Patents Assigned to ZKW GROUP GMBH
  • Patent number: 11585512
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat sink (1, 100) for a light source of a motor vehicle light module, wherein: the heat sink (1, 100) comprises a main body (2) and cooling plates (3, 300) which can be arranged on the main body (2); when the cooling plates (3, 300) are connected to the main body (2), the cooling plates (3, 300) are in heat-conducting contact with the main body (2), each cooling plate (3, 300) having a base side (31, 310); the main body (2) has fastening elements (21) on a surface (22), the surface (22) facing the base sides (31, 310) of the cooling plates (3, 300); counter elements (32) mating with the fastening elements (21) are arranged on each base side (31, 310), the fastening elements (21) being designed to engage in the counter elements (32); the fastening elements (21) are arranged in a grid (23); the counter elements (32) are arranged on the respective base sides (31, 310) at regular distances (d1) from one another, and the grid (23) has a grid spacing (d2), the grid spacing (d2) being gre
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Stadler, Manuel Fahrngruber, Clemens Hauer
  • Patent number: 11560996
    Abstract: Light module system, comprising a first light module and a second light module, wherein the first light module can be controlled in dependence on the second light module, wherein the first light module is configured as a non-high-resolution light module, and is set up to generate a light distribution of a first type (1, 10) in a region in front of the light module system, wherein the light distribution of the first type (1, 10) can be dimmed, the second light module is configured as a high-resolution light module, wherein a minimum brightness is associated with a sector (4) of the light distribution of the first type, and the second light module is set up to generate at least one ground-projection light distribution (3) in an operating mode, wherein the at least one ground-projection light distribution (3) is a visual presentation of information, and thereby to cause the first light module to, at least partially, dim the light distribution of the first type, and to illuminate the sector (4) of the light distr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Plank, Thomas Schlinger, Andreas Moser, Bettina Reisinger
  • Patent number: 11555593
    Abstract: Motor vehicle light module (1) comprising at least one microprojector (2) and at least one at least partially translucent projection screen element (3), the at least one microprojector (2) being configured to create a light distribution (4), the light distribution being projectable in the form of a predefinable luminous pattern (5) onto the at least one at least partially translucent projection screen element (3), wherein, when the motor vehicle light module (1) is in a switched-on state, the predefinable luminous pattern (5) is visible on a side (30) of the projection screen element (3) facing away from the microprojector (2) and contains optically displayed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schadenhofer, Alexander Hacker, Josef Gürtl, Bernhard Mandl, Christian Jackl, Anke Müller, Siegmar Hackl
  • Patent number: 11530793
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle headlight for generating a light pattern (LV), particularly an adaptive light pattern, e.g. an adaptive dipped headlight and main beam light pattern, or a part of a light pattern of this kind, wherein the lighting device comprises a number N of preferably identical projection modules (10, 20), where N=2, 3, 4 or greater than 4, each of the projection modules (10, 20) being designed to generate a segment light pattern (LV10, LV20). The projection modules (10, 20) are arranged with respect to one another in such a manner than, proceeding from a first projection module (10), known as the starting projection module (10), which generates what is called the starting segment light pattern (LV10), the segment light patterns (LV20; LV20, LV30) of the further projection modules (20) are displaced laterally in a, particularly in a common, horizontal direction, with the extent of the displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Bettina Reisinger, Nina Brauner, Marina Fischer, Matthäus Artmann, Lukas Taudt, Stefan Miedler, Thomas Reiter
  • Patent number: 11458883
    Abstract: Adjusting device for adjusting an optically relevant assembly of a motor vehicle headlight. The device includes: a drive device with a first actuator adjustable along a displacement axis and having a first engaging portion, a transfer element mechanically engaged with the first actuator, and which has a first counter engaging portion corresponding to the first engaging portion, a supporting bushing in which the transfer element is supported and rotatable about the displacement axis, wherein the supporting bushing is firmly connected to a carrying frame, wherein the assembly is arranged on the carrying frame, and a second actuator rotatable about the displacement axis and having a second engaging portion, wherein the transfer element has a second counter engaging portion arranged opposite to the first counter engaging portion on the displacement axis, and wherein the second counter engaging portion is mechanically engaged with the second engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Seel, Günter Bauer
