Patents Assigned to Methode Electronics
  • Patent number: 11708856
    Abstract: A device monitors the operating temperature of at least one set of bearings in a plurality of sets of bearings. The at least one set of bearings is arranged between a shaft and a carrier. The carrier has at least one temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the at least one set of bearings and generates a signal representative of an operating temperature of the at least one set of bearings. The at least one temperature sensor is operatively electrically connected to at least one controller. The controller processes the signal from the temperature sensor, including determining the operating temperature of the respective at least one set of bearings and whether the operating temperature of the respective at least one set of bearings exceeds at least one threshold temperature. The controller memory holds a unique identifier associated with the at least one bearing set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexander Galea
  • Patent number: 11635604
    Abstract: A luminous flux collector comprises a housing, a wide-angle light capturing device and an optical collimating device, arranged around a longitudinal axis. The housing surrounds and protects the wide-angle light capturing device and the optical collimating device. The housing also provides structural support to hold the other elements in position. The wide-angle light capturing device can include a receptacle for receiving a light source, and the wide-angle light capturing device collects light with a spread angle of at least 120 degrees from the light source. The wide-angle light capturing device is disposed within a proximal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis. The optical collimating device extends from the wide-angle light capturing device to a distal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Lee Measel, Hamed Karimi Sharif, Nicholas Stephen Downes
  • Patent number: 11560127
    Abstract: Device for a brake travel emulator with at least one integrated sensor, comprising a housing (5), a force sensor (18) both being connected to a middle part of a connection means (4). The force sensor (18) being arranged at a static unit (2), the housing (5) further comprising at least one conical compression spring (6), an axially sliding component (7), a connecting rod (9) comprising a varying diameter geometry, an oscillating means (48) capable of creating an electric field, and a displacement sensor (46), the force sensor (18) further comprising, a micro-controller (50), means for receiving applied force (41) and at least four coils (30, 31, 32, 33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Galea, Julius Beck, Allen Carl Bonnici
  • Patent number: 11561141
    Abstract: A method for measuring stress applied to a magnetoelastic body, simultaneously detecting a potential external magnetic field affecting a magnetoelastic sensor and allocating a non-stress related influence affected by the field on the body, including applying at least two opposite magnetic zones on the body, providing at least one sensor including at least one first (1) and second (2) channel having at least two axially aligned coils each, arranged adjacent to the magnetized zone of the body, both channels having different sensitivity relative to the field, setting-up channel 1 as a common mode rejection channel and channel 2 as a common mode acceptance channel, reading the magnetized zones when stress is applied to the body, measuring the stress by channel 1 leading to an opposite sensitive direction, and detecting the impact of the field to the magnetized zones by channel 2 leading to an identical sensitive direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 11548438
    Abstract: An integrated lighting insert is provided for multi-function automotive vehicle lighting that has minimal space requirements and provides different lighting functions in a single device with an electronic control module that can easily interface with vehicle electronics. The insert is a housing and a plurality of light transmission portions, a plurality of light sources integrated into the housing, each one configured for a different predetermined function associated with a particular use of, a condition of, or a state of the automobile. An electrical circuit is used along with a communications bus and individual controller circuits associated with the light sources for controlling the light functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Martin, Eric D. Sherriff, Srinivas Akkala
  • Patent number: 11491832
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Patent number: 11464095
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) circuit is disclosed haying a plurality of LEDs each having a respective current path. A controller may be included for controlling the LEDs. A first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs are connected to respective first set transistors and a first current sink to drive a constant current through each of the first set of LEDs and the first set of LEDs includes one or more LEDs, and the LED circuit may include at least one second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs that are connected such that the constant current in the first set of LEDs is duplicated. in the at least one second set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs includes one or more LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric D. Sherriff
  • Patent number: 11442489
    Abstract: A joystick has a lever and a housing. The lever is pivotable around a pivot axis. The joystick has a support plate carrying at least one sensor. The sensor has at least one coil generating a magnetic field. An eddy current is induced into the coil. At least one metal flag is movable relative to the coil. The motion of the metal flag coincides with the tilting motion of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA LTD.
