090237037 | Alternator voltage regulator with maximum output limiting function - An alternator system includes a field circuit, a regulator that regulates a field circuit electrical flow through the field circuit, and an output current sensor that detects an actual current output from the alternator system. The alternator system further includes a controller that communicates with the regulator to vary the field circuit electrical flow based on the actual current detected by the output current sensor. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090236825 | SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING THE ATTACHMENT OF A TRAILER TO A VEHICLE - A system for assisting the alignment of a hitch pin mounted on the rear of a vehicle with a hitch socket mounted on the front of a trailer. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle and positioned to capture an image rearwardly of the vehicle. A video display is contained within the vehicle which displays the image captured by the camera. A processor is also contained in the vehicle which calculates a preferred path of travel of the vehicle to position the hitch pin in alignment with the hitch socket. The processor is programmed to provide instructions to an operator of the vehicle of the required steering to maintain the vehicle on the preferred path of travel. The processor recalculates the preferred path of travel whenever the vehicle veers from the preferred path of travel by a preset threshold. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090235994 | COAXIAL PRESSURE RETENTION AND RELIEF MECHANISM - A pressure relief mechanism may utilize a casing that defines an internal cavity, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. A first valve may reside within the internal cavity to permit fluid flow in one direction and further utilize a first valve carriage and a first valve spring that forces the first valve carriage against a first end of the casing internal cavity, over the fluid inlet. The first valve spring may reside against a second end of the casing cavity. A second valve may reside within the internal cavity and utilize a second valve carriage, a second valve body, and a second valve spring that biases the second valve body against the first valve body, the second valve permitting fluid flow opposite to the flow of the first valve. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090230675 | Cuff seal using single clamp - A cuff seal may include an annular body having an outer radial portion, an inner radial portion, and an end portion; an annular groove disposed between the outer radial portion and the inner radial portion; and a clamp disposed around the outer radial portion, the clamp being adapted to constrict the annular body. The outer radial portion, the inner radial portion, and the end portion form a U-shaped cross-section defining the annular groove, and the annular groove includes an open end and a closed end. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090212974 | Parking aid notification by vibration - A vehicle parking aid system may employ a seat, a steering wheel, and at least one or more sensors disposed about the periphery of the vehicle to detect objects outside of the vehicle. Additionally, indicators, which may be vibratory, may be disposed in a component such as a seat and/or the steering wheel of the vehicle and are associated with the sensor(s). The vehicle component may communicate with a driver of the vehicle via the at least one indicator, which may vibrate when the at least one sensor detects an object near the vehicle and sensor. The indicators may be selectively orientated in the seat and steering wheel and activated by the sensors in a manner that indicates a location of the detected object relative to the vehicle. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090195465 | DUAL TRANSMITTING ANTENNA SYSTEM - A vehicle system includes a signal processing module and a first antenna that provides a first transmitted signal that has a first phase. A second antenna of the system provides a second transmitted signal that has a second phase that differs from the first phase. At least one receive antenna of the vehicle system receives first and second received signals that correspond to the first and second transmitted signals, respectively. The signal processing module processes the received first and second signals based on the first and second transmitted signals and selectively controls transmissions of the first and second transmitted signals. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090194075 | By-pass regulator assembly for dual ERFS/MRFS fuel pump module - A fuel system that supplies fuel to an engine of a vehicle. The fuel system includes a pump that pumps fuel and a controller that selectively changes operation of the pump between an electronic returnless fuel system mode and a mechanical returnless fuel system mode. In the electronic returnless fuel system mode, the outlet of the pump is varied, and in the mechanical returnless fuel system mode, output of the pump is maintained approximately constant. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090189779 | Automatic garage door closing through the vehicle control - A method of controlling a garage door of a garage may entail detecting an open condition of the garage door using a sensor within the garage, transmitting a garage door open signal from the sensor to a communication unit in the garage; transmitting an alert signal from the communication unit in the garage to a control module within a vehicle; determining a level of ambient light from an ambient light sensor; transmitting a signal from the ambient light sensor to the control module indicative of the level of ambient light; transmitting a door close signal from the control module to the transmitter in the vehicle; transmitting the door close signal from the transmitter in the vehicle to the communication unit in the garage; and closing the garage door with a motor upon the garage door actuation module receiving the close door signal. