公开(公告)号：US3147060A

公开(公告)日：1964-09-01

申请号：US14059261

申请日：1961-09-25

Applicant: METHODE ELECTRONICS INC

Inventor： JENSEN WILLIAM T ,  GEHRT EDWIN E

IPC: H01R13/405 ,  H01R33/76

CPC classification number: H01R33/7628 ,  H01R13/405

公开(公告)号：US12187294B2

公开(公告)日：2025-01-07

申请号：US17155507

申请日：2021-01-22

Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.

Inventor： Johannes Gießibl ,  Chad Reed

IPC: B60W10/119 ,  B60W10/18 ,  B60W30/18 ,  B60W40/12 ,  G01L3/10 ,  B60K17/344

Abstract: A magnetic torque sensing device having a torque transferring member with a magnetoelastically active region. The magnetoelastically active region has oppositely polarized magnetically conditioned regions with initial directions of magnetization that are perpendicular to the sensitive directions of magnetic field sensor pairs placed proximate to the magnetically active region. Magnetic field sensors are specially positioned in relation to the torque-transferring member to accurately measure torque while providing improved RSU performance and reducing the detrimental effects of compassing. The torque sensing devices are incorporated on vehicle drive train components, including differential components, transfer case components, transmission components, and others, including on power transmission shafts, half-shafts, and wheels, and output signals representing characteristics of the vehicle are processed in algorithms to provide useful output information for controlling actions of the vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US11787248B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-17

申请号：US17614988

申请日：2020-06-01

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC ,  Methode Electronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kevin Stanton Giaier ,  Andrew Niedert ,  Elliott Pearson ,  Anton Rogness ,  Johannes Gießibl ,  Chad Reed

IPC: B60D1/48

CPC classification number: B60D1/485

Abstract: Modular double pin load sensing hitches including two-piece pin mounts are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a pin mount including a first piece, and a second piece, separate from and to be disposed opposite to the first piece. The apparatus further includes and a receiver tube including a first mounting ear to be coupled to the first piece via a first pin and a second mounting ear to be coupled to the second piece via a second pin.

公开(公告)号：US11635604B2

公开(公告)日：2023-04-25

申请号：US17691538

申请日：2022-03-10

Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.

Inventor： Erik Lee Measel ,  Hamed Karimi Sharif ,  Nicholas Stephen Downes

IPC: G02B19/00 ,  G02B27/30 ,  G02B6/26 ,  F21V8/00 ,  G02B27/09

Abstract: A luminous flux collector comprises a housing, a wide-angle light capturing device and an optical collimating device, arranged around a longitudinal axis. The housing surrounds and protects the wide-angle light capturing device and the optical collimating device. The housing also provides structural support to hold the other elements in position. The wide-angle light capturing device can include a receptacle for receiving a light source, and the wide-angle light capturing device collects light with a spread angle of at least 120 degrees from the light source. The wide-angle light capturing device is disposed within a proximal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis. The optical collimating device extends from the wide-angle light capturing device to a distal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis.

公开(公告)号：US11491832B2

公开(公告)日：2022-11-08

申请号：US17097507

申请日：2020-11-13

Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.

Inventor： Chad Reed ,  Julius Beck ,  Florian Burghardt ,  Johannes Gießibl ,  Chris Liston

IPC: G01L1/26 ,  B60D1/24 ,  B60D1/01 ,  G01L1/12 ,  B60D1/64

Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.

公开(公告)号：US20220242180A1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-04

申请号：US17614988

申请日：2020-06-01

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC ,  Methode Electronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kevin Stanton Giaier ,  Andrew Niedert ,  Elliott Pearson ,  Anton Rogness ,  Johannes Gießibl ,  Chad Reed

IPC: B60D1/48

Abstract: Modular double pin load sensing hitches including two-piece pin mounts are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a pin mount including a first piece, and a second piece, separate from and to be disposed opposite to the first piece. The apparatus further includes and a receiver tube including a first mounting ear to be coupled to the first piece via a first pin and a second mounting ear to be coupled to the second piece via a second pin.

公开(公告)号：US11221262B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-11

申请号：US16582093

申请日：2019-09-25

Applicant: Methode Electronics Inc.

Inventor： Chad Reed ,  Julius Beck ,  Florian Burghardt ,  Johannes Gießibl ,  Chris Liston

IPC: G01L1/12 ,  B60Q9/00 ,  B60D1/24 ,  G01G3/15 ,  G01G7/00 ,  G01G19/12 ,  G01G19/02

Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.

公开(公告)号：US20210146831A1

公开(公告)日：2021-05-20

申请号：US16630452

申请日：2018-07-11

Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.

Inventor： Richard Allan GOSTLIN ,  Eric Duncan SHERRIFF ,  Donald James MCLAUGHLAN

IPC: B60Q3/82 ,  B60Q3/30 ,  H05B47/105

Abstract: An electronic accelerometer-based tilt switch for vehicles is capable of controlling the state of an electrical circuit according to the angle of inclination of the switch, for example to control power to a lamp. The switch includes a housing mountable to a vehicle member that is movable between a first position and a second position. When the vehicle member is in the first position it is at a predetermined angle of inclination versus when the vehicle member is in the second position. The housing may include an accelerometer and a control circuit to receive signals from the accelerometer indicative of an instant angle of inclination of the vehicle member and to switch the state of the electrical circuit between first and second states corresponding to first and second positions of the vehicle member.

公开(公告)号：US20210031703A1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-04

申请号：US16639186

申请日：2018-08-15

Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.

Inventor： Vladimir Karasik ,  Mark Muscat

IPC: B60R11/04

Abstract: A locking bracket for a vehicle accessory that has a main portion and a secondary portion, the main portion is configured to position the vehicle accessory in an operating position and includes opposite first and second faces extending between opposite ends, a spring leaf extending from the first face, first and second ribs extending from the second face, the first and second ribs being spaced from one another and having cooperating geometry to provide force to the spring leaf, at least first and second hinges separated by a distance, the first rib being located between the first and second hinges, and a locking mechanism provided on at least one of the ends, the locking mechanism being configured to maintain the vehicle accessory in the operating position.

公开(公告)号：US10746615B2

公开(公告)日：2020-08-18

申请号：US14735878

申请日：2015-06-10

Applicant: Methode Electronics,Inc.

Inventor： Frank Ursetta ,  Joshua C. Sautner ,  Christopher Liston

IPC: G01L3/10 ,  H01L41/12 ,  H01F13/00 ,  G01L1/12

Abstract: A system and method for magnetizing a ferromagnetic element is disclosed. Electrodes are positioned on opposite surfaces of the ferromagnetic element and a current is applied to the electrodes, resulting in the formation of a magnetically conditioned region on the ferromagnetic element. Magnetic field sensors may be placed proximate the magnetically conditioned region. Output signals from the magnetic field sensors may be indicative of a load or torque applied to the ferromagnetic element.