Patents by Inventor Garret F. Achenbach
Garret F. Achenbach has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11964617Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imaging array sensor, an imager PCB and a lens holder that includes an elongated lens barrel that houses at least one lens. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB. Image data captured by the imaging array sensor is conveyed to electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with a lower housing portion of the housing to enhance heat transfer from the electronic component to the lower housing portion of the camera housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2023Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer
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Patent number: 11926268Abstract: An imager assembly for a vehicular camera module includes an imager circuit board and a lens holder. An imager is disposed at the imager circuit board. The lens holder includes a lens holding portion that accommodates a lens. The lens holder includes a plurality of pins extending from an attaching portion and extending in a direction away from the lens holding portion of the lens holder. With the attaching portion of the lens holder at the imager circuit board, individual pins of the plurality of pins are received at least partially through respective apertures of the imager circuit board to locate the lens holder at the imager circuit board. With the pins received at least partially through the apertures of the imager circuit board, and with the lens aligned with the imager at the imager circuit board, the pins are fixedly attached at the imager circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Devota, Garret F. Achenbach, David F. Olson, Matthew C. Sesti, John R. Garcia
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Publication number: 20230339412Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imaging array sensor, an imager PCB and a lens holder that includes an elongated lens barrel that houses at least one lens. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB. Image data captured by the imaging array sensor is conveyed to electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with a lower housing portion of the housing to enhance heat transfer from the electronic component to the lower housing portion of the camera housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer
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Publication number: 20230331153Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a camera module having an imager assembly, a main circuit board and a camera housing. The imager assembly includes (i) an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and (ii) a lens holder having a lens assembly that includes a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The imager assembly includes a flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects to an electrical connector at a multilayered PCB of the main circuit board. The camera housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover and includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The main circuit board is accommodated within the forward and rearward portions, and the imager is disposed at the rearward portion and is not disposed at the forward portion of the camera housing. The lens holder is attached at the upper cover of the camera housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20230331152Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a camera module having an imager assembly, a main circuit board and a camera housing. The imager assembly includes (i) an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and (ii) a lens holder having a lens assembly that includes a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The imager assembly includes a flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects to an electrical connector at a multilayered PCB of the main circuit board. The camera housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover and includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The main circuit board is accommodated within the forward and rearward portions, and the imager is disposed at the rearward portion and is not disposed at the forward portion of the camera housing. The lens holder is attached at the upper cover of the camera housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 11718228Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a camera module having an imager assembly, a main circuit board and a camera housing. The imager assembly includes (i) an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and (ii) a lens holder having a lens assembly that includes a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The imager assembly includes a flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects to an electrical connector at a multilayered PCB of the main circuit board. The camera housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover and includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The main circuit board is accommodated within the forward and rearward portions, and the imager is disposed at the rearward portion and is not disposed at the forward portion of the camera housing. The lens holder is attached at the upper cover of the camera housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20230247275Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a camera housing having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion, a lens barrel accommodating a lens, and an imager printed circuit board (PCB). The lens barrel is attached at the front housing portion and extends through an aperture of the front housing portion. With an imager aligned with the lens, the imager PCB is adhesively attached at an inner end of the lens barrel. With the lens barrel and a connector PCB attached at the front housing portion, the connector PCB is spaced from the imager printed circuit board. Circuitry of the imager PCB is electrically connected to circuitry of the connector PCB via a flexible electrical connector. The rear housing portion includes a receiving portion configured to receive the electrical connector when the front housing portion is attached at the rear housing portion during assembly of the vehicular camera module.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Rene Dreiocker, Steven V. Byme, Jonathan D. Conger, Garret F. Achenbach, Andreas Weis
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Publication number: 20230219500Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing for mounting at a vehicular windshield, a processor printed circuit board (processor PCB) disposed in the housing, and an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes (i) a lens barrel accommodating a lens, (ii) an imager printed circuit board (imager PCB), and (iii) a flexible electrical ribbon cable that electrically connects the imager PCB to the processor PCB. An imager is disposed at a first side of the imager PCB. The imager PCB includes an imager portion at which the imager is disposed and attaching portions at respective outboard ends. At least one stress relieving portion is established at the imager PCB between the imager portion and each of the attaching portions. With the lens barrel received through an aperture of the housing, the attaching portions of the imager PCB are attached at the housing via respective fasteners.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Martin J. Reckker, Steven G. Gebauer, Jianguo Wang
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Patent number: 11697382Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imaging array sensor, an imager PCB and a lens holder that includes an elongated lens barrel that houses at least one lens. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB. Image data captured by the imaging array sensor is conveyed via a flexible cable to electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with a lower housing portion of the housing to enhance heat transfer from the electronic component to the lower housing portion of the camera housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2022Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer
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Publication number: 20220355745Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imaging array sensor, an imager PCB and a lens holder that includes an elongated lens barrel that houses at least one lens. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB. Image data captured by the imaging array sensor is conveyed via a flexible cable to electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with a lower housing portion of the housing to enhance heat transfer from the electronic component to the lower housing portion of the camera housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer
