Patents by Inventor Alain Fontanet
Alain Fontanet has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20210040782Abstract: A device for detecting the intention to lock or unlock a vehicle opening element integrated into a handle and including a housing, a variation in the position of a target occurring under pressure from a user on the handle. A primary coil has turns wound in a plane parallel to the plane of the surface of the target. A receiver secondary coil that receives a magnetic field induced by the primary coil and has its turns wound in a plane parallel to the plane of the turns of the primary coil and with the target at least partially intercalated between the primary and secondary coils when pressure is applied to the handle. A variation in the magnetic field received by the secondary coil is detected by a measurement device for measuring a parameter resulting from the voltage induced in the secondary coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2019Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Alain Fontanet, Armand Castandet
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Publication number: 20200400465Abstract: A method for defining a measurement range, called the useful span, of the inductive position sensor with emission of a cosine and sine signal by at least one first receiver winding and at least one second receiver winding, respectively. The cosine signal emitted by the one or more second receiver windings is taken as reference signal between the two sine and cosine signals for an adjustment of at least one parameter of the sine signal depending on a corresponding parameter of the cosine signal, at least one of the dimension and positioning parameters of the one or more first receiver windings being configured to generate a sine signal having the at least one parameter of the sine signal adjusted with respect to the cosine signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2018Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicants: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Alain FONTANET
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Patent number: 10816364Abstract: An inductive position sensor including at least two secondary windings consisting of a plurality of turns that are formed on two opposite faces of a printed circuit board and divided into first and second sectors. The first and second sectors are divided, in one turn width, into a first portion on one face of the printed circuit board and a second portion on an opposite face. The second portion of the first sector is extended by a first portion of the second sector and the first portion of the first sector is connected to the second portion of the second sector of a neighboring turn. The portions are connected pairwise by a respective via passing through the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Alain Fontanet
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Publication number: 20200173812Abstract: An inductive position sensor including at least two secondary windings consisting of a plurality of turns that are formed on two opposite faces of a printed circuit board and divided into first and second sectors. The first and second sectors are divided, in one turn width, into a first portion on one face of the printed circuit board and a second portion on an opposite face. The second portion of the first sector is extended by a first portion of the second sector and the first portion of the first sector is connected to the second portion of the second sector of a neighboring turn. The portions are connected pairwise by a respective via passing through the printed circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2018Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventor: Alain Fontanet
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Patent number: 10527459Abstract: This inductive position sensor is designed to measure the angular position of a shaft or the like and includes a support on which are realized, on the one hand, a primary winding, and on the other hand, at least two secondary windings in phase opposition with respect to each other. Each secondary winding is defined by a set of at least two loops in phase with each other. The secondary windings are connected in series and each arranged symmetrically with respect to a middle line so as to form each time a pattern on either side of this middle line, the two patterns having a separation between them in the area of said middle line. An assembly including such a sensor and a target with two oppositely directed helices.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Alain Fontanet, Jean-louis Roux
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Publication number: 20200003584Abstract: An inductive position sensor designed to measure the angular position of a shaft or the like and includes a support on which are realized, on the one hand, a primary winding, and on the other hand, at least two secondary windings in phase opposition with respect to each other. Each secondary winding is defined by a set of at least two loops in phase with each other. The secondary windings are connected in series and each arranged symmetrically with respect to a middle line so as to form each time a pattern on either side of this middle line, the two patterns having a separation between them in the area of said middle line. An assembly including such a sensor and a target with two oppositely directed helices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Alain Fontanet, Jean-louis Roux
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Patent number: 10502592Abstract: A device for the measurement of the angular position of a shaft, having: a support upon which a primary winding and at least two secondary windings in mutual phase opposition are configured, to form a first inductive positional sensor, and a second positional sensor having at least two secondary windings in mutual phase opposition and arranged on the same support, opposite the secondary windings of the first positional sensor with respect to a median line, such that a motif is formed in each case on either side of the median line, wherein the primary winding encloses all the secondary windings. A unit having a device of this type and a target having two helixes of opposing pitches.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Alain Fontanet, Jean-louis Roux
