Abstract: A fluid pump includes a pump element in communication with an inlet and an outlet. Rotation of the pump element generates a suction at the inlet and pressure at the outlet. The suction and pressure cooperate to move a fluid through a fluid path. An accessory fluid path is in communication with the inlet and outlet. The accessory fluid path includes a thermistor in communication with the accessory fluid path. The thermistor monitors a temperature of the fluid within the accessory fluid path.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a pump element in communication with an inlet and an outlet. Rotation of the pump element generates a suction at the inlet and pressure at the outlet. The suction and pressure cooperate to move a fluid through a fluid path. An accessory fluid path is in communication with the inlet and outlet. The accessory fluid path includes a thermistor in communication with the accessory fluid path. The thermistor monitors a temperature of the fluid within the accessory fluid path.

Abstract: A bi-polar hybrid stepper motor includes a stator having a primary winding. The stator and the primary winding are positioned within a housing. A rotor has a magnetic component. The rotor is rotationally operable relative to the stator. An axial coil assembly is positioned within the housing and located proximate ends of the rotor and having a secondary winding. At least a portion of the magnetic component of the rotor is produced by the axial coil assembly in an energized state. The energized state produces an electromagnetic communication between the rotor and the stator.

Abstract: A vehicle shifter interface including a protruding contoured member including an outer surface having a first contour with a round shape and a second contour; a first set of capacitive touch sensor pads disposed on an inner surface of the protruding contoured member in an area underlying the first contour, the first set of capacitive touch sensor pads arranged to provide output signals in response to a rotary movement of a driver's fingers about the round shape of the first contour thereby indicating a change in gear selection; and a second set of capacitive touch sensor pads disposed on the inner surface in an area underlying the second contour, the second set of capacitive touch sensor pads arranged and configured to provide output signals in response to at least one of a position of a driver's finger on the second contour and a change of position of a driver's finger.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a stator. A rotor is rotationally operable with respect to the stator. A drive shaft extends from the rotor to a pump assembly that delivers a fluid from an inlet to an outlet. A pump housing includes an interior cavity that contains the stator, the rotor and the pump assembly. A pump cover is disposed at an end of the pump housing. The pump cover defines an end of the interior cavity. A spring assembly biases the pump cover in an axial direction toward the pump assembly.

Abstract: A selector apparatus comprises a shift lever operably supported on a base for movement between gear positions, and a feel positioner mechanism with offset detent members, where a first detent engages first undulations for biasing the shift lever toward a center of a selected gear position from a first direction, and a second detent engages second undulations for biasing the selector lever toward the center of the selected gear position from a different second direction to the common center point. By the arrangement, the first and second undulations define opposing angled slopes toward the common center point. This allows the undulations to be designed to provide any desired level of biasing force toward the center point without the limitations of a single undulation defining the center point.

Abstract: The present rotary shifter includes a rotary locking mechanism, a feel positioner mechanism, and a return-to-home-position (park) mechanism that causes the shifter/rotor to remain locked in park while the locking mechanism resets after the shifter is returned to park. The design allows any number of locking positions based on a height of the drum cam and a position of the follower. As illustrated, a dial-type rotor is moved into home position by pusher features on the drum cam and an actuator motor, while the feel positioner is disengaged, thus allowing for a smoother rotary movement. Once in the home (park) position, a lock ring (also called “follower”) is forced upwards by a spring (or other method) and rides on a track at a different height than the original, therefore keeping it engaged in the rotor until the drum cam rotates back to its locking position.

Abstract: A vehicle shifter including a shift lever; a bracket that moves in response to the shift lever, and includes a neutral lock notch, a first outer surface and a second outer surface on either side of the neutral lock notch; a solenoid actuator movable between a first position and a second position; a blocker coupled to the solenoid actuator that moves the blocker between a neutral lock release position and a neutral lock position, the blocker including a neutral lock hook that, when in the neutral lock position, moves along the first and second outer surfaces and that selectively falls into the neutral lock notch to selectively prevent shifting out of the neutral position; and a toggle cam coupled to the bracket including a catch for engaging the neutral lock hook so as to prevent the neutral lock hook from sliding into the neutral lock notch.

Abstract: An electric motor is provided that includes: a stator assembly; a rotor assembly for rotating inside the stator assembly, the rotor assembly including a shaft; a magnet mounted on the shaft of the rotor assembly; a printed circuit board; a magnetic sensor mounted on the printed circuit board; and an overmold assembly having a membrane disposed between the magnet and the magnetic sensor such that the magnetic sensor can sense the angular position of the magnet through the membrane.

Abstract: A vehicle shifter is provided for selecting gears of a vehicle transmission. The vehicle shifter including: a base configured for mounting to a center floor console of a vehicle; a first rotary knob positioned on the base and rotatable about an axis; and a second rotary knob positioned on the base and below the first rotary knob and rotatable about the same axis as the first rotary knob, wherein rotation of one of the first rotary knob and the second rotary knob causes selection of the gears of the vehicle transmission, and rotation of the other one of the first rotary knob and the second rotary knob provides input for a secondary function.