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Patent number: 11390223Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imager, an imager PCB and a lens holder that includes an elongated lens barrel that houses at least one lens. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB and includes an image processing chip. Image data captured by the imager is conveyed via a flexible cable to electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with a lower housing portion of the housing to enhance heat transfer from the electronic component to the lower housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer
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Publication number: 20210188190Abstract: An imager assembly for a vehicular camera module includes an imager circuit board and a lens holder. An imager is disposed at the imager circuit board. The lens holder includes a lens holding portion that accommodates a lens. The lens holder includes a plurality of pins extending from an attaching portion and extending in a direction away from the lens holding portion of the lens holder. With the attaching portion of the lens holder at the imager circuit board, individual pins of the plurality of pins are received at least partially through respective apertures of the imager circuit board to locate the lens holder at the imager circuit board. With the pins received at least partially through the apertures of the imager circuit board, and with the lens aligned with the imager at the imager circuit board, the pins are fixedly attached at the imager circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Robert A. Devota, Garret F. Achenbach, David F. Olson, Matthew C. Sesti, John R. Garcia
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Publication number: 20210188191Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imager, an imager PCB and a lens holder that includes an elongated lens barrel that houses at least one lens. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB and includes an image processing chip. Image data captured by the imager is conveyed via a flexible cable to electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with a lower housing portion of the housing to enhance heat transfer from the electronic component to the lower housing portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer
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Patent number: 10946813Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imager, an imager PCB and a lens barrel. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB. The lower side of the main PCB faces a lower housing portion and the upper side of the main PCB faces an upper housing portion. A flexible cable electrically connects electronic circuitry disposed at the imager PCB with electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with the lower housing portion to enhance heat transfer from the electronic component to the lower housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer
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Publication number: 20210009035Abstract: A vehicular camera system includes a camera module having an imager assembly, a main circuit board and a camera housing. The imager assembly includes (i) an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and (ii) a lens holder having a lens assembly that includes a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The imager assembly includes a flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects to an electrical connector at a multilayered PCB of the main circuit board. The camera housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover and includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The main circuit board is accommodated within the forward and rearward portions, and the imager is disposed at the rearward portion and is not disposed at the forward portion of the camera housing. The lens holder is attached at the upper cover of the camera housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Patent number: 10787125Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle includes a camera module having an imager assembly, a main circuit board and a camera housing, with the imager assembly including (i) an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and (ii) a lens assembly having a lens barrel accommodating a lens. A bracket is configured to attach at the vehicle windshield and to receive the camera module. The lens barrel extends from a portion of the lens assembly that is enclosed by the camera housing through an aperture to protrude outside the camera housing. With the camera module received by the bracket and with the bracket attached at the windshield, a forward portion of the camera housing is below the lens barrel. A separate stray light shield is disposed at the forward portion of the camera housing to reduce incidence of stray light at the lens.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
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Publication number: 20200198550Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imager, an imager PCB and a lens barrel. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB. The lower side of the main PCB faces a lower housing portion and the upper side of the main PCB faces an upper housing portion. A flexible cable electrically connects electronic circuitry disposed at the imager PCB with electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with the lower housing portion to enhance heat transfer from the electronic component to the lower housing portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer
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Patent number: 10576908Abstract: A camera module for a vehicular vision system includes a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imager and an imager PCB. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB. The lower side of the main PCB faces a lower housing portion and the upper side of the main PCB faces an upper housing portion. The imager assembly includes a flexible cable that connects electronic circuitry disposed at the imager PCB with electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with the lower housing portion. The thermal element includes a thermally conductive resilient material.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer
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Publication number: 20190184911Abstract: A camera module for a vehicular vision system includes a housing that houses at least (i) electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board (PCB) and (ii) an imager assembly. The imager assembly includes an imager and an imager PCB. Electronic circuitry is disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the main PCB. The lower side of the main PCB faces a lower housing portion and the upper side of the main PCB faces an upper housing portion. The imager assembly includes a flexible cable that connects electronic circuitry disposed at the imager PCB with electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB. An electronic component of electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with the lower housing portion. The thermal element includes a thermally conductive resilient material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer
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Patent number: 10214157Abstract: A camera module for a vehicular vision system includes a housing that houses at least (i) an imager assembly and (ii) electronic circuitry disposed at at least two printed circuit boards (PCBs). One of the electronic components of the electronic circuitry disposed at a first PCB includes an imager. A second PCB has electronic components of the electronic circuitry disposed at an upper side and at a lower side of the second PCB. The lower side of the second PCB opposes a lower housing portion and the upper side of the second PCB opposes an upper housing portion. The imager assembly includes a flexible cable that connects electronic components disposed at the first PCB with electronic components disposed at the second PCB. An electronic component is in thermal conductivity with a thermal element, which is in thermal conductivity with the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Garret F. Achenbach, Brian A. Gorman, Brian F. Smith, Steven G. Gebauer