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Patent number: 10371498Abstract: Disclosed is a linear inductive sensor having, on the one hand, a fixed part of transformer type with a primary circuit and at least two secondary circuits, the primary circuit being flowed through by a high-frequency alternating current capable of inducing an electrical voltage in each of the at least two secondary circuits and, on the other hand, a moving part with a target intended to be fixed on a mechanical component executing a movement in rotation about an axis, which the inductive sensor measures angularly. The target is a metal spiral carried by a circular face of a ring having a central recess, the ring being intended to be fixed on the component while being concentric therewith, the spiral projecting axially from the ring while making at least one revolution around and moving away from the recess.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTICE GMBHInventors: Andreas Moser, Alain Fontanet, Simon-Didier Venzal
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Publication number: 20190234768Abstract: This inductive position sensor is designed to measure the angular position of a shaft or the like and includes a support on which are realized, on the one hand, a primary winding, and on the other hand, at least two secondary windings in phase opposition with respect to each other. Each secondary winding is defined by a set of at least two loops in phase with each other. The secondary windings are connected in series and each arranged symmetrically with respect to a middle line so as to form each time a pattern on either side of this middle line, the two patterns having a separation between them in the area of said middle line. An assembly including such a sensor and a target with two oppositely directed helices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2017Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Alain Fontanet, Jean-Louis Roux
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Publication number: 20190234769Abstract: A device for the measurement of the angular position of a shaft, having: a support upon which a primary winding and at least two secondary windings in mutual phase opposition are configured, to form a first inductive positional sensor, and a second positional sensor having at least two secondary windings in mutual phase opposition and arranged on the same support, opposite the secondary windings of the first positional sensor with respect to a median line, such that a motif is formed in each case on either side of the median line, wherein the primary winding encloses all the secondary windings. A unit having a device of this type and a target having two helixes of opposing pitches.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2017Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Alain Fontanet, Jean-louis Roux
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Patent number: 9835475Abstract: An inductive sensor for measuring the position of a shaft of a vehicle in a first direction (X) and a second direction (Y), from a target mounted on the shaft. The sensor (20) includes a printed circuit board (21) including at least one first receiving coil (23), at least one second receiving coil (24) and at least one transmitting coil (22) surrounding the first receiving coil and the second receiving coil. The first receiving coil and the second receiving coil each include a plurality of N portions (23A, 23B, 23C, 24A, 24B, 24C) that are electrically connected to one another and are disposed side by side on the printed circuit in the second direction, each portion extending on the printed circuit in the first direction in such a way as to determine the position of the target both in the first direction and in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Olivier Gerardiere, Alain Fontanet
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Publication number: 20170336192Abstract: Disclosed is a linear inductive sensor having, on the one hand, a fixed part of transformer type with a primary circuit and at least two secondary circuits, the primary circuit being flowed through by a high-frequency alternating current capable of inducing an electrical voltage in each of the at least two secondary circuits and, on the other hand, a moving part with a target intended to be fixed on a mechanical component executing a movement in rotation about an axis, which the inductive sensor measures angularly. The target is a metal spiral carried by a circular face of a ring having a central recess, the ring being intended to be fixed on the component while being concentric therewith, the spiral projecting axially from the ring while making at least one revolution around and moving away from the recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Andreas MOSER, Alain FONTANET, Simon-Didier VENZAL
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Patent number: 9671477Abstract: An inductive sensor (100) for a motor vehicle, includes: a field coil (101) designed to form an electromagnetic field, a coil (103) for measuring a magnetic field and designed to provide an output signal representative of the position of a metal target (102) in the magnetic field formed by the field coil (101), and at least two electric circuits (111) connected simultaneously in parallel to the terminals of the field coil (101), each electric circuit (111) including an inverter element (112) and a capacitive element (113), and forming, together with the field coil (101) an electric oscillator (110) designed to form an AC voltage at the terminals of the field coil (10) via electric resonance, the electric oscillators (110) being of the same resonance frequency.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Bertrand Vaysse, Alain Fontanet, Jeremie Blanc, Jean-Louis Roux
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Patent number: 9652916Abstract: A device (D?) for detecting the presence of a user includes: an electrode (12?), electrode control elements (13), and a low frequency antenna (11). The electrode (12?) is formed by a plurality of structural units (MA . . . MI), each structural unit (MA . . . MI) including: a conductive segment (A . . . I) defined by dimensions (Lx, lx, ex) and electrically connected at least to a conductive connection (CXY) defined by a position of connection with respect to the conductive segment (A . . . I). The structural units (MA . . . MI) are electrically interconnected by the conductive connections (CXY). At least two consecutive structural units (MA . . . MI) differ by: the dimensions (Lx, lx, ex) of the conductive segment (A . . . I) and/or the position of the conductive connection (CXY).Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Alain Fontanet, Xavier Hourne, Cyril Robin
