Hall Effect Patents (Class 324/207.2)
  • Patent number: 10725492
    Abstract: An operation device includes an operation body, a support body, and an operational feeling variable unit; wherein the operational feeling variable unit includes a movable load applying mechanism and a magnetic click mechanism; the movable load applying mechanism includes a movable member, a magnetic generating mechanism including a first coil and a first yoke, and a magnetic viscous fluid configured to change in viscosity according to a strength of a magnetic field; wherein the magnetic viscous fluid is filled in a first gap between the first yoke and the movable member; the magnetic click mechanism includes a first magnetic body configured to move in an interlocked manner with the motion of the operation body, and a second magnetic body facing the first magnetic body. The first magnetic body and/or the second magnetic body are magnetized such that different magnetic poles alternate along a movement direction of the operation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunari Takahashi, Atsushi Goto
  • Patent number: 10720274
    Abstract: A control device includes a moving portion, a magnetic element coupled to the moving portion, at least one magnetic sensing circuit responsive to magnetic fields, and at least one magnetic flux pipe structure. The magnetic element may comprise alternating positive and negative sections configured to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic element may be any shape, such as circular, linear, etc. The magnetic sensing circuit may be radially offset from the magnetic element, and the magnetic flux pipe structure may be configured to conduct the magnetic field generated by the magnetic element towards the magnetic sensing circuit. The magnetic element may generate the magnetic field in a first plane, and the magnetic sensing may be responsive to magnetic fields in a second direction that is angularly offset from the first plane. The magnetic flux pipe structure may redirect the magnetic field towards the magnetic sensing circuit in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Alexander Wade Gage, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., William Taylor Shivell
  • Patent number: 10701267
    Abstract: A position detection device including a magnetic detection unit, a magnet, and a calculation unit that calculates a position detection signal based on a signal of the magnetic detection unit is provided. The magnet and the magnetic detection unit are relatively movable while maintaining a predetermined interval. The magnetic detection unit has a longitudinal magnetic field detection unit that detects a magnetic field in a separating direction between the magnetic detection unit and the magnet, and has a transverse magnetic field detection unit that detects a magnetic field in a moving direction of the magnet 1. A calculation unit 5 calculates a position detection signal based on a signal of the transverse magnetic field detection unit and a signal of the longitudinal magnetic field detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masafumi Kimura
  • Patent number: 10691157
    Abstract: An operation lever of a work vehicle has the operation surface including: a connection portion; a front operation surface extending obliquely so that a height from a reference plane increases from the connection portion toward the forward side of the connection portion in a cross-sectional view including a front-rear directions and a front-side edge of the operation surface being defined as a front-side top portion; and a rear operation surface connected to the front operation surface, extending obliquely so that a height from the reference plane increases from the connection portion toward the backward side of the connection portion and a rear-side edge of the operation surface being defined as a rear-side top portion. A length in front-rear directions along the reference plane in the front operation surface is larger than a length in the front-rear directions along the reference plane in the rear operation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Shun Saito
  • Patent number: 10677270
    Abstract: In an interior of a cylinder tube of a fluid pressure cylinder, a piston unit is provided, which is displaced along an axial direction under the supply of a pressure fluid. The piston unit includes a disk shaped plate body, which is connected to one end of a piston rod, and a ring body connected to an outer edge portion of the plate body. The plate body is connected to the piston rod by plural second rivets, which are punched in an axial direction with respect to the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunaga Suzuki, Chiaki Fukui, Makoto Yaegashi
  • Patent number: 10670425
    Abstract: A system for determining angular position includes a dipole magnet having an axis of rotation, wherein the dipole magnet produces a magnetic field. A first magnetic field sensor produces a first output signal and a second magnetic field sensor produces a second output signal in response to the magnetic field. The magnetic field sensors are operated in a saturation mode in which the magnetic field sensors are largely insensitive to the field strength of the magnetic field. Thus, the first output signal is indicative of a first direction of the magnetic field and the second output signal is indicative of a second direction of the magnetic field. Methodology performed by a processing circuit entails combining the first and second output signals to obtain a rotation angle value of the magnet in which angular error from a stray magnetic field is substantially cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Jaap Ruigrok, Edwin Schapendonk, Marijn Nicolaas van Dongen
  • Patent number: 10654436
    Abstract: One example of a sliding device for a vehicle seat that can reduce false detection by a sensor is disclosed. The sliding device includes a fixed rail fixed to a vehicle; a movable rail, to which the vehicle seat is directly or indirectly fixed, that is slidable relative to the fixed rail; a mounting bracket having a fixed portion directly or indirectly fixed to the movable rail, and an extending portion extending from the fixed portion to a front side of the seat; a sensor fixed to the mounting bracket and displaced with the movable rail to detect a position of the movable rail; and a restrictor located closer to the front side of the seat than the fixed portion is. The restrictor restricts a displacement of the sensor by contacting the mounting bracket or the sensor when the extending portion is displaced in excess of a predefined extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Nagatani
