Patents Assigned to TRW
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Patent number: 10490886Abstract: A mount for mounting an object, such as non-exclusively a radar sensor, on a surface, such as one of a vehicle, the mount comprising: a carrier; a fixed length strut which has a fixed length from a mounting point arranged to engage the surface and a pivot point about which it is mounted pivotally on the carrier; and two variable length struts, which each have a variable length from a mounting point arranged to engage the surface and a pivot point about which it is mounted pivotally on the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: TRW LimitedInventors: Robert Styles, Luke Keene
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Patent number: 10488738Abstract: An apparatus for moderating the environment of a driver assist camera comprises (a) a housing in which the driver assist camera is mountable and (b) a bracket configured and dimensioned to receive and retain the housing. The bracket when installed in a vehicle is attached to a window of the vehicle. A thermally conductive body is movably mounted on the bracket. The housing when being received in the bracket contacts and moves the thermally conductive body relative to the bracket so as to press the thermally conductive body against the window and permit heat from the housing to be conducted to the windshield, thereby moderating the environment of the driver assist camera when mounted in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventor: Juergen Schmidt
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Patent number: 10486634Abstract: The invention describes an airbag module (10) for attaching to an instrument panel, comprising an inflator (12), a fastening portion (36) which is arranged so that the airbag module (10) can be attached to the instrument panel via the fastening portion (36), a receiving portion (46) for an airbag as well as a holding portion (57) which serves for holding the inflator (12). The airbag module (10) has a support structure (16) including the fastening portion (36) and a housing (14) made from fabric material. The holding portion (57) is partially configured in a holding area (58) of the housing (14) which is opposed to the fastening portion (36) so that the inflator (12) is fastened from outside and extends at least partially into the receiving portion (46). The support structure (16) comprises at least one supporting portion (18) U-shaped in cross-section which at least partially encompasses the housing (14). In addition, the support structure (16) includes a peripheral frame (66).Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventor: Juergen Schmid
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Patent number: 10479289Abstract: A surround view system for a vehicle includes a plurality of brackets adjacent interior surfaces of windows of the vehicle. A plurality of camera assemblies are provided within the brackets. Each camera assembly includes a lens having a field of view extending through one of the windows for capturing images of a vehicle exterior. The images captured by the lenses through the windows are integrated together to form a 360° view of the vehicle exterior.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventors: Aaron M. Jefferson, Robert J. Newton, Sharath Reddy
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Patent number: 10483894Abstract: A control system for an electric motor (10) comprises a current sensing means (14) arranged to produce a current sensing output indicative of electric current in the motor, current control means (20) arranged to receive a current demand and to control voltages applied to the motor, and correction means (26) arranged to receive the current sensing output and the current demand, and use them to generate a correction signal. The current control means (20) is arranged to receive the correction signal and to use the correction signal to correct the voltages applied to the motor.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: TRW LIMITEDInventor: Christoper David Dixon
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Publication number: 20190346535Abstract: A method of operating a radar apparatus is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Applicant: TRW LimitedInventor: Martin John Thompson
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Publication number: 20190337557Abstract: A method of controlling an electric power assisted steering (EPS) system comprising one or more inverter bridges each connected to a multi-phase motor configured to provide power assist to steering of a vehicle, wherein each inverter comprises a plurality of switching elements each associated with a phase of the motor, the method comprising in response to detecting a predefined event affecting current flow in one or more of the inverter bridges, preventing current flow in said one or more affected inverters by applying a gate-source voltage to one or more of the switching elements of the affected inverter bridge(s), wherein the switching elements are configured to conduct in the off-state when reverse biased beyond a reverse conduction threshold voltage, and wherein applying the gate-source voltage comprises applying a negative gate-source voltage to control the reverse conduction threshold voltage of the switching elements in the off-state only at a time when there is no current flowing in the direction draiType: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicant: TRW LimitedInventors: Nathanael Rice, Tamas Terdy
