Abstract: A frame-based occupant weight estimation apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a compliant linkage assembly that translates vertically applied seat loads to a horizontal plane, where the horizontal forces are measured by a set of force sensors. A compliant member, which may be a spring or a linkage arm, preloads the force sensors to enable off-loading detection, and an overload device securely anchors the seat to the vehicle floor without interfering with normal load measurement.

Abstract: An electronic control unit and a method of diagnosing an electronic control unit on a vehicle are provided. The method includes the steps of storing in memory information on variables to collect, selecting a trigger, monitoring for a predetermined event, activating the trigger based on the detection of the event, collecting the variables upon activation of the trigger, and storing the collected variables in memory. The collected variable may be read via a pre-existing production serial link to diagnose the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A magnetic core device is provided having first and second magnetic core members. The first core member is generally E-shaped having first, second, and third surfaces. The first, second, and third surfaces have first, second, and third surface areas, respectively. The second magnetic core member is generally planar for joining with the first, second, and third surfaces of the first magnetic core member. The second core member is oversized relative to the first core member to allow for shifted and/or skewed alignment of the core members.

Abstract: An electronic package and packaging method in which integral convective fins are formed of portions of a leadframe from which electrical leads are also formed. The leadframe comprises a base and first and second sets of leads extending from the base. The first set of leads is separated from the base and from the second set of leads, such that each lead of the first set has an interior end adjacent but separate from the base, and each lead of the second set has an interior portion that remains attached to the base. A circuit device is mounted to the base and electrically connected to the interior ends of the first set of leads. The device, base, and interior ends and portions of the leads are then encased within a housing. Exterior ends of the leads remain outside the housing as package terminals and thermal dissipaters.

Abstract: An occupant position and weight estimation apparatus includes an elastomeric seat bladder having physically isolated central and peripheral fluid-filled chambers corresponding to central and peripheral areas of the seat. The fluid pressure in the peripheral chamber is primarily activated by a child or infant seat, whereas the fluid pressure in the central chamber is primarily activated by a normally seated occupant. The chambers have extensions or fingers that are interdigitated so that shifting of a normally seated occupant from the central area of the seat to a peripheral region of the seat is easily detected based on changes in the relative fluid pressures in the central and peripheral chambers. An extension of the peripheral chamber at the middle forward portion of the seat that is not engaged by a normally seated occupant can also be used to detect an out-of-position occupant in close proximity to a frontal air bag.

Abstract: A detection system and method of detecting the presence of a heat-emitting object near a stopped host vehicle are provided. The detection system includes a thermal detector mounted on the host vehicle for detecting thermal radiation in a coverage zone, such as a blind spot zone. A sensor detects if the host vehicle is stopped. A controller monitors temperature of the coverage zone while the vehicle is stopped and determines the presence of an object in the coverage zone based on a change in temperature.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing a temperature compensated feedback signal includes a first electrical component and a first amplifier. The first electrical component exhibits a first temperature variable impedance and is positioned in thermal contact with a first switch having a second temperature variable impedance. The first amplifier includes an input electrically coupled to the first switch and an output electrically coupled to an input of the first electrical component. The first amplifier amplifies the signal produced across the first switch when the first switch is conducting and the first electrical, component attenuates the amplified signal provided by the first amplifier as a function of a temperature of the first electrical component. The attenuated amplified signal is provided at an output of the first electrical component to provide a temperature compensated feedback signal.

Abstract: A technique for reducing input currents associated with a comparator circuit during certain events includes minimizing bias currents associated with the comparator circuit when a magnitude of an input signal at a signal input of the comparator circuit is a predetermined value from a magnitude of a reference signal applied to a reference input of the comparator circuit. The bias currents are increased when the magnitude of the input signal is within the predetermined value of the magnitude of the reference signal.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter employing synchronous rectification includes an energy transfer switch, a diode, a synchronous switch, a processor and a memory subsystem. The processor estimates a diode conduction time and provides a control signal to the synchronous switch to cause the synchronous switch to conduct for a period of time equal to the estimated diode conduction time.

Abstract: An interface for providing thermal overload protection includes a switching device, a temperature indicating device, a drive circuit and a thermal monitoring circuit. The thermal monitoring circuit is coupled across the temperature indicating device and provides a shutdown signal to the drive circuit when the temperature of the switching device is above a predetermined temperature level as indicated by a temperature signal provided by the temperature indicating device. The drive circuit responds to the shutdown signal by removing current sources and current sinks from a control terminal of the switching device at which point leakage currents cause the switching device to reduce a drive current to an inductive load.