  • Patent number: 10634190
    Abstract: A hub unit bearing includes: an outer ring member; an inner ring member; and a cage. The cage includes a large-diameter side annular portion, a small-diameter side annular portion, pillar portions which axially couple the large-diameter side annular portion and the small-diameter side annular portion, and pockets which are formed between the pillar portions adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction. The pillar portions are formed to be inclined from the small-diameter side annular portion toward the large-diameter side annular portion. An outer diameter surface of the small-diameter side annular portion is formed as a tapered surface which is diameter-expanded toward the large-diameter side annular portion. At least one of the outer diameter surface of the cage and an inner diameter surface of the cage is formed as a cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Masamitsu Watanabe, Tatsuo Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 10620229
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetic sense element for detecting an external magnetic field and a magnetic field source proximate the magnetic sense element for providing an internal magnetic field that is detectable by the magnetic sense element. The system selectively functions in-situ in either of an operational mode and a standstill mode. The magnetic sense elements detects the external magnetic field in the operational mode. The external magnetic field is not available for detection in the standstill mode, and the internal magnetic field is provided only when the system is in the standstill mode. The system further includes a processing circuit that processes an output signal produced by the magnetic sense element in response to the internal magnetic field to determine operability of the system and to detect failures within the entire signal processing chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Robert Meyer
  • Patent number: 10605624
    Abstract: A magnet-based angular displacement measuring system for detecting a rotational movement of a driveshaft. The magnet-based angular displacement measuring system includes the driveshaft which includes an axial first shaft end region. The axial first shaft end region includes a magnetically non-conductive material. An exciter unit is rotationally coupled to the axial first shaft end region of the driveshaft. A stationary sensor unit functionally cooperates with the exciter unit to detect a rotational movement of the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: FRABA B.V.
    Inventor: Martin Forthaus
  • Patent number: 10584756
    Abstract: Brake wear sensors for the brake disc stacks commonly used in aircraft brake systems are disclosed. An ultrasonic transducer is employed to transmit signals to a reflective surface and to receive the reflected signals in return. The time that elapses between the transmission of the ultrasonic signal and the reception of its reflection correlates with the separation between the transducer and the reflective surface. The reflective surface is operatively connected to a pressure plate of the associated brake disc stack such that, as the stack wears, the reflective surface is displaced along with the pressure plate. That displacement correlates with brake wear. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic brake wear detector is an independent unit mounted to the brake housing, while another embodiment includes the detector as an integral portion of a brake actuator connected to such housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Meggitt Aerospace Limited
    Inventors: John Wilkes, David Bateman
  • Patent number: 10571870
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an intelligent control method and system, and an intelligent monitoring system. One method comprises: acquiring an error value between a monitored parameter and a set parameter of a plant growth environment; adjusting a proportional gain, an integral gain, and a differential gain of a PID controller using a Q-Learning Algorithm; and outputting a control command that minimizes the error value based on the error value and the adjusted proportional gain, integral gain, and differential gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Zhang, Wenbo Li
  • Patent number: 10571305
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the position that a magnet has at a time of measurement relative to a row of sensors, wherein a first sensor signal is generated by the first sensor, the value of which depends on the position of the magnet relative to the first sensor, and a second sensor signal is generated by the second sensor, the value of which, depends on the position of the magnet relative to the second sensor. First, the value that the first sensor signal has generated is compared with a first reference value. Second, the value that the second sensor signal has generated is compared with a second reference value. A relative value is formed from the value that the first sensor signal and the value that the second sensor signal. Third, this relative value is compared with a third reference value. From these three steps, the leading signal is chosen to determine the position of the magnet relative to the row of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Sensors Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Voss, Oliver Borges, Armin Meisenberg, Axel Bartos
  • Patent number: 10571300
    Abstract: A magnet-based angular displacement measuring system for detecting a rotational movement of a driveshaft. The magnet-based angular displacement measuring system includes the driveshaft which includes an axial first shaft end region. The axial first shaft end region includes a magnetically non-conductive material. An exciter unit is rotationally coupled to the axial first shaft end region of the driveshaft. A stationary sensor unit functionally cooperates with the exciter unit to detect a rotational movement of the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: FRABA B.V.