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Publication number: 20160146637Abstract: An inductive sensor for measuring the position of a shaft of a vehicle in a first direction (X) and a second direction (Y), from a target mounted on the shaft. The sensor (20) includes a printed circuit board (21) including at least one first receiving coil (23), at least one second receiving coil (24) and at least one transmitting coil (22) surrounding the first receiving coil and the second receiving coil. The first receiving coil and the second receiving coil each include a plurality of N portions (23A, 23B, 23C, 24A, 24B, 24C) that are electrically connected to one another and are disposed side by side on the printed circuit in the second direction, each portion extending on the printed circuit in the first direction in such a way as to determine the position of the target both in the first direction and in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Olivier GERARDIERE, Alain FONTANET
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Patent number: 9322636Abstract: An inductive sensor includes a primary winding, two secondary windings and a moveable target, the primary winding being centered about a central axis and carrying a high-frequency alternating current which can induce a voltage in secondary windings, the secondary windings also being centered about the central axis and made up of a number k of substantially identical loops, which are successively crossed and arranged opposite the primary winding. In this case, the target is made up of a part having p=1 angular sector with an angular opening. The opening of the angular sector of the target is less than that of a loop of secondary winding with a deviation calculated such as to eliminate the fourth harmonic of the linearity deviation Fourier decomposition, between the measured angular value and real angular value for the position of the target over the measurement course.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventor: Alain Fontanet
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Patent number: 9228823Abstract: This inductive position sensor includes: a primary winding, and at least two secondary windings (4, 6) each constituted by several turns (8) produced on two layers of a printed circuit board. A secondary winding has turns (8) each having substantially the same shape, aligned in a direction referred to as longitudinal, each time with an offset between them. The turns (8) each have a first globally concave part (12) disposed on one layer of the printed circuit board and a second globally concave part (14) disposed on the other layer of the printed circuit board, the first part of a turn is connected to the second part of the same turn by a first via (36a) passing through the printed circuit board, the first part of a turn is connected to the second part of an adjacent turn by a second via (36b) passing through the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Alain Fontanet, Jean-Louis Roux, Olivier Gerardiere
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Patent number: 9121728Abstract: A device for measuring the position of a target includes a track, which includes a primary winding (513) supplied with an alternating current at high frequency, and a plurality of secondary windings (511, 512). The device measures the position of the leading edge (510) of the target (500) in a so-called longitudinal direction (5000) between a first position and a second position between which the target (500) completely covers the track (550). Surprisingly, this configuration enables a very significant increase in the useful measurement length of such a track (550).Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Bertrand Vaysse, Jérémie Blanc, Alain Fontanet, Jean-Louis Roux
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Publication number: 20150054617Abstract: A device (D?) for detecting the presence of a user includes: an electrode (12?), electrode control elements (13), and a low frequency antenna (11). The electrode (12?) is formed by a plurality of structural units (MA . . . MI), each structural unit (MA . . . MI) including: a conductive segment (A . . . I) defined by dimensions (Lx, lx, ex) and electrically connected at least to a conductive connection (CXY) defined by a position of connection with respect to the conductive segment (A . . . I). The structural units (MA . . . MI) are electrically interconnected by the conductive connections (CXY). At least two consecutive structural units (MA . . . MI) differ by: the dimensions (Lx, lx, ex) of the conductive segment (A . . . I) and/or the position of the conductive connection (CXY).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicants: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GmbH, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCEInventors: Alain FONTANET, Xavier HOURNE, Cyril ROBIN
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Publication number: 20140225600Abstract: This inductive position sensor includes: a primary winding, and at least two secondary windings (4, 6) each constituted by several turns (8) produced on two layers of a printed circuit board. A secondary winding has turns (8) each having substantially the same shape, aligned in a direction referred to as longitudinal, each time with an offset between them. The turns (8) each have a first globally concave part (12) disposed on one layer of the printed circuit board and a second globally concave part (14) disposed on the other layer of the printed circuit board, the first part of a turn is connected to the second part of the same turn by a first via (36a) passing through the printed circuit board, the first part of a turn is connected to the second part of an adjacent turn by a second via (36b) passing through the printed circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicants: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GmbH, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCEInventors: Alain FONTANET, Jean-Louis ROUX, Olivier GERARDIERE