Abstract: A system and method include a sensor disposed adjacent a power actuated movable panel of a vehicle for detecting an approach of an operator to the power actuated movable panel and measuring at least one operator characteristic of the operator in proximity to the sensor. The system and method also include a controller in communication with the sensor to interpret sensor data of the operator from the sensor to determine the at least one operator characteristic to adjust a position of the power actuated movable panel based on the at least one operator characteristic.

Abstract: An occupant detection system and method may include a user interface and at least one sensor to determine if there is an occupant in the vehicle. In one embodiment, the system and method use capacitive sensing sensors embedded into a cushion and/or back of seats in a vehicle. The capacitive sensor sends a sense signal to a controller and the controller would recognize various conditions such as an empty seat or a seat occupied by a person or animal. It could also determine if there was a child seat in a position on a vehicle seat and if there is a child in the child seat.

Abstract: A bus includes a vehicle body, a plurality of doors, a nosing seal, at least one sensor disposed inside the nosing seal, wherein the at least one sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive moving object proximal to the nosing seal such that the capacitance of the at least one sensor changes, and a controller coupled to the at least one sensor, the controller analyzing the sensing by the at least one sensor and senses a non-smooth signal from the at least one sensor and determines that an obstruction is present, senses signal fluctuation from the at least one sensor is not monotonic and determines that an obstruction is present, senses that the one of the doors has not closed after a predetermined time period and determines that the obstruction is present, senses that one of the doors has stalled and determines that the obstruction is present, the controller being configured to alert an operator of the bus when the obstruction is present.

Abstract: A device for dispensing liquid onto a target area of a vehicle surface is described, and includes a mixing valve that is in communication with a pressurized fluidic supply system via a fluidic distribution system, and a controller. The mixing valve includes an outlet orifice that is disposed proximal to the target area, and the mixing valve includes first and second valve conduits that are fluidly connected to the outlet orifice via a mixing portion. The first valve conduit includes a first control valve, and the second valve conduit includes a second control valve. The fluidic distribution system includes a first fluidic conduit and a second fluidic conduit. The controller is operatively connected to the fluidic supply system, and the first and second control valves.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface includes an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid, a housing bounding a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid. A heater element heats fluid passing from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir. A heat exchanger in thermal contact with the heater element for conveying heat to fluid within the reservoir has a strut that divides fluid entering the housing through the inlet port into two flow paths and elongated fins extending outwardly from the strut at transverse angles that bound fluid flow channels for fluid moving through the reservoir. A control circuit energizes the heater element to heat the heating element and the fluid passing from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir.

Abstract: A system or method for tracking items proximate a user interface device include a user interface device having at least one solid-state touch-sensitive region and a receiver for wirelessly receiving a signal from at least one item to determine proximity of the item relative to the user interface device. The device may also include a display screen for displaying controls and information. The user interface device may be permanently or removably mounted in a vehicle and used to interface with vehicle systems and personal electronic devices. Tracked items or objects may include passive or active data tags and communicate identification information and optionally position information. The device may alert the user to movement of tracked objects, and/or confirm presence of a group of objects. The device may use various wired or wireless devices to control selections and/or a cursor on the display.

Abstract: A system or method for tracking items proximate a user interface device include a user interface device having at least one solid-state touch-sensitive region and a receiver for wirelessly receiving a signal from at least one item to determine proximity of the item relative to the user interface device. The device may also include a display screen for displaying controls and information. The user interface device may be permanently or removably mounted in a vehicle and used to interface with vehicle systems and personal electronic devices. Tracked items or objects may include passive or active data tags and communicate identification information and optionally position information. The device may alert the user to movement of tracked objects, and/or confirm presence of a group of objects. The device may use various wired or wireless devices to control selections and/or a cursor on the display.

Abstract: A control system includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump, the pump having an inlet for receiving fluid, an outlet for discharging fluid under pressure, and a pump displacement input, a hydraulic motor having an inlet and an outlet, a fluid circuit including a supply conduit for conducting fluid discharged by the pump to the motor and a return conduit for returning fluid discharged by the motor to the pump, a pump displacement control cooperating with the pump displacement input in order to vary a displacement of the pump, a control circuit in communication with the pump displacement control for controlling the pump output such that the motor is driven at a constant rotational speed, and a system controller in communication with the control circuit and a remote location to transmit and receive information to and from the remote location.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer connect system and automated parking system for use with a motor vehicle. Apparatus of the system has an input for obtaining information from a vehicle communication bus; an output for sending information to a vehicle communications bus; a control circuit for controlling the position and movement of a motor vehicle; an image gathering system to obtain visual or spatial data between a motor vehicle hitch and a hitch receiver attached to the trailer. A system controller guides vehicle steering as the vehicle is backed through a field of view of the image gathering system.