    Inventor: Martin Forthaus
  • Patent number: 10564004
    Abstract: A magnetic proximity sensor includes first and second spaced wings. Each wing has a protrusion extending outwardly from an edge near or at a corner thereof. The protrusions face each other to provide a narrow gap area. A magnetic assembly secured to each of the wings extends across the gap and is spaced from the protrusions. A magnetic sensor element is disposed at the narrow gap area. The magnetic assembly projects magnetic flux toward the first wing. Magnetic flux passes via the first wing and the protrusion thereof and crosses the narrow gap area to the protrusion of the second wing. The second wing provides a return path for magnetic flux to the magnetic assembly. The magnetic proximity sensor senses decreased magnetic flux when a target approaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Turner
  • Patent number: 10553337
    Abstract: A magnet arrangement having at least one magnetic element providing a modulated magnetization in a first direction and an essentially constant magnetization in a second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 10539432
    Abstract: A sensor module may include a magnet with a magnetization in a first direction, and a sensor chip including a first sensing element and a second sensing element arranged on a plane defined by the sensor chip. The first direction may be substantially parallel to the main surface of the sensor chip. The first sensing element and the second sensing element may be sensitive to an in-plane component of a magnetic field along the first direction or may be sensitive to an in-plane component of the magnetic field perpendicular to the first direction. The first sensing element and the second sensing element may be positioned beyond an edge of the magnet along the first direction such that the first sensing element and the second sensing element protrude past the edge of the magnet along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Gernot Binder, Armin Satz
  • Patent number: 10494014
    Abstract: An aspect of a motor of the invention includes a rotor having a shaft, a stator, a bearing supporting the shaft, a cylindrical motor housing holding the stator and opening to one side, a bearing holder positioned on one side of the stator and holding the bearing, a control circuit board positioned on one side of the bearing holder, a rotation sensor attached to the control circuit board, a control circuit board housing positioned on one side of the motor housing and housing the control circuit board, a sensor magnet positioned closer to one side than the bearing and attached to the shaft, and a nonmagnetic contamination cover at least a part of which is positioned between the control circuit board and the bearing holder in the axial direction and which covers one side of the shaft, the bearing, and the sensor magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yamashita, Tomoyuki Kubota
  • Patent number: 10491084
    Abstract: Provided is a motor device that makes the influence of noise more equal between two signal processing circuits. A rotation angle sensor has a bias magnet, a magnetic sensor unit, a first signal processing circuit, and a second signal processing circuit. The first signal processing circuit is placed symmetrically with the second signal processing circuit in a longitudinal direction of a substrate with respect to the magnetic sensor unit located on a line extended from a central axis of a rotary shaft. An inverter is also placed symmetrically with an inverter in the longitudinal direction of the substrate with respect to the magnetic sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Ishikura, Tsutomu Hibi
  • Patent number: 10456923
    Abstract: A sensor includes a first support portion, a second support portion, an incremental encoder, a magnetic-flux generating source, and a magnetoelectric transducer. The incremental encoder includes a scale supported by the first support portion and a head supported by the second support portion. The magnetic-flux generating source is supported by one of the first support portion and the second support portion. The magnetoelectric transducer is supported by another of the first support portion and the second support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuuichi Sato
  • Patent number: 10451440
    Abstract: A device for detecting a position of a position indicator includes an electrical magnetic field source, a sensor and an evaluator. The electrical magnetic field source is configured to generate a magnetic field when an electrical current flows through the electrical magnetic field source. The sensor is configured to detect the magnetic field and provide sensor signals based on the magnetic field detected, the sensor having at least two sensors each of which is configured to detect a spatial direction component of the magnetic field and output a signal corresponding to the spatial direction component. The evaluator is configured to receive the sensor signals and determine the position of a position indicator based on the sensor signals when the magnetic field in the surroundings of the electrical magnetic field source is influenced by the position indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Michael Hackner, Hans-Peter Hohe
  • Patent number: 10451441
    Abstract: Provided is a magnet device for use with a position sensor. The magnet device has a magnetizing direction and has magnetic field intensity components in the magnetizing direction. The magnet device is formed with a groove recessed in the magnetizing direction, so that the magnetic field intensity components are substantially equal in the transverse direction of the magnetizing direction. The present invention further discloses a magnet assembly including the magnet device for use with a position sensor and a sensing system including the magnet assembly, particularly a neutral position sensor. The axial measuring length of a transmission shaft is prolonged with the length of the magnet device remains unchanged to meet the requirements of different customers, and the reliability of the sensing system is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., TE Connectivity Corporation
