Abstract: A combination thermal management valve for management of the flow of heat transfer media is provided. The thermal management valve includes a manifold including two or more independently controlled valve assemblies configured to fluidly isolate the heat transfer media from each other. The valve assemblies may be configured to maintain desirable flow characteristics for each thermal medium.

Abstract: A three-port fluid control valve and a valve assembly using the fluid control valve are provided herein. The valve includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and a sealing element to selectably open one inlet to fluid communication with an outlet and to close the other inlet to fluid communication with the outlet. The valve system includes an actuator, for example a solenoid, to provide accurate and responsive control of the position of the sealing element.

Abstract: Described herein is a circuit and method for independent control of series connected light emitting diodes (LEDs). The circuit includes a first light emitting diode (LED) connected in series with a second LED. A current source is connected in series with the first LED and the second LED and a shunt circuit is connected in parallel with the first LED and the second LED. The shunt circuit includes a pair of serially connected resistors. The shunt circuit prevents inadvertent excitement of the LEDs due to leakage currents but minimally affect illumination characteristics of the LEDs. A pair of transistors is connected to the first LED and the second LED, respectively, and is biased using a set of bias resistors. A tri-state control signal switches on and off the pair of transistors and enables excitation of the first LED, the second LED or both via the current source.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for vehicle portal activation without a user having to use a manually activated mechanism. In one embodiment, a modular automotive camera solution (MACS) module in conjunction with an image processing system is used for automated portal entry. The MACS module recognizes the presence of a user and controls the opening of, for example, a lift gate, when operating as a rear view camera and working in conjunction with a passive entry system and power lift gate module (PLGM). The MACS module has a camera module functioning as a continuous sensor. The camera module is a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor based camera configured to output analog National Television System Committee (NTSC) composite video and digital video. The image processing module performs image processing and communicates with the PLGM and the MACS module. The system is configured for local interconnect network (LIN) communication.

Abstract: Described herein is a circuit and method for independent control of series connected light emitting diodes (LEDs). The circuit includes a first light emitting diode (LED) connected in series with a second LED. A current source is connected in series with the first LED and the second LED and a shunt circuit is connected in parallel with the first LED and the second LED. The shunt circuit includes a pair of serially connected resistors. The shunt circuit prevents inadvertent excitement of the LEDs due to leakage currents but minimally affect illumination characteristics of the LEDs. A pair of transistors is connected to the first LED and the second LED, respectively, and is biased using a set of bias resistors. A tri-state control signal switches on and off the pair of transistors and enables excitation of the first LED, the second LED or both via the current source.

Abstract: The gauge lens with anti-fog includes a substantially planar transparent lens substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface and a thin film possessing anti-fog properties adjacent and substantially covering the inner surface of the lens substrate to provide a low angle of contact for water and moisture. The anti-fog film is bonded to the lens substrate during the molding process that produces the lens substrate shape. The anti-fog film comprises a hydrophilic material or is coated with a hydrophilic coating. In addition to the anti-fog film, in another embodiment, the outer surface of the lens substrate has a hard coat film adjacent and substantially covering the outer surface of said lens. The materials for the lens substrate, anti-fog film, and hard coat film are selected based on the application, performance, and stability of the gauge lens in the environment that it is operated.

Abstract: An antenna system may include a first antenna having a helical shaped portion, and configured to receive signals over a first frequency range. A second antenna may be positioned in proximate distance from the first antenna, and be configured to receive signals over a second frequency range. A splitter may be configured for separating signals received from radio and remote keyless entry antennas and may include a first branch including a first filter to filter AM band signals from communications signals received from an antenna, a second branch including a second filter to filter FM band signals from communications signals received from the antenna, a third branch including a third filter to filter remote keyless entry signals from communications signals received from the antenna, and an amplifier to amplify the remote keyless entry signals. The filters may be passive filters. The antenna may be a whip antenna or roof antenna.

Abstract: The gauge lens with anti-fog film includes a substantially planar transparent lens substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface and a thin film possessing anti-fog properties adjacent and substantially covering the inner surface of the lens substrate to provide a low angle of contact for water and moisture. The anti-fog film is bonded to the lens substrate during the molding process that produces the lens substrate shape. The anti-fog film comprises a hydrophilic material or is coated with a hydrophilic coating. In addition to the anti-fog film, in another embodiment, the outer surface of the lens substrate has a hard coat film adjacent and substantially covering the outer surface of said lens. The materials for the lens substrate, anti-fog film, and hard coat film are selected based on the application, performance, and stability of the gauge lens in the environment that it is operated.

Abstract: The gauge lens with anti-fog includes a substantially planar transparent lens substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface and a thin film possessing anti-fog properties adjacent and substantially covering the inner surface of the lens substrate to provide a low angle of contact for water and moisture. The anti-fog film is bonded to the lens substrate during the molding process that produces the lens substrate shape. The anti-fog film comprises a hydrophilic material or is coated with a hydrophilic coating. In addition to the anti-fog film, in another embodiment, the outer surface of the lens substrate has a hard coat film adjacent and substantially covering the outer surface of said lens. The materials for the lens substrate, anti-fog film, and hard coat film are selected based on the application, performance, and stability of the gauge lens in the environment that it is operated.

Abstract: A local interconnect network BUS remote control system, including a printed circuit board antenna for receiving wireless communications signals and transmitting them to at least one radio frequency module, the printed circuit board antenna including a digital layer; a power layer; a ground layer; a radio frequency layer; at least one radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, the at least one frequency module in communication with the printed circuit board antenna for demodulating the wireless communication signals into local interconnect network signals; a local interconnect network BUS in communication with the at least one frequency module for receiving the local interconnect network signals; and a local interconnect network controller in communication with the local interconnect network BUS for receiving the local interconnect network signals.