Abstract: A control panel having a variety of potential applications that utilize ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light as a means of disinfection. In one embodiment, a human/machine interface (HMI) panel, such as a touchscreen or keypad uses a dynamically moveable multi-reflector assembly using UV-C light to disinfect its touch surfaces. The goal of integrating UV-C disinfection with an HMI works to provide a safe and effective dose of UV-C light to the panel's surface for the purpose of reducing the number of active pathogens.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes an electric motor and different selectable pump covers, and is suitable for mounting within a transmission fluid reservoir for transferring automatic transmission fluid. The pump assembly includes a stator housing having a cylindrical cavity for receiving ATF contained in the transmission fluid reservoir. A rotor is rotatably coupled within the cylindrical cavity and has a plurality of magnets arranged about a rotational axis thereof. A flux collector is coupled with the stator housing adjacent to the cylindrical cavity for transferring magnetic flux from one of the plurality of magnets from a first portion to a second portion thereof. A hall sensor is disposed proximate the second portion for sensing magnetic flux in the flux collector, such that the magnetic flux is used to determine a rotated position of the rotor.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a pump element in communication with an inlet and an outlet. Rotation of the pump element generates a suction at the inlet and pressure at the outlet. The suction and pressure cooperate to move a fluid through a fluid path. An accessory fluid path is in communication with the inlet and outlet. The accessory fluid path includes a thermistor in communication with the accessory fluid path. The thermistor monitors a temperature of the fluid within the accessory fluid path.

Abstract: A transmission shifter includes a base defining P, R, N, D gear positions; four electrical dome switches associated with each of the P, R, N, D gear positions, and analog and digital circuits operably connected to the electrical switches, respectively, and associated with the P, R, N, D gear positions. The dome switches are arranged in different patterns in each of the different gear positions, and in combination with pushbutton actuators operate with different actuator motions and with different closure distances and forces to cause reliable ad confirmed intentional actuation, including redundancy. The switches are operably connected to analog and digital circuits, which provides additional functional advantage, reliability, and certainty of intentional operation.

Abstract: A shifter module is provided for a vehicle. The shifter module includes: a substrate adapted for mounting to the vehicle; a shifter knob provided on top of the substrate for enabling a driver to select a gear of the transmission; and a pop-up storage compartment for storing a portable electronic device. The pop-up storage compartment includes: a storage drawer movable between a stowed position and an accessible position within an aperture in the substrate, the storage drawer including a forward support adapted to receive a rear surface of the portable electronic device, the forward support supports the portable electronic device so that a front surface of the portable device is visible to the driver when the storage drawer is in the accessible position; and a rail system extending below the aperture of the substrate for receiving and guiding the storage drawer between the stowed position and the accessible position.

Abstract: A selector for a vehicle includes a stepper motor. A manually operable rotating portion is in communication with the stepper motor. A display screen is positioned proximate the rotating portion. A position sensor is in communication with the stepper motor and the manually operable rotating portion. The rotating portion is coupled to the stepper motor at a drive shaft of the stepper motor. Manual operation of the rotating portion also rotates the drive shaft. The stepper motor applies a haptic component to the manual operation of the rotating portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes two pumps and a circuit-changing valve connected to two cooling circuits, with the valve being controlled by a pressure differential created by the pumps. This simplifies controls, reduces components of the pumping system, and also provides a backup pump for each system. The valve's spool is controlled so that when the first pump is started before the second pump (or it generates a higher fluid pressure), the valve causes the two pumps to be connected in a serial arrangement with fluid being pumped through the first circuit and then through the second circuit. But when the second pump is started before the first pump, the valve causes the two pumps to be connected in a parallel arrangement so that the first pump moves fluid only through the first circuit, and the second pump moves fluid only through the second circuit. The valve includes an anti-dithering device.

Abstract: A transmission shifter includes a base, a shift lever movable between gear positions, and a pawl, a pawl blocker, a permanent magnet, an electro-magnet, and an electrical circuit for selectively activating the electro-magnet when a predetermined vehicle condition is sensed. The permanent magnet's attraction to an iron based surface of the electro-magnet normally holds the blocker in a pawl-blocking position, keeping the shift lever in park position, until the electrical circuit activates the electro-magnet and the pawl is depressed. When activated, the electro-magnet biases the blocker toward a pawl-unblocked position. A ramp lever keeps the pawl blocker in the park position until the pawl mechanically moves the ramp lever and magnetically-biased blocker together, thus allowing the shift lever to be moved from park position. The park lock system is characterized by an absence of movement in response to an electrical signal to an electro-mechanical device and thus operates noise-free.

Abstract: A park lock system for a shifter of an automatic transmission, according to one embodiment, includes a blocking member pivotal between a locked position to prevent movement of the shifter and an unlocked position for allowing movement of the shifter. At least a portion of the blocking member may include hard magnetic properties, such as having a permanent magnet coupled therewith. An electromagnet may have a core member proximate the magnetic portion of the blocking member to cause the blocking member to move to or remain in the locked position when the electromagnet is de-energized. Accordingly, when the electromagnet is energized, the electromagnet may be configured to generate a magnetic field in repelling polarity to the magnetic portion that causes the blocking member to move to the unlocked position.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes an electric motor and different selectable pump covers, and is suitable for mounting within a transmission fluid reservoir for transferring automatic transmission fluid. The pump assembly includes a stator housing having a cylindrical cavity for receiving ATF contained in the transmission fluid reservoir. A rotor is rotatably coupled within the cylindrical cavity and has a plurality of magnets arranged about a rotational axis thereof. A flux collector is coupled with the stator housing adjacent to the cylindrical cavity for transferring magnetic flux from one of the plurality of magnets from a first portion to a second portion thereof. A hall sensor is disposed proximate the second portion for sensing magnetic flux in the flux collector, such that the magnetic flux is used to determine a rotated position of the rotor.