Patents Assigned to TRW
  • Patent number: 10418306
    Abstract: A thermal interface for positioning between an electronics packaging and a target object includes a pad having a first side facing one of the electronics packaging and the target object and a second side. Carbon fibers having varying lengths extend from the second side towards the other of the electronics packaging and the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Darryl Edwards
  • Patent number: 10410078
    Abstract: A method of processing an image includes a region of a highway in front of the vehicle captured using an imager having a two dimensional array of image capturing pixels. The array includes a first set of pixels substantially independent of hue and a second set of pixels dependent of a limited range of hues. The method further includes the steps of producing a first image where each pixel is assigned a value derived from the first set of pixels and producing a second image where each pixel is assigned a value derived from the first set of pixels and the second set of pixels. The method includes identifying-for at least one pixel in the first image a first intensity change value indicative of the difference between that pixel and at least one adjacent pixel identifying for a corresponding pixel in the second image a second intensity change value indicative of the difference between that pixel and at least one adjacent pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventor: Martin John Thompson
  • Patent number: 10391987
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle including providing a system having a plurality of brakes and a curve detecting mechanism. Each brake of the plurality of brakes is configured to slow rotation of a respective wheel. The method further includes detecting a curve in a forward travel path of the vehicle using the curve detecting mechanism. At least two brakes but fewer than all of the plurality of brakes are pre-filled in response to the detection of a curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVES U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Gregory O Lynch
  • Patent number: 10384635
    Abstract: A front airbag comprises a front wall (20) facing an associated occupant in the inflated state which front wall serves for cushioning the vehicle occupant and is secured to a peripheral wall of the front airbag (12). The front wall (20) is composed of at least two cut parts (28a, 28b) so that it is curved toward the vehicle occupant and is not adapted to be flatly spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Daniele Aranzulla, Martin Burkhardtsmaier, Lisa Stegmaier
  • Publication number: 20190248413
    Abstract: An absolute steering angle sensor includes a single main gear having first gear teeth with a first pitch, second gear teeth with a second pitch, wherein the first and second gear pitches are different. A first magnet gear is driven by the first gear teeth, wherein the first magnet gear has a first gear profile and a first diameter. A second magnet gear is driven by the second gear teeth, wherein the second magnet gear has a second gear profile and a second diameter. The first and second gear profiles are different, and the first and second diameters are different. A first magnet rotates with the first magnet gear and emits a first magnetic field, and a second magnet rotates with the second magnet gear and emits a second magnetic field. A sensor assembly measures strengths of the first and second magnetic fields and calculates an absolute steering angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Neuhaus, Vidya Sagar R. Mote
  • Patent number: 10378577
    Abstract: A telescopic steering column assembly comprising an upper shroud portion and a lower shroud portion is supported by the shroud portions through a support bearing assembly that acts between an upper portion of the telescopic steering shaft and a lower portion of the shroud that move relative to one another axially during telescopic adjustment, in which the support bearing assembly comprises: a set of bearings elements, a bearing cage comprising a sleeve that is located between an outer face of the upper shaft and an inner face of the lower shroud portion and is free to move axially relative to one of the upper shaft and the lower shroud, the cage including pockets that extend through the sleeve, each pocket loosely locating a bearing element such that a portion of the bearing element extends through the cage to engage with a first bearing race surface defined by one of the upper shaft and the shroud, an annular bearing race having a tapered second bearing race surface that engages the bearing elements located
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wilkes
  • Publication number: 20190241206
    Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided that is reach-adjustable. An inner shroud portion and outer shroud portion, which move telescopically relative to one another, each have an elongate slot, the slots at least partially overlapping at all times over the range of adjustment. An end stop extends through, and is movable within, both slots such that it strikes one end of each stop when the steering column assembly is fully retracted and the other end of each slot when the steering column assembly is fully extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: TRW Limited
    Inventor: Niclas Davies
  • Patent number: 10369954
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (18) for securing a gas generator (14) in an oscillating manner as a vibration-absorbing mass inside an airbag module (10). The invention is characterized in that a securing ring is provided for securing to the gas generator (14), said ring being open at least in sections in the radial direction by a continuous, radially outwardly directed annular gap and is provided with at least one axially oriented damping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Gregor Eck, Constantin Von Roden
  • Publication number: 20190232996
    Abstract: A steering column assembly is disclosed comprising a telescopic shroud having an outer shroud portion and an inner shroud portion with an end that extends into the outer shroud portion. A plate is fixed to the inner shroud portion and includes a slot that extends axially along the inner shroud portion. A block is releasably interlockable with the plate to prevent telescopic motion of the inner shroud portion relative to the outer shroud portion. The steering column assembly includes a clamp assembly operable between a clamped condition in which the outer shroud portion clamps around the inner shroud portion and an unclamped condition in which the outer shroud portion is unclamped from the inner shroud portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: TRW Limited
    Inventor: Niclas Davies
  • Patent number: 10365125
    Abstract: A rotary encoder assembly comprises an annular track comprising an alternating pattern of at least two different encoding regions; a first detector and a second detector each arranged to produce a respective alternating output signal as the track of encoding regions rotates about its axis past the detector, the combined values of the two output signals assuming a plurality of unique states with the states changing from one to another as the encoder rotates. A memory stores compensation values, each value being associated with a respective one of the possible state changes that can occur when the combined values of the two output signals change upon movement of the encoder track, and each indicative of an average error in the position at which the corresponding change of state occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Christopher David Dixon, Connel Brett Williams
  • Patent number: 10363902
    Abstract: A method for defeating a two-thief attack on a passive RKE system by using frequency hopping. Radio frequency signals are transmitted between a fob and a vehicle. The transmitted signals hop between at least two radio frequency transmitting channels in a particular pseudo-random pattern known to the vehicle. At the vehicle, the transmitted signals are received in a process that is sequentially adjusted to take account of the known characteristics of each portion of the known pattern. Anomalies in the pattern of the received signals are detected and, if the anomalies exceed permissible limits, access to said vehicle is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Xing Ping Lin
  • Publication number: 20190225256
    Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided that is secured to a vehicle body and includes a mounting bracket securable to the vehicle body and a support bracket secured to a steering column shroud. A breakaway capsule assembly with a frangible connector secures the support bracket to the mounting bracket, the frangible connector, in use, breaking to allow relative movement of the support bracket and the mounting bracket, in the event of a crash. The breakaway capsule assembly includes a fixing portion that overlaps and supports a corresponding portion of the support bracket, the fixing portion including an opening which is aligned with a corresponding opening in the support bracket, the frangible connector passing through and engaging the two aligned openings. A spring biases the fixing portion and the support bracket into engagement with each other to oppose any movement between the fixing portion and the support bracket in the axial direction of the frangible connector during use of the steering assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: TRW Steering Systems Poland SP Z.O.O.
