Jeffrey L Clark

US Patent:

6623032, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Jan 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/767973

Inventors:

Brian Michael Curtis - Orion Township MI
Jeffrey A. Clark - Sterling Heights MI
Maria T. Kremer - Armada MI
Harald Lichtinger - Auburn Hills MI
Michael Allan Dingman - Lake Orion MI
Ronald Cook - Waterford MI

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735, 2808011, 73862474, 340665

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6662670, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Sep 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/955762

Inventors:

Jeffrey Allen Clark - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

G01L 510

US Classification:

73862391

Abstract:

A sensor assembly for measuring seatbelt forces includes a first structural member anchored to a vehicle structure and a second structural member mounted for movement relative to the first structural member in response to a seatbelt force (FIG. ). A thin member is mounted between the first and second structural members and provides a mounting surface for a sensor The thin member responds to movement of the second structural member to provide high strain levels for the normal working range of the sensor The thin member is mounted between the first and second structural members such that the sensor is isolated from movements due to non-axial loads. The first and second structural members are inter-related to define a maximum range of movement between the first and second members. Thus, overload protection is provided to prevent separation of the first and second structural members when a predetermined load limit is exceeded.

US Patent:

6752419, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Jun 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/592080

Inventors:

Jeffrey Allen Clark - Sterling Heights MI
Brian Michael Curtis - Orion MI
Andrew Joseph Wisniewski - Eastpointe MI

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hill MI

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280734, 411107, 411999

Abstract:

An air bag sensor module fastening device for a vehicle is provided includes a vehicle mounting structure having an internally threaded member. A sensor is secured to a base for sensing vibrations caused by a crash of the vehicle. The base has an aperture extending therethrough that is aligned with the internally threaded member. The aperture includes a retaining portion. A fastener for securing the base to the vehicle mounting structure has a shaft with a head and a threaded portion opposite the head. The threaded portion is temporarily retained within the retaining portion in a shipping position. The threaded portion has a minor diameter and the shaft portion has a shaft diameter less than the minor diameter. As a result, the shaft will not be in an interference fit relationship with the retaining portion so that the compressive load of the fastener alone secures the base to the vehicle mounting structure. The threaded portion is disposed outside of the retaining portion in an installed position in which the threaded portion is received in the internally threaded member to secure the base to the vehicle mounting structure.

US Patent:

6759603, Jul 6, 2004

Filed:

Nov 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/992498

Inventors:

Brian M. Curtis - Lake Orion MI
Jeffrey A. Clark - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

G01G 1952

US Classification:

177144, 177184, 177DIG 9, 180273, 280735, 73768

Abstract:

A vehicle seat assembly is mounted to a vehicle base member such as a riser or a vehicle floor. Weight sensor assemblies for measuring weight on the vehicle seat are mounted to a seat structural component. The weight sensor assemblies each include plate having a bendable center body portion for supporting a strain gage. The strain gage measures bending in the center body portion caused by normal weight force applications on the vehicle seat. A secondary resilient beam member is mounted between each weight sensor and the vehicle base member. The beam member and the weight sensors deflect to prevent failure of the weight sensors in response to an overload force applied in an opposite direction to the direction of a normal weight force application. The beam member prevents permanent deformation of the plate and strain gage failure by allowing the weight sensor to deflect upwardly away from the vehicle floor. An overload stop reacts between the seat structural component and the vehicle floor to prevent seat separation under overload conditions.

US Patent:

6804120, Oct 12, 2004

Filed:

Nov 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/306396

Inventors:

Jeffrey A. Clark - Sterling Heights MI
Brian M. Curtis - Waukesha WI

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

H05K 114

US Classification:

361736, 361785, 361789, 361803, 439 65, 439862

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for connecting circuit boards together in a sensor assembly includes a connector that allows the circuit boards to be positioned generally perpendicular to each other. The connector includes a first end that is received within an opening formed at one edge of a main circuit board. A second end of the connector includes a resilient hook or clip that grippingly engages opposing sides of an auxiliary circuit board. The connector comprises an electrical contact between the main and auxiliary circuit boards. The perpendicular orientation of the auxiliary circuit board to the main circuit board allows for more compact packaging.

US Patent:

6913472, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

May 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/445526

Inventors:

Jeffrey A. Clark - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills

International Classification:

H01R012/00

US Classification:

439 74

Abstract:

A control unit for a safety restraint device includes a main printed circuit board that supports lateral and vertical acceleration sensors and an auxiliary printed circuit board that supports rollover sensors. The main and auxiliary printed circuit boards are spaced apart from and are positioned in an overlapping relationship to each other within a housing. A pin connection provides electrical connection between the main and auxiliary printed circuit boards to permit signal transfers between the main and auxiliary printed circuit boards. A common fastener is used to connect both the main and auxiliary printed circuit boards to the housing. A cover is used to enclose the main and auxiliary printed circuit boards within the housing. The fastener extends through the cover, through both the main and auxiliary printed circuit boards, and finally into the housing.

US Patent:

6940412, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Jul 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/199432

Inventors:

Jeffrey A. Clark - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

G08B021/00

US Classification:

340635, 340652, 340657, 340687, 439488

Abstract:

An electronic control unit (ECU) is mounted to a non-conductive material housing for installation in a vehicle. In order to diagnose whether or not the ECU is properly installed within the vehicle, a conductive member is placed within the housing. The conductive member includes a pair of pins that are insert molded into the housing such that one end of each pin is electrically connected to the ECU and an opposite end of each pin is exposed at a mounting surface presented by the housing. A fastener is used to mount the housing to the vehicle and includes an enlarged head portion that contacts the exposed ends of the pins, forming an electrical circuit. The ECU monitors the resistance or voltage between the two pins to determine if the ECU is properly mounted. A closed circuit indicates proper mounting and an open circuit indicates improper mounting.

US Patent:

6959779, Nov 1, 2005

Filed:

Sep 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/653338

Inventors:

Brian Michael Curtis - Orion Township MI, US
Jeffrey A. Clark - Sterling Heights MI, US
Maria T. Kremer - Armada MI, US
Harald Lichtinger - Auburn Hills MI, US
Michael Allan Dingman - Lake Orion MI, US

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills

International Classification:

B60R022/00

US Classification:

180268, 280735

Abstract:

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.

Author:

Jeffrey D. Clark

ISBN #:

0672301296

Author:

Jeffrey Clark

ISBN #:

0198233779

Author:

Jeffrey Clark

ISBN #:

0471448117

Author:

Jeffrey Clark

ISBN #:

0672302268

Author:

Jeffrey Clark

ISBN #:

0812013840

Author:

Jeffrey A. Clark

ISBN #:

0754611736

Author:

Jeffrey E. Clark

ISBN #:

0130652016

Author:

Jeffrey E. Clark

ISBN #:

0131149369