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: 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: 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: 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: 10488278
    Abstract: A sensor is configured to detect a tensile, compressive and/or bending forces acting on a carrier (1, 1?) of the sensor. The carrier (1,1?) has at least one planar magnetizable surface (2). The sensor (13) comprises at least two sensor coils (12, 15) which are arranged at a predetermined angle to a longitudinal axis (14) of the carrier (1, 1?). The sensor (13) may be positioned on either side of the carrier (1, 1?). The sensor (13) is capable of detecting changes of the magnetisation due to tensile, compressive and/or bending forces acting on the carrier (1, 1?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA LTD.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 10247578
    Abstract: A method of path measurement uses eddy current principles and a sensor which interacts with a measuring object. The sensor has an electrical connector and a sensor coil. In accordance with the method, an operating voltage is applied to the sensor such that a magnetic field is built up by an oscillator in cooperation with the sensor coil. A measuring object may be moved in the vicinity of the sensor coil through an opening in the sensor coil to produce field strength changes adjacent to the coil and the oscillator. The field strength changes are detected by an evaluation circuit and transmitted to a microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the signals of the evaluation circuit and provides the evaluation circuit with said signals via an output and protection circuit. The sensor coil consists of a plurality of windings constructed in a planar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA LTD.
    Inventors: Allen Carl Bonnici, Steve Zahra
  • Patent number: 10151652
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting an external magnetic field and/or a product-related magnetic field on a ferromagnetic component, which has a magnetization in the form of magnetic tracks. The apparatus comprises at least two magnetic field sensors which can detect an external magnetic field acting on the ferromagnetic component. Each magnetic field sensor comprises two coils, wherein each coil is assigned at least one magnetic track. Each two coils are configured so that they have a different sensitivity to one another, wherein one coil which has a higher sensitivity with respect to the other coil. The coil having the higher sensitivity ensures that the effect of an external magnetic field is amplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA LTD.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 9958295
    Abstract: A device compensates for the an influence of a magnetic field gradient which may be generated due to a component geometry of a component (1). The device includes at least two magnetic field sensors (17, 18) which are arranged outside of the magnetic balance of the ferromagnetic component (1). The at least two magnetic field sensors (17, 18) each have a differing sensitivity. One of the magnetic field sensors (17, 18) is exposed to the influence of the magnetic field gradient to a greater extent compared to the other magnetic field sensor due to its spatial arrangement relative to the ferromagnetic component (1). The one magnetic field sensor may have a sensitivity lower than the other magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA LTD.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 9683906
    Abstract: A device for determining an external magnetic influence has a component comprising ferromagnetic material and a magnetizable region comprising at least three opposing magnetic tracks. The at least three magnetic opposing magnetic tracks are magnetizable in opposite directions, form at least two groups, and are arranged axially relative to the component. A first magnetic field sensor for emitting a signal is arranged radially to the component and assigned to the first group. A second magnetic field sensor for emitting a signal is arranged radially to the component and assigned to the second group. Redundant magnetic field sensors, each configured for emitting a signal, may be arranged radially in relation to the component for each of the first and second groups. The signals of the first and the second sensors can be set in relation to each other and in relation to the signals of the redundant first and second sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA LTD.
    Inventor: Johannes Gieβibl