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Patent number: 10464519Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a main airbag inflatable to cover a portion of a vehicle and to help provide protection from impacts with the covered portion of the vehicle, and an auxiliary airbag connected to the main airbag, the auxiliary airbag being inflatable to cover portions of the vehicle left uncovered by the main airbag. The auxiliary airbag includes a deployment portion and a restriction panel. The deployment portion is inflatable to extend from the main portion and having a first length. The restriction panel has a second length that is shorter than the first length. The restriction panel overlies the deployment portion and has opposite ends connected to opposite ends of the deployment panel. The deployment portion, when inflated, is configured to tension the restraining panel between the opposite ends of the deployment portion and position the restraining panel for receiving and absorbing impacts.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.Inventor: Young S. Kim
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Patent number: 10465811Abstract: A pressure relief valve for a fluid power assist steering system. The valve includes a housing and a spool disposed in the housing. The spool defines a cavity and has a first end and a second end. The spool is movable in the housing to limit an output pressure of the pump. A poppet seat is secured to the second end of the spool. A poppet is disposed in the cavity. A poppet spring biases the poppet into engagement with the poppet seat. A set screw is received in the first end of the spool. The set screw is rotatable relative to the spool to adjust a compression level of the poppet spring.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventor: Benjamin W. Schoon
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Patent number: 10457247Abstract: A belt buckle feeder comprises a stationary base (12) adapted to be fixedly mounted to the vehicle and a carriage (14) movable to a retracted position and to an extended position vis-à-vis the base (12), which carriage is connected to a belt buckle (20) via an intermediate plate (22) provided between the belt buckle (20) and the carriage (14). The intermediate plate (22) is tightly connected to the belt buckle (20) and there is provided a positive guidance by which the intermediate plate (22) is pivoted during traversing to the extended position by a predetermined degree vis-à-vis the carriage (14) so that in addition to the traversing movement of the carriage (14) along a tilting direction (N) the belt buckle (20) reversibly tilts from a home position to an inclined position.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Jens Klaassen, David Reich, Karsten Kortschack, Karl Birk
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Patent number: 10449960Abstract: A control system that is suitable for use in a host motor vehicle (10) is configured and intended for detecting (S100) another motor vehicle (20), using the road, located in front of the host motor vehicle (10) by means of the at least one surroundings sensor, determining (S106) a lateral movement of the other motor vehicle (20) relative to a lane (12, 16) in which the other motor vehicle (20) or the host motor vehicle (10) is present, and computing (S108) a movement-based likelihood of a lane change by the other motor vehicle (20), based on the determined lateral movement of the other motor vehicle (20).Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Martin Keller, Christian Goette, Torsten Bertram, Andreas Homann, Christian Wissing, Karl-Heinz Glander, Carsten Hass, Till Nattermann, Markus Buss
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Patent number: 10449990Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a clamp mechanism comprising a clamp pin that passes through an opening in a shroud of the steering column assembly and an opening in a bracket that supports the shroud of the steering column assembly. A first reaction member is secured to one end of the pin and a second reaction member secured to another end of the clamp pin, the reaction members defining a length of clamp pin between them that passes through the opening in the shroud and the opening in the support bracket. A cam mechanism has a fixed part and a moving part, each having an opening through which they are threaded onto the clamp pin between one of the reaction members and the support bracket.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: TRW LimitedInventors: Raghavendra Dasadi, Slawomir Kwasny
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Publication number: 20190316627Abstract: A torsion bar assembly comprises an input shaft, an output shaft, and a torsion bar that connects the input shaft to the output shaft. An end stop face on the input shaft that co-operates with a respective end stop face of the output shaft to limit an angular deflection of the torsion bar assembly in a first direction away from the neutral position and an end stop face on the input shaft that co-operates with a respective end stop face of the output shaft to limit an angular deflection of the torsion bar assembly in a second direction that opposes the first direction. A first alignment feature is provided at or close to the end of the input shaft nearest the output shaft and a second alignment feature is provided at or close to an end of the output shaft nearest to the input shaft, the first alignment feature facing the second alignment feature across a gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: TRW LimitedInventors: Stephen Butler, Jose Martins, James Stephen Ironside
