Patents by Inventor Brian M. Curtis
Brian M. Curtis 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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Patent number: 7503417Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. A plurality of weight sensors are used to measure the weight exerted by a seat occupant against a seat bottom and are used to determine center of gravity for the seat occupant. A seat belt force sensor is also used to assist in classifying the seat occupant. Compensation factors using the seat belt force and center of gravity information are used to generate an estimated weight value. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Harald Lichtinger, Brian M. Curtis, Robert Graf, Daniel Reich, Scott Morrell, Maria Kremer
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Patent number: 7478695Abstract: A motorcycle power transmission assembly including an engine, a transmission, a drive assembly, and a starter assembly. The engine includes a crankcase, and the transmission includes a transmission case coupled to the crankcase to define an engine-transmission assembly. The drive assembly includes a drive housing coupled to the engine-transmission assembly to define a drive chamber. The drive housing including an opening, and the drive assembly further includes a starter gear. The starter assembly is mounted to the drive housing and includes a nose portion that extends through the opening. The nose portion includes a pinion gear adapted to engage the starter gear.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Leppanen, Brian M. Curtis, Michael T. Arndt, Peter J. Duvernell, Michael Duley, John W. Schanz
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Patent number: 7234729Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian M. Curtis, Harald Lichtinger, Robert Graf
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Patent number: 7055400Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian M. Curtis, Harald Lichtinger, Robert Graf
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Patent number: 7048085Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. A plurality of weight sensors are used to measure the weight exerted by a seat occupant against a seat bottom and are used to determine center of gravity for the seat occupant. A seat belt force sensor is also used to assist in classifying the seat occupant. Compensation factors using the seat belt force and center of gravity information are used to generate an estimated weight value. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Harald Lichtinger, Brian M. Curtis, Robert Graf, Daniel Reich, Scott Morrell, Maria Kremer
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Patent number: 7047825Abstract: Weight sensor assemblies for measuring weight on a vehicle seat are mounted at the connecting points between a seat bottom frame and a seat mounting member. The weight sensor assemblies each include a beam member having a bendable center body portion for supporting a strain gage. The strain gage and associated traces are screen printed on the surface of the beam. The beam acts similar to a dual constrained cantilever beam, concentrating the bending at a reduced neck section that narrows in the middle of the center body portion. The strain gage measures strain resulting from bending in the center body portion caused by a weight force being applied against the seat.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2005Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian M. Curtis, Michael Baker
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Patent number: 6882281Abstract: Weight sensor assemblies for measuring weight on a vehicle seat are mounted at the connecting points between a seat bottom frame and a seat mounting member. The weight sensor assemblies each include a beam member having a bendable center body portion for supporting a stain gage. The strain gage and associated traces are screen printed on the surface of the beam. The beam acts similar to a dual constrained cantilever beam, concentrating the bending at a reduced neck section that narrows in the middle of the center body portion. The strain gage measures strain resulting from bending in the center body portion caused by a weight force being applied against the seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian M. Curtis, Michael Baker
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Patent number: 6860160Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian M. Curtis, Harold Lichtinger, Robert Graf
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Patent number: 6824165Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system includes a plurality of weight sensors that have a first end mounted to a seat riser and a second end mounted to a seat frame or track member. The weight sensors have a central bendable portion that extends between the first and second ends. A groove is formed in one of the external surfaces of the central bendable portion to localize strain. A full bridge strain gage assembly is mounted on a surface of each of the weight sensors, opposite from the groove, for generating a weight signal in response to measuring deflection of the central bendable portion. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the weight signals and an airbag control module communicates with the processor. The control module controls deployment force of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: Brian M. Curtis
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Patent number: 6804120Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting circuit boards together in a sensor assembly includes a connector that allows the circuit boards to be positioned generally perpendicular to each other. The connector includes a first end that is received within an opening formed at one edge of a main circuit board. A second end of the connector includes a resilient hook or clip that grippingly engages opposing sides of an auxiliary circuit board. The connector comprises an electrical contact between the main and auxiliary circuit boards. The perpendicular orientation of the auxiliary circuit board to the main circuit board allows for more compact packaging.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Jeffrey A. Clark, Brian M. Curtis
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Patent number: 6764094Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system includes a plurality of weight sensors that have a first end mounted to a seat riser and a second end mounted to a seat frame or track member. The weight sensors have a central bendable portion that extends between the first and second ends. A groove is formed in one of the external surfaces of the central bendable portion to localize strain. A full bridge strain gage assembly is mounted on a surface of each of the weight sensors, opposite from the groove, for generating a weight signal in response to measuring deflection of the central bendable portion. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the weight signals and an airbag control module communicates with the processor. The control module controls deployment force of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2000Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: Brian M. Curtis