    Inventors: Allen Carl Bonnici, Andrew Portelli, Manuel Gatt
  • Patent number: 11347037
    Abstract: A luminous flux collector comprises a housing, a wide-angle light capturing device and an optical collimating device, arranged around a longitudinal axis. The housing surrounds and protects the wide-angle light capturing device and the optical collimating device. The housing also provides structural support to hold the other elements in position. The wide-angle light capturing device can include a receptacle for receiving a light source, and the wide-angle light capturing device collects light with a spread angle of at least 120 degrees from the light source. The wide-angle light capturing device is disposed within a proximal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis. The optical collimating device extends from the wide-angle light capturing device to a distal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Lee Measel, Hamed Karimi Sharif, Nicholas Stephen Downes
  • Patent number: 11277208
    Abstract: The invention comprises distribution point unit (DPU) including a host for a GPON ONU/ONT module, CPU system-on-chip (SoC) providing a DPU and traffic management, a reverse power harvester and a high speed electrical (HSE) module and the DPU receiving optical signals via the GPON ONU/ONT module and converting to electrical signals and the HSE module transmitting electrical signals via a twisted pair or coaxial cable to a customer premises equipment (CPE) within a home or building and the reverse power harvester receiving power from the HSE module and the GPON ONU/ONT and HSE modules are pluggably mateable to the DPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Torres, Joseph Llorens, Alexandros Pirillis, Robert Skepnek
  • Patent number: 11254262
    Abstract: An integrated lighting insert is provided for multi-function automotive vehicle lighting that has minimal space requirements and provides different lighting functions in a single device with an electronic control module that can easily interface with vehicle electronics. The insert a housing and a plurality of light transmission portions, a plurality of light sources integrated into the housing, each one configured for a different predetermined function associated with a particular use of a condition of or a state of the automobile. An electrical circuit is used along with a communications bus and individual controller circuits associated with the light sources fix controlling the light functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Martin, Eric D. Sherriff, Srinivas Akkala
  • Patent number: 11223173
    Abstract: A pluggable module comprising a housing having a first end and second end, an edge connector disposed at the first end, an F-type coaxial connector at the second end and a release lever including a stamped body that is symmetrical about a centerline bisecting the length of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Torres, Joseph Llorens, Alexandros Pirillis, Robert Skepnek
  • Patent number: 11221262
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Patent number: 11150684
    Abstract: A joystick includes a stick and a base attached to the stick. The joystick includes a housing in which part of the base is disposed. The housing includes a baseplate. A predetermined number of magnets correspond to the number of pivot-axes. The magnets are attached to the base, and each of the magnets defines a pivot-axis around which the base can be. The pivot-axis is defined by one of the magnets diametrically opposite to this magnet. A magnetic element, in particular a plate, is attached to or is part of the baseplate. The joystick further includes a sensor for detecting rotation of the base around at least one of the predetermined number of pivot-axes. The base and the magnets attached to the base are disposed facing the magnetic element and interacting with the magnetic element such that an attractive force is pulling the magnets toward the magnetic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA LTD.
    Inventor: Matthew Spiteri
  • Patent number: 11135882
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Patent number: 11137313
    Abstract: A system and method are provided related to replacing components of a fully assembled torque sensor system having been previously calibrated, whereby the new system with its new components, which may be installed in a larger system, can be recalibrated at the location where the component replacement or servicing occurs. Individual components are provided with individual characteristics information, either on or associated with the shipped component, so the end user may retrieve the information and enter it in the software, such as that associated with a control unit, which is used with the fully assembled torque sensor. A database storing information about each manufactured component and their respective characteristics information, and fully assembled systems and their collective characteristics information, may be maintained and accessible by end users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Johannes Giessibl
  • Patent number: 11097580
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a modular double pin load sensor coupled to a hitch receiver. An example disclosed apparatus to be coupled to a receiver tube includes a crossbar interface to be coupled to a crossbar of a hitch, a pin adapter coupled to the crossbar interface, a first load-sensing pin disposed within the pin adapter, and a second load-sensing pin disposed within the pin adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Christopher Eric Allard, Peter Simeon Lazarevski, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Chad Reed, Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 11084342
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston
  • Patent number: 11014417
    Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 10953817
    Abstract: A locking bracket for a vehicle accessory that has a main portion and a secondary portion, the main portion is configured to position the vehicle accessory in an operating position and includes opposite first and second faces extending between opposite ends, a spring leaf extending from the first face, first and second ribs extending from the second face, the first and second ribs being spaced from one another and having cooperating geometry to provide force to the spring leaf, at least first and second hinges separated by a distance, the first rib being located between the first and second hinges, and a locking mechanism provided on at least one of the ends, the locking mechanism being configured to maintain the vehicle accessory in the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Karasik, Mark Muscat