Patents Assigned to TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
  • Patent number: 8690415
    Abstract: An optical display element (10) made up of selectively illuminatable concentric rings (14) is provided, in which the rings (14) are obtained by the light exit surface (20) of a respective optical waveguide body (18). Each optical waveguide body (18) has a light entry surface (22) which couples light in from an associated light source (24) which is adapted to be selectively activated. The light entry surface (22), as related to the common axis (12), has a larger radial extent than the light exit surface (20). Further, the optical waveguide bodies (18) have directly radially adjacent light-blocking side surfaces (30). Owing to this configuration, it is solely the optical waveguide bodies (18) which determine the geometry of the concentric rings (14). Since the optical waveguide bodies (18) can be manufactured with high precision, the intended close tolerances are obtained. In this way, radial distances between the rings (14) of only approximately 0.2 mm or less can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Korherr, Harald Koehnlein
  • Publication number: 20140050548
    Abstract: In a fastening clip (10) for fastening a component to a carrier (24), in particular a lining part (26) of a motor vehicle to a body sheet, having an anchoring member (12) which can be inserted into an opening (22) of the carrier (24) and has latching tabs (38) which, in a latching position, can rest against an edge of the opening (22) and/or can latch thereon, and having a locking member (16) which can cooperate with the component, extends through the anchoring member (12) and is displaceable relative to these between a mounting position and a locking position in which the locking member (16) fixes the latching tabs (38) in place in the latching position, holding members (40) are provided on the anchoring member (12), with the locking member (16), upon a movement of the locking member (16) from the locking position to the mounting position, urging the holding members (40) radially outwards to a holding position, in which they engage the edge of the opening (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Loewe, Juergen Hofmann, Philipp Kroell, Franz Hammer, Carsten Lange
  • Publication number: 20140048554
    Abstract: In a water drain plug (10) for a cavity (16) of a vehicle, in particular a side sill (14), comprising a base body (18) which can be fixed in an aperture (12) of the cavity (14) and has an opening (20) in which a sealing element (22) is arranged that is adapted to be moved between a closing position in which the opening (20) is tightly closed, and an opening position in which the opening (20) is open, the sealing element (22) is mounted in the base body (18) for pivoting movement about a retaining axis (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8627553
    Abstract: A fastening clip for fastening a component to a carrier, has a holding member, the holding member being adapted to be inserted into an opening of the carrier in an insertion direction and the holding member includes a plurality of expansion arms adapted to engage behind the opening of the carrier, and an expansion member adapted to be inserted into a recess of the holding member contrary to the insertion direction so that the expansion arms are transferred from an initial position to an expanded position, wherein the holding member and the expansion member are integrally connected with each other in a preassembly position by connecting webs which each constitute a predetermined breaking point and which are provided in particular between the front end of the holding member viewed in the insertion direction and the rear end of the expansion member viewed in the insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Jerome Maurer, Susanne Balluch
  • Publication number: 20130329197
    Abstract: A simple optical projection device with a high luminous efficacy has a point light source, a projection screen, a mask that is arranged in the light path upstream of the projection screen and is light-transmissive in some areas, and a light focusing optical lens arranged between the point light source and the mask. The optical lens is selected such that the prolongations of the emerging beams of the optical lens on the side thereof facing the point light source intersect in a virtual perspective center which is more remote from the lens than the point light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Backes, Harald Kohnlein
  • Patent number: 8602674
    Abstract: A device for connecting two components, in particular a linkage of bars (38) and an engine hood (40), includes a fastening element (10) and a securing element (24) cooperating with the fastening element (10). The fastening element (10) includes a fastening section (18) for connecting the fastening element (10) with the first component and a receiving section (12) for mounting the second component. The securing element (24) includes first and second securing sections (26, 28) and is transferable to a final assembly position, in which the first securing section (26) secures the connection of the fastening element (10) with the first component and at the same time the second securing section (28) secures the mounting of the second component in the receiving section (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH, GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Hubert Loewe, Juergen Hofmann, Klaus Hock, Anett Kilian
  • Patent number: 8601649
    Abstract: A clip (1) for fixing an element with a groove which is defined by two parallel hook-in edges, includes a tab (30) which is designed such that on two planes (35) and (36) which are parallel to each other it can cooperate with the groove. The tab (30) has a first surface (32) and a second surface (35). The first surface (32) extends completely set back with respect to the first plane (35) and in the thickness of the tab (30) to the second plane (36). The second surface (33) extends completely protruding from the second plane (36) to the outside of the tab (30) and opposite the first surface (32). The first surface (32) and the second surface (33) define an elastically deformable region. The volume defined by the second surface (33) and the second plane (36) is smaller than the volume defined by the first surface (32) and the first plane (35) or is equal to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Jean Luc Klein, Michel Kuhm
  • Patent number: 8585121
    Abstract: A device (20) for fastening a vehicle inner lining (14) to a lining support (12) includes a holding element (22) and a receiving element (24). The receiving element (24) has a latching portion (26) that is laterally open and into which the holding element (22) can engage such that it is fastened to the receiving element (24) in the axial direction. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method of mounting and demounting the vehicle inner lining (14) to or from the lining support (12) by means of this device (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Marx, Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8572818
