Patents Assigned to Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
  • Mobile event triggering function for transit management system using traffic signal priority
    Patent number: 7269502
    Abstract: A traffic signal control method and system reduces the delay time of a transit vehicle at an intersection by incorporating an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system to trigger a traffic signal priority (TSP) strategy with a chain of mobile events to determine the correct timing, location, conditions, and/or other mobile events that may trigger a TSP action. The traffic signal control can also be used to notify vehicle status in passenger/traveler information systems such as street signs, to monitor the wait time at an intersection or bus stop, and in any application that relates to vehicle entry into a given location and a consequence of actions that may be associated with the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Kee Zhang, Timothy V. McLaren
  • Material for magneto-elastic transducer
    Publication number: 20070204703
    Abstract: A non-contact torque sensor assembly includes a torque transducer fabricated from a material that provides a high level of output in response to the shear stresses generated by the applied torque. The torque transducer is heat treated and cold worked to instill the desired magnetic anisotropy. The example torque transducer is fabricated from a steel alloy including between 17 and 35% chromium, 5 to 20% cobalt and the remainder iron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: David Cripe
  • Pump vapor deflector for fuel pump module assembly
    Patent number: 7263980
    Abstract: A fuel pump module assembly includes a fuel pump 10 having an inlet 16 and an outlet 17. The fuel pump 10 is constructed and arranged to send fuel from the outlet to an engine of a vehicle. The fuel pump has a vapor purge port 13 therein constructed and arranged to permit fuel vapor to exit the fuel pump generally downwardly. A pump filter 14 is disposed below the vapor purge port 13 and is associated with the inlet 16 of the fuel pump. The pump filter is constructed and arranged to filter fuel prior to entering the inlet. A vapor deflector 18 is associated with the vapor purge port 13 and is constructed and arranged to deflect vapor, which exits the vapor purge port, so as to continue to move generally downwardly but away from the pump filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery J. Milton
  • Method and apparatus for attaching sensors to a seat assembly
    Patent number: 7264309
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a sensor assembly that is used to provide data for an occupant classification system. The data is used to determine such characteristics as seat occupant weight and position. These characteristics are used to control deployment of a safety restraint mechanism such as an airbag. The sensor assembly is part of a mat that is placed on top of a foam cushion used to form a seat bottom. Fasteners are used to permanently attach the mat to the foam to restrict lateral and vertical movement of the mat relative to the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew F. Pinkos
  • Electronic compass and method of calibration
    Patent number: 7260896
    Abstract: An electronic compass assembly includes a first collection portion and a second collection portion that each collect magnetic field data. The magnetic field data collected by the second collection portion partially overlaps the magnetic field data collected by the first collection portion. A processor module determines a calibration output based upon the magnetic field data from the first collection portion if a first predetermined condition exists and determines the calibration output based upon magnetic field data from the second collection portion if a second predetermined condition exists. An example method for controlling the electronic compass includes calibrating the electronic compass based upon one of a first magnetic field data set or a second, partially overlapping magnetic field data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Fillatreau, Francois-Xavier Bernard
  • Connector overmold spacer
    Patent number: 7260891
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a terminal crimped to an electrical conductor. The terminal is retained in a terminal area of a connector housing. A cable seal is positioned within an opening of the connector housing that leads to the terminal area. A spacer at a rear side of the connector housing provides a mechanical barrier to prevent injected thermoplastics from entering the terminal area during an overmolding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Santo Padula
  • Fuel injector with a metering assembly having a polymeric support member which has an external surface secured to a bore of a polymeric housing and a guide member that is disposed in the polymeric support member
    Patent number: 7258281
    Abstract: A fuel injector is described that includes a polymeric housing, pole piece, filter assembly, coil assembly, spring member, armature assembly and metering assembly. The polymeric housing has a passageway extending between an inlet and an outlet along a longitudinal axis. The pole piece is disposed in the passageway. The metering assembly is secured to the polymeric housing proximate the outlet. The metering assembly has a guide member to guide a closure member through an aperture and along the longitudinal axis. The guide member may be cup-shaped and include offset apertures to allow fuel to travel along the passageway toward the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Fuel injector with a metering assembly having a seat molded to a polymeric support member
    Patent number: 7258284
    Abstract: A fuel injector is described that includes a polymeric housing, pole piece, filter assembly, coil assembly, spring member, armature assembly and metering assembly. The polymeric housing has a passageway extending between an inlet and an outlet along a longitudinal axis. The pole piece is disposed in the passageway. The metering assembly is secured to the polymeric housing proximate the outlet. The metering assembly has an O-ring disposed between a seat molded to a polymeric support member. The polymeric support member includes a peripheral portion bonded to the polymeric housing proximate the outlet. A method of sealing a fuel injector outlet end is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Modular fuel injector with a spiral damper member and method of reducing noise
    Patent number: 7258287
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a body, filter, and damper member. The body extends along a longitudinal axis between an inlet end and an outlet end with a flow passage extending therebetween. The filter is disposed in the flow passage proximate the inlet end. The damper member extends from a first terminus to a second terminus. The first terminus is proximal to the longitudinal axis, and the second terminus is distal to the longitudinal axis. The damper member extends from the first terminus about the longitudinal axis towards the second terminus in a generally circular path to define an aperture that permits fluid communication between inlet end and the filter. The damper member is secured to the flow passage between the inlet end and the filter. A damper member is also shown and described. A method of reducing sound in the valve group subassembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Yong D. Cho, Zeki Alyanak
  • Bi-directional electric motor with endplay structure
    Patent number: 7258036
