Patents by Inventor Harald Lichtinger
Harald Lichtinger 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: 7584667Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system is incorporated into a vehicle seat supported on inboard and outboard track assemblies. The inboard and outboard track assemblies are mounted to a vehicle structure such that a center track portion remains unsupported. A first sensor assembly is mounted to the inboard track assembly and a second sensor assembly is mounted to the outboard track assembly. The first sensor assembly generates a first signal in response to measuring deflection of the inboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. The second sensor assembly generates a second signal in response to measuring deflection of the outboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the first and second signals. The central processor communicates with the airbag system to control the deployment of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Harald Lichtinger, Ralf Oestreicher, Josef Dirmeyer
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Patent number: 7578198Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system is incorporated into a vehicle seat supported on inboard and outboard track assemblies. The inboard and outboard track assemblies are mounted to a vehicle structure such that a center track portion remains unsupported. A first sensor assembly is mounted to the inboard track assembly and a second sensor assembly is mounted to the outboard track assembly. The first sensor assembly generates a first signal in response to measuring deflection of the inboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. The second sensor assembly generates a second signal in response to measuring deflection of the outboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the first and second signals. The central processor communicates with the airbag system to control the deployment of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Harald Lichtinger, Ralf Oestreicher, Josef Dirmeyer
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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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Publication number: 20070228707Abstract: 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 7, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian Curtis, Harald Lichtinger, Robert Graf
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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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Publication number: 20060124377Abstract: 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: January 31, 2006Publication date: June 15, 2006Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Harald Lichtinger, Brian Curtis, Robert Graf, Daniel Reich, Scott Morrell, Maria Kremer
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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: 6988413Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system is incorporated into a vehicle seat supported on inboard and outboard track assemblies. The inboard and outboard track assemblies are mounted to a vehicle structure such that a center track portion remains unsupported. A first sensor assembly is mounted to the inboard track assembly and a second sensor assembly is mounted to the outboard track assembly. The first sensor assembly generates a first signal in response to measuring deflection of the inboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. The second sensor assembly generates a second signal in response to measuring deflection of the outboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the first and second signals. The central processor communicates with the airbag system to control the deployment of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Harald Lichtinger, Ralf Oestreicher, Josef Dirmeyer
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Publication number: 20050241872Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system is incorporated into a vehicle seat supported on inboard and outboard track assemblies. The inboard and outboard track assemblies are mounted to a vehicle structure such that a center track portion remains unsupported. A first sensor assembly is mounted to the inboard track assembly and a second sensor assembly is mounted to the outboard track assembly. The first sensor assembly generates a first signal in response to measuring deflection of the inboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. The second sensor assembly generates a second signal in response to measuring deflection of the outboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the first and second signals. The central processor communicates with the airbag system to control the deployment of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2005Publication date: November 3, 2005Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Harald Lichtinger, Ralf Oestreicher, Josef Dirmeyer
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Patent number: 6959779Abstract: An occupant restraint assembly and for a motor vehicle operates to sense the tension forces on a seat belt to detect the presence of a human occupant or a child restraint seat. A sensor attached to the seat belt measures tension forces. The sensor is mounted in line with the seat belt. A strain gauge senses tension on the seat belt. An additional embodiment of the sensor includes three prongs attached to a common beam that allow the sensor to be slipped onto the seat belt without modification to the seat belt. A middle prong includes the strain gauge to sense movement relative to outside prongs. The seat belt threads over the outside prongs and under the middle prong such that tension on the seat belt forces the middle prong transversely to tension exerted on the seat belt.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian Michael Curtis, Jeffrey A. Clark, Maria T. Kremer, Harald Lichtinger, Michael Allan Dingman
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Publication number: 20050097971Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system is incorporated into a vehicle seat supported on inboard and outboard track assemblies. The inboard and outboard track assemblies are mounted to a vehicle structure such that a center track portion remains unsupported. A first sensor assembly is mounted to the inboard track assembly and a second sensor assembly is mounted to the outboard track assembly. The first sensor assembly generates a first signal in response to measuring deflection of the inboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. The second sensor assembly generates a second signal in response to measuring deflection of the outboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the first and second signals. The central processor communicates with the airbag system to control the deployment of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2004Publication date: May 12, 2005Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Harald Lichtinger, Ralf Oestreicher, Josef Dirmeyer
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Publication number: 20050097972Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system is incorporated into a vehicle seat supported on inboard and outboard track assemblies. The inboard and outboard track assemblies are mounted to a vehicle structure such that a center track portion remains unsupported. A first sensor assembly is mounted to the inboard track assembly and a second sensor assembly is mounted to the outboard track assembly. The first sensor assembly generates a first signal in response to measuring deflection of the inboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. The second sensor assembly generates a second signal in response to measuring deflection of the outboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the first and second signals. The central processor communicates with the airbag system to control the deployment of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2004Publication date: May 12, 2005Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Harald Lichtinger, Ralf Oestreicher, Josef Dirmeyer
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Publication number: 20050087026Abstract: 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: November 19, 2004Publication date: April 28, 2005Applicant: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian Curtis, Harald Lichtinger, Robert Graf
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Publication number: 20050082802Abstract: 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: November 12, 2004Publication date: April 21, 2005Applicant: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventors: Brian Curtis, Harald Lichtinger, Robert Graf
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Patent number: 6877808Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a sensor assembly that is used to provide data for an occupant classification system. The data is used to determine such characteristics as seat occupant weight and position. These characteristics are used to control deployment of a safety restraint mechanism such as an airbag. The sensor assembly is part of a mat that is placed on top of a foam cushion used to form a seat bottom. Various attachment methods can be used to permanently secure the mat to the foam cushion. Preferably, the mat includes mounting portions that are wrapped around the foam cushion to engage a bottom surface of the foam cushion. Fasteners, adhesives, hook and loop attachments, and other similar attachment members are associated with the mounting portions and are used in various combinations to secure the mat to the foam cushion.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Harald Lichtinger, Dave Talbot, KunKun Singh, Predrag Janic
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Patent number: 6793032Abstract: A system for measuring seatbelt forces includes a guide that isolates a seatbelt force sensor 40 from input loads applied to the seatbelt at an angle. The system includes a rigid plate member 42 that supports the seatbelt force sensor 40, and which has one end attached to a portion of the seatbelt and an opposite end mounted to a guide bracket 70. The guide bracket 70 includes a pair of circular bosses 72 at one end for pivotally mounting the bracket 70 to a vehicle structure such as a B-pillar 68, for example. The bracket 70 guides the seatbelt in such a manner that input loads to the seatbelt that are applied at an angle do not affect the bending of the sensor 40.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Harald Lichtinger, Robert Graf
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Publication number: 20040049461Abstract: An occupant restraint assembly and for a motor vehicle operates to sense the tension forces on a seat belt to detect the presence of a human occupant or a child restraint seat. A sensor attached to the seat belt measures tension forces. The sensor is mounted in line with the seat belt. A strain gauge senses tension on the seat belt. An additional embodiment of the sensor includes three prongs attached to a common beam that allow the sensor to be slipped onto the seat belt without modification to the seat belt. A middle prong includes the strain gauge to sense movement relative to outside prongs. The seat belt threads over the outside prongs and under the middle prong such that tension on the seat belt forces the middle prong transversely to tension exerted on the seat belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive, Inc.Inventors: Brian Michael Curtis, Jeffrey A. Clark, Maria T. Kremer, Harald Lichtinger, Michael Allan Dingman
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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