Patents Assigned to CTS
  • Roof and decklid having a common supporting linkage and actuator
    Publication number: 20060249978
    Abstract: A passenger car having a roof opening and a rear opening that are selectively covered by a segmented dimensionally stable roof and a rear lid, respectively. A linkage and actuator drive are common to the roof and rear lid. A supporting structure of the rear lid is connected to a rear roof section. The roof sections are connected by four bar linkages to adjacent sections. The angular position of a supporting link relative to the vehicle body is changed by the actuator drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Rosler, Thomas Halbweiss, Johannes Reichel
  • Actuator with integral position sensor
    Patent number: 7116210
    Abstract: An actuator and integral position sensor has increased reliability with a fail-safe mode. The actuator and sensor assembly includes a rotary actuator that has a driving shaft. A sensor rotor has the driving shaft mounted in a bore. A contactor is mounted to an outer edge of the rotor. The contactor is engaged with a resistor film as the rotor rotates. A driven shaft is mounted to the rotor in another bore. The rotor couples the driving shaft and the driven shaft together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Robertson Lawrence, Steven Donald Keddie, Mike Joseph Chalovich, Yulanda Youhong Wang
  • Hydraulic drive system for vehicle roofs
    Publication number: 20060202504
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic drive system used for the covers of vehicle openings, in particular for vehicle roofs with a construction that can be opened. In said system, the actuator that is designed to displace the cover is supplied with a bulk current, whose target value is determined in accordance with the control path of the actuator, which is in correlation with the controlled displacement of the cover and whose actual value is detected when supplied to the actuator by means of a bulk current sensor. The bulk current is adjusted to compensate for differences between the actual and target values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Stark, Reiner Hess
  • Boot lid for a convertible vehicle
    Publication number: 20060186694
    Abstract: A rear hood assembly system is proposed for vehicles. The rear hood assembly includes a multi-joint link assembly. The multi-joint link assembly couples the rear hood to a vehicle body. The multi-joint link assembly includes a locking link. The locking link can move between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking link is in the locked position, a rotary joint pivotably couples the locking link to the vehicle body to raise the rear edge of the rear hood. When the locking link is in the unlocked position, the rotary joint is unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Wagner
  • Sealing and/or locking system for vehicles with a vehicle opening on the body sructure
    Publication number: 20060186692
    Abstract: A selectively pressurized sealing and/or locking system for vehicles with a vehicle opening on the body structure. Vehicle elements that are to be sealed and/or locked in relation to one another are attached by locking elements. The locking elements have positive-engagement elements that define a hollow portion and a stiffening bridging part in a transitional area between parts of the vehicle that are to be connected together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme Gmbh
    Inventors: Berthold Klein, Dieter Raisch, Wojciech Wezyk
  • Pressure sensor
    Patent number: 7093495
    Abstract: A pressure sensor for sensing a pressure level of a medium. The pressure sensor includes a rigid substrate having a medium contacting side and a pressure sensitive resistor mounted on the medium contacting side. The resistor exhibits a change in resistance in response to pressure changes on the resistor above a predetermined threshold. Other embodiments of the invention are shown using a wheatstone bridge with pressure sensitive resistors and resistors that are insensitive to pressure changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Craig Ernsberger
  • Modular roof cargo container movable to a rear loading position
    Publication number: 20060175368
    Abstract: A cargo container for a vehicle including an enclosure or movable supporting member that is connected by a linkage to the vehicle. The linkage may be used to shift the enclosure between a transport position above the roof and a loading position behind the vehicle. The linkage has a right side and a left side. Each side has a forward member that translates the front end of the enclosure in the fore-and-aft direction. A rearward pivoting member lifts portions of the enclosure behind the forward member upwardly to clear a rear corner of the vehicle as the enclosure is moved between the transport position and the loading position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug Dachysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Fallis, Michael Willard
  • Combination hall effect position sensor and switch
    Patent number: 7088096
    Abstract: A combination Hall effect position sensor and switch for sensing the position of a moveable object. The sensor has a magnet that is attachable to the moveable object. The magnet has a pair of ends and a central portion. A linear magnetic flux sensor is positioned about the central portion of the magnet. The linear magnetic flux sensor generates an electrical signal indicative of a specific position of the movable object. A switch type magnetic flux sensor is positioned about one of the ends of the magnet. The switch type magnetic flux sensor generates an electrical signal that is indicative of the movable object reaching a pre-determined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Etherington, Craig Jarrard
  • Seat belt tension sensor having shock isolation
    Patent number: 7086297
    Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor is attached to a seat belt assembly in a vehicle. The seat belt tensor sensor is secured to the vehicle by a bolt. The sensor includes a housing that is secured by the bolt. An anchor plate is mounted to the housing. The anchor plate has a hole for the bolt and an opening. A strain gage is secured to the housing and extends into the opening. The strain gage has an aperture. A spring is located between the anchor plate and the strain gage. An actuator support is located between the spring and the strain gage to actuate the strain gage. The actuator has a projection extending through the aperture that contacts the anchor plate. The projection prevents a shift in the output of the strain gage when the sensor is subjected to mechanical shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick B. Blakesley, Robert R. Rainey, Murray Kaijala
  • Strain sensor having improved accuracy
    Patent number: 7082844
