Patents Assigned to Magna International Inc.
  • Hybrid optics LED headlamp
    Patent number: 9182094
    Abstract: An optical system that collects 100% of the light emitted from the light source and effectively directs it into the desired beam pattern. This is achieved by a combination of different optical control methods including reflector and lens optics. The cost is controlled by a design that reduces the optical part count to 2 main components, which reduces manufacturing and assembling time and maintains proper alignment to the light source and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Flexible assembly process
    Patent number: 9180566
    Abstract: An assembly line system comprises a plurality of cassette-type tooling elements and a plurality of moveable base modules. The tooling elements and the base modules have complementary mounting structures for supporting detachable mounting of the tooling elements onto the base modules. A driving system drives each base module to a respective first position within a product assembly area for the assembling a first product, and drives each base module to a respective second position within the product assembly area for assembling a second product. When the first product is dimensionally different than the second product, the respective first position is different than the respective second position for at least one of the plurality of base modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: John T. McNally
  • Variable or stepped louver activation for active grille system
    Patent number: 9168827
    Abstract: An active grille system which is mounted to a fascia, grille, or carrier, or is part of the carrier of an automobile. Two sets of louvers are rotatably mounted to a frame, and a camming mechanism provides selective actuation of both sets of louvers, and an actuator controls the camming mechanism such that the actuator moves the camming mechanism between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the camming mechanism is in the first position, both the first set and second set of louvers are in a closed position, when the camming mechanism is in the second position, the first set of louvers are in an open position and the second set of louvers are in a closed position, and when the camming mechanism is in the third position both the first set and second set of louvers are in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Povinelli, Thomas F. Cobb
  • Bracket-active grille and actuator
    Patent number: 9163852
    Abstract: A modular a bracket which forms a cavity such that the bracket surrounds and supports an actuator. In one embodiment, the bracket is made of multiple pieces and also connects together without the use of fasteners. The pieces are connected together through the use of several attachment features, with a portion of each of the attachment features integrally formed as part of each half. The bracket also includes a plurality of alignment features integrally formed as part of the bracket. The alignment features support and properly position the actuator within the cavity. The design of the bracket reduces and simplifies design and tooling, and also has minimal components and fasteners, which also simplifies and reduces labor time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Crane, Thomas E Cobb, Anthony J. Povinelli, James J. Kowalski, Stephen R. Roddy
  • Blanks for superplastic forming
    Patent number: 9156079
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method of applying a coating of lubricant material to the surface of a sheet metal blank in a controlled manner such that some areas of the blank have uniform thickness of lubricant while other areas have no lubricant at all or have a variable amount (progressively increasing or decreasing) of lubricant. This is achieved through the use of a mask template that comprises an overspray fence and at least one contact element. The lubricated coated sheet metal blank is utile for superplastic forming to produce specialized complex shaped parts. The invention advantageously lessens the possibility of skid or slip lines appearing in the finished product as well as lessens the likely build-up of lubricant in forming dies—easing maintenance requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Boris Shulkin, William A. Kokosza, Maximillian Amtmann
  • Light weight tubular twist beam
    Patent number: 9156329
    Abstract: A tubular twist beam comprises a tubular body 20 including a U-shaped groove 22, tubular end sections 28, and transition sections 26 therebetween. The width w of the U-shaped groove 22 decreases continuously from each transition section 26 to a center point C of the tubular body 20 and is narrowest at the center point C to shift stress from the transition sections 26 to an area around the center point C. The tubular body 20 also includes depressions 24 along side walls 38 of each transition section 26 to direct stress to the underside of the U-shaped groove 22 and further balance the stress levels along the length of the tubular body 20. Thus, the tubular body 20 can be formed with a reduced thickness t and thus a reduced weight without sacrificing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Erik Peters, William Keith Comer
  • Hybrid fascia mounted exhaust tip assembly
    Patent number: 9145819
    Abstract: An exhaust module made of a thermoplastic material which is connected to a fascia or bumper of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hybrid fascia mounted exhaust tip assembly includes a bracket. The bracket has a bracket inlet which surrounds, but is not in contact with, an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is free to move around as a result of the vehicle traveling over bumps in the road and around turns. The bracket also has a bracket outlet which is connected to the bracket inlet. A ring tip has a portion that slides onto a bezel portion of the bracket outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy F. O'Brien, Lonnie E. Adkins, Dean B. Comeau, Chris Deforest
  • Soft front cockpit cover
    Patent number: 9139073
    Abstract: A foldable roof assembly having a soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side bows are attached to a first bow member, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at a pivot point created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is a wireframe and engages with seals in the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Haberkamp, George Stickles, Duane Charles Junkin
  • WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE
    Publication number: 20150258969
    Abstract: A wiper module assembly for a vehicle liftgate having an inner panel with a spoiler formed as a one-piece part of the inner panel. An outer panel of the liftgate is connected to the inner panel to form an exterior surface of the liftgate. A cavity is formed in part of the spoiler and receives a carrier forming a removable module connected to the cavity of the vehicle liftgate. The carrier includes a wiper, motor and drive assembly for operating a wiper for a window on the liftgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Michael William Crane, Brian Christopher Sansoterra, Norman Guschewski
  • Modular solar support assembly
    Patent number: 9134045
    Abstract: A solar tracker and more specifically to a modular support assembly for a solar tracker that allows reduced assembly and transportation costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Erryn Ashmore, Sten Burris, Gary Banasiak, Dinesh Mahadevan