  • Patent number: 11447066
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (1) which comprises an imaging unit (2) which is configured to generate an intermediate light image in an imaging plane (ZBE, ZBE?), wherein each imaging unit (2) is composed of a light source (3) and a collimator optics (4), wherein the collimator optics (4) are designed in such a way that the light emitted by the light source (3) in the imaging plane (ZBE, ZBE?) is imaged as an intermediate light image, and wherein the lighting device (1) comprises a projection lens (5) which has a focal plane (BE), and the imaging unit (2) and the projection device (5) are arranged with respect to one another in such a way that the imaging plane (ZBE, ZBE?) lies substantially in the focal plane (BE) of the at least one projection device (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Martin Schoderböck, Bernhard Mandl
  • Patent number: 11420550
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting system (1) for pivoting at least one optically relevant component (2) of a vehicle headlight about a first and a second axis (y, z), the system comprising a first retaining element (3) for holding the optically relevant component (2), a second retaining element (4) for displaceably holding the first retaining element (3) on the second retaining element (4), a carrying frame (5) for displaceably holding the second retaining element (4) on the carrying frame (5), and a first adjusting device (6) acting on the first retaining element (3) for displacing the first retaining element (3) relative to the second retaining element (4), and a second adjusting device (7) acting on the second retaining element (4) for displacing the second retaining element (4) relative to the carrying frame (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Berger
  • Patent number: 11421842
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting unit for a motor vehicle headlight for generating a light distribution having a light-dark boundary, wherein the lighting unit (1) comprises a light source (2), a first reflector (R1) having at least one focal point (F1R1) in which the light source (2) is arranged, a second reflector (R2) having at least one focal point (F1R2), wherein the second reflector (R2) is arranged downstream of the first reflector (R1) in the beam path (S), and an aperture (B) arranged between the first reflector (R1) and the second reflector (R2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: ZKW Group GmbH, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Arlinghaus, Helmut Erdl
  • Patent number: 11415289
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device for a motor vehicle headlight, said illumination device comprising the following: —multiple light sources (10) which are designed to emit light beams in a main emission direction, —a primary optical system (100) having multiple light-guiding elements (110), said light-guiding elements (110) being arranged in the main emission direction of the light sources (10) and each having a light entry face (120) into which the light beams of the light sources can be fed, and a light exit face (130), the light-guiding elements (110) opening into a common light exit face (130), and—a holder (200) which is designed to hold the light entry faces (120) of the light-guiding elements (110) in position in relation to the light sources (10), the holder (200) having at least one latching element (210) formed with a latching tab (220) to fasten the primary optical system (100), the latching tab (220) being designed to engage in an undercut (140) associated with the latching tab (220)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Lukas Taudt, Nina Brauner, Mathias Schragl, Christoph Längauer, Johann Höfler
  • Patent number: 11408575
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (1) for a for a motor vehicle headlight and/or for a rear light of a motor vehicle and/or for a signal light for a motor vehicle registration for generating at least two, in particular precisely two, light distributions, or for generating at least two, in particular precisely two different lighting functions, wherein the lighting device (1) comprises an optical element (2) and two light sources (30, 40) —a first light source (30) and a second light source (40), in particular LED light sources—wherein each of the light sources (30, 40) can be controlled independently of the other light source or sources, wherein the optical element (2) is formed from an optically transparent material, and wherein the optical element (2) has a light coupling region (10) and a light exit surface (11), and wherein light of the light sources (30, 40) which is introduced into the optical element (2) via the light coupling region (10) at least partially exits via the light exit surface (11)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Strohmüller
  • Patent number: 11378243