    Abstract: A strain sensor that is suited for use as an occupant weight sensor in a vehicle seat is disclosed. The strain sensor includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface. Several bumps are located on the top surface. The bumps extend above the top surface. The bumps are arranged in a pattern. A dielectric material is located on the top surface. At least one strain sensitive resistor is located on the dielectric material. Several conductive traces are formed on the dielectric material and are electrically connected with the strain sensitive resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Kim D. Cook, Terry R. Bloom
  • Pivotable vehicle trunk lid
    Patent number: 7083216
    Abstract: In a pivotable vehicle lid support arrangement including an operating linkage, an operating member for opening and closing the lid and a drive unit for actuating the operating member, the operating linkage and the operating member are mounted with an end to a console and with their other ends to the vehicle lid, to which also the drive unit is mounted so as to form, together with the lid, a preassembled installation module and the operating arms of the linkage and the operating member are so arranged that they are disposed adjacent to, and essentially in parallel alignment with, the lid when the lid is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Gerald Hahn
  • Ceramic RF triplexer
    Patent number: 7075388
    Abstract: A monoblock ceramic triplexer for connection to an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver and a GPS receiver is described. The triplexer includes a solid, monolithic core of dielectric material defining a plurality of through-holes extending between top and bottom surfaces. The surfaces of the core present a pattern of metallized and unmetallized areas including a relatively expansive metallized area, a transmitter coupling area, first and second receiver coupling areas spaced, an antenna coupling metallized area and an unmetallized area circumscribing at least one of the openings on the top surface. The antenna coupling metallized area includes a top surface extension towards the first receiver coupling area, and the expanded metallized area includes a top surface extension between adjacent resonator through-holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandre Rogozine, Brian Matthews, David R. Heine
  • Adjustable cover element and adjustable vehicle roof for a convertible vehicle
    Publication number: 20060138800
    Abstract: An adjustable cover element in a vehicle is mounted to a vehicle component via a multiple linkage kinematic system comprising two guide rods. Each guide rod on one end is coupled in an articulated manner to the vehicle component and on the other end is coupled in an articulated manner to the cover element. One guide rod for the multiple linkage kinematic system has a two-part design and comprises two guide rod sections connected by an articulated joint. A stop is provided which during a relative motion between the cover element and the stop acts on a guide rod section in such a way that the angular position between the two guide rod sections changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Bruder, Jan Hesse
  • Adjustable vehicle roof having a fabric cover
    Publication number: 20060131924
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle roof has a flexible cover supported by a cover rod assembly that may be moved between a raised position and a stored position. The cover rod assembly includes a first arch and a second arch. A rigid rear window is integrated into the cover material. The rear window is stored between the first support element and the second support element in the stored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Phillip Reck
  • Manually removed cover and articulated cover supports for a vehicle
    Publication number: 20060119131
    Abstract: A removable top assembly for a vehicle and method of providing a removable top cover for a vehicle is provided. The removable top assembly includes a fabric cover over a frame. The frame includes a rear bow that is pivotally connected on opposite sides to side rails and a C-pillar. A one bow is latched to a fixed transverse beam. A two bow is detachably secured to right and left side rails that are in turn attached to right and left fixed side beams of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Fallis, Michael Willard, Robert Wiechowski
  • Cover assembly for vehicles with an openable roof
    Publication number: 20060105606
    Abstract: A cover assembly system is proposed for vehicles with an openable roof, the cover assembly system having at least one middle section and two side flaps that may be adjusted between a closed position and a stored position. The side flaps in their closed position together with the middle section forming a flat cover. Each side flap may be connected to a swivel bearing having a pivot axis. The side sections may be swiveled along the pivot axes between the closed position. The pivot axes extend essentially parallel to and directly adjoin the middle planar extension of the flat cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Roeder, Corinna Fuchs
  • Cover assembly for an openable roof with an adjustable linkage for a side flap
    Publication number: 20060082185
    Abstract: A kinematic system is proposed for adjusting a side flap of a cover assembly for a vehicle with an openable roof, the kinematic system being adjustable between a covered position and a stored position, and the kinematic system being designed in such a way that the side flap undergoes at least one translational motion and at least one rotational motion during the adjustment, and characterized in that the kinematic system has a four-bar linkage kinematic mechanism for the translational motion and a guide track for the rotational motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Roeder, Holger Wilker
  • Fuel tank resistor card having improved corrosion resistance
    Patent number: 7002447
    Abstract: A resistor card for a fuel level sensor has improved resistance to corrosion and wear. The resistor card has a substrate with a resistive layer and a conductive layer. A nickel layer covers the conductive layer. A nickel-gold alloy layer covers the nickel layer. The nickel-gold alloy layer protects the conductive layer from sulfur corrosion and improves wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Dedert, Robert Heimann, Craig Hoffman, Kevin Kurtz
  • Hood connection for the hood stays on motor vehicle hoods
    Patent number: 7000974
    Abstract: A supporting bearing for connecting the bows of a soft-top convertible vehicle to the folding linkage. A bearing spike is integrally formed on a linkage arm. A sleeve-shaped insert body is latched to a bearing spike. The insert body is received in an opening in the bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeung-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Roschat, Lorenz Wahl
  • Drink coaster
    Patent number: D516876
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher T Smyth