TRW Automotive U.S. LLC Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160039378 | HYBRID VEHICLE/PEDESTRIAN IMPACT DETECTING METHOD AND APPARATUS - An apparatus detects a vehicle/pedestrian impact event by sensing impact events near a forward location of a vehicle using a multi-port pressure sensor and acceleration sensors. The multi-port pressure sensor includes multiple pressure sensors in a unified housing, connected via individual pressure ports to multiple impact-sensing hoses mounted along the vehicle bumper. An acceleration sensor may also be installed in the same housing. A single electrical connector provides connection to the multiple pressure sensors and also the acceleration sensors. | 02-11-2016 |
20150375598 | PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE - An apparatus for use in venting a compartment in a vehicle includes a housing which at least partially defines an air flow passage. A valve element moves from a closed condition to an open condition to enable air to flow through the air flow passage. The valve element has an inner surface facing the air flow passage when the valve element is in the closed condition. The valve element has an outer surface opposite the inner surface facing away from the air flow passage when the valve element is in the closed condition. A spring wire deflects as the valve element moves from the closed condition toward the open condition and is effective to urge the valve element toward the closed condition. The spring wire extends in a straight line from the housing to the inner surface of the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition. | 12-31-2015 |
20150217799 | Electric Power Steering Assembly - A rack drive assembly adapted for use in the vehicle electric power steering assembly includes a steering member operatively connected to a vehicle steering wheel; an electric motor for effecting axial movement of the steering member upon rotation of the vehicle steering wheel; a planetary gear assembly operatively coupled to the electric motor; and a pinion assembly operatively disposed between the planetary gear assembly and the steering member whereby operation of the electric motor is operative to effect axial movement of the steering member, wherein the electric motor includes an output shaft which defines a motor axis and the pinion assembly includes an output shaft which defines a pinion axis, wherein the pinion axis is coaxial with the motor axis and perpendicular with respect to an axis of the steering member. | 08-06-2015 |
20150203068 | HYBRID METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A VEHICLE/PEDESTRIAN IMPACT - An apparatus detects a vehicle/pedestrian impact event by sensing impact events near a forward location of a vehicle using both acceleration sensors and pressure sensors and providing associated signals indicative thereof, determining metric values for each of the sensor signals, and determining if a vehicle/pedestrian impact has occurred in response to the determined metric values | 07-23-2015 |
20150183455 | Electric Power Steering Assembly - A rack drive assembly adapted for use in a vehicle electric power steering assembly includes a ball nut assembly operatively connected to a screw portion of a rack portion of a steering member of the power steering assembly for effecting axial movement of the steering member upon rotation of a vehicle steering wheel. According to one embodiment, the ball nut assembly includes a first bearing assembly disposed in the rack housing and carried by a ball nut, the first bearing assembly disposed on a first end of the ball nut adjacent a first side of the pulley; and a second bearing assembly disposed in the rack housing and carried by the ball nut, the second bearing assembly disposed on an opposite second end of the ball nut adjacent a second side of the pulley. | 07-02-2015 |
20150094912 | System and Method for Wheel Disturbance Order Detection and Correction - An active nibble control (ANC) includes an anti-notch filter that increases the gain margin of the control and, therefore, greater disturbance rejection. The closed loop frequency response of the ANC is further enhanced by the addition of a lag-lead phase compensator filter. The addition of the lag-lead compensation filter allows use of the higher ANC gains at higher wheel frequencies to increase disturbance rejection, thereby compensating for anti-notch filter gain reduction with increasing wheel frequency. Similar results are obtained by adding a lag-lead phase compensator filter to a resonator filter in an active ANC. | 04-02-2015 |