    Abstract: A connection assembly for fastening an attaching element on a support (10) comprises a holding clip (16), which can be inserted into a mounting opening (20) of the support (10) and has holders (54) for axially fixing the holding clip (16) to the support (10), and a pin (12), which can be reversibly attached to a coupling piece (14) fastened to the attachment element and inserted into the holding clip (16). The pull-off force of the pin (12) in an intermediate position of the connecting assembly, in which the pin (12) has a first orientation relative to the holding clip (16), is larger than in a mounting position of the connection assembly, in which the pin (12) also has the first orientation and is inserted fully into the holding clip (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Hofmann, Hubert Loewe
  • Publication number: 20130284577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device (10), in particular in a motor vehicle, having an adjustable touch-sensitive switching element (12) which is switchable by a touch pressure exerted in a direction (s) of actuation. The switching element (12) is adapted to assume a first initial position, in which the switching element (12) bears on an abutment (14) in the direction (s) of actuation. The switching element (12) is adapted to assume a second initial position, in which, compared with the first initial position, the switching element (12) is adjusted by a predeterminable travel (x1) contrary to the direction (s) of actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Korherr
  • Publication number: 20130270926
    Abstract: The switch housing for capacitive switches has an outer contact surface and flat electrode structures which are arranged on the inside and in a position opposite the contact surface and which are placed by two-component injection molding in recessed regions of the housing body injected from a first, electrically non-conductive plastic component by means of a second, electrically conductive plastic component. Preferably, both plastic components are a polycarbonate, the second plastic component containing carbon fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Udo Koberstein
  • Publication number: 20130267158
    Abstract: In the manufacturing of an operating element (10) for an air vent, a first partial element (12) is manufactured from a hard component in a first injection molding process and a second partial element (14) is manufactured from a soft component in a second injection molding process. The second partial element (14) forms a bearing (20) for a support of the operating element (10) on a vane (22) of the air vent. During its manufacture, the second partial element (14) is connected with the first partial element (12) by adhesion and/or by geometric shaping. The two partial elements (12, 14) that are captively connected with each other constitute a prefabricated unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS & COMPONENTS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Noichl, Steve Kober
  • Publication number: 20130248664
    Abstract: An assembly includes a mount (10) and a sensor (30), in particular a rain/light sensor for a motor vehicle, the mount (10) including at least two abutments (12) for a clamping bracket (50), wherein at least one clamping bracket (50) is hinge-fitted to the sensor (30) at two bearing points, the clamping bracket (50) being adapted to swivel between a mounting position and a clamping position, in which it urges the sensor (30) against the mount (10) with a pretensioning force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Maxim Wasetzki
  • Publication number: 20130249323
    Abstract: An electrodynamic actuator (10), has a flat coil (24) formed by tracks (22, 23) on a face of a circuit board (16) and a permanent magnet (14) the magnetic field of which passes through turns of the flat coil (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Backes
  • Publication number: 20130213787
    Abstract: A switch is shown which has a housing (10, 12), a key (20) that is pivotally mounted on the housing (10, 12), a rocker switch (22) that is assigned to the key (20) and can be actuated by the latter in two directions, so that it is pivoted about two axes spaced apart from each other, and two microswitches (16) that are arranged on the side of the rocker switch (22) facing away from the key (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Gebhard Laicher, Horst Singer
  • Publication number: 20130210333
    Abstract: An air vent (10) having a housing (12) and an air guiding means (14) that is swivel-mounted in the housing (12) includes a mounting (24) by means of which the air guiding means (14) is mounted on the housing (12) for swiveling about at least one swivel axis, the mounting (24) being formed by a ball joint (30) having a bearing shell (34) and a ball head (32) mounted in the bearing shell (34), and the ball head (32) being of a multipart configuration with at least two spherical segments (50, 52), and a spring member (54) being provided that acts upon the spherical segments (50, 52) of the ball head (32) with a force that seeks to push the spherical segments (50, 52) apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Steve Kober, Marco Kuesperth
  • Publication number: 20130170923
    Abstract: In a spring nut (10) for attachment onto a stud (12), having a substantially oblong seat for the stud (12), the seat having an axial insertion opening (32) for the stud (12) and a holding section for the stud (12), provision is made that the spring nut (10) completely encloses the seat on a front wall (28) opposite the insertion opening (32) and in the peripheral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130149952
    Abstract: An air vent (7) having a housing (10) which includes an outflow opening (A), and having a plurality of vanes (12) which are associated with the outflow opening (A) of the housing (10) and are swivel-mounted, the vanes (12) being coupled to each other, is characterized in that at least three coupling members (18) are provided which couple the vanes (12) to each other and are arranged at a distance from each other along the vanes (12) and at a distance from the front edge (V) of the vanes (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh
  • Patent number: 8456311
    Abstract: An assembly includes a mount (10) and a sensor (30), in particular a rain/light sensor for a motor vehicle, the mount (10) including at least two abutments (12) for a clamping bracket (50), wherein at least one clamping bracket (50) is hinge-fitted to the sensor (30) at two bearing points, the clamping bracket (50) being adapted to swivel between a mounting position and a clamping position, in which it urges the sensor (30) against the mount (10) with a pretensioning force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Maxim Wasetzki
  • Patent number: 8338774
    Abstract: An optical sensor has an optical plate which is adapted to make surface contact on a pane, in particular a windshield of a motor vehicle. It further has one or preferably a plurality of photoreceivers arranged on the side of the optical plate facing away from the pane. An optical mask is arranged in the optical path upstream of each photoreceiver, the optical mask having light-blocking and light-transmissive surface areas. The light-transmissive surface areas each allow an optical path to traverse the optical plate, impinging on the photoreceiver and is delimited by the light-blocking surface areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Backes