Patents by Inventor Garret Achenbach

Garret Achenbach 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).

  • Publication number: 20230421907
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board having an imager disposed thereat. The vehicular camera module includes a housing having an upper cover and a lower cover that are joined together. Electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board of the main circuit board includes an image processor. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main printed circuit board of the main circuit board includes an electrical connector configured for electrical connection to a connector of a vehicular wire harness. With the imager operated to capture image data, captured image data is provided via a flexible ribbon cable to the electronic circuitry disposed at the main printed circuit board of the main circuit board. The imager is disposed within a rear portion of the housing and is not accommodated within a front portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 11758274
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable. Electronic circuitry disposed at a main PCB of the main circuit board includes an image processor. With the imager operated to capture image data, captured image data is provided via the flexible ribbon cable to the electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB of the main circuit board. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB of the main circuit board includes an electrical connector configured for electrical connection to a connector of a vehicular wire harness. Electrical components disposed at a first side of the main PCB of the main circuit board, electrical components disposed at a second side of the main PCB of the main circuit board, and the electrical connector are electrically operatively coupled together by conductive traces and vias of the main PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20220124235
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable. Electronic circuitry disposed at a main PCB of the main circuit board includes an image processor. With the imager operated to capture image data, captured image data is provided via the flexible ribbon cable to the electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB of the main circuit board. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB of the main circuit board includes an electrical connector configured for electrical connection to a connector of a vehicular wire harness. Electrical components disposed at a first side of the main PCB of the main circuit board, electrical components disposed at a second side of the main PCB of the main circuit board, and the electrical connector are electrically operatively coupled together by conductive traces and vias of the main PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 11212453
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable, an imager disposed on the imager circuit board, a housing, and a lens barrel accommodating at least one lens. Image data captured by the imager is provided via the flexible ribbon cable to circuitry disposed at a main PCB of the main circuit board. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is disposed within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The lens barrel, as disposed at the camera module, is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB of the main circuit board. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB includes an electrical socket connector for electrical connection to a plug connector of a vehicular wire harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONCS INC.
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 10946812
    Abstract: A method for assembling a vehicular camera module includes providing an imager circuit board and a lens holder. The lens holder includes a lens holding portion and an attaching portion, with the lens holding portion accommodating a lens. The attaching portion of the lens holder includes pins that, when the attaching portion is located at the imager circuit board, are received at least partially through apertures of the imager circuit board. With the pins received at least partially through the apertures, the lens holder is laterally adjusted relative to the imager circuit board and the pins are soldered at the imager circuit board so as to attach the lens holder at the imager circuit board to form an imager assembly. The imager assembly is attached at a camera housing, and a processing circuit board is accommodated at the camera housing and electrically connected to the imager circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Devota, Garret Achenbach, David F. Olson, Matthew C. Sesti, John R. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20200404138
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board via a flexible ribbon cable, an imager disposed on the imager circuit board, a housing, and a lens barrel accommodating at least one lens. Image data captured by the imager is provided via the flexible ribbon cable to circuitry disposed at a main PCB of the main circuit board. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is disposed within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The lens barrel, as disposed at the camera module, is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB of the main circuit board. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main PCB includes an electrical socket connector for electrical connection to a plug connector of a vehicular wire harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 10771708
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses a lens barrel, a lens holder, a main circuit board, and an imager disposed on an imager circuit board that is electrically connected with the main circuit board. The main circuit board includes a main PCB and the imager circuit board includes an imager PCB. Circuitry disposed at the main PCB includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the imager. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The imager views exterior of the housing via an opening of the upper cover at the rear portion of the housing, and the lens barrel extends through the opening. The lens barrel is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20200172021
    Abstract: A method for assembling a vehicular camera module includes providing an imager circuit board and a lens holder. The lens holder includes a lens holding portion and an attaching portion, with the lens holding portion accommodating a lens. The attaching portion of the lens holder includes pins that, when the attaching portion is located at the imager circuit board, are received at least partially through apertures of the imager circuit board. With the pins received at least partially through the apertures, the lens holder is laterally adjusted relative to the imager circuit board and the pins are soldered at the imager circuit board so as to attach the lens holder at the imager circuit board to form an imager assembly. The imager assembly is attached at a camera housing, and a processing circuit board is accommodated at the camera housing and electrically connected to the imager circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Robert A. Devota, Garret Achenbach, David F. Olson, Matthew C. Sesti, John R. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20200059585
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses a lens barrel, a lens holder, a main circuit board, and an imager disposed on an imager circuit board that is electrically connected with the main circuit board. The main circuit board includes a main PCB and the imager circuit board includes an imager PCB. Circuitry disposed at the main PCB includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the imager. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The imager views exterior of the housing via an opening of the upper cover at the rear portion of the housing, and the lens barrel extends through the opening. The lens barrel is tilted at an acute angle upward relative to the plane of the main PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 10549702
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing and an imager assembly having an imager, an imager circuit board and a lens holder. The imager is disposed at the imager circuit board. The lens holder includes a lens holding portion and an attaching portion, with the lens holding portion accommodating a lens. The attaching portion of the lens holder includes a plurality of pins that, when the attaching portion is mated with the circuit board, are received at least partially through apertures of the imager circuit board. With the pins received at least partially through the apertures, and with the lens focused and optically aligned with the imager at the imager circuit board, the pins are soldered at the imager circuit board so as to fixedly attach the lens holder at the imager circuit board to form the imager assembly. The imager assembly is attached at the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Devota, Garret Achenbach, David F. Olson, Matthew C. Sesti, John R. Garcia