20150088369 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING TIRE CONDITION AND LOCATION USING WHEEL SPEED SENSORS AND ACCELERATION SENSORS - A tire condition sensing apparatus includes a tire-based sensor for sensing two relative rotational positions of its associated tire relative to the earth's horizon as the tire rotates and provides first and second signals indicative thereof. A transmitter for transmits tire condition information and a signal processing time delay value in response to the first and second signals. A vehicle-based sensor monitors tire rotation relative to the vehicle's chassis and provides a signal indicative thereof. A controller for monitors the transmitted tire condition information signal, the signal processing time delay value, and the signal from the vehicle-based sensor and associates tire location in response thereto. | 03-26-2015 |
20150012781 | POWER SUPPLY DIAGNOSTIC STRATEGY - A power supply diagnostic strategy for discrete power supply diagnostic states is independent of the underlying memory structure. The values used in the associated algorithm are selected to ensure that random linked failures will be detected. This applies to planar memory structures with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 common lattices, or physical memory structures with individual bit dispersed memories with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 consecutive bit splices. Further, the strategy provides that the various monitored voltage tables remains distinct even with compiler optimization activated. | 01-08-2015 |
20140358346 | Optimized Power Supply Architecture - A power supply architecture provides for the efficient distribution and failsafe monitoring of power in a microcontroller system. The power supply architecture incorporates various components with high integrity and diverse monitoring schemes that allow the associated control processors to operate with high safety standards. The various embodiments provide an integrated method or apparatus for an electronic module safety architecture which includes diversity, time and space independence for power supplies for the various microprocessors and control communication buses. | 12-04-2014 |
20140274421 | STEERING GEAR CLUTCH - A steering gear clutch includes a housing and an input shaft rotatably supported by the housing. An output shaft operatively connected with a steering gear is rotatably supported by the housing. The output shaft is rotatable relative to the input shaft. The input shaft rotates together with the output shaft relative to the housing when a torque below a predetermined value is applied to the input shaft. The input shaft rotates relative to the output shaft and the housing when a torque above the predetermined value is applied to the input shaft. The input shaft may rotate relative to a shaft portion of the output shaft and the housing through a predetermined angle. The input shaft and the shaft portion may rotate together relative to the housing when the input shaft has rotated through the predetermined angle. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260728 | ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY - A rack drive assembly adapted for use in a vehicle electric power steering assembly includes a ball nut assembly having at least a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, a bearing assembly carried by the ball nut assembly for rotatably supporting the ball nut assembly, a pulley assembly configured to be carried by the ball nut assembly, and at least a first spanner nut configured to be carried by the first end portion of the ball nut for securing the bearing assembly on the ball nut assembly. The ball nut includes a flange provided on an outer portion thereof configured to connect the ball nut to a pulley of a pulley assembly for rotation therewith. The flange is spaced remote from an end of the second end portion of the ball nut. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260727 | Electric Power Steering Assembly - A rack drive assembly adapted for use in a vehicle electric power steering assembly includes a bearing assembly disposed in a rack housing and carried by a ball nut assembly for rotatably supporting the ball nut assembly relative to a steering member; and a spanner nut carried by the rack housing for securing the bearing assembly in the rack housing. A first isolator, a second isolator and a first shim are provided wherein the first isolator is disposed between an inner surface of the housing and a first surface of an outer race of the bearing, the second isolator is disposed between an opposite second surface of the outer race of said bearing and the first shim, the first shim is disposed between the second isolator and the spanner nut. The first shim is provided with a member configured to be coupled to the housing to allow for axial movement but prevent rotational motion of the shim during installation of the spanner nut. | 09-18-2014 |
20140259570 | FASTENING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A fastener ( | 09-18-2014 |
20140255087 | MULTIFUNCTIONAL ADAPTOR - A multifunctional adaptor ( | 09-11-2014 |
20140236429 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING PEDESTRIAN VEHICLE IMPACT - An apparatus ( | 08-21-2014 |