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090185720 | Weighted average image blending based on relative pixel position - A method of processing image data is provided. The method includes determining an overlap area based on image data from a first image sensor and image data from a second image sensor; computing a first weight and a second weight based on a relative position of the image data in the overlap area; and generating a final image by blending the image data from the first image sensor and the second image sensor based on the first weight and the second weight. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090184514 | FLEXIBLE SEAL AND MOLDED RIGID CHAMBER - A connection between an expansion chamber outlet and a rubber cuff that accommodates an inlet portion of a throttle body exhibits an overmolded, hot plate or spin weld type of connection between an expansion chamber wall outlet portion and the rubber cuff. The rubber cuff may have a bellow in it to absorb shock and force from the throttle body. The rubber cuff may be insert molded around the expansion chamber outlet such that the joined interface between the rubber cuff and the expansion chamber is from the molding. The molded interface prevents separation due to air forces through the chamber and cuff. A cuff recession on a cuff inside diameter receives a protuberance of the throttle body inlet portion. A band clamp fits around the outside diameter of the cuff, adjacent the throttle body inlet protuberance, to prevent movement relative to the throttle body. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090173477 | Heat exchanger fin - A heat exchanger has a pair of header tanks with a plurality of tubes and a plurality of fins extending between the pair of header tanks. Each fin forms a plurality of corrugations extending in a length direction between the pair of tanks. Each corrugation extends in a width direction and defines a plurality of sections which are offset from each other in the length direction of the fin. Each section is separated from an adjacent section by a slit. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090157268 | Method of detecting an object near a vehicle - A method of detecting an object in or near a path of a vehicle utilizes object detection and warning system, including one or more cameras mounted to the vehicle. The method includes taking a first image with a camera when the vehicle is operated in a first predetermined manner, taking a second image with the camera when the vehicle is operated in a second predetermined manner, comparing the second image with the first image, and operating the system based on the compared first and second images. The method may further include storing a plurality of first images in a memory and comparing the second image with one of the first images stored in the memory. The method may further include alerting a vehicle driver when the object is detected, disabling the vehicle and then enabling the vehicle when no object is in a potential path of the vehicle. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090146797 | Security for navigation system and garage door opener - A method of operating a security system using a vehicle and preventing access to a vehicle system and to a vehicle garage may entail monitoring a security condition of the vehicle with a vehicle electronic control unit (“ECU”). Upon detecting an unsecure condition, such as a vibration, an alarm may sound and then the ECU may deactivate a vehicle system, such as a navigation system, to prevent access to personal or business addresses. Further, devices such as garage door openers in the vehicle and an in-garage, garage door opener may be disabled by satellite, cell tower, wire or direct wireless communication between the ECU and the device to be disabled. Silencing the vehicle alarm and reactivating all garage door openers and the navigation system may be accomplished by turning a key within an exterior vehicle lock or entering a code into the navigation system. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090145212 | Sensor with quick connector - A fuel injection system includes a fuel tank, a supply line, a fuel injection rail and a number of fuel injectors. The fuel tank includes a fuel tank module which houses a fuel pump. The fuel pressure within the fuel injection system is monitored by a pressure sensor which is integrated into a quick connector between the fuel supply line and the fuel tank module. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090139494 | DUAL PISTON DIRECT INJECTION FUEL PUMP - A fuel pump for an automotive application includes two separate pumping chambers within each of which a piston is reciprocated in order to pump fuel to an engine for the automobile. The dual cylinder arrangement increases the output capacity of the fuel pump. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090000673 | Electronically controlled pressure regulator for a mechanical returnless fuel system - A pressure regulator as part of a vehicle fuel pump module may lie within a pressure regulator case, be powered by a battery and controlled by a controller. The pressure regulator may employ a spring secured by a spring holder and held within a pressure regulator spring case. A sealing pressure plate sub-assembly may have a ball element at the top and both may pass through the spring and spring holder and contact a solenoid plunger of a solenoid that is located at an end of the spring case. When the controller activates the solenoid, the solenoid plunger moves and contacts the pressure plate sub-assembly to effect temporary stoppage of the flow of fuel to jet pumps and to a reservoir. The solenoid case may have a diameter equal to, less than, or greater than the diameter of the pressure regulator spring case. