Patents Assigned to Control Devices, Inc.
-
Patent number: 7140151Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator for a window lift mechanism including a plurality of motors for driving an output shaft. The actuator may be incorporated into a window lift mechanism including a dual rack and pinion assembly, for driving the pinions along the racks. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a variety of anti-back-drive mechanisms, e.g. clutches. A clutch according to one embodiment includes locking pawls that resist back-drive. In another embodiment, locking cams rotate relative to a carrier to resist back-drive. An actuator consistent with the invention may incorporate an impact mechanism including a flexible carrier. The carrier flexes to prevent impact forces at an output gear train from coupling to an input gear train.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Phillip Spaziani, John Murray, Irving Laskin, Macram Bishai, Eric Beishline, John Holloway, Bill Farmer
-
Patent number: 7134672Abstract: A failsafe actuator is provided for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition. The actuator includes a drive assembly for driving a plunger from a first plunger position to a second plunger position. The actuator additionally includes a stored energy element for driving the plunger from the second plunger position to the first plunger position on the occurrence of the failure condition, wherein the actuator driven element is responsive to the plunger such that the actuator drive element is driven to the failsafe position when the plunger is driven to the first position.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Eric Beishline, William H. Fort, Henry Minasian, Brian Ganter, Yuly Yanishevsky, Michael Johnson
-
Patent number: 7119671Abstract: A seat buckle sensor system is provided that provides an output representative of a lock condition of a seat belt buckle. The system includes a magnet on an end of a seat buckle lock pin and a Hall device. The lock pin, and magnet on the end thereof, move between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the Hall device. The magnet imparts a first magnetic flux on the Hall device in the locked position causing the Hall device to produce a first output. The magnet imparts a second magnetic flux on the Hall device in the unlocked position causing the Hall device to produce a second output.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Frank, Matthew De Remer, Adam Young
-
Publication number: 20060208153Abstract: A solar sensor that utilizes a blocking element and curved reflective element between the sun and a photo-sensitive electronic device to provide high signal levels and the ability to shape the angular response of the overall sensor. A particular angular response can be achieved by combining the attenuating affects of the blocking element with the increased response affects of the curved reflector. These two elements may be combined into one physical structure, or may be separate. Further, the present invention contemplates the use of multiple blocking elements and multiple reflectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2006Publication date: September 21, 2006Applicant: Control Devices, Inc.Inventor: P. Clugston
-
Patent number: 7098653Abstract: A phase angle determining circuit for determining a phase angle from a first input signal and a second input signal includes an input circuit configured to receive the first input signal and the second input signal and to provide a third signal, and an output circuit configured to receive the third signal and to provide an output signal representative of the phase angle. The first and second signal may be provided by a transducer. The transducer may be a steering wheel transducer and the phase angle determining system may be utilized in a vehicle system to control a vehicle system based on the phase angle of the steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventor: Norman Poirier
-
Patent number: 7021415Abstract: An electrically actuated parking brake system and actuator therefor. The actuator includes a motor having a drive shaft, and a gear train coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the gear train provides at least one mechanical output from the actuator. The gear train may include a drive gear coupled to the drive shaft, a driven gear coupled to the drive gear, and a planetary gear set coupled to the driven gear. Various configurations are provided for isolating actuator components for controlling audible noise, including sub-frame isolation configurations, motor isolation configurations, and gear train isolation configurations.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: William Farmer, Gary Kinnear, Thomas P. Schregardus, Yuly Yanishevsky
-
Patent number: 7009386Abstract: A non-contact position sensor including a plurality of sensor elements configured in an array. Each of the sensor elements is configured to provide an output associated with each of a plurality of positions of a sensor control element relative to the position sensor, whereby a separate combination of the outputs is provided for each of the positions. In one embodiment, the sensor elements may be Hall effect sensors, and the sensor control element may be a magnet. In another embodiment, the sensor elements may be Hall effect sensors and the sensor control element may be a shunt for blocking a magnetic field the Hall effect sensors. A vehicle seat position sensor system and a method of sensing vehicle seat position are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2002Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Gerald Tromblee, Kayvan Hedayat
-
Patent number: 6994357Abstract: A failsafe actuator for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition is provided. The failsafe actuator may include mechanical or electrical means to provide a failsafe function. Such a failsafe actuator may be used in a stabilizer bar system of a vehicle to ensure that at least one stabilizer bar is returned to a failsafe or engaged condition should a failure condition occur when the stabilizer bar is disengaged. Various failure conditions can include loss of electrical power to the actuator or some internal actuator failures.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Stonebridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Joe Heller, William H. Fort
-
Patent number: 6978687Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor for sensing tension in a seat belt. The sensor includes a main plate and a travel member moveable relative to the main plate against a spring force. A sensor provides an output in response to the relative movement indicative of the tension applied to the seat belt. The spring force may be provided by one or more leaf springs.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Susan M. Barnabo, Ronald Frank, Thomas Babington
-
Patent number: 6942227Abstract: A failsafe actuator for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition is provided. The failsafe actuator may include mechanical or electrical means to provide a failsafe function. Such a failsafe actuator may be used in a stabilizer bar system of a vehicle to ensure that at least one stabilizer bar is returned to a failsafe or engaged condition should a failure condition occur when the stabilizer bar is disengaged. Various failure conditions can include loss of electrical power to the actuator or some internal actuator failures.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Joe Heller, William H. Fort
-