Abstract: A bus includes a vehicle body, a plurality of capacitive sensors mounted along a perimeter of the vehicle body, wherein one of the capacitive sensors capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the portion of the vehicle body such that the capacitance of the one of the capacitive sensors changes, and a controller coupled to the capacitive sensors, the controller being configured to alert an operator of the bus when the object is coupled to the at least one capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A parking brake system for a vehicle includes a first member adapted to be mounted to a wheel assembly of the vehicle, a spindle shaft block adapted to be mounted to a spindle shaft of the vehicle, a backer plate disposed about a portion of the spindle shaft block, a second member mounted to the backer plate for engagement and disengagement with the first member, and an actuation lever adapted to receive an input to move the first member and the second member into engagement to perform a parking brake function. The parking brake system disclosed requires very little or no force to engage and disengage. The parking brake system has an input for obtaining engage or disengage information from a vehicle operator or from a vehicle independent of the operator. The information will engage the parking brake of the vehicle in a low force and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A system or method for tracking items proximate a user interface device include a user interface device having at least one solid-state touch-sensitive region and a receiver for wirelessly receiving a signal from at least one item to determine proximity of the item relative to the user interface device. The device may also include a display screen for displaying controls and information. The user interface device may be permanently or removably mounted in a vehicle and used to interface with vehicle systems and personal electronic devices for control and information display. Tracked items or objects may include passive or active data tags and communicate identification information and optionally position information to the user interface device. The device may alert the user to movement of tracked objects, and/or confirm presence of a group of objects intended for a particular task or project. The device may use various wired or wireless devices to control selections and/or a cursor on the display.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump, the pump having an inlet for receiving fluid, an outlet for discharging fluid under pressure, and a pump displacement input, a hydraulic motor having an inlet and an outlet a fluid circuit including a supply conduit for conducting fluid discharged by the pump to the motor and a return conduit for returning fluid discharged by the motor to the pump, a pump displacement control cooperating with the pump displacement input in order to vary a displacement of the pump, a control circuit in communication with the pump displacement control for controlling the pump output such that the motor is driven at a constant rotational speed and at least two valves controlling a rotational speed of the motor, wherein one of the valves provides coarser flow control resolution and another of the valves provides finer flow control resolution.

Abstract: A device for dispensing liquid onto a target area of a vehicle surface is described, and includes a mixing valve that is in communication with a pressurized fluidic supply system via a fluidic distribution system, and a controller. The mixing valve includes an outlet orifice that is disposed proximal to the target area, and the mixing valve includes first and second valve conduits that are fluidly connected to the outlet orifice via a mixing portion. The first valve conduit includes a first control valve, and the second valve conduit includes a second control valve. The fluidic distribution system includes a first fluidic conduit and a second fluidic conduit. The controller is operatively connected to the fluidic supply system, and the first and second control valves.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface includes an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid, a housing bounding a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid. A heater element heats fluid that passes from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir. A heat exchanger in thermal contact with the heater element for conveying heat to the fluid within the reservoir has a strut that divides fluid entering the housing through the inlet port into two flow paths and elongated fins that extend outwardly from the strut at transverse angles that bound fluid flow channels for fluid moving through the reservoir. A control circuit energizes the heater element with a voltage to heat the heating element and the fluid passing from the inlet port to the outlet port through the reservoir.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory control component includes a first circuit board substrate and a second circuit board substrate. The first circuit board substrate has a plurality of circuit elements and an overall perimeter shape including an outer edge profile and a plurality of first deviations along the outer edge profile. The second circuit board substrate has a plurality of circuit elements an outer edge profile and a plurality of second deviations along the outer edge profile, at least one of the second deviations being different than the first deviations. The first circuit board substrate and the second circuit board substrate are arranged in a plane and selectively movable relative to each other to form the overall perimeter shape of the substrate. The outer edge profile of the first and second circuit board substrates are received in a housing having a correspondingly shaped perimeter that generally conforms to the outer edge profile.

Abstract: A keyless entry assembly includes a vehicle opening movable between locked and unlocked positions, an electrical conductor (i.e., a capacitance sensor) mounted to the vehicle opening, and a controller. The conductor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to (or touching) the conductor while the conductor is driven with an electrical charge such that capacitance of the conductor changes due to the conductor capacitively coupling with the object. The conductor is in the shape of an emblem identifying a vehicle associated with the vehicle opening. The controller is operable for driving the conductor with the electrical charge and measuring the capacitance of the conductor to determine whether an electrically conductive object is proximal to the conductor. The controller is further operable for controlling the vehicle opening to move the vehicle opening between the positions upon determining that the object is proximal to (or touching) the conductor.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer connect system and automated parking system for use with a motor vehicle. Apparatus of the system has an input for obtaining information from a vehicle communication bus; an output for sending information to a vehicle communications bus; a control circuit for controlling the position and movement of a motor vehicle; an image gathering system to obtain visual or spatial data between a motor vehicle hitch and a hitch receiver attached to the trailer. A system controller guides vehicle steering as the vehicle is backed through a field of view of the image gathering system.

Abstract: A keyless entry assembly for a vehicle includes a sensor carrier, a sensor in the form of an electrically conductive pad, and a controller. The sensor is mounted to the sensor carrier and the sensor carrier is positioned adjacent a panel such that the sensor is adjacent the panel. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the panel while the sensor is driven with electrical charge such that capacitance of the sensor changes due to the sensor capacitively coupling with the object. The controller is operable for driving the sensor with the electrical charge and controlling a vehicle operation as a function of the capacitance of the sensor.

Abstract: An illustrative inventory of vehicle accessory control components includes a plurality of first circuit boards and a plurality of second circuit boards. The first circuit boards each have a substrate with a plurality of circuit elements supported on the substrate. The first circuit board substrates have an overall perimeter shape including an outer edge profile and a plurality of first deviations from the outer edge profile. The second circuit boards each have a substrate with a plurality of circuit elements supported on them. The second circuit board substrates have the overall perimeter shape including the same outer edge profile as the first circuit board substrates. The second circuit board substrates include a plurality of second deviations from the outer edge profile. At least one portion of the second deviations is different than the first deviations of the first circuit boards.