  • Patent number: 10462375
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses an imager assembly and a main circuit board. The imager assembly includes an imager on an imager circuit board, a lens barrel, a lens holder and a flexible ribbon cable extending from the imager circuit board. The main circuit board has first circuitry disposed at a first planar side and second circuitry disposed at a second planar side. An electrical connector at the second planar side connects with an electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The imager views to exterior of the housing via an opening of the upper cover at the rear portion of the housing, and the lens barrel extends through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20190253595
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses an imager assembly and a main circuit board. The imager assembly includes an imager on an imager circuit board, a lens barrel, a lens holder and a flexible ribbon cable extending from the imager circuit board. The main circuit board has first circuitry disposed at a first planar side and second circuitry disposed at a second planar side. An electrical connector at the second planar side connects with an electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. The imager views to exterior of the housing via an opening of the upper cover at the rear portion of the housing, and the lens barrel extends through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 10277825
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses an imager assembly and a main circuit board. The imager assembly is attached at an upper cover of the housing, with a flexible ribbon cable extending from an imager circuit board. The main circuit board has first circuitry disposed at a first planar side and second circuitry, including an image processor, disposed at a second planar side. An electrical connector at the second planar side connects with an electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. A mounting bracket mounts the camera module at the windshield of the vehicle, with the imager viewing through a portion of the windshield in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20190118730
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing and an imager assembly having an imager, an imager circuit board and a lens holder. The imager is disposed at the imager circuit board. The lens holder includes a lens holding portion and an attaching portion, with the lens holding portion accommodating a lens. The attaching portion of the lens holder includes a plurality of pins that, when the attaching portion is mated with the circuit board, are received at least partially through apertures of the imager circuit board. With the pins received at least partially through the apertures, and with the lens focused and optically aligned with the imager at the imager circuit board, the pins are soldered at the imager circuit board so as to fixedly attach the lens holder at the imager circuit board to form the imager assembly. The imager assembly is attached at the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Magna Electronics Inc., a corporation of the State of Delaware
    Inventors: Robert A. Devota, Garret Achenbach, David F. Olson, Matthew C. Sesti, John R. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20190007591
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing that houses an imager assembly and a main circuit board. The imager assembly is attached at an upper cover of the housing, with a flexible ribbon cable extending from an imager circuit board. The main circuit board has first circuitry disposed at a first planar side and second circuitry, including an image processor, disposed at a second planar side. An electrical connector at the second planar side connects with an electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. The main circuit board is accommodated within front and rear portions of the housing, while the imager is accommodated within the rear portion and is not accommodated within the front portion. A mounting bracket mounts the camera module at the windshield of the vehicle, with the imager viewing through a portion of the windshield in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 10033934
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a camera, a flexible ribbon cable and a main PCB. The main PCB has a first planar side and an opposing second planar side. First circuitry is disposed at the first planar side and second circuitry is disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB. The main PCB at its second planar side includes a second electrical connector, which is configured for mating with a first electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. Image data provided via the flexible ribbon cable at least to the second circuitry disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB is processed by a digital image processor for at least one driving assist system of the vehicle. At least a portion of a lens barrel of the camera extends through an aperture of a housing portion of the camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Publication number: 20180152609
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera module having a camera, a flexible ribbon cable and a main PCB. The main PCB has a first planar side and an opposing second planar side. First circuitry is disposed at the first planar side and second circuitry is disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB. The main PCB at its second planar side includes a second electrical connector, which is configured for mating with a first electrical connector of the flexible ribbon cable. Image data provided via the flexible ribbon cable at least to the second circuitry disposed at the second planar side of the main PCB is processed by a digital image processor for at least one driving assist system of the vehicle. At least a portion of a lens barrel of the camera extends through an aperture of a housing portion of the camera module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, JR., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 9871971
    Abstract: A vehicle vision system includes a bracket, a stray light shield and a camera module. The bracket is configured to attach at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield. The light shield includes a base portion and side walls that extend upward from the base portion so as to establish a pocket. The camera module includes a camera having an image sensor array and a lens, and the camera module is configured to mount at the bracket. The stray light shield, when the camera module is mounted at the bracket attached at the windshield, shields the image sensor array from light emanating from within the cabin of the vehicle. At least the base portion of the stray light shield comprises light traps structurally established thereat and configured to reduce incidence of extraneous light at the image sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: MAGMA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen
  • Patent number: 9487159
    Abstract: A vehicle vision system includes a bracket having an attachment portion configured to attach at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield. The bracket includes a camera module attachment portion and at least one of (i) a rain sensor attachment portion and (ii) an interior rearview mirror assembly attachment portion. With the bracket attached at the windshield, a camera module is mountable to the bracket. When the camera module is mounted at the bracket attached at the in-cabin surface of the windshield, a stray light shield shields the image sensor array of the camera module from light emanating from within the vehicle cabin. At least when the camera module is mounted at the bracket attached at the windshield, the stray light shield is disposed at the camera module and a lens of the camera module views via the pocket through the windshield of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Garret Achenbach
  • Publication number: 20150015713
    Abstract: A vehicle vision system includes a bracket, a stray light shield and a camera module. The bracket is configured to attach at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield. The light shield includes a base portion and side walls that extend upward from the base portion so as to establish a pocket. The camera module includes a camera having an image sensor array and a lens, and the camera module is configured to mount at the bracket. The stray light shield, when the camera module is mounted at the bracket attached at the windshield, shields the image sensor array from light emanating from within the cabin of the vehicle. At least the base portion of the stray light shield comprises light traps structurally established thereat and configured to reduce incidence of extraneous light at the image sensor array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: MAGMA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Garret Achenbach, Ove Salomonsson, Tom H. Toma, Edward R. Ahlquist, Jr., Brian J. Winden, Christopher L. Van Dan Elzen