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Patent number: 10442456Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly which includes an adjustable shroud that supports a steering column shaft, a support bracket that is fixed in position in the vehicle, and a clamp mechanism that selectively secures the shroud to the support bracket, the clamp mechanism comprising a fixed rack that is secured to the shroud or the bracket, and a moving rack that is movable towards and away from the fixed rack during operation of the clamp mechanism, in which the fixed rack comprises a support portion and at least one row of teeth which are carried by the support portion arranged spaced apart from one another, and the moving rack comprises a support portion and at least one row of teeth which are carried by the support portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TRW LimitedInventors: Niclas Davies, Michael Appleyard
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Patent number: 10447196Abstract: A motor bridge driver integrated circuit comprises a first set of input ports arranged to receive control signals from a first microprocessor, a second set of input ports arranged to receive control signals from a second microprocessor, and at least one set of output ports arranged to output motor phase switching signals to the switches of a motor bridge. A diagnostic circuit receives and monitors the control signals received from the two microprocessors and from those signals determines which microprocessor is to be treated as a master and which is to be treated as a slave at any given time by the motor bridge driver. An arbitration circuit selectively enables only the master microprocessor to the take control of the motor bridge at any given time while preventing the slave microprocessor from taking control of the motor bridge.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TRW LimitedInventor: Maciej Kudanowski
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Patent number: 10442460Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system includes an upper column shaft connected to a steering wheel, a lower column shaft connected to road wheels, a torsion bar interconnecting the upper column shaft and the lower column shaft, and a processor that produces a torque signal indicative of torsion bar torque. An electric motor is connected to the lower column shaft, and a motor position sensor provides a motor position signal dependent on the angular position of the motor rotor that repeats after the motor rotates through an angular range. The processor determines a base motor position at start up by comparing the motor position signal with a signal from a sensor associated with the upper column shaft to determine three candidates and, during subsequent unpowered motion of the steering system rules out two candidates until only one plausible candidate for the base motor position remains.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TRW LIMITEDInventor: James Owen Patrick Farrelly
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Patent number: 10434954Abstract: A mounting arrangement for securing a housing to a windshield of the vehicle includes a mounting bracket having a plurality of keyhole slots, each having a receiving opening at one end of the keyhole slot, a locking recess at another end of the keyhole slot, and a ramp connecting the receiving opening with the locking recess. A plurality of mounting posts each including a base portion, a head portion, and a collar portion are mounted to the windshield and positioned to align with associated keyhole slots in the mounting bracket. The keyhole slots and the mounting posts are arranged such that the head portion of each mounting post is received into the receiving opening of its associate keyhole slot, slidable up the ramp of its associated keyhole slot, and lockable into the locking recess of its associated keyhole slot. The housing is attachable to the mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventor: Michael A. Hart
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Patent number: 10438073Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting the departure of a vehicle from a set of land boundaries. A boundary determination component is configured to determine an associated set of lane boundaries for a vehicle. A kinematic sensor is configured to measure at least one kinematic parameter associated with the vehicle. A lane departure warning system is configured to determine if the vehicle is crossing one of the determined set of lane boundaries from the at least one kinematic parameter and provide a response signal if the vehicle is crossing one of the determined set of lane boundaries.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventors: Mike Babala, Gordon M. Thomas
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Patent number: 10427641Abstract: The invention relates to a belt retractor comprising a signal transmitter ring (6) for a magnetic sensor (34), comprising a hub (14) which is connected to the belt reel in a rotationally fixed manner and comprising a signal transmitter portion (20) exhibiting periodically varying material properties when viewed in the circumferential direction, wherein the signal transmitter portion includes a stop (30) by which it abuts against a contact surface (32) associated therewith, and comprising a spring portion (18) acting on the signal transmitter portion relative to the hub so that the stop abuts against the contact surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventor: Wolfgang Holbein
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Publication number: 20190293797Abstract: A 3D imaging system includes a light source arranged to illuminate a scene with at least one optical pulse including light of at least two discrete wavelengths; an optical detector including an array of detection elements; and an optical modulator interposed in the optical path between the scene and the optical detector, the modulator being arranged to differentially amplitude modulate the two wavelengths in the reflected portion of the optical pulse as a function of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Applicant: TRW LimitedInventors: Adam John Heenan, Martin Thompson, Roger Hazelden, Rob Pinnock