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an illumination device (1) for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein said illumination device (1) comprises the following: an optical assembly (100), which comprises at least one light source and a cooling element (110) that has at least three first openings (111), a supporting frame (200), which has at least three second openings (210) that are assigned to the at least three first openings (111), and an adapter component (300), which has a number of dowel pins (310) that corresponds to the number of first openings (111), with the dowel pins (310) respectively having a threaded bore (311) and respectively being inserted into a first opening (111), wherein a screw unit (400) with a mating thread (410) corresponding to the threaded bore (311) is provided for each dowel pin (310), wherein said screw unit (400) penetrates the supporting frame (200) through a second opening (210) of the supporting frame (200) and is screwed into the respective dowel pin (310), and wherein the dowel pins
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Artner, Johann Roland, Maximilian Hahn
  • Patent number: 11378246
    Abstract: Light module for a motor vehicle headlight, comprising a lighting device (2) generating light beams with a predefined beam path (3), a light deflection device (4) which is downstream of the lighting device (2) for deflecting the predefined beam path (3), and a spatial light modulator (5) downstream of the light deflection device (4), as seen in the direction of the light beams, wherein the light deflection device (4) directs essentially all light beams incident on the light deflection device (4) to the spatial light modulator (5) to generate an illumination pattern (6) to be emitted on the spatial light modulator (5), as well as an imaging system (7) which is set up to reproduce the illumination pattern (6) in the form of a light distribution in front of the light module, wherein the light deflection device (4) comprises a light-deflecting element (40) and an adjusting system (41), wherein the adjusting system (41) is set up to pivot the light-deflecting element (40) about at least two intersecting pivot axes
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Mitterlehner
  • Patent number: 11371669
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle headlight for generating a light pattern with a light-shadow line, wherein the lighting device comprises a light source (10), a light-permeable body (100), a light injection element (101) for injecting light which the at least one light source (10) emits, and a projection device (500). The light-permeable body (100) has an aperture device (103) with an aperture edge region (104). A light beam (S2) spreading in the optical element (110) is displayed by the projection device (500) as a light pattern (LV) with a light-shadow line (HD), with the light-shadow line (HD) being determined by the aperture edge region (104) of the aperture device (103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Kemetmüller, Bernd Eichinger, Markus Danner, Andreas Moser, Lukas Leonhartsberger
  • Patent number: 11371671
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle headlamp having a shielding screen (9) for shielding incident solar radiation, wherein the shielding screen is arranged between a lighting unit (2) having at least one light source (3), and a projection optics (8). Said shielding screen has a light outlet aperture for light radiated by the light unit to the front, wherein the light emitted by the lighting unit is projected into the traffic space as a light image by means of the projection optics, and the shielding screen is located outside the focal plane of the projection optics. On the border (13) of the light outlet aperture (10) of the shielding screen (9), deflective structures (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) are formed, a least in some areas, which lead to a deflection of scattered light that is emanating from the lighting unit and is undesirable in the light image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Lukas Taudt, Nina Brauner, Mathias Schragl, Christoph Längauer
  • Patent number: 11365859
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight (1) comprising a light module having a plurality of light sources (110, 120, 130) and a plurality of primary optics (210, 220, 230), wherein the light sources (110, 120, 130) each have a light-emitting surface (111, 121, 131) and are arranged on a common circuit board (50). The circuit board (50) has a circuit board reference point and a light reference plane, wherein the light reference plane is defined by at least three light reference points, and the circuit board reference point lies in the light reference plane. The primary optics (210, 220, 230) each have a light-incoupling surface (211, 221, 231) and a light-outcoupling surface (212, 222, 232), and are held in position by a common holder (60). The holder (60) has a holder reference point and an optics reference plane, which is defined by at least three optics reference points (21, 22, 23) and in which the holder reference point also lies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hölzl, Sascha David, Matthias Frühwirth, Josef Gürtl