    Inventors: Salvador Hernandez-Oliver, Yao Zhou, Fei Lin
  • Patent number: 10447186
    Abstract: A motor control system for a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) uses two linear Hall devices to produce a first signal indicative of a strength of a first magnetic field component produced by a set of rotor magnets and to simultaneously produce a second signal indicative of a strength of second magnetic field component produced by the rotor magnets that is approximately orthogonal to the first magnetic field component. An angular position and angular velocity of the rotor is calculated based on the first signal and the second signal. A plurality of phase signals is produced based on the calculated angular position and angular velocity. Current in a plurality of field windings of the motor is controlled using the plurality of phase signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephen John Fedigan, Anuj Jain, David Patrick Magee
  • Patent number: 10436604
    Abstract: A position sensing system for measuring a position of a moving object includes a first magnetic sensor configured to measure an intensity of a magnetic field produced by the moving object. The system includes a controller configured to estimate a position of the moving object based on a nonlinear model of the magnetic field produced by the moving object as a function of position around the moving object, and based on the measured intensity of the magnetic field produced by the moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Rajesh Rajamani, Saber Taghvaeeyan
  • Patent number: 10429453
    Abstract: The magnetic sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having Hall elements on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate, an adhesive layer formed on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a magnetic flux converging plate formed on the adhesive layer. The magnetic flux converging plate is formed on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate through formation of the magnetic flux converging plate by electroplating on a base conductive layer formed on a plating substrate prepared separately from the semiconductor substrate, application of an adhesive for forming the adhesive layer onto a surface of the magnetic flux converging plate so that the magnetic flux converging plate adheres to the back surface of the semiconductor substrate, and peeling off of the plating substrate afterward from the base conductive layer formed on the magnetic flux converging plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventors: Takaaki Hioka, Mika Ebihara, Hiroshi Takahashi, Matsuo Kishi, Miei Takahama
  • Patent number: 10429452
    Abstract: A rotation detection device includes a rotatable body having a tooth tip and a tooth bottom on planes normal to a rotation axis direction, a magnet forming a magnetic field toward the tooth surfaces of the tooth tip and bottom, a magnetic detection element disposed between the rotatable body and the magnet and other than on the rotation axis of the rotatable body, and detecting the magnetic flux densities in the rotation axis direction of the rotatable body at at least two positions, and a magnetic sensor having a signal processor for calculating the rotation angle of the rotatable body according to difference between the magnetic flux densities in the rotation axis direction detected at two positions and difference between the magnetic flux densities in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction and a radial direction of the rotatable body detected at two positions by the magnetic detection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Melexis Technologies SA
    Inventor: Takumi Yoshiya
  • Patent number: 10422661
    Abstract: A device for measuring an angular position, comprising a rotating body (3) that oscillates relative to a supporting body (2) between two limit positions which are rotated one relative to the other by an angle of oscillation ? with amplitude that is less than or equal to 150°, a permanent magnet (5) that extends along an arc of extension that corresponds to an arc of a circle centred on the main axis of rotation (4), the arc of extension subtending an angle of extension ?, and a magnetic sensor (6) positioned eccentrically relative to the main axis of rotation (4); the permanent magnet (5) and the magnetic sensor (6) being fixed one to the rotating body (3) and the other to the supporting body (2), and always being magnetically coupled; the following relation applying between the angle of extension ? of the permanent magnet (5) and the angle of oscillation ?: ?>??30°, and the permanent magnet (5) being diametrally polarized and having a direction of polarization (12) that forms an angle that is less than
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: FAIST COMPONENTI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Elena Lucchi
  • Patent number: 10415999
    Abstract: Rotational angle sensor systems and methods are provided for detecting an angular position of a movable structure. The movable structure may be configured to rotate about an axis of rotation between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. A magnet may have a magnetic field pattern with a magnetic field orientation and an angle sensor may be configured to detect the magnetic field pattern and generate one or more signals, based on the magnetic field orientation, corresponding to a rotational position of the movable structure. Additionally, a first one of the magnet and the angle sensor is configured to rotate about the axis of rotation relative to a second one of the magnet and the angle sensor that is rotationally fixed such that the magnetic field orientation changes relative to the angle sensor as the movable structure rotates about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Leo Aichriedler, Peter Slama
  • Patent number: 10390788
