David C Maloney

US Patent:

8326570, Dec 4, 2012

Filed:

Sep 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/442535

Inventors:

Daryn L. Waite - Arlington Heights IL, US
David L. Maloney - Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

D&R Technologies, L.L.C. - Carol Stream IL

International Classification:

G06F 15/00

US Classification:

702151

Abstract:

A position sensor assembly for determining the absolute angular position of a motor vehicle steering wheel includes a housing, an input gear driven by a rotary input, and a pickup gear coupled to the input gear. A cam having a spiroidal profile is generated about the rotational axis of the input gear and is rotatable with the input gear. A cam follower is coupled with the housing and engages the spiroidal profile, wherein rotation of the spiroidal profile as the input gear turns causes the cam follower to move along the spiroidal profile. A first sensor is associated with the pickup gear such that rotation of the pickup gear provides an output signal from the first sensor. A second sensor is associated with the cam follower such that motion of the cam follower produces an output signal from the second sensor. A processor receives output signals from the first and second sensors to produce a signal proportional to the angular position of the input gear.

US Patent:

20100089177, Apr 15, 2010

Filed:

Nov 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/515147

Inventors:

Daryn L. Waite - Arlington Heights IL, US
David L. Maloney - Barrington IL, US

International Classification:

G01L 5/04
H01L 43/06

US Classification:

73862391, 3242072

Abstract:

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a sensor assembly for measuring tension loads by a seat belt for a vehicle is provided. The assembly comprises an anchor plate forming a first aperture for mounting. The anchor plate has a central space. A housing is positioned to envelope the anchor plate and forms a seat belt aperture. The housing has a first sensor element. Engaging the seat belt aperture is the seat belt. A compliant element causes the housing to move relative to the anchor plate in response to tension by the seat belt. Within the central space is a strain relief element having positioning features to locate the strain relief element relative to the anchor plate. The strain relief element has a second sensor element interacting with the first sensor element to produce a signal responsive to the relative position between the housing and the anchor plate.