Abstract: A self-structuring antenna (SSA) system employs a memory device to store switch states for antenna configurations that are determined to produce acceptable antenna characteristics. Each antenna configuration corresponds to a respective combination of switch states known as a switch configuration. Using the stored antenna configurations as a starting point for the process of searching for an antenna configuration that produces acceptable antenna characteristics under particular operating conditions may reduce the search time.

Abstract: A diagnostic testing system for a vehicle includes an oxygen sensor, an analyzer having a user interface, and a communications link between the analyzer and the vehicle to obtain data from the oxygen sensor. A diagnostic heuristic is used to analyze the data and confirm proper operation of the sensor; and an output is generated by said diagnostic heuristic to the user interface.

Abstract: An antenna including a first FM portion and first and second AM portions. The first AM portion at least partially circumscribes the first FM portion and the second AM portion at least partially circumscribes the first AM portion and at least partially circumscribes the first FM portion.

Abstract: A power electronics module includes a heat sink and an electronic package having a first layer in direct thermal communication with the heat sink. At least one electronic component is disposed between the first layer and a second layer. A thermally conductive element is in direct thermal communication with the second layer and carries heat from a first portion of the second layer to a second portion of the second layer such that the heat is transferred from the second portion of the second layer to the heat sink through the first layer.

Abstract: A no-flow underfill material and process suitable for underfilling a bumped circuit component. The underfill material initially comprises a dielectric polymer material in which is dispersed a precursor capable of reacting to form an inorganic filler. The underfill process generally entails dispensing the underfill material over terminals on a substrate, and then placing the component on the substrate so that the underfill material is penetrated by the bumps on the component and the bumps contact the terminals on the substrate. The bumps are then reflowed to form solid electrical interconnects that are encapsulated by the resulting underfill layer. The precursor may be reacted to form the inorganic filler either during or after reflow.

Abstract: A technique for calibrating a current control circuit includes a number of steps. One step includes setting a conduction time of a low-side switch, which is coupled between a low-side of the load and ground, to provide a desired load current to a load. Another step includes determining a high-side load current on a high-side of the load, which is coupled to a power source, when a low-side load current on the low-side of the load transitions through a first predetermined reference level. Yet another step includes establishing a first correction factor based upon the high-side load current and the low-side load current. Still another step includes adjusting the conduction time of the low-side switch based on the first correction factor to provide the desired load current to the load.

Abstract: A mounting anchor for a motor vehicle includes a locking bar, a first switch, a first movable plate, a second switch and a second movable plate. The first switch is positioned adjacent a first side of the locking bar and the first movable plate is positioned to slidably engage a groove on the first side of the locking bar. The first movable plate includes a first activation area for receiving a portion of the first switch and a first aperture for receiving a first rotatable arm. The second switch is positioned adjacent a second side of the locking bar, which is opposite the first side of the locking bar. The second movable plate is positioned to slidably engage a groove on the second side of the locking bar and includes a second activation area for receiving a portion of the second switch and a second aperture for receiving a second rotatable arm.

Abstract: A pulse count motor control device that connects to a central control unit through a first interface and to at least one motor through a second interface. A microprocessor integrated into the motor control device then allows it to directly monitor and drive the motor or motors in accordance with pulse count technology methods.

Abstract: Analog signal conditioning circuitry is provided for processing an analog signal generated by a sensor to remove DC offset. The signal conditioning circuitry includes an amplifier having the first input receiving an analog input signal and a second input receiving a reference signal. The amplifier includes an output providing an analog output signal defined by an amplified representation of the analog input signal and the reference signal. The circuitry includes a feedback circuit having an input coupled to the amplifier output and an output coupled to the first input of the amplifier for providing an analog feedback signal. The feedback circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog amplifier output to a digital signal, a digital controller for processing the digital signal, and a digital to analog converter for converting the processed digital signal to an analog feedback signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic occupant detection and classification system transmits an ultrasonic signal and receives a composite signal containing interference created between the transmitted ultrasonic signal and a reflection of that signal from a moving occupant. A signal component of the received, composite signal is extracted by amplitude demodulation and bandpass filtered to derive a frequency characteristic that is compared to stored frequency data; and the derived and stored data are compared to identify frequencies characteristic of respiration and/or other movements characteristic of living beings.