Patents Assigned to Johnson Controls Automotive
  • Publication number: 20140168570
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device, to a backlighting element, and to a method of manufacturing a backlighting element and a display device, the display device comprising a display element, the display element being backlit using a light source, a backlighting element being provided to backlight the display element, the backlighting element comprising a light guide part providing the light guide functionality, the backlighting element comprising a reflective element part, the light guide part of the backlighting element and the reflective element part being functionally combined with one another, the reflective element part and the light guide part of the backlighting element being joined, during the manufacture of the backlighting element, to form a single component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics SAS
    Inventors: Benoit Box, Fabrice Henon, Andre Mendiboure, Bernard Guillet
  • Publication number: 20140167968
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the alertness of the driver of a vehicle, includes continuously detecting and evaluating at least one physical parameter of the driver while the vehicle is in motion, and transmitting a periodic audio signal with a predetermined frequency into a vehicle interior within a predetermined time period if the evaluated physical parameter is in a critical range, whereby the critical range indicates an appropriate level of fatigue of the driver. An apparatus for monitoring the alertness includes a monitoring unit with a sensor unit, which detects at least one physical parameter of the driver, and an evaluation unit, which evaluates the detected physical parameter while the vehicle is in motion. The evaluation unit is coupled to an audio device, which transmits a periodic audio signal into a vehicle interior within a predetermined time if the evaluated physical parameter is in a critical range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventor: Jordan Tuzsuzov
  • Publication number: 20140062116
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative element, notably for use associated with a motor vehicle instrument panel, the decorative element having a three-dimensional shape, the decorative element comprising a first face and a second face, the first face being visible to a user of the instrument panel and the second face being provided on the opposite side from the first face, the three-dimensional shape of the decorative element being obtained during a process of thermoforming of the decorative element, the decorative element comprising a multitude of elements printed on the second face, and the second face together with the printed elements resulting in an effective surface on the second face that is such that the effective surface has, at the locations of the printed elements, portions that are raised by comparison with the locations from which the printed elements are absent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics SAS
    Inventor: Patrice Guitton
  • Patent number: 8647549
    Abstract: A method for producing a thermo formed part includes closing in a mold a heated sheet (L) made of thermoplastic material in such a manner as to deform the latter, then cooling it inside the mold until complete consolidation is achieved. During cooling, the sheet is cut along at least one edge portion (E) thereof, this cutting operation causing a bending of the edge portion against an abutment surface (1s) in the mold; and removing the upper half-mold from the lower half-mold once the consolidation of the deformed sheet has been attained. During the cooling of the sheet inside the mold, subsequently to the cutting operation a folding operation is performed, this folding operation includes moving the abutment surface away from the edge portion of the sheet, and operating on the edge portion in such a manner as to resume its bending towards a support surface (2s) of the sheet in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive S.r.l.
    Inventors: Donato Lapadula, Claudio Pagano, Alfonso Sorrentino
  • Patent number: 8550026
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pointer instrument comprising a graduated disk, a contour element which is arranged in the edge region of the disk and has a visible surface, and a pointer. The invention also relates to a method for producing a pointer instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventor: Martin Mayer
  • Patent number: 8528495
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle includes a front panel and a front frame. The front frame has a front side facing a viewer, and an opposite rear side. The front panel is connected to the front frame. The front frame on the front side and in an encircling fashion in the edge region of the front panel has an aperture edge, the aperture edge being provided substantially parallel to the extent of the front panel. The front panel is connected to the front frame on that side of the aperture edge facing the rear side of the front frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Süss, Martin Mayer
  • Publication number: 20130201423
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device, comprising an illumination means and a liquid crystal display. The illumination means also serves to heat the liquid crystal display, and control means may control the brightness of an image displayed via the liquid crystal display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GMNBH
    Inventor: Marc Rawer
  • Patent number: 8439445
    Abstract: In the field of vehicle seats there is a need for an improved vehicle seat back tilt adjustment assembly that allows a user selectively to make small or large adjustments to the inclination of a vehicle seat back. A vehicle seat back tilt adjustment assembly comprises a guide member securable to a vehicle body; and an intermediate mechanism moveably coupled to the guide member. The intermediate mechanism includes first and second locking elements. The first locking element is moveable between a first configuration in which it is engagable with a vehicle seat back to secure the seat back to the intermediate mechanism and a second configuration in which the seat back is disengagable therefrom to allow the seat back to move independently of the intermediate mechanism. The second locking element selectively engages the guide member to secure the position of the intermediate mechanism relative to the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Graham Perkins, Stuart Joseph Whitmore
  • Publication number: 20130050822
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display element for a display unit of a vehicle, said display element being formed from a substrate and a polarizing film. The display element may be backlit by means of a light source. The substrate may be imprinted with graphic symbols. The polarizing film may be a circular polarizing film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Suss, Isabel Hoffmann, Gerhard Kammerer, Heinrich Behrends, Martin Mayer, Nicolas Mehl, Peter Langer
