Abstract: A human-machine interface device includes a touch receiver having a plurality of touch surfaces in distinctly different planes, an elastic strain sensing element having a base and a plurality of legs extending from the base and contacting an associated touch surface, a first linear strain gauge mounted on each leg to detect strain along a first direction and a second strain gauge mounted on each leg to detect strain along a second direction that is different from the first direction, and a processor configured to receive the signals from the strain gauges and determines a command operation intended by a user of the human-machine interface device.

Abstract: A human-machine interface device includes a touch receiver having a plurality of touch surfaces in distinctly different planes, an elastic strain sensing element having a base and a plurality of legs extending from the base and contacting an associated touch surface, a first linear strain gauge mounted on each leg to detect strain along a first direction and a second strain gauge mounted on each leg to detect strain along a second direction that is different from the first direction, and a processor configured to receive the signals from the strain gauges and determines a command operation intended by a user of the human-machine interface device.

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: Improved rotary switch systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may be used in vehicles that implement shift-by-wire transmission systems. The switch systems and methods may include programmable end-stops and/or variable tactile feedback.

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: Example embodiments of a reflective switch and methods for preventing inadvertent actuation of the reflective switch are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the reflective switch comprise a plurality of photo emitters that emit light through a translucent zone and a plurality of photo detectors that detect light rays that are reflected back through the translucent zone by an operator input. Upon detecting reflected light rays, the photo detectors send reflective signals to a controller. The controller then monitors whether the unique addresses of the photo detectors are increasing or decreasing and whether the addresses have increased or decreased to a predetermined threshold to merit a change in switch state. An indicia may be configured to notify an operator that a new switch state has been achieved.

Abstract: An electronic selector switch assembly and method for a vehicle includes a housing and selector knob supported by a shaft. A knob position gear is connected to the selector knob and knob measurement gear is connected to the knob position gear. A first sensor senses an angular position of the selector knob. A rack is rotatable about the shaft and selector knob and a rack measurement gear is connected to the rack. A second sensor senses a position of the rack measurement gear. A drive assembly is connected to the rack, and if the knob position, rack position and transmission gear position do not compare, the drive assembly realigns the rack to match the transmission gear position. The methodology periodically senses selector knob and transmission gear positions to determine if there is a mismatch, and locks the selector knob position and adjusts the rack position if there is a mismatch.

Abstract: Improved rotary switch systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may be used in vehicles that implement shift-by-wire transmission systems. The switch systems and methods may include programmable end-stops and/or variable tactile feedback.

Abstract: Improved rotary switch systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may be used in vehicles that implement shift-by-wire transmission systems. The switch systems and methods may include programmable end-stops and/or variable tactile feedback.