Abstract: A haptic controller includes a conventional user interface having a plurality of touch surfaces, a shaped strain plate having a plurality of strain surfaces, each strain surface corresponding with one of the plurality of touch surfaces, a strain gauge mounted on each of the plurality of strain surfaces and a microcontroller electrically connected with the strain gauges.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing connectivity and operational problems between a digital parallel RGB video input device and a digital parallel RGB video display includes transmitting control signals from the input device to the display device, executing the control signals on the display device, generating and transmitting diagnostic signals to a diagnostics processor, and determining if the display is functioning correctly.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system includes an engine state sensor, a driver presence sensor, a cabin passenger sensor, a door latch sensor for each passenger door, a vehicle movement sensor, a cabin temperature sensor, an alarm device, a wireless messaging system, and a controller. The controller receives signals from the sensors, evaluates whether a hazardous condition is imminent for a cabin occupant, and activates an alarm and/or takes other action to counter the hazard.

Abstract: A power electronic module having reduced mass and/or reduced package size as compared with conventional modules employing die cast materials, secondary machining, and/or welding operations includes a housing, a discrete cooling channel positioned in the housing and having opposing cooling surfaces, and first and second printed circuit board assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the cooling channel.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing connectivity and operational problems between a digital parallel RGB video input device and a digital parallel RGB video display includes transmitting control signals from the input device to the display device, executing the control signals on the display device, generating and transmitting diagnostic signals to a diagnostics processor, and determining if the display is functioning correctly.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin hazard detection and management system includes an engine state sensor, a driver presence sensor, a cabin passenger sensor, a door latch sensor for each passenger door, a vehicle movement sensor, a cabin temperature sensor, an alarm device, a wireless messaging system, and a controller. The controller receives signals from the sensors, evaluates whether a hazardous condition is imminent for a cabin occupant, and activates an alarm and/or takes other action to counter the hazard.

Abstract: A power electronic module having reduced mass and/or reduced package size as compared with conventional modules employing die cast materials, secondary machining, and/or welding operations includes a housing, a discrete cooling channel positioned in the housing and having opposing cooling surfaces, and first and second printed circuit board assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the cooling channel.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication is disclosed. The vehicle has a computer system capable of creating anonymous geotagged data and transmitting and receiving the geotagged data through a secured network for storage on a private cloud. The vehicle is equipped with a navigation system in communication with said computer and at least one sensor in communication with said computer system. The sensors are capable of creating data signals indicative of at least one of vehicle telemetry, travel visibility, and road conditions. The system includes a timer in communication with the computer system capable of creating a time stamp. The geotagged data can be used to control an automatic brake system and/or an autonomous driving system.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor that responds by measuring a change in capacitance induced by application of force includes a first capacitive plate having an electrically conductive touch cell, a second capacitive plate spaced from the first capacitive plate and having an electrically conductive area generally parallel with and overlapped with the touch cell, an incompressible spacer between the capacitive plates and having an aperture defining an air gap adjacent the touch cell, and a flexible dielectric touch plate overlying a flexible one of the first and second capacitive plates. The flexibility of the touch plate and adjacent capacitive plate allows finger pressure on the touch plate at the touch cell to change the dimension of the air gap and capacitance between the touch cell and a conductive region of the second capacitive plate.

Abstract: A magnetic device, such as an inductor or transformer, having enhanced thermal performance characteristics includes first and second parallel adjacent conductive layers patterned to define conductive spiral traces, wherein the traces are geometrically patterned to avoid overlapping of gap areas defined between the adjacent spiral traces, and thereby provide for improved heat transfer between adjacent conductive layers in the device.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor that responds by measuring a change in capacitance induced by application of force includes a first capacitive plate having an electrically conductive touch cell, a second capacitive plate spaced from the first capacitive plate and having an electrically conductive area generally parallel with and overlapped with the touch cell, an incompressible spacer between the capacitive plates and having an aperture defining an air gap adjacent the touch cell, and a flexible dielectric touch plate overlying a flexible one of the first and second capacitive plates. The flexibility of the touch plate and adjacent capacitive plate allows finger pressure on the touch plate at the touch cell to change the dimension of the air gap and capacitance between the touch cell and a conductive region of the second capacitive plate.

Abstract: A liquid cooled power electronic device includes a unitary cooling body defining a fluid passageway; a separately fabricated main housing having a recess for receiving the cooling body; and a circuit substrate having an electronic component in conductive thermal contact with the cooling body, wherein the cooling body is retained within the recess between the main housing and the circuit substrate. This arrangement has one or more advantages relating to improved leak testing, improved thermal performance, and reduced scrap.

Abstract: An electrical connector is securable to a top surface of a printed circuit where other electronic components are mounted. The electrical connector has one or more contact legs that are insertable through apertures in the printed circuit board from the top surface and extending through the bottom surface. A bottom portion of the contact legs may engage with a larger electrical system. The top portion of the contact legs include a shoulder and an anchor pin that mechanically assist in securing the electrical connector to the printed circuit board.