  • Publication number: 20120264102
    Abstract: An indicating instrument has a pointer rotatable about a pointer axle. A coupling part, a pointer vane and at least one pointer section are arranged between the pointer and the axle. Between the pointer coupling part and the pointer vane at least one pointer section is held in a base structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Ludewig, Jean-Yves Daurelle
  • Patent number: 8172439
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display device for a motor vehicle, particularly for a combined instrument of a motor vehicle. The display device comprises a display area and an illumination means that is provided with a light emission area and a light source. The display area has a visible face and a rear face. The illumination means is disposed on the rear face of the display area. A light beam that is emitted from the light emission area is incident directly on the rear face of the display area. The light beam has an angle of spread of less than about 20°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Süss, Gerhard Kammerer, Manfred Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8166907
    Abstract: The invention provides a display instrument, particularly for a motor vehicle, having an indicator that is rotatable about a rotational axis, wherein the indicator has an inner first region that is radial with regard to the rotational axis and that is not visible to a user, and an outer second region that is radial with regard to the rotational axis and that is visible to a user, wherein at a radial distance from the rotational axis an additional mounting of the indicator and/or a stop for receiving tilting moments positioned substantially perpendicular on the rotational axis are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive
    Inventors: Kristian Engel, Manfred Süss, Martin Mayer
  • Patent number: 8138700
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a synchronous rectification device (10) of the H-bridge type supplying a coil (5) of a phase of a synchronous machine, comprising four switches (21, 31, 22, 32) disposed on the electrical links (11, 12) of this H-bridge and intended to be instructed by an electronic circuit (40), characterized in that each switch comprises at least one transistor (T1) instructed by the electronic circuit (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventors: Stephane Monier, Jean-Yves Le Gouil
  • Patent number: 7905612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle display device comprising a display area oriented in a viewing direction, wherein a swiveling indicator rotatable about an axis of rotation is provided in the viewing direction behind the displaying area, a printed circuit board, which is provided with a first lighting device arranged thereon, is positioned in the viewing direction behind the swiveling indicator and a first optical wave guide area enables a first light emitted by the first lighting device to be transmitted to the display area further the swiveling indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Suess, Heinrich Behrends, Isabel Witzemann
  • Publication number: 20100326347
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pointer instrument comprising a graduated disk, a contour element which is arranged in the edge region of the disk and has a visible surface, and a pointer. The invention also relates to a method for producing a pointer instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventor: Martin Mayer
  • Publication number: 20100058976
    Abstract: The invention provides a display instrument, particularly for a motor vehicle, having an indicator that is rotatable about a rotational axis, wherein the indicator has an inner first region that is radial with regard to the rotational axis and that is not visible to a user, and an outer second region that is radial with regard to the rotational axis and that is visible to a user, wherein at a radial distance from the rotational axis an additional mounting of the indicator and/or a stop for receiving tilting moments positioned substantially perpendicular on the rotational axis are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Mayer, Kristian Engel, Manfred Süss
  • Patent number: 7598947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for pre-adjusting the video image adjustment parameters of a flat screen device for displaying images, consisting of a screen and electronic control circuits which transmit video signals to it and a reticle generator. According to the present invention, the device further includes acquisition means for acquiring the video signals, means for calculating values of the adjustment parameters and adjustment means for storing the values of the adjustment parameters in the electronic control circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventors: Francis Lehomme, Thierry Dommanget
  • Patent number: 7437921
    Abstract: A tire pressure assembly includes a tire pressure sensor for automobile vehicle wheels and a microprocessor for pressure measurement and for control of a radio transmission circuit. The sensor has a module for activating the microprocessor associated with an activation control timer. The timer is programmable and the assembly includes means for programming the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventor: Francis Delaporte
  • Patent number: 7432801
    Abstract: A method of detecting a rapid leak of gas contained in an automobile tire based on periodic measurements of a pressure Pa and a temperature Ta of the gas. The method includes determining a reference pressure Pcref, calculating an alarm threshold pressure Sref from the reference pressure Pcref, calculating a temperature-compensated pressure Pc at each measurement acquisition period, and comparing the compensated pressure Pc with the alarm threshold pressure Sref, wherein the leak is detected if the compensated pressure Pc is less than the alarm threshold pressure Sref.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventors: Cyrille Verrier, Regis Leberon
  • Patent number: 7408449
    Abstract: The process for the control and activation of vehicle dashboard indicators (121, 122, 221) consists in distributing the indicators into x groups (1, 2, 3, 4) of indicators (121, 122, 221) and in performing a time division multiplexing of the groups (1, 2, 3, 4), by determining an actual value of instantaneous excitation of the indicators (121, 122, 221) and by regulating a shape factor for multiplexed control and activation of the indicators (121, 122, 221) as a function of the deviation between the actual excitation value and a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventor: Sylvain Denise