Patents Assigned to Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
  • Patent number: 12372556
    Abstract: A current sensor has at least one support element that is configured to carry at least one sensing coil of at least two sensing coils of the current sensor. The support element has at least one face on which at least one sensing coil is arranged. The sensing coil is to be used in connection with a current transferring conductor. The at least two sensing coils differ from each other in respect of at least one of an angular orientation of the individual sensing coil relative to a longitudinal axis of the current transferring conductor and/or a vertical distance of the individual sensing coil relative to the current transferring conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventors: Johannes Gießibl, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Ibai Sarria, Allen Carl Bonnici
  • Patent number: 12292133
    Abstract: A rotary actuator is connected to a device and configured to set the device in a motion. The rotary actuator has a rotary actuation system and a logic. The logic is configured such that when a movement is applied to the device independent of the rotary actuator, the logic activates the rotary actuator to: (i) move the device to at least one functional position or (ii) move the device to a starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Galea, Matthew Spiteri
  • Patent number: 12270538
    Abstract: A system for illuminating a surface has at least one lighting means and a housing. At least one lens is disposed within the housing. The at least one lens is supplied with light rays from the lighting means. The at least one lens for illuminating the surface is exchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Geppert, Elie Assy, Thomas Abel
  • Patent number: 12181363
    Abstract: A force sensing device generates an output signal containing information usable for determining a magnitude and a direction of a force acting on a coupling. The coupling has a hook and a linking element linking the hook to a connection flange. The linking element is linked to the hook and the connection flange by at least two pins. Each pin comprises a torque sensor. The linking element is arranged at an angle with respect to the hook such that independent of the angle of the slope between an imaginary horizontal plane and the longitudinal axis of the connection flange, the linking element does not reach a position, in which the two pins are arranged one above the other in a vertical direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the connection flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Galea, Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 12105121
    Abstract: A current sensor includes a current transferring conductor to conduct current and four magnetic field sensors with the magnetic field sensors being divided into two pairs of magnetic field sensors. The two magnetic field sensors are arranged in a V-shaped manner on one face of the current transferring conductor. Two magnetic field sensors are arranged in a V-shaped manner on the other face of the current transferring conductor. Of the magnetic field sensors arranged in a V-shaped manner, the ones of each side running parallel to each other form one pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventors: Florian Burghardt, Ibai Sarria, Julius Beck, Allen Carl Bonnici
  • Patent number: 12051541
    Abstract: Device for correcting the effect of an external stress overload affecting a ferromagnetic component, comprising: the ferromagnetic component, having at least one magnetic field, and a magnetic field sensor, and at least one coil, being arranged around the magnetic field sensor and/or around the ferromagnetic component, and generating a magnetic field, with the field providing an oscillating magnetic field and a magnetic flux density of at least 30 Gauss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 12038596
    Abstract: The invention refers to a backlighting device for a (1) lighting assembly of a vehicle. The backlighting device comprises at least one printed circuit board and at least one light guide body. The light guide body receives the light, emitted by a light source. The printed circuit board blocks and deflects the light emitted by the light source to the light guide body. The printed circuit board has at least one opening to receive the light guide body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Geppert, Elie Assy, Johann Barbara
  • 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: 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: 10940726
    Abstract: The invention provides a sensor assembly for force sensing, the sensor assembly comprising: a first portion having a first and a second through hole, a second portion having a third and fourth through hole, and a first pin and a second pin coupling the first portion to the second portion. At least one out of the first and the second pin comprises a magnetoelastic based sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to a stress-induced magnetic flux emanating from a magnetically polarized region of the pin. The magnetoelastic based sensor comprises at least one direction sensitive magnetic field sensor in an at least partially hollow portion of the pin, which field sensor is configured for determination of a shear force in at least one direction. The invention further provides a tow coupling comprising the sensor assembly. The invention further provides a method for detecting a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 10696109
    Abstract: The invention provides a sensor assembly for force sensing, the sensor assembly comprising: a first portion having a first and a second through hole, a second portion having a third and fourth through hole, and a first pin and a second pin coupling the first portion to the second portion. At least one out of the first and the second pin comprises a magnetoelastic based sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to a stress-induced magnetic flux emanating from a magnetically polarized region of the pin. The magnetoelastic based sensor comprises at least one direction sensitive magnetic field sensor in an at least partially hollow portion of the pin, which field sensor is configured for determination of a shear force in at least one direction. The invention further provides a tow coupling comprising the sensor assembly. The invention further provides a method for detecting a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 10627299
