Abstract: An illustrative example camera device includes a substrate and a sensor supported on the substrate. The sensor is configured to gather image information. A lens is situated near the sensor and an electroactive polymer selectively causes relative movement between the sensor and the lens.

Abstract: An illustrative example camera device includes a substrate and a sensor supported on the substrate. The sensor is configured to gather image information. A lens is situated near the sensor and an electroactive polymer selectively causes relative movement between the sensor and the lens.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure provide a display system that integrates a mechanical indicator assembly in an overlapping manner with one or more displays in an instrument panel. An instrument panel may include a mechanical indicator assembly including a pointer configured to rotate about an axis and thereby define an area swept by the pointer, a transparent display, a housing configured to support the mechanical indicator assembly and the transparent display overlaying the mechanical indicator assembly, and a control system configured to display, on the transparent display, content including text and/or graphics.

Abstract: An illustrative example camera device includes a substrate and a sensor supported on the substrate. The sensor is configured to gather image information. A lens is situated near the sensor and an electroactive polymer selectively causes relative movement between the sensor and the lens.

Abstract: A roadway transport system includes a carrier-vehicle and one or more controller-circuits. The carrier-vehicle receives one or more passenger-vehicles configured to autonomously dock with the carrier-vehicle for traveling on a roadway. The communication-device is operable to communicate with the one or more passenger-vehicles. The one or more controller-circuits are in communication with the communication-device. The one or more controller-circuits operate the communication-device to coordinate docking of the one or more passenger-vehicles with the carrier-vehicle.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure provide a display system that integrates a mechanical indicator assembly in an overlapping manner with one or more displays in an instrument panel. An instrument panel may include a mechanical indicator assembly including a pointer configured to rotate about an axis and thereby define an area swept by the pointer, a transparent display, a housing configured to support the mechanical indicator assembly and the transparent display overlaying the mechanical indicator assembly, and a control system configured to display, on the transparent display, content including text and/or graphics.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a light source, a pointer, and a sensor. The light source is configured to emit light from a display surface of the assembly. The pointer overlies the display surface and is movable about an axis to an angle to point to indicia on the display surface. The pointer defines a hub portion and a needle portion that extends from the hub portion. The hub portion overlies the light source and includes a light-guide that guides light from the light source into the needle portion whereby the needle portion is illuminated. The sensor is located proximate to the hub portion. The sensor is configured to detect that the pointer is present regardless of the angle of the pointer.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a light source, a pointer, and a sensor. The light source is configured to emit light from a display surface of the assembly. The pointer overlies the display surface and is movable about an axis to an angle to point to indicia on the display surface. The pointer defines a hub portion and a needle portion that extends from the hub portion. The hub portion overlies the light source and includes a light-guide that guides light from the light source into the needle portion whereby the needle portion is illuminated. The sensor is located proximate to the hub portion. The sensor is configured to detect that the pointer is present regardless of the angle of the pointer.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for displaying vehicle information includes a pointer and a magnetic device. The pointer is operable to move about an axis to point at indicia defined by the assembly. The pointer is also operable to vary a length of the pointer in response to a magnetic field proximate to the pointer. The magnetic is device configured to cooperate with the pointer to vary the length of the pointer.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to shape a flat flexible cable (FFC). The apparatus is configured such that a first end and a second end of the FFC can be positioned, respectively, at a first location and a second location of a circuit board assembly (CBA). The apparatus includes a radiused portion configured to determine a bend radius of the FFC when the FFC is installed into the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a clamp portion configured to urge the FFC around the radiused portion when the FFC is installed into the apparatus.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for displaying vehicle information includes a pointer and a magnetic device. The pointer is operable to move about an axis to point at indicia defined by the assembly. The pointer is also operable to vary a length of the pointer in response to a magnetic field proximate to the pointer. The magnetic is device configured to cooperate with the pointer to vary the length of the pointer.

Abstract: An instrumentation assembly suitable for use as a vehicle instrument cluster, and a method to align an image displayed by a reconfigurable display of the assembly to an applique that overlays the display. The applique defines a reference hole located so light from the display to passes through the reference hole. A light sensor detects light from the display that passes through the reference hole. A relative alignment between the display and the applique is determined based on the signal. The relative alignment is used to shift or reposition images on the display so they align with features on the applique. The assembly and method also provide a way to adjust for image flicker of the display.

Abstract: A contoured display that includes a faceplate configured to propagate an image in a collimated manner from an interface surface of the faceplate configured to receive the image from a display device to a display surface of the faceplate. The display surface is contoured to provide a three-dimensional (3D) contoured surface that provides designers with artistic freedom when designing a display shape, and a convenient way to contour a display surface to reduce the effects of glare on the display surface.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly configured to determine an orientation angle of an illuminated pointer of the assembly. The assembly includes a pointer, and a sensor. The pointer is configured to emit light and rotate about a display surface of the assembly to point to indicia on the display surface. The sensor is configured to detect light emitted by the pointer when the pointer is oriented at a predetermined orientation angle relative to the display surface.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly configured to determine an orientation angle of a stepper motor actuated pointer of the assembly. The assembly includes a pointer, a stepper motor, a magnet, and a sensor. The pointer is movable about an axis to point to indicia on a display surface of the assembly. The stepper motor is coupled to the pointer via a reduction gear arrangement. The magnet is fixedly coupled to the pointer such that a magnetic field direction generated by the magnet corresponds to an angle of the pointer. The sensor is configured to determine the magnetic field direction of the magnet and output a signal indicative of the angle of the pointer.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a vehicle that includes a housing, a microphone and an actuator. The microphone is configured to detect a characteristic sound in the housing. The actuator is coupled to the housing, and the actuator is configured to emit the characteristic sound into the housing when actuated.

Abstract: A contoured display that includes a faceplate configured to propagate an image in a collimated manner from an interface surface of the faceplate configured to receive the image from a display device to a display surface of the faceplate. The display surface is contoured to provide a three-dimensional (3D) contoured surface that provides designers with artistic freedom when designing a display shape, and a convenient way to contour a display surface to reduce the effects of glare on the display surface.

Abstract: A needle indicator assembly that includes a pointer formed at least in part of magnetized material, and configured to rotate about an axis and thereby define an area swept by the pointer. The assembly also includes a plurality of electromagnets arranged around a perimeter of the area, said electromagnets operable to urge the pointer to point in a desired direction. An instrument panel equipped this needle assembly overlying a reconfigurable display gives the appearance that the pointer is floating above the display, and the means by which the pointer is moved is not readily apparent.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column stalk switch assembly is provided having at least one enclosed switch cell unit used in lieu of metal connector contacts. More particularly, one or more enclosed switch cell units are used in place of conventional all-opened or exposed switch contacts. A switch cell is connected to a printed circuit board within the stalk switch assembly, and positioned for actuation upon movement of a corresponding actuating member of a stalk switch lever. Various switch cells can be positioned so that movement of the lever or knob on the lever in a particular direction will selectively control operation of different vehicle devices or functions.