Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle has an electric traction motor and a high voltage module having a low voltage section and a high voltage section. The low voltage section includes a power over fiber receive module and a first optical data module. A low voltage supply is electrically connected to a power over fiber transmit module. The power over fiber transmit module is optically coupled by a power over fiber cable to the power over fiber receive module of the low voltage section of the high voltage module. An electronic motor control unit includes a second optical data module that is optically coupled by an optical fiber data bus cable to the first optical data module of the low voltage section of the high voltage module.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle has an electric traction motor and a high voltage module having a low voltage section and a high voltage section. The low voltage section includes a power over fiber receive module and a first optical data module. A low voltage supply is electrically connected to a power over fiber transmit module. The power over fiber transmit module is optically coupled by a power over fiber cable to the power over fiber receive module of the low voltage section of the high voltage module. An electronic motor control unit includes a second optical data module that is optically coupled by an optical fiber data bus cable to the first optical data module of the low voltage section of the high voltage module.

Abstract: A high voltage isolation tester has a high voltage side and a low voltage side coupled to each other by isolation amplifiers so that the high and low voltage sides are electrically isolated from each other. The high voltage side includes positive and negative high voltage test inputs and a common test input. The high voltage side also includes a positive switched voltage divider network and a negative switched voltage divider network. The low voltage side includes a controller that automatically controls switching of the switched voltage divider networks to make voltage measurements of voltages at inputs of the isolation amplifiers. Outputs of the isolation amplifiers are coupled to inputs of an analog-to-digital converter and the digitized voltages are read from the analog-to-digital converter by the controller.

Abstract: A message center that can comprise a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided. The LCD can be divided into one or more zones, with each zone being designated for a specific message. The message center can also include a light guide system positioned behind the liquid crystal display. The light guide system can have one or more light guides, with each of the light guides having a first end, and each of the light guides can be aligned with a zone of the liquid crystal display. The message center can further include a multi-color light emitting diode (LED) that can be mounted at the first end of each of the light guides, and a control system that can set the intensity of each of the multi-colors on each of the LEDs such that a backlighting of each zone is individually controlled.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention generally include a display device having a surface with indicia formed thereon. The indicia are indicative of at least one vehicle parameter. The display device includes a light guide connected to the surface and a light-reflecting portion formed in the light guide. The light-reflecting portion is disposed at least partially over one of the indicia. The light guide collects light, directs the light toward the light-reflecting portion and illuminates at least one of the indicia. The light guide and the light reflecting portion provide an enhanced or decorative effect for one or more of the indicia.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a vehicle cluster having a CPU. The CPU includes a transceiver that is adapted to directly communicate with a remote terminal via a GSM protocol to send and receive video and audio data. A display monitor is coupled to the CPU and receives an output video data signal from the CPU. The display monitor generates a video image that is based on incoming video data transmitted from the remote terminal to the transceiver. A camera is coupled to the CPU and transmits an input video data signal. A speaker is coupled to the CPU and receives an output audio signal. A microphone is coupled to the CPU and transmits an input audio signal to the CPU. The CPU sends an outgoing audio and video signal to the remote terminal in response to receipt of the input audio and video signal.

Abstract: A lighted display for a vehicle instrument panel in which a single light source is used to display a plurality of messages indicating various vehicle operating conditions. A plurality of light-using message plates is mounted adjacent the light source, each message plate being independently activated by an electrical muscle wire to move the associated message plate into the lighted region of the display. When vehicle operating parameters are such that the message is no longer needed, current to the muscle wire is shut off and the message plate is returned to its unilluminated rest position by a return spring.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a relative slow-acting vehicle gauge indicator, such as a rotatable pointer. A muscle wire driven rack gear is operatively connected to a rotatable pointer gear. The rack gear is biased to a gauge at-rest position by a spring member. Upon receiving an electrical signal from a vehicle sensor, the muscle wire contracts, moving the rack member against the spring force to drive the gauge pointer to an appropriate reading on a gauge face.