    Abstract: An endplay structure is provided for controlling endplay of a shaft 25 of a motor 19. The endplay structure includes a body 22 including a generally elliptically shaped recess 26 therein. The recess is constructed and arranged to be disposed generally adjacent to an end of the shaft. An engagement member 28 has a generally spherical portion constructed and arranged to be received in a press-fit arrangement with the recess. The engagement member has a surface 32 constructed and arranged to contact the end of the shaft. Whereby, when the surface of the engagement member is contacted by the end of the shaft, the spherical portion of the engagement member is press-fitted into the recess to control endplay of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: JonYeon Oh, Barry Anderson
  • Single mold active speed sensor
    Publication number: 20070187869
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a Hall-effect sensor and an integrated circuit that are encapsulated with an encapsulating material. The Hall-effect sensor and integrated circuit are held in place during filling of the cavity by a retractable slide. Once the cavity is filled such that the encapsulating material can support the internal components in a desired position, the retractable slide is removed from the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: John Bierslaker, Michael Le-Bian
  • Apparatus and method of making a compound-angled orifice in a disc for a fuel injector
    Patent number: 7255033
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for piercing a metering disc from a workpiece of a fuel injector. The metering disc includes first and second surfaces that extend substantially parallel to a base plane. The first and second surfaces are spaced along a longitudinal axis that extends orthogonal with respect to the base plane. The apparatus includes a piercing tool that extends along a tool axis, a planar coordinate positioning mechanism, and a spherical coordinate positioning mechanism. The piercing tool is adapted to penetrate the workpiece. The planar coordinate positioning mechanism displaces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piercing tool relative to the workpiece. And the spherical coordinate positioning mechanism pivots about the tool axis relative at least one of three axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Multilayer fuel module flange
    Patent number: 7255092
    Abstract: A flange 10 is provided for a fuel pump module for a vehicle. The flange includes a first portion 12 of acetal material and a second portion 14 of an acid resistant material provided directly over at least certain regions of the first portion 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery John Milton
  • Satellite sensor housing
    Patent number: 7246678
    Abstract: A satellite sensor assembly includes a plastic sensor housing that is mounted to a vehicle structure comprised of sheet metal. The sensor housing includes a transversely extending tab that is received within an opening formed in the sheet metal. The tab includes a pair of crush ribs that extend along the length of the tab. The ribs deform as the tab is inserted through the opening to achieve an interference fit. The inference fit serves to hold the housing in place until the housing can be separately fastened to the sheet metal with a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew J. Wisniewski
  • Electronic compass and method of controlling an electronic compass using independent calibration and compass heading modules
    Patent number: 7248983
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic compass includes receiving raw magnetic field data into a calibration module and determining a calibration output based upon the raw magnetic field data. The raw magnetic field data is also received into a compass heading module for determining compass heading outputs based upon the raw magnetic field data. The calibration module filters the raw magnetic field data and validates the calibration outputs independently from output data filtering and results validation in the compass heading module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Fillatreau, Francois-Xavier Bernard
  • Receiver for different frequencies and modulations
    Publication number: 20070164876
    Abstract: An example wireless communication system receives signals from several wireless systems such as for example a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system, a remote keyless entry (RKE) system, and a passive start and entry (PASE) system. Each of the systems provides different signals of different frequencies and modulations. The example receiver includes multiple channels that correspond to the signals from each of the example systems. Each of the channels is operable concurrently to monitor and receive signals from each of the system according to a desired hierarchy. The multiple channels eliminate transmission collisions between signals from the different systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Ostrander, David Reimus, Tejas Desai
  • Generated pointer image for an instrument cluster display
    Publication number: 20070157745
    Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly includes a pointer assembly that generates a pointer image that moves along the scale to point to a portion of the scale that corresponds with the measured parameter. The pointer assembly projects the pointer image such that a solid pointer is not required and therefore does not obstruct any portion of the dial face. The pointer image tracks along the oval shape of the scale without the limitations imposed on a physical pointer rotated about a fixed central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Takato, Vyacheslav Birman, Werner Eckardt
  • Illumination change instrument cluster
    Publication number: 20070159805
    Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly includes a dial face having a pointer assembly for indicating a specific measured perimeter. The pointer assembly includes an inner portion and an outer portion that are selectively and independently illuminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Takato
  • Communication method for remote keyless entry system
    Publication number: 20070160206
    Abstract: A system and method provides a wireless link that is adaptive to the current electronic environment. An electronic control unit monitors signals that are proximate the vehicle that make up the current electronic environment. The electronic control unit evaluates these signals along with any other signals proximate the vehicle. The evaluation of the signals includes the determination of a best signal modulation and strength that would best avoid potential interferences with the other signals. The determined transmission protocol is sent in the prompt signal to an authentication device. The authentication device in return transmits the identifier signal according to the determined transmission protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Ostrander, David Reimus, Tejas Desai
  • Instrument cluster display
    Publication number: 20070157869
    Abstract: A dial gauge assembly includes a first pointer driven by a first motor and a second pointer that is driven by a second motor that rotates independently about a common axis. A first pointer rotates about an axis of rotation to indicate on the outer scale and a second pointer rotates about the same axis of rotation to indicate on the inner scale. The first pointer is mounted directly to a shaft of the first motor and the second pointer is mounted directly to a second shaft of the second motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Takato