Abstract: A method and system for increasing standardization and reuse of feature driven design of automotive vehicles. An automotive vehicle is represented by a vehicle model, which includes a set of features defining vehicle functionality and information on how to implement each feature. A features database stores information on how a feature is implemented, including the physical parts it requires and the configuration of the parts. A parts database is also provided for maintaining information on vehicle parts. Coupled to the features database and the parts data base is a feature manager arranged to determine physical implementation information for each feature based on the implementation information. The physical implementation information is included in the vehicle model. A conflict manager is provided for resolving conflicts between implementations of separate features, and an optimizer for standardizing parts and implementations across multiple vehicle models.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing standardization and reuse of feature driven design of automotive vehicles. An automotive vehicle is represented by a vehicle model, which includes a set of features defining vehicle functionality and information on how to implement each feature. A features database stores information on how a feature is implemented, including the physical parts it requires and the configuration of the parts. A parts database is also provided for maintaining information on vehicle parts. Coupled to the features database and the parts data base is a feature manager arranged to determine physical implementation information for each feature based on the implementation information. The physical implementation information is included in the vehicle model. A conflict manager is provided for resolving conflicts between implementations of separate features, and an optimizer for standardizing parts and implementations across multiple vehicle models.

Abstract: A column stalk assembly for controlling lighting and wiper functions of a motor vehicle is provided. The column stalk includes a wiper stalk controlling the front wipers, rear wipers, front washer, and rear washer of the motor vehicle and a lighting stalk controlling the headlamps, high beam headlamps, interior lights, and turn signals of the motor vehicle, the wiper stalk and the lighting stalk being structurally similar. Each stalk includes an outer rotatable knob and an inner rotatable ring separated by a stationary ring. The stationary ring cooperates with the outer knob to control a specific function. Each stalk also includes a base disposed adjacent to the inner ring. The base cooperates with the inner ring to control a specific function.

Abstract: An automotive heater, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control system reduces overall system cost and improves system reliability by reducing the number of wire interconnects between the climate control head and the multifunction body control module. Wire reduction from as many as seven to as few as one is possible with the inventive resistively multiplex system. The inventive system combines rear defrost, airconditioning on/off and a set of mode door drive motor select signals within a single climate control head. The inventive climate control head includes a series of resistors and switches that effectively allow a vehicle user to select the various modes of HVAG system operation. The climate control head effectively combines the various possible mode signals into one analog signal that varies according to the selected mode. The single analog signal is fed into a single analog-to-digital port in the multifunction control module.

Abstract: A method and firmware motor control and fault operation system for positioning motors of a Heater-Ventilation-Air Conditioner Unit in response to request of chosen comfort levels in the interior of a motor vehicle. The positioning being accomplished by moving the shafts of the motors in a direction and for a period of time determined from mathematical computations. The system controls motor shaft movement of motors arranged to operate as hybrid closed and open loop motor control systems and all motor shaft movement performed with respect to purely time period measurements.

Abstract: A lighting control system with self calibration for employing the entire physical travelling range of a dimmer switch. A lookup table and linear interpolation are used in conjunction with the voltage output of the dimmer switch in order to identify the appropriate duty cycle of a Pulse Width Modulated signal which drives the lamps in the system. Two of the values in the lookup table are default minimum and maximum values of voltage which can be expected from a worst case switch device. The system dynamically determines and stores any new maximum or minimum voltage which is received from the dimmer switch. These dynamically determined minimum and maximum values are used to replace the default values in the lookup table thus calibrating the lookup table. The calibrated lookup will take into account the operating parameters of the actual switch in the vehicle and will therefore always produce a corresponding change in illumination intensity over the entire physical range of the dimmer switch.

Abstract: A method and firmware motor calibration system for measuring average system voltage of operating electric motors and time of movement between physical stops of mechanical structures coupled to the output shafts of the electric motors. The system calibrates motors arranged to operate as hybrid closed and open loop motor control systems. Data concerning position of the shafts is determined for the closed loop motor control systems.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device for a vehicle samples air from an interior passenger compartment to determine passenger compartment temperature by purging air in a region surrounding a temperature sensor, in favor of passenger compartment air. A sensor triggered by door operation allows the purging process to begin before a passenger enters the vehicle and the vehicle's automatic temperature control system is activated. A method of accurately measuring the temperature of air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle involves the steps of sensing that the passenger is about to enter the vehicle purging the air in the region surrounding the sensor and drawing in air from the passenger compartment, and measuring the air at the sensor after the purging step.

Abstract: A digital pulsewidth modulator switch regulator is used in a power supply for a multisection vacuum fluorescent display system. Pulsewidth modulations are based on grid and anode load characteristics of each section of the display, stored prior to system operations in a designated location of memory of a microcomputer used for controlling switching regulations. Display voltage updates are made utilizing the stored data as well as new load data derived from the power supply output voltage feedback signals indicative of changes in the display voltage.