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for operating an intra-oral imaging sensor that includes a housing, an image sensing component at least partially housed within the housing, and a temperature sensor. An output of the temperature indicative of a sensed temperature is received and evaluated to determine whether the intra-oral imaging sensor is positioned in the mouth of the patient. The determination of whether the temperature sensor may be based on one or more determined conditions including whether a current temperature exceeds a threshold, whether a first derivative of the sensed temperature exceeds a rate-of-change threshold, and whether a second derivative of the sensed temperature exceeds a temperature acceleration threshold. In some implementations, the operation of the intra-oral imaging sensor is automatically adjusted in response to a determination that the sensor has been placed inside the mouth of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: DENTAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott David Kravis, Leonid Khatutskiy, James Paul Frerichs, Adrian David French, Kyle Alan Pixton
  • Patent number: 10389195
    Abstract: A magnetic position sensing system includes at least one annular magnet mounted to a surface of a rotating body. The annular magnet includes a first end, a second end, an inner diameter surface, and an outer diameter surface. The inner diameter surface and outer diameter surface define a radial thickness therebetween, and the radial thickness varies from the first end to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Jagadeesh Kumar Tangudu, Andrew S. Babel
  • Patent number: 10371549
    Abstract: Provided herein are improved magnetic sensor systems for use in linear measurement systems. A magnetic sensor can be positioned offset from a center line positioned between two magnets. The two magnets can be oriented so as to provide opposite polarities. As the magnetic sensor traverses a path parallel to the magnets and parallel to the center line, the sensor can detect a magnetic flux density provided by the two magnets. Offsetting the magnetic sensor from the center line can improve the linear range of the magnetic sensor, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of an output signal generated by the magnetic sensor based on the detected magnetic flux density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: HAMLIN ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seong-Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 10365500
    Abstract: A lens driving device is provided, including a base, a holder, a first driving mechanism disposed on the first side of the base, a second driving mechanism disposed on the second side of the base opposite the first side, and a conductive member disposed on the base. The holder is configured to sustain a lens. The first driving mechanism is configured to force the holder to move along the optical axis of the lens. The second driving mechanism includes a circuit board assembly and a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire assembly configured to force the base to move in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The conductive member and the circuit board assembly are connected at an electrical connection point, and the SMA wire assembly is closer to the light-incident end of the lens with respect to the electrical connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chao-Chang Hu, Chen-Chi Kuo
  • Patent number: 10352994
    Abstract: A magnet assembly in an electric drive having a shaft. The assembly includes a permanent magnet bonded in plastic and having two protrusions. An adapter has two protrusions and two recesses. The end face of the shaft has two cavities, which receive the two adapter protrusions to mount the adapter to the shaft. The two protrusions of the magnet are received in the recesses in the adapter in order to mount the magnet to the adapter. In another embodiment the shaft has an outer circumferential surface. Here, the adapter has a recess of a first shape and a second recess for mounting the adapter onto the outer circumferential surface of the shaft and the permanent magnet has a protrusion shaped to mate with the first shape of the first recess in the adapter, and the first recess is configured to receive the protrusion to mount the magnet to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: BÃœHLER MOTOR GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Ahrens, Georg Bernreuther, Olaf Richter, Andreas Wall
  • Patent number: 10352681
    Abstract: To provide a displacement detection device that detects a displacement of a measuring object housed in a casing without changing the design of the casing or while suppressing the design change of the casing. A displacement detection device includes a pair of magnets arranged outside an injector body housing a needle with a space between the magnets and forming a magnetic field in the space, a soft magnetic material connected to the needle inside the injector body and displaced in accordance with the displacement of the needle and disposed in the magnetic field formed by the pair of magnets, and a sensor disposed outside the injector body and in the magnetic field formed by the pair of magnets, and detecting a change in magnetic flux density in accordance with the displacement of the soft magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventor: Takumi Yoshiya
  • Patent number: 10345091
    Abstract: A device has magnetic sensors and magnets in an array on a flexible substrate. Each magnetic sensor is sensitive to immediately proximate magnets. At least one controller evaluates magnetic sensor signals from the magnetic sensors produced in response to deformation of the flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: CROCUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Bertrand F. Cambou, Ljubisa Ristic, Jian Wu, Douglas Lee, Ted Stokes, Ken Mackay
  • Patent number: 10310026
    Abstract: Embodiments related to the generation of magnetic bias fields for magnetic sensing are described and depicted. In one embodiment, a sensor includes at least one magnetosensitive element, and a magnetic body with an opening, the magnetic body comprising magnetic material, the magnetic body having inclined surface sections shaped by the opening, wherein the sensor is arranged within the opening such that the magnetosensitive element is in lateral directions bounded by the inclined surface sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Tobias Werth, Klaus Elian, James Sterling