20140212204 | Ball Joint - An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a housing, a bearing disposed in the housing, and a ball stud supported within the housing by the bearing. The bearing includes at least a first bearing member formed from a first material and a second bearing member formed from a second dampening material attached to at least a portion of an outer surface of the first bearing member. The first bearing member has a bidirectional slot formed therein which is configured to allow the ball stud to articulate in a first direction and restrict and dampen articulation in a second direction which is generally transverse to the first direction. | 07-31-2014 |
20140207329 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING TIRE CONDITION AND LOCATION USING WHEEL SPEED SENSORS AND ACCELERATION SENSORS - A tire condition sensing apparatus includes a tire-based sensor for sensing two relative rotational positions of its associated tire relative to the earth's horizon as the tire rotates and provides first and second signals indicative thereof. A transmitter for transmits tire condition information and a signal processing time delay value in response to the first and second signals. A vehicle-based sensor monitors tire rotation relative to the vehicle's chassis and provides a signal indicative thereof. A controller for monitors the transmitted tire condition information signal, the signal processing time delay value, and the signal from the vehicle-based sensor and associates tire location in response thereto. | 07-24-2014 |
20140092570 | ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - An electronic assembly comprises a housing, a cover for the housing, a printed circuit board receivable in the housing, and a compliant pin header assembly. The compliant pin header assembly is mountable in the housing by inter-engaging features on the header assembly and the housing. The compliant pin header assembly has compliant pins for engaging corresponding features on the printed circuit board to connect the compliant pin header assembly electrically to the printed circuit board. The cover, when the electronic assembly is assembled, engages the housing and also engages the printed circuit board at a location spaced from an outer periphery of the printed circuit board. | 04-03-2014 |
20140090246 | ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - An electronic assembly comprises a housing, a cover for the housing, a printed circuit board receivable in the housing, and a compliant pin header assembly. The compliant pin header assembly is mountable in the housing by inter-engaging features on the header assembly and the housing. The compliant pin header assembly has compliant pins for engaging corresponding features on the printed circuit board to connect the compliant pin header assembly electrically to the printed circuit board. The cover, when the electronic assembly is assembled, engages the housing and also engages the printed circuit board at a location spaced from an outer periphery of the printed circuit board. | 04-03-2014 |
20140083829 | Actuator Assembly Having An External Plunger Sleeve - A plunger-style actuator assembly for use in a detent mechanism includes a guide post and an external plunger sleeve supported for sliding movement over the guide post. The external plunger sleeve rides along bearing surfaces that longitudinally extend between the guide post and the external plunger sleeve. | 03-27-2014 |
20140069734 | POWER STEERING APPARATUS - An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a power steering motor assembly connected with the steerable vehicle wheels. A first pump connected with the power steering motor assembly is continuously driven by an engine of the vehicle to supply fluid under pressure to the power steering motor assembly. A second pump connected with the power steering motor assembly is continuously driven by an engine of the vehicle. A valve connected with the power steering motor assembly and the second pump directs fluid flow from the second pump to at least one of the power steering motor assembly and reservoir during operation of both the first pump and the second pump. A pumping mechanism includes a first pumping area defining the first pump and a second pumping area defining the second pump. The first pumping area is smaller than the second pumping area. | 03-13-2014 |
20140049177 | Method and Apparatus To Control Light Intensity As Voltage Fluctuates - A method and apparatus for generating a pulse width modulated voltage that has a duty cycle that is inversely proportional to a sensed battery voltage and using the generated pulse width modulated voltage to control a light emitting diode to maintain the intensity of light emitted as the battery voltage fluctuates. | 02-20-2014 |