  • Stress reducing inner sleeve for twist beam and associated method
    Patent number: 9132471
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a twist beam axle assembly includes inserting a tubular sleeve within a twist tube, deforming a portion of the sleeve and the twist tube such that an outer surface of the sleeve engages an inner surface of the twist tube along at least a portion of the deformation, and fastening the sleeve to the twist tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter Toepker
  • ACTIVE GRILLE MULTI PART MODULAR FRAME
    Publication number: 20150231962
    Abstract: An active grille shutter arrangement having an assembled modular frame. The assembled modular frame includes an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion each having a first end and a second end. A first end cap is connectable to both the first end of the upper frame portion and the first end of the lower frame portion. The connection between the first end of the upper frame portion and the first end of the lower frame portion includes an upper bar end joint formed on the front end of the upper frame portion and a lower bar end joint formed on the first end of the lower frame portion. The upper bar end joint slides into an upper bar end cap joint formed on the first end cap and the lower bar end joint slides into a lower end cap joint formed on the first end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Ruppert, Martin R. Matthews
  • Clinching during molding process
    Patent number: 9096001
    Abstract: The integration of two separate manufacturing processes involving joining two pieces of metal using a clinching or Tog-L-Loc™ type of connection, while also injecting a molten material around the two pieces of metal to create the desired part. A process for creating the desired part made of both plastic and metal includes the steps of providing a first metal component, a second metal component, inserting the first metal component into a mold, and inserting the second metal component into the mold. At least one connection point is used for connecting the first metal component to the second metal component while the metal components are located in the mold. Molten material, such as a thermoplastic, is injected into the mold around the first metal component and the second metal component, forming the desired part using the first metal component, the second metal component, and the hardened molten material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Henry J. Wojtaszek, Joel McPhee, Paul Smith
  • HYBRID FASCIA MOUNTED EXHAUST TIP ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150198078
    Abstract: An exhaust module made of a thermoplastic material which is connected to a fascia or bumper of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hybrid fascia mounted exhaust tip assembly includes a bracket. The bracket has a bracket inlet which surrounds, but is not in contact with, an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is free to move around as a result of the vehicle traveling over bumps in the road and around turns. The bracket also has a bracket outlet which is connected to the bracket inlet. A ring tip has a portion that slides onto a bezel portion of the bracket outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy F. O'Brien, Lonnie E. Adkins, Dean B. Comeau, Chris Deforest
  • Scalable crush can for vehicle
    Patent number: 9079553
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a crush can for a vehicle frame including a crush can body having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional shape that is at least approximately a 10-sided polygon. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a crush can for a vehicle frame including a crush can body having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional shape that includes a plurality of outwardly pointing apexes and a plurality of inwardly pointing apexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Banasiak, James R. Byrne, II, Alexander Zak, Seetarama S. Kotagiri
  • Crash box for a bumper assembly
    Patent number: 9073502
    Abstract: A crash box includes a body portion extending from a top edge to a bottom edge along a global z-axis (A) and having a pair of side walls disposed in spaced relationship to one another. At least one x-shaped reinforcing web extends between the side walls along a plane (P) disposed transverse to the axis (A). An extension portion is integral with the body portion and extends outwardly from one of the side walls and is disposed along the plane (P). A flange plate is also integral with the body portion and defines at least one flange plate attachment hole for securing the crash box to a frame of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Blümel, Christian Hengst
  • Method for calibrating vehicular vision system
    Patent number: 9077962
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a vehicular vision system includes providing a camera at a vehicle, with the camera having a field of view. Images are captured with the camera and a set of resultant images are acquired for a classification. Information is extracted related to image features in the set of resultant images, and an appropriate subset of coefficients is determined. For each classification, a classification vector of at least one appropriate weight is stored that corresponds to the determined subset of coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Bin Shi, Ghanshyam Rathi, Sharon Zibman, Tom Perovic, Nikhil Gupta, Hilda Faraji, Yong Zhou
  • Hybrid component
    Patent number: 9073403
    Abstract: A hybrid torsion beam axle assembly is provided, which includes a steel torsion beam. An end cap is fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam, and a cast trailing arm is cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap. In this way, the cast trailing arm is positively and rigidly secured to the steel torsion beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Werner, Timothy W. Skszek, Frank A. Horton, Warren Young, Seetarama S. Kotagiri, Gregory P. Kiselis, DeWayne Dale Egle, Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Jeffrey Jay Mellis, Erryn Leigh Ashmore, Daniel Sulisz, Pascal P. Charest, Eric deNijs, Ying Zhang, Ryan R. Warpup, Dalip K. Matharoo
  • NANOFLUID MOLD COOLING
    Publication number: 20150174794
    Abstract: A nanofluid molding arrangement includes a mold tool (12) having movable pieces (14, 16) that move between an open and closed position. When the moveable pieces (14, 16) are in the closed position, they form a mold cavity (18) that defines a surface for creating a molded part. The nanofluid molding arrangement also includes at least one injection port (22) for injecting molten resin directly into the mold cavity (18) such that when molten resin flows into the cavity and begins to cool, the molded part begins to form. After the molded part begins forming and injection of the molten resin is stopped, a nanofluid having a colloidal suspension of thermally conductive nanoparticles suspended in an aqueous or organic solution is applied to the mold tool (12), through at least one cooling port, to wick away or draw heat out and cool the mold cavity and the formed part within the mold cavity (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven D. McClintock
  • Mounting clip
    Patent number: D739221
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Laura Sendra-Gonzalez, Arnd Pietrzak