  • Patent number: 10288448
    Abstract: A displacement sensor includes first detection units that detect an amount of displacement of a same detection target, and are disposed such that detection surfaces for detecting the amount of displacement face each other; second detection units that detect an amount of displacement of the detection target which is the same as the detection target of the first detection units, and are disposed such that detection surfaces for detecting the amount of displacement face each other; and a lead frame including a main frame having one surface on which the first detection units are disposed and the other surface on which the second detection units are disposed, and a sub frame which is wire-bonded to electrodes provided on each detection surface of the first detection units and the pair of second detection units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Minoru Shinohara
  • Patent number: 10280587
    Abstract: An access cover to underground city infrastructure, particularly a cast iron or a cast iron-concrete cover provided with a cover detection sensor connected with a radio frequency signal transmitting antenna through a transmitter, characterized in that an antenna module (1) provided with a housing made of a material neutral to electromagnetic fields, preferably made of plastic, is installed in the through channel or hole (4) with variable cross-section, and removably fixed at the bottom to a sensor module (2) located underneath the bottom of the cover (3), provided with a battery powered, low current electronic system containing a radio transmitter and an acceleration sensor or a gyroscope and an appropriate controller which detects changes to the position of cover (3) in space and in time, whereby the surface area of the sensor module (2) is greater than the surface area of the through channel or hole (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Dariusz Nachyla
  • Patent number: 10266251
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator includes a ground arm, an output arm rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the ground arm and a position sensing arrangement to determine an angular position of the output arm relative to the ground arm. The position sensing arrangement includes a position sensor fixed at the ground arm. The position sensor is configured to sense magnetic reluctance. A sensed portion is located at the output arm proximate to the position sensor. The sensed portion includes a geometric variation in an output arm surface configured to vary a magnetic reluctance sensed at the position sensor as a function of angular position of the output arm relative to the ground arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Derick S. Balsiger, Parag M. Kshirsagar, Xin Wu
  • Patent number: 10267284
    Abstract: A system for enabling an engine to be safely cranked may include a single cranking relay configured to enable the engine to be cranked when activated, a contactless angle sensor for detecting a gear state of a transmission connected with the engine, and a controller. The controller may be configured to check the gear state of the transmission detected by the angle sensor and may allow for activation of the cranking relay when the gear state of the transmission is at one of a Neutral gear state or a Park gear state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephane Schuler
  • Patent number: 10260904
    Abstract: A position sensing system for measuring a position of a moving object includes a first magnetic sensor configured to measure an intensity of a magnetic field produced by the moving object. The system includes a controller configured to estimate a position of the moving object based on a nonlinear model of the magnetic field produced by the moving object as a function of position around the moving object, and based on the measured intensity of the magnetic field produced by the moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Rajesh Rajamani, Saber Taghvaeeyan
  • Patent number: 10222235
    Abstract: A position detector is disclosed that is capable of operating in an autonomous mode or non-autonomous mode. As an example, in the autonomous mode, the position detector is not supplied with external energy, but rather receives energy from a Wiegand module thereby enabling the position detector to obtain information about movement of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE. LIMITED
    Inventors: Walter Mehnert, Thomas Theil
  • Patent number: 10222236
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an absolute position sensor. In one example, the absolute position sensor includes a Wiegand module and a control electronic that enable the absolute position sensor to operate in either a non-autonomous mode or an autonomous mode. In the autonomous mode there is no external energy available and a position sensor is supplied with energy by the Wiegand module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE. LIMITED
    Inventors: Walter Mehnert, Thomas Theil
  • Patent number: 10213180
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for operating an intra-oral imaging sensor that includes a housing, an image sensing component at least partially housed within the housing, and a magnetometer at least partially housed within the housing. An output of the magnetometer indicative of an actual magnetic field that impinges the intra-oral imaging sensor is compared to data indicative of a first expected magnetic field. In response to determining, based on the comparison, that the actual magnetic field matches the first expected magnetic field, the electronic processor alters the operation of the imaging system. In some embodiments, the electronic processor causes the intra-oral imaging sensor to operate in a low-power state in response to determining that the actual magnetic field matches a first expected magnetic field indicative of placement of the intra-oral imaging sensor in an imaging sensor storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: DENTAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, TELEDYNE DALSA B.V.