20140039752 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING TIRE CONDITION USING IDEAL GAS LAW - An apparatus is provided for determining a tire operating condition including a tire-based sensor for sensing tire pressure and temperature and transmitting a signal indicative thereof and a vehicle ignition system. A vehicle-based receiver/controller is provided for receiving the signal from the tire-based sensor and for detecting the state of the vehicle ignition system. The controller provides an error signal when the sensed tire pressure is less than a set threshold value P | 02-06-2014 |
20140013901 | Yoke Assembly For A Rack And Pinion Steering Gear And Method For Producing The Same - A yoke assembly adapted for use in a rack and pinion steering gear assembly for a vehicle comprises a yoke housing having a bore; a yoke bearing disposed in the bore; a yoke cover secured in the bore; a spring disposed in the bore between the yoke bearing and the yoke cover; and an automatic-adjusting mechanism secured in the yoke cover. The automatic-self adjusting mechanism includes a member which is configured to self adjust and move in a direction toward the yoke bearing so as to maintain the member in constant contact against the yoke bearing as associated components of the rack and pinion steering gear wear. | 01-16-2014 |
20130341116 | POWER STEERING APPARATUS - An apparatus ( | 12-26-2013 |
20130240287 | APPARATUS FOR USE IN TURNING STEERABLE VEHICLE WHEELS - An apparatus ( | 09-19-2013 |
20130215591 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATTACHMENT OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - Method and apparatus for bonding an electrical circuit component onto a substrate. A first electrically conductive bonding pad is formed on the component, and a second electrically conductive bonding pad is formed on the substrate. One of said first and second bonding pads is physically split into at least two parts, with electrical discontinuity between the two parts. An electrically conductive bond is formed between the first and second bonding pads such that electrical continuity is established from one part of the one bonding pad, through the other of the bonding pads, and through the second part of the one bonding pad. The integrity of the electrically conductive bond is evaluated by testing electrical continuity between the at least two parts. | 08-22-2013 |
20130186704 | POWER STEERING APPARATUS - An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a first pump driven by an engine of the vehicle to supply fluid under pressure to a power steering motor assembly through a supply conduit. A second pump driven by the engine of the vehicle supplies fluid under pressure to the power steering motor assembly when the flow of fluid in the supply conduit is below a predetermined value. The second pump is inactive when the flow of fluid in the supply conduit is above the predetermined value. The second pump has vanes located in slits. A valve which is in fluid communication with the slits has a first condition in which fluid under pressure is supplied to the slits. The valve has a second condition in which the slits are in fluid communication with a reservoir. | 07-25-2013 |
20130076905 | APPARATUS FOR USE IN ASSOCIATION WITH A VEHICLE - An apparatus for use in association with a vehicle having a windshield, includes a module and a camera assembly disposed in the module. The camera assembly includes an image sensor and a camera lens. The camera lens has a first end portion disposed adjacent to the image sensor and a second end portion spaced from the image sensor. A polarizer lens is disposed adjacent to the second end portion of the camera lens. | 03-28-2013 |
20130075188 | APPARATUS FOR USE IN TURNING STEERABLE VEHICLE WHEELS - An apparatus ( | 03-28-2013 |
20130075187 | APPARATUS FOR USE IN TURNING STEERABLE VEHICLE WHEELS - An apparatus ( | 03-28-2013 |
20130075186 | APPARATUS FOR USE IN TURNING STEERABLE VEHICLE WHEELS - An apparatus includes a hydraulic power steering motor. A continuously variable transmission has an input shaft rotatable under the influence of force transmitted from the engine and an output shaft operable to drive a pump. The continuously variable transmission is operable to drive the pump at a first speed when one of the input and output shafts of the continuously variable transmission rotates at a first speed. The continuously variable transmission is operable to drive the pump at a second speed when the one of the input and output shafts rotates at a second speed. A centrifugal sensor is connected with the one of the input and output shafts. The centrifugal sensor transfers rotational movement of the one of the input and output shafts to a linearly displaceable input member of the continuously variable transmission to change the speed at which the pump is driven. | 03-28-2013 |