    Abstract: A magnetoelastic shear force transducer with an interference field compensation comprises a hollow component section having an interior recess. A load can be applied onto the hollow component section. The load causes a shear stress in the hollow component section. The hollow component section includes at least one annular magnetoelastically active section having a magnetic polarization surrounding the recess and magnetoelastic properties. Magnetic-field sensors include at least one magnetic-field sensor in the magnetoelastically active section and a magnetic-field compensating sensor associated with the magnetic-field sensor in the magnetoelastically active section. The magnetic-field compensating sensor is arranged outside the magnetoelastically active section. A sensor signal of the magnetic-field sensor is processed along with a compensating signal of the magnetic-field compensating sensor to reduce the influence of an interfering magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Johannes Gieβibl
  • Patent number: 9347845
    Abstract: A magneto elastic sensor having a longitudinally extending shaft like member which is subject to a load, is provided. A magneto-elastically active region is directly or indirectly attached to or forming a part of the member in such a manner that the mechanic stress is transmitted to the active region. A magnetically polarized region of the active region becomes increasingly helically shaped as the application stress increases. A magnetic field sensor is arranged approximate the magneto-elastically active region for outputting a signal corresponding to a stress induced magnetic flux emanating from the magnetically polarized region. The magnetic sensor determines one out of a shear stress and a compressive stress. The magnetic sensor can include at least one direction sensitive magnetic field sensor, which is arranged having a predetermined and fixed spatial coordination with the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Johannes Gieβibl
  • Patent number: 9284998
    Abstract: A freewheel hub and a bicycle, pedelec, fast pedelec or e-bike comprising this freewheel hub is provided. The freewheel hub includes a rotating hub shell for carrying a free running wheel. Torque is coupled to the rotating hub shell via a torque transmitting member. At least one magneto-elastically active region is directly or indirectly attached to or forms a part of the torque transmitting member in such a manner that the applied torque is transmitted to the active region including at least one magnetically polarized region. The magnetic polarization becomes increasingly helically shaped as the applied torque increases. A magneto-elastic sensor including at least one magnetic field sensor is arranged proximate to the at least one magneto-elastically active region for outputting a signal corresponding to a torque-induced magnetic flux emanating from the magnetically polarized region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Johannes Gieβibl
  • Patent number: 9151686
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing the noise in a signal from a torque sensor caused by near magnetic field sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventors: Ignazio Barraco, Assed Mir, Johannes Gieβibl
  • Patent number: 9048032
    Abstract: An electrical switch device has a contact system and a movable actuator for switching the contact system. The contact system resiliently preloads a sliding contact against a first fixed contact in a first switch position and against a second fixed contact in a second switch position. In case of pressurization, the actuator moves the sliding contact mainly linearly from the first switch position to the second switch position. In the first switch position, the actuator adjoins to a snap-action element having a stable position and actuates the latter from its stable position to an instable position when switching over to the second switch position, wherein the snap-action element returns to the stable position upon completion of pressurization by means of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexander Galea
  • Patent number: 8910536
    Abstract: A locking device for inhibiting the engagement of the reverse gear of a motor vehicle transmission has an inhibitor (2) arranged in a housing (1). The inhibitor (2) prevents the movement of a transmission part (15) of the transmission in a first position and permits the movement of the transmission part (15) in a second position. A sensor (8) for indicating the engaged reverse gear is further provided in the housing (1). The inhibitor (2) is axially movable in the housing (1) and follows the movement of a core part (3), which is likewise movable in the axial direction through a solenoid arrangement (18) provided in the housing (1). The coil (5) of the solenoid arrangement (18) surrounds the core part (3). The solenoid arrangement (18) is arranged in a chamber (9) of the housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Malta, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexander Galea
  • Publication number: 20140360285
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing the noise in a signal from a torque sensor caused by near magnetic field sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd.
    Inventors: Ignazio Barraco, Assed Mir, Johannes Gießibl
  • Publication number: 20140360282
    Abstract: A magneto elastic sensor having a longitudinally extending shaft like member which is subject to a load, is provided. A magneto-elastically active region is directly or indirectly attached to or forming a part of the member in such a manner that the mechanic stress is transmitted to the active region. A magnetically polarized region of the active region becomes increasingly helically shaped as the application stress increases. A magnetic field sensor means is arranged approximate the at least one magneto elastically region for outputting a signal corresponding to a stress induced magnetic flux emanating from the magnetically polarized region. The magnetic sensor means is configured for determination of a shear stress and/or of a tensile or compressive stress. In particular, the sensor means comprises at least one direction sensitive magnetic field sensor, which is arranged having a predetermined and fixed spatial coordination with the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd
    Inventor: Johannes GIEßIBL