    Inventors: Scott David Kravis, Leonid Khatutskiy, James Paul Frerichs, Adrian David French, Kyle Alan Pixton
  • Patent number: 10219344
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a first magnetic field sensor configured to sense a ring magnet, a second magnetic field sensor configured to sense the ring magnet and processing circuitry configured to receive a first signal from the first magnetic field sensor and to receive a second signal from the second magnetic field sensor. The processing circuitry is further configured to control an on/off state of at least one light emitting diode (LED) and brightness of the LED based on movement and position of the ring magnet with respect to the first and second magnetic field sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Manuel Rivas, Gerardo A. Monreal
  • Patent number: 10211392
    Abstract: A method of forming a 3D Hall effect sensor and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a p-type well in a substrate; forming a first n-type well in a first region surrounded by the p-type well in top view; forming a second n-type well in a second region surrounding the p-type well; implanting n-type dopant in the first and second n-type wells; and implanting p-type dopant in the p-type well and the first n-type well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Eng Huat Toh, Ruchil Kumar Jain, Yongshun Sun, Shyue Seng Tan
  • Patent number: 10209096
    Abstract: A rotation detecting device includes a plurality of magnetic field generating portions; a magnetic member; a coil wound around the magnetic member; and a magnetic field introducing portion. The magnetic field introducing portion introduces a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generating portion to pass through the magnetic member when the magnetic field generating portion passes through a specific location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: HIROSE ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Oyama, Atsushi Kasuga
  • Patent number: 10203221
    Abstract: A method for detecting a phase angle difference between a first periodic measurement signal and a second periodic measurement signal, wherein, for the purpose of determining a torque applied to a shaft, the two periodic measurement signals describe a rotation of the shaft at an axial distance from one another including superimposing a periodic auxiliary signal which simulates a previously known rotational speed for the shaft on the first periodic measurement signal in order to form a superimposition signal, and determining the phase angle difference on the basis of the superimposition signal and the second measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Udo Hilgenberg, Stephan Risch, Laszlo Boldizsar, Ulrich Stählin
  • Patent number: 10190889
    Abstract: The invention relates to a counting sensor for counting the number of revolutions or of linear displacements of an object, wherein the counting sensor comprises: one single Wiegand module; at least one sensor element; a processing electronics connected to the sensor element; and a permanent magnet arrangement, which is movable relative to the Wiegand module; wherein the processing electronics is configured to obtain (i) direction informations indicating whether the permanent magnet arrangement moves in one direction or an opposite direction, and (ii) magnetic pole informations; and a data storage for storing a value, which indicates the number of the revolutions or of the linear displacements; wherein the processing electronics is configured: (i) to determine, on the basis of the direction information and the magnetic pole information, the number of the revolutions or of the linear displacements of the object and to store the corresponding value in the data storage, (ii) to perform, on the basis of a seque
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE. LIMITED
    Inventors: Walter Mehnert, Thomas Theil
  • Patent number: RE47564
    Abstract: The axial direction of a worm wheel is defined as a motor short-transverse direction, and a plane orthogonal to the motor short-transverse direction is defined as a motor flat plane. An imaginary plane contacting a first end of a sensor magnet in a motor short-transverse direction and parallel with the flat plane is defined as a first imaginary plane. An imaginary plane contacting a second end of the sensor magnet in the motor short-transverse direction and parallel with the flat plane is defined as a second imaginary plane. A control circuit board is provided with a rotation detecting element that detects rotation of the rotary shaft of the motor. The control circuit board is arranged to be parallel with or inclined relative to the flat plane, and is provided between the first and second imaginary planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki Ozaki, Hiroshi Kokubu, Nobuo Mizutani, Mitsuhiro Takada