20130055828 | Torque Sensor Assembly and Method for Producing Same - An improved structure for a torque sensor assembly adapted for use in a vehicle steering system and method for producing the same. According to one embodiment, the torque sensor assembly includes a housing formed from a suitable material having a cavity; at least one flux concentrator and at least one hall effect IC disposed in the cavity of the housing; and a cover secured to the housing to close the cavity in the housing in a permanent and fluid-tight manner. | 03-07-2013 |
20130030655 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A VEHICLE STEERING APPARATUS - A method for controlling a steering apparatus ( | 01-31-2013 |
20120318603 | STEERING APPARATUS FOR TURNING MULTIPLE SETS OF STEERABLE VEHICLE WHEELS - A steering apparatus ( | 12-20-2012 |
20120312624 | POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY - A power steering gear assembly | 12-13-2012 |
20120103129 | Gearbox Assembly for Electric Power Steering Systems - A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering assembly comprises a gearbox housing ( | 05-03-2012 |
20120068882 | Antennas - An active antenna array is arranged to activate subsets of switchable elements causing the antenna to form a first beam having a first beam pattern, and later to form a second beam having a second beam pattern of substantially identical far field radiation pattern to the first beam pattern but with different origins. A receiver receives radiation reflected from a target back to the antenna when the antenna is configured with the first beam pattern and then when configured with the second beam pattern, and compares the phase of the radiation received at the receiver when the antenna is configured with the first beam pattern with the phase of the radiation received at the receiver when the antenna is configured with the second beam pattern to provide a phase difference signal. A target locating means determines the angular location of the target from the phase difference signal. | 03-22-2012 |
20110220432 | ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY - An improved structure for a rack drive assembly adapted for use in a vehicle electric power steering assembly includes a ball nut assembly operatively connected to a screw portion of a rack portion of a steering member of the power steering assembly for effecting axial movement of the steering member upon rotation of a vehicle steering wheel. According to one embodiment, the ball nut assembly includes a ball nut having an outer surface; a bearing assembly fixedly disposed in the rack housing and carried by the ball nut for rotatably supporting the ball nut assembly relative to the steering member; and a damper disposed on an outer race of the bearing assembly. The damper includes a pair of dampers disposed on the outer race of the bearing assembly, each of the dampers including at least a first member formed from a first rigid material and a second member formed from a second damping material. | 09-15-2011 |
20110203711 | TIRE VALVE AND PROCESS FOR REMOVING IT - Inflation valve ( | 08-25-2011 |
20110184669 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING INFLATION - The invention relates to a method for aiding inflation for a vehicle, comprising access to vehicle tire pressure ( | 07-28-2011 |
20110163865 | METHOD OF EARLY WARNING FOR VEHICLE - Pre-alert device ( | 07-07-2011 |
20110148401 | DEVICE FOR LOCATING WHETHER A WHEEL-TIRE ASSEMBLY IS POSITIONED ON THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT OF A VEHICLE - A self-contained device intended to be carried by a wheel-tire assembly in order to locate whether the assembly is positioned on the right side or on the left side of a vehicle is described. The device includes two magnetic sensors with axes of maximum sensitivity, the sensors providing two periodic signals that are phase shifted relative to one another. Each signal is representative of variations in the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the sensor during a revolution of the wheel-tire assembly. The device also includes a processing unit programmed to determine, from the phase shift between the two periodic signals, a direction in which the wheel-tire assembly is rotating and to deduce, from this direction of rotation and from a direction of travel of the vehicle, whether the wheel-tire assembly is located on the right side or on the left side. The two magnetic sensors are intended to be positioned on the wheel-tire assembly at distinct azimuthal locations. A filtering element of the device is designed to eliminate components of the two periodic signals having frequencies that are below or equal to a given frequency. | 06-23-2011 |
20100231403 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING TIRE POSITION ON A VEHICLE - An apparatus for determining a position of a tire on a vehicle comprises a piezoelectric sensor for generating a first signal in response to rotation of the tire and a magnetic sensor for generating a second signal in response to rotation of the tire. The apparatus also comprises a controller for comparing the first and second signals to each other to determine a position of the tire with respect to left and right sides of the vehicle. | 09-16-2010 |