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Patent number: 6759603Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly 12 is mounted to a vehicle base member 24 such as a riser or a vehicle floor. Weight sensor assemblies 32 for measuring weight on the vehicle seat are mounted to a seat structural component. The weight sensor assemblies 32 each include plate 44 having a bendable center body portion 46 for supporting a strain gage 48. The strain gage 48 measures bending in the center body portion 46 caused by normal weight force applications on the vehicle seat 12. A secondary resilient beam member 34 is mounted between each weight sensor 32 and the vehicle base member 24. The beam member 34 and the weight sensors 32 deflect to prevent failure of the weight sensors 32 in response to an overload force applied in an opposite direction to the direction of a normal weight force application. The beam member 34 prevents permanent deformation of the plate 44 and strain gage failure by allowing the weight sensor 32 to deflect upwardly away from the vehicle floor.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian M. Curtis, Jeffrey A. Clark
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Publication number: 20040025601Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Brian M. Curtis, Harald Lichtinger, Robert Graf
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Publication number: 20040016577Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. A plurality of weight sensors are used to measure the weight exerted by a seat occupant against a seat bottom and are used to determine center of gravity for the seat occupant. A seat belt force sensor is also used to assist in classifying the seat occupant. Compensation factors using the seat belt force and center of gravity information are used to generate an estimated weight value. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2003Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: Harald Lichtinger, Brian M. Curtis, Robert Graf, Daniel Reich, Scott Morrell, Maria Kremer
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Patent number: 6670560Abstract: A sensor assembly is used to measure the weight of an occupant seated on a vehicle seat. The sensor assembly is integrated into a bracket that is mounted between a seat structure such as a track assembly and a vehicle structure such as floor or riser. One bracket is mounted on an inboard side of the seat and a second bracket is mounted on an outboard side of the seat. Each bracket includes opposing end mounts that are mounted to the vehicle structure. Between the opposing ends, each bracket includes a pair of deflectable portions that define a mount interface for attachment to the seat structure. A central body extends between the deflectable portions to form unitary bracket member that includes the end mounts, the deflectable portions and the central body. A strain gage is mounted on each deflectable portion to measure the weight of the seat occupant.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: Brian M. Curtis
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Patent number: 6636792Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. A plurality of weight sensors are used to measure the weight exerted by a seat occupant against a seat bottom and are used to determine center of gravity for the seat occupant. A seat belt force sensor is also used to assist in classifying the seat occupant. Compensation factors using the seat belt force and center of gravity information are used to generate an estimated weight value. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Harald Lichtinger, Brian M. Curtis, Robert Graf, Daniel Reich, Scott Morrell, Maria Kremer
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Patent number: 6595545Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian M. Curtis, Harold Lichtinger, Robert Graf
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Publication number: 20030112607Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting circuit boards together in a sensor assembly includes a connector that allows the circuit boards to be positioned generally perpendicular to each other. The connector includes a first end that is received within an opening formed at one edge of a main circuit board. A second end of the connector includes a resilient hook or clip that grippingly engages opposing sides of an auxiliary circuit board. The connector comprises an electrical contact between the main and auxiliary circuit boards. The perpendicular orientation of the auxiliary circuit board to the main circuit board allows for more compact packaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Jeffrey A. Clark, Brian M. Curtis
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Publication number: 20030001367Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system includes a plurality of weight sensors that have a first end mounted to a seat riser and a second end mounted to a seat frame or track member. The weight sensors have a central bendable portion that extends between the first and second ends. A groove is formed in one of the external surfaces of the central bendable portion to localize strain. A full bridge strain gage assembly is mounted on a surface of each of the weight sensors, opposite from the groove, for generating a weight signal in response to measuring deflection of the central bendable portion. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the weight signals and an airbag control module communicates with the processor. The control module controls deployment force of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventor: Brian M. Curtis
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Patent number: 6494482Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system includes a plurality of weight sensors that have a first end mounted to a seat riser and a second end mounted to a seat frame or track member. The weight sensors have a central bendable portion that extends between the first and second ends. A groove is formed in one of the external surfaces of the central bendable portion to localize strain. A full bridge strain gage assembly is mounted on a surface of each of the weight sensors, opposite from the groove, for generating a weight signal in response to measuring deflection of the central bendable portion. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the weight signals and an airbag control module communicates with the processor. The control module controls deployment force of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: Brian M. Curtis