Patent number: 6907795Abstract: A seat position sensor including a generally u-shaped housing and a cover disposed on the housing for blocking entry contaminants into a shunt opening of the housing. A sensor including mounting wings that flex upon mounting is also provided, as is a sensor including an integral connector, and a two-piece sensor configuration. A PCB including a heat throttle trace and a heat sink region, and a supply voltage circuit for a Hall Effect sensor including a parallel connected varistor are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Susan Barnabo, Colin White, Robert Southworth, Genn Baskin, Jerry Powers
-
Patent number: 6906273Abstract: A switch assembly movable between a closed position and open position includes a multilayer circuit. The multilayer circuit includes a first layer having a first conductive material disposed thereon, a second layer having a second conductive material disposed thereon, and a third layer disposed between the first the second layer, the third layer having an opening therein to permit contact between said first conductive material and said second conductive material when the switch assembly is in the closed position. An actuator such as a rubber dome enables a customer to provide a force to move the switch assembly between closed and open positions. The actuator also meets tactile feel requirements for customer actuated switch applications.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Gary M. Searle, Steve Kille
-
Patent number: 6900404Abstract: A push button switch including a housing and a push button body disposed at least partially within the housing. The push button body may include a base portion and at least one guide portion extending from the base portion. The housing may include at least one mating guide portion for receiving the least one guide portion of the button body and guiding the translation of the button body in the housing. A rocker may be positioned between the push button body and a contact closure, and the push button body may pivot the rocker about a pivot point upon depression of the head thereby changing a state of the contact closure. A light source may be positioned beneath the rocker and for illuminating a bottom of the button head.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Gary M. Searle, Christopher Blake
-
Patent number: 6889578Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator including a plurality of motors for driving an output shaft. The actuator may be incorporated into a window lift mechanism, such as a mechanism including a dual rack and pinion assembly. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a variety of anti-back-drive mechanisms, e.g. clutches. A clutch according to one embodiment includes locking pawls that resist back-drive. In another embodiment, locking cams rotate relative to a carrier to resist back-drive. An actuator consistent with the invention may incorporate an impact mechanism including a flexible carrier. The carrier flexes to prevent impact forces at an output gear train from coupling to an input gear train.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2001Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Phillip Spaziani, John Murray, Irving Laskin, Macram Bishai, Eric Beishline, John Holloway, Bill Farmer
-
Patent number: 6846012Abstract: A sensor assembly for sensing attachment of an object to a safety bar in a vehicle. The assembly may include a movable portion positioned to move from a first position to a second position upon attachment of the object to the safety bar, and a sensor adjacent the movable portion for providing a first output when the movable portion is in the first position and a second output when the sensor is in the second position. The attachment member may allow pivotal movement of the assembly relative to the safety bar to accommodate the orientation of the object to be attached to the safety bar. A method of modifying deployment force of an airbag upon attachment of a child safety seat to safety bar in a vehicle is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Gennady Baskin, Kayvan Hedayat
-
Patent number: 6844510Abstract: A stalk switch having an energy storage element disposed coxially about a handle to store energy when the handle is in a contact position and release energy to provide a force to drive the handle back to the neutral position from the contact position. The energy storage element may be a sleeve made of an elastomeric material. Such a sleeve may also provide for overload protection for contact closures of the switch. The stalk switch may also have at least one microswitch to align operation of a contact closure with actual motion of the handle.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Stonebridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Prouty, Steven Kille, Charles McCall, Kevin Shell, Jack Tseng, Art Stephen
-
Patent number: 6806664Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator including a brushless DC motor for driving an output of the actuator; and a motor controller. The controller is configured to interrupt operation of the motor in response to at least one feedback signal representative of a motor parameter that varies with variation in a load on the output. The actuator output may be coupled to a window lift mechanism for moving a vehicle window between open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventor: Eric Beishline
-
Patent number: 6788048Abstract: A position sensor including: a reduction gear train having an input gear and an output gear. The input gear is configured for coupling to an output shaft of a drive motor for driving a vehicle seat on an associated seat track, and a magnet disposed on the output gear for rotation therewith. A Hall Effect sensor is disposed adjacent the magnet for providing a sensor output signal in response to rotation of the magnet. A lock out mechanism for a position sensor, a method of sensing the position of a vehicle seat, and a method of calibrating a vehicle seat position sensor are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices Inc.Inventors: Kayvan Hedayat, Gerald Tromblee, Norman Poirier
-
Patent number: 6739633Abstract: A fuel filler door actuator including a motor, a gear train coupled to the motor and to a latch arm, and a locking cam coupled to the gear train. The locking cam resists movement of the latch arm from an unlocked condition to a locked condition. A manual override cable is disclosed for manually moving the latch arm from the locked condition to an unlocked condition. A push—push mechanism is disclosed for allowing facile opening of a fuel filler door, and a quick connect/disconnect feature is disclosed for allowing facile assembly of the actuator to a fuel filler door housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: John C. Holloway, Thomas P. Schregardus, Henry C. Ruff, Eric C. Beishline
-
Patent number: 6736233Abstract: An actuator including a motor having a drive shaft, and a gear train coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the gear train includes a plurality of output gears and an associated plurality of output ports for providing a mechanical output from the actuator. The gear train may be provided in a variety of configurations, and may include a worm gear and worm wheel configuration for reducing audible noise. Position sensing may be provided for determining the position of a movable element, e.g. one or more adjustable pedals of an adjustable pedal system. A controller may control the position of the movable element in response to a user input, and may facilitate auto-calibration of the element upon installation. Various configurations for isolating actuator components for reducing audible noise, including a sub-frame isolation configuration, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Eric Beishline, Tom Schregardus, Kevin Hughes, Jeff Finkelstein, Andrew Mark Oakes