20100125390 | ELECTRICAL POWER ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM - An electric power assisted steering system for a vehicle, comprising: a steering mechanism which operatively connects a steering wheel to road wheels of the vehicle, a torque sensor ( | 05-20-2010 |
20100119297 | SEALING STRUCTURE FOR USE WITH A BALL AND SOCKET JOINT - A ball joint assembly includes an elongated stud, a socket housing, and a boot and seal assembly having a seal lip. A boot and seal assembly for use in a ball joint assembly includes a body and a diaphragm extending therefrom. The diaphragm includes a seal portion having a seal lip that has an elongated profile of a substantially uniform section. The seal portion may be a first seal portion that is adapted to engage an elongated stud of a ball joint assembly. The diaphragm further may include a second seal portion that is adapted to engage a mating component connected to the ball joint assembly. The boot and seal assembly may include a third seal portion that is also adapted to engage the mating component. | 05-13-2010 |
20100071454 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A CONTINUOUS LF WAVE SIGNAL - An apparatus for detecting a continuous wave (CW) signal including a demodulator demodulating a received CW signal and providing a demodulated signal, an edge detector for detecting an edge of the demodulated signal and thereby, detecting the CW signal and a switchable short-circuit of the demodulator, edges being formed in the demodulated signal when the demodulator is temporarily short-circuited during receipt of the CW signal. | 03-25-2010 |
20100018302 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OVERMOLDING A TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR - A tire pressure monitoring apparatus includes a valve assembly mountable in a vehicle wheel and a housing securable to the end of the valve assembly. A pressure sensor assembly is securable in the housing for monitoring tire pressure and providing an electrical signal indicative thereof. The pressure sensor assembly includes a flexible circuit board, and a battery held within a fold of the flexible circuit board, wherein the flexible circuit board is overmolded. | 01-28-2010 |
20090308150 | Method and device for monitoring the pressure of a tire - A method of monitoring a pressure (P) of a tire of a motor vehicle involves measuring a pressure (P) of the tire and comparing the measured pressure with at least one reference value (P | 12-17-2009 |
20090144017 | DEVICE FOR LOCATING A RIGHT OR LEFT POSITION OF A TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE - A location device is provided, in which the device is configured to be carried by a tire and wheel assembly so as to locate a right or left position of the assembly in a vehicle. The device includes two magnetic sensors with axes of maximum sensitivity; a measurement circuit for measuring a signal across terminals of each of the magnetic sensors, the measurement circuit being able to deliver two periodic signals phase-shifted with respect to one another and each periodic signal being representative of variations in values of a magnetic field detected by a corresponding magnetic sensor during a revolution of the tire and wheel assembly; and a calculation processor programmed to determine, based on the phase shift between the two periodic signals, a direction of rotation of the tire and wheel assembly, and to deduce from the direction of rotation and a direction of travel of the vehicle, a right or left location of the tire and wheel assembly. The two magnetic sensors have their axes of maximum sensitivity oriented in parallel, and in the two magnetic sensors are configured to be placed on the tire and wheel assembly at distinct azimuths. | 06-04-2009 |
20090002146 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AND ASSOCIATING SENSOR LOCATION IN A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM USING DUAL ANTENNAS - A method for receiving data from and associating locations of a plurality of tire condition sensors in a vehicle comprises the step of mounting a first directional antenna in the vehicle oriented in a first direction to receive signals from an associated transmitter of at least some of said tire condition sensors. A second directional antenna is mounted in the vehicle oriented in a second direction to receive signals from an associated transmitter of others of said tire condition sensors. Signal strength of any received signals is determined, and sensor locations are determined by determining a differential signal value. | 01-01-2009 |
20080284577 | System for measuring life expectancy of a tire condition monitoring system | 11-20-2008 |