A switch assembly that provides haptic feedback includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first planar surface that faces in a first direction and a second planar surface that faces in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction, a touch plate having a first surface that faces in the first direction and a second surface that faces in the second direction, wherein the first surface of the touch plate is proximate the second planar surface of the PCB, and a haptic exciter that has a conductive coil of wire having a hollow inner core and a magnet that is at least partially disposed within the hollow inner core of the coil of wire such that the magnet alternatively moves in the first and second directions as an alternating current passes through the conductive coil of wire.

A vehicle includes a body and a door coupled to the body. The door is operable between opened and closed positions. A cinch assembly is operably coupled to the door. A door seal is positioned along at least a portion of a door opening, wherein the door seal includes a first conductor and a second conductor positioned therein. The first and second conductors are dielectrically isolated and cooperate to generate a capacitive signal. A controller is configured to monitor the capacitive signal and control the cinch assembly in response to the capacitive signal.

A cover type touch switch structure includes: a seat housing embedded in a seat of a vehicle so as to be fastened to a seat frame; a switch housing disposed in the seat housing and including an outer surface which is coupled to the seat housing via a hook; a light-emitting unit which is disposed in the switch housing and stacked on the seat frame; and a knob unit which has a portion disposed in the switch housing and is stacked on the light-emitting unit.

Systems and methods of providing power to high-voltage sensors in power-limited environments through environmental energy harvesting are disclosed. The systems and methods are configured to intermittently power high-voltage sensors by repeatedly releasing stored energy in bursts. An environmental energy harvesting device generates a low-voltage power supply and is coupled to one or more capacitors to charge the capacitors to a high-voltage threshold. After such high-voltage threshold has been reached, the capacitors are discharged to provide a high-voltage power burst to a high-voltage sensor configured to inspect a component and generate an inspection result signal. The inspection result signal is received by an output module, which may further store or transmit to an external receiver a data signal indicating the inspection results.

Systems and methods of providing power to high-voltage sensors in power-limited environments through environmental energy harvesting are disclosed. The systems and methods are configured to intermittently power high-voltage sensors by repeatedly releasing stored energy in bursts. An environmental energy harvesting device generates a low-voltage power supply and is coupled to one or more capacitors to charge the capacitors to a high-voltage threshold. After such high-voltage threshold has been reached, the capacitors are discharged to provide a high-voltage power burst to a high-voltage sensor configured to inspect a component and generate an inspection result signal. The inspection result signal is received by an output module, which may further store or transmit to an external receiver a data signal indicating the inspection results.

A programmable or configurable non-contact solid state switch device and method are provided for emulating a high reliability switch. The switch device senses position information related to a switch and is calibrated using a learning operation to learn position information of mechanical features of the switch and to map the positions of these features. Electrical outputs or functions are assigned to the mapped positions and stored such that the switch device generates the outputs when their corresponding positions are sensed. A switch device is uniquely configured to the mechanical system in which it operates.

A system may include a sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a distance between the sensor and a mechanical member associated with the sensor, a measurement circuit communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to determine a physical force interaction with the mechanical member based on the sensor signal, and a compensator configured to monitor the sensor signal and to apply a compensation factor to the sensor signal to compensate for changes to properties of the sensor based on at least one of changes in a distance between the sensor and the mechanical member and changes in a temperature associated with the sensor.

A system may include a sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a distance between the sensor and a mechanical member associated with the sensor, a measurement circuit communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to determine a physical force interaction with the mechanical member based on the sensor signal, and a compensator configured to monitor the sensor signal and to apply a compensation factor to the sensor signal to compensate for changes to properties of the sensor based on at least one of changes in a distance between the sensor and the mechanical member and changes in a temperature associated with the sensor.

A vehicle includes a body and a door coupled to the body. The door is operable between opened and closed positions. A cinch assembly is operably coupled to the door. A door seal is positioned along at least a portion of a door opening, wherein the door seal includes a first conductor and a second conductor positioned therein. The first and second conductors are dielectrically isolated and cooperate to generate a capacitive signal. A controller is configured to monitor the capacitive signal and control the cinch assembly in response to the capacitive signal.

An user interface device includes a lens with a top surface and a bottom surface, where the bottom surface includes at least one graphic that is visible through the top surface of the lens. The user interface device further includes a transparent circuit film with a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one light emitting diode (LED), at least one silver conductor, and a layer of transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive that secures the bottom surface of the lens to the top surface of the transparent circuit film.