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20080236519 | Flexible seal and molded rigid chamber - A connection between an expansion chamber outlet and a rubber cuff that accommodates an inlet portion of a throttle body exhibits a dovetail connection between an expansion chamber wall and the rubber cuff such that the expansion chamber has a dovetail recession while the rubber cuff has a dovetail projection. The rubber cuff is insert molded around the expansion chamber outlet such that the joined interface between the rubber cuff and the expansion chamber is from the molding. The dovetail prevents separation due to air forces through the chamber and cuff. A cuff groove opposite the dovetail projection, on a cuff inside diameter, receives a protuberance of the throttle body inlet portion. A band clamp fits around the outside diameter of the cuff, adjacent the throttle body inlet protuberance, to prevent movement of the throttle body. The cuff has a projection(s) to also prevent slippage of the throttle body. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080236518 | Mechanical fan sub-shroud attachment feature, molded plastic snap feature - A fan shroud assembly includes a fixed fan shroud and a removable fan shroud. An upper retention system integral with the fixed and removable fan shrouds secures the two circumferential ends of the removable fan shroud to the fixed fan shroud. A lower retention system integral with the fixed and removable fan shroud secures the center of the removable fan shroud to the fixed fan shroud. No additional fasteners are required to connect the removable fan shroud to the fixed fan shroud because of the integral nature of the upper and lower retention systems. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080231433 | AMBIENT NOISE CONTROLLED BUZZER ANSWERBACK - A vehicle remote control system can have a transmitter transmitting a signal, a receiver receiving the signal, and a control device in communication with the receiver and controlling at least one operation of the vehicle. A selected operation may be executable by the signal. The vehicle remote control system includes a microphone that can determine an ambient noise volume and an ambient noise frequency in an area around the vehicle and is in communication with the control device. Furthermore, the vehicle remote control system includes a speaker that is able to generate an answer signal to confirm that the selected operation was executed. The speaker is in communication with the control device which generates an answer signal as a function of ambient noise volume and the ambient noise frequency in the area surrounding the vehicle. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080231417 | AUTOMATIC LOCKING FAILSAFE FOR VEHICLES WITH PASSIVE KEYS - A method of unlocking a vehicle, which includes initiating an auto-lock command, searching an area surrounding the vehicle for a valid key fob, and sending a normal request from interior antenna if a valid key fob is not found. The method further includes sending a wide area request from an interior antenna if the valid key fob is not found from the normal request. The method includes locking the doors if the valid key fob is not found. The method provides a warning and does not lock the doors if the valid key fob is found. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080218326 | Multiple color pointer for a gauge or instrument - An indicating instrument such as a gauge may employ a light source, a face plate located in front of the light source, and a pointer that is rotatably mounted adjacent the face plate to indicate face plate positions. The pointer may be configured to emit at least two colors of light from a single color light source. The pointer may have a bottom surface, and a top surface that defines a channel to create lands on two levels. The top lands and bottom pointer surface may be equipped with hot-stamp foils of chosen colors to reflect or emit different colors of light from the pointer. A bottom foil may reflect light through the pointer while a top foil may emit light of a chosen color. The pointer shaft may be molded from a light-transmitting plastic material such as acrylic or polycarbonate. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080216502 | AIR CONDITIONING CASE AND DRAIN FOR CONDENSATE REMOVAL - An air conditioning case houses an evaporator for an air conditioning system and a blower unit. A drainage hole for water that condenses on the evaporator is located between the evaporator and the blower unit. An extension wall shields the drainage hole from the air blown by the blower unit. A shielding wall shields a water channel located between the evaporator and the air conditioning case from the blower unit. A partition wall located within the water channel extends from the air conditioning case to the evaporator. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080209748 | Insert molding dial structure - A vehicle instrument cluster gauge may have a dial plate with an inner dial, an outer dial, indicia and graduations. The graduations may originate on a dial plate rear surface near or at the center of the gauge and traverse radially outward toward the outer or peripheral edge of the dial plate and wrap from the rear surface, around the peripheral edge and onto the front surface of the dial plate thereby creating a three-dimensional gauge structure with the dial plate. When on the dial surface, the front graduation part protrudes above and away from the outer dial face of the dial plate. The graduation may also create an overhang or cantilever by protruding over a front surface of the outer dial, and have edges formed by 90 degree surfaces and have a projected centerline directed radially through a geometric center of the dial plate, where a pointer may mount. | 09-04-2008 |