    Inventors: Artur Wojtalik, Pawel Ponikiewski
  • Publication number: 20190226571
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering system. The gearbox assembly includes a housing, a worm shaft, and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing assembly and a tail bearing assembly. The tail bearing assembly at least is free to move relative to the housing, allowing the worm shaft to move radially away from the axis of the gear wheel. The worm shaft is enables to move normal to the worm shaft axis such that it can move in and out of meshing contact with the gear wheel. The assembly further includes a gripping means that acts between the tail bearing assembly and the housing such that torque transmitted through the gear wheel generates a friction force that locks the tail bearing assembly to prevent movement of the worm shaft normal to the worm shaft axis that would otherwise occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Michael Appleyard, Mark Anthony Wilkes
  • Patent number: 10358108
    Abstract: An adaptive deployable restraint element (10) for a vehicle safety system comprising at least two leg elements (11, 12) at least in portions arranged in V-shape relative to each other between which at least one cross brace (13, 14, 15) connecting the leg elements (11, 12) is arranged, wherein the leg elements and/or the cross brace (13, 14, 15) are/is inflatable. The invention further relates to an airbag module and an occupant safety system comprising such restraint element as well as to the use of the fin ray effect in an adaptive restraint element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas Kapfelsperger
  • Patent number: 10356307
    Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle includes a first lens connected to the vehicle. The first lens has a first field of view in which images are captured extending in front of the vehicle. A second lens is connected to the vehicle and has a second field of view in which images are captured different from the first field of view. The second field of view extends in front of the vehicle. A sensor is provided for measuring vehicle pitch. A controller is connected to the sensor and relies only on the first lens to capture images when the vehicle pitch is below a predetermined threshold. The controller relies only the second lens to capture images when the vehicle pitch is above the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Blake, III, Anthony L. Rivas
  • Publication number: 20190213340
    Abstract: A method of obscuring information carried visibly on a surface of an integrated circuit of an electronic device, the method comprising obscuring the information so as to replace the information with a visual representation of information relating to the device. Also, a method of controlling access to a first key which controls access to an electronic device, the method comprising storing an encrypted key, being the first key encrypted with a second key, as a visible representation on the device. The encrypted key can be stored in storage of the device such as non-volatile memory. Furthermore, a method of controlling access to a first key which controls access to an electronic device, in which the device comprises a processor having a full operating function set, the method comprising storing an encrypted key, being the first key encrypted with a second key, at the device in a manner that access to the encrypted key does not require the full operating function set of the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Martin John Thompson, Ian Richard Alan Hawkes
  • Patent number: 10345814
    Abstract: A control system which for use in a host motor vehicle is configured and intended for recognizing motor vehicles traveling ahead, to the side, and/or behind and preferably stationary objects situated ahead, based on surroundings data obtained from at least one surroundings sensor associated with the host motor vehicle. The at least one surroundings sensor is configured for providing an electronic controller of the control system with surroundings data that represent an area in front of the host motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Keller, Christian Goette, Torsten Bertram, Andreas Homann, Christian Wissing, Karl-Heinz Glander, Carsten Hass, Till Nattermann, Markus Buss
  • Patent number: 10343954
    Abstract: The invention relates to gas generating compositions for use in safety devices for vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to said compositions based on guanidine nitrate used in pedestrian protection devices. The composition substantially comprises 75 to 98% by weight of guanidine nitrate as fuel and 2 to 25% by weight of a burn accelerator selected from the group of the transition metal compounds, the metal nitrates, metal chlorates, metal perchlorates, ammonium perchlorate and mixtures thereof, wherein the transition metal compounds are selected from the compounds of the transition metals Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Zr and Mo and wherein the gas generating composition exhibits a burn rate of from 3 to 17 mm/s at 20 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Jorg Friedrich, Achim Hofmann, Karl-Heinz Rodig, Siegfried Zeuner
  • Patent number: 10348018
    Abstract: A fork type electrical connector for use in providing an electrical joint includes a first connector part having a body that supports two spaced prongs; a second connector part including a conductive element with a first face and a second opposing face and which is shaped so as to define a rail flanked on opposing sides by respective spaces; and a pair of outer legs which extends on opposite sides of the element containing the first face from a respective outer edge of a respective space. In a position of use, the prongs extend through respective spaces in the element with the inner edges engaging the edges of the rail to provide an electrically conductive connection and the outer edge of the prongs engaging the legs to apply a force to the prongs that resists the reaction force generated between the prong and the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Bryan Greenway, David Jonathon Coles
  • Patent number: D853290
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Guido Hirzmann, Marc Schledorn, Andreas Kurbos