Abstract: An antenna system may include a first antenna having a helical shaped portion, and configured to receive signals over a first frequency range. A second antenna may be positioned in proximate distance from the first antenna, and be configured to receive signals over a second frequency range. A splitter may be configured for separating signals received from radio and remote keyless entry antennas and may include a first branch including a first filter to filter AM band signals from communications signals received from an antenna, a second branch including a second filter to filter FM band signals from communications signals received from the antenna, a third branch including a third filter to filter remote keyless entry signals from communications signals received from the antenna, and an amplifier to amplify the remote keyless entry signals. The filters may be passive filters. The antenna may be a whip antenna or roof antenna.

Abstract: The gauge lens with anti-fog film includes a substantially planar transparent lens substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface and a thin film possessing anti-fog properties adjacent and substantially covering the inner surface of the lens substrate to provide a low angle of contact for water and moisture. The anti-fog film is bonded to the lens substrate during the molding process that produces the lens substrate shape. The anti-fog film comprises a hydrophilic material or is coated with a hydrophilic coating. In addition to the anti-fog film, in another embodiment, the outer surface of the lens substrate has a hard coat film adjacent and substantially covering the outer surface of said lens. The materials for the lens substrate, anti-fog film, and hard coat film are selected based on the application, performance, and stability of the gauge lens in the environment that it is operated.

Abstract: A weatherproof switch for use with an information/instrument cluster including a button having a body located adjacent to the information/instrument cluster, the body having a first end and a second end; a magnet substantially disposed within the second end of the body; a sensor located a distance from the magnet to produce a magnetic field of a first strength; and a circuit connecting the sensor to a function of the information/instrument cluster for controlling the function when the first end of the button is operated to increase and decrease the distance between the magnet and the sensor such as to produce magnetic field of a second strength.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for reducing component noise in a motor in a automobile includes a first gate driver and a second gate driver, a high side FET; a low side FET; a charge pump circuit; a high frequency reduction component; and a timing signal source. The timing source signal interconnected to the charge pump, the first gate driver, and the second gate driver, the first gate driver interconnected with the charge pump, the first gate driver interconnected with the high side FET, the high side FET and the low side FET interconnected with the high frequency reduction component, the timing signal source providing timing signals to the signals to the first gate driver, the second gate driver, and the charge pump circuit such that the PWM slope is dull enough to prevent RE EMC, wherein the timing signal source provides three timing signals.

Abstract: An antenna system may include a first antenna having a helical shaped portion, and configured to receive signals over a first frequency range. A second antenna may be positioned in proximate distance from the first antenna, and be configured to receive signals over a second frequency range. A splitter may be configured for separating signals received from radio and remote keyless entry antennas and may include a first branch including a first filter to filter AM band signals from communications signals received from an antenna, a second branch including a second filter to filter FM band signals from communications signals received from the antenna, a third branch including a third filter to filter remote keyless entry signals from communications signals received from the antenna, and an amplifier to amplify the remote keyless entry signals. The filters may be passive filters. The antenna maybe a whip antenna or roof antenna.

Abstract: A system for dynamic braking a vehicle closure including a drive mechanism mounted to the vehicle, the drive mechanism having contacts to receive a drive signal to cause the drive mechanism to move the vehicle closure between an open and a close position in response to the drive signal, the drive mechanism capable of generating a generated drive signal during at least a portion of the vehicle closure from the open to the close position; and a controller having electrical outputs electrically coupled to the electrical contacts of the drive mechanism and electrical inputs to provide the drive signals to the drive mechanism and to receive generated drive signals from the drive mechanism, the controller configured to provide the generated drive signals back to the drive mechanism during operation of the vehicle closure to provide dynamic braking of the vehicle closure from the open to the close position.

Abstract: A system for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle, including at least one first flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving wireless communications signals; at least one second flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving wireless communications signals from a transponder, at least one third flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for transmitting a signal when its capacitance is changed when an object is proximal to the at least one third flexible intelligent radio frequency module; at least one fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency module mounted on the vehicle, for receiving sounds external to the vehicle; and a vehicle bus in communication with the at least one first, second, third, and fourth flexible intelligent radio frequency modules.

Abstract: A Global Positioning System (GPS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), wireless local area network (WLAN) antenna, including a dielectric board including a ground plane; a first antenna trace line disposed on a first portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the first antenna trace line including at least one first meandered trace for transmitting and receive a WLAN radio frequency signal; a second antenna trace line disposed on a second portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the second antenna trace line including at least one second meandered trace for transmitting and receiving a GSM radio frequency signal; a GPS antenna for receiving radio frequency signals from at least one global positioning satellite; and a vehicle mountable housing for enclosing the dielectric board, the first antenna trace line, the second antenna trace line, and the GPS antenna.

Abstract: A system and method for activating electromechanical systems of a vehicle may include at least one antenna coupled to a vehicle and configured to receive wireless communications signals. At least one microphone may be coupled to the vehicle and configured to receive sounds external to the vehicle. A control unit may be in communication with the antenna(s) and be configured to receive the wireless communications signals. A voice recognition system may be in communication with the microphone(s). A transponder/keyfob may be utilized to determine when a user is locally external to the vehicle and, in response to determining that the user is locally external to the vehicle, the microphones may be polled to receive a voice command from the user to activate an electromechanical system.

Abstract: A symmetrical printed meander dipole antenna includes a dielectric board including a ground plane; a first antenna trace line disposed on a first portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the first antenna trace line including a plurality of first vertical meandered traces; a second antenna trace line disposed on a second portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the second antenna trace line including a plurality second vertical meandered traces, wherein the first and second plurality of vertical meandered traces are symmetrical to each other; and an inductor in contact with the first and second antenna trace lines for tuning the impedance of the symmetrical printed meander dipole antenna.