  • Patent number: 11358516
    Abstract: Vehicle headlamp (1), which is designed to form a light pattern in front of a vehicle, comprising a first microprocessor (100), a first memory (110), a control-channel control unit (120) and a first light module (211, 212) with in each case a first output unit (221, 222), and a second light module (213, 214) with in each case a second output unit (223, 224), wherein the vehicle headlamp (1) also comprises an object-channel control unit (130), a second microprocessor (101) and a second memory (90), and the object-channel control unit (130) is designed to receive a message concerning an object channel (131) from a second electronic system (61) of the vehicle and the second microprocessor (101) is designed to at least partially retrieve the message from the object-channel control unit (130) and use it to form image data, and the second microprocessor (101) is also designed to activate the output unit (223, 224) of the second light module (213, 214) by way of a video channel (250), wherein the output unit (223, 2
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Lahmer
  • Patent number: 11299091
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle headlamp (1) comprising; a high-resolution lighting apparatus (2) for projecting various light distributions onto a roadway area (4) positioned in front of a vehicle (3); an environmental detection device (5) for detecting at least one parking space (6) located in the environment surrounding the vehicle (3); and a control device (7) for dynamically controlling the lighting apparatus (2); wherein the environmental detection device (5) is designed to issue information corresponding to a detected parking space (6) to the control device (7), wherein the control device (7) is designed, in case the environmental detection device (5) detects a parking space (6), to control the lighting apparatus (2), under consideration of at least the information issued by the environmental detection device (5) related to the parking space (6), in such a manner that the lighting apparatus (2) at least projects a definable ground projection (8), which at least represents the vehicle length, onto th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Hartmann, Markus Reinprecht, Josef Pürstinger, Bettina Reisinger, Clemens Hauer, Matthias Mayer, Christian Kalousek, Martin Lahmer
  • Patent number: 11293614
    Abstract: Disclosed is a projection apparatus (2) for a lighting module (1) of a motor vehicle headlamp, the projection apparatus (2) being formed by a plurality of micro-optical systems (3) that are arranged like a matrix; each micro-optical system (3) includes a micro-input optical element (30), a micro-output optical element (31) associated with the micro-input optical element (30), and a micro-diaphragm (32), all micro-input optical elements (31) forming an input optical unit (4), all micro-output optical elements (31) forming an output optical unit (5), and the micro-diaphragms (32) forming a diaphragm device (6); the diaphragm device (6) is disposed in a plane extending substantially perpendicularly to the main direction of emission (Z) of the projection apparatus (2), while the input optical unit (4), the output optical unit (5) and the diaphragm device (6) are disposed in planes extending substantially parallel to one another; all of the micro-optical systems (3) are subdivided into at least two micro-optical s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Moser, Bernhard Mandl, Friedrich Bauer
  • Patent number: 11293612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp unit (100) for a motor-vehicle lighting device, comprising: a dipped-beam module (101), a main-beam module (102), an imaging optical element (103, 503) connected downstream of the dipped-beam module (101) and the main-beam module (102), having an optical axis (104, 204, 404, 504) and a focal surface (116) orientated normal to the optical axis (104, 204, 404, 504), and a diaphragm (105, 405), which has a diaphragm edge (106, 206, 306) and extends essentially up to the focal surface (116) of the imaging optical element (103, 503) for generating the horizontal cut-off line in a light image generated by the lamp unit (100), wherein the diaphragm (105, 405) has an opaque diaphragm region (107, 407) and has a transparent diaphragm region (108, 408) with a geometric structure (109, 409) made from a transparent material at the diaphragm edge (106, 206, 306) in the region of the focal surface (116), the geometric structure (109, 409) has at least one prism body (110, 210, 310, 410, 510)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Josef Hechenberger, Bernhard Mandl
  • Patent number: 11280463
    Abstract: Disclosed is a projection apparatus (2) for a lighting module (1) of a motor vehicle headlamp, the projection apparatus (2) being formed by a plurality of micro-optical systems (3) that are arranged like a matrix; each micro-optical system (3) includes a micro-input optical element (30), a micro-output optical element (31) associated with the micro-input optical element (30), and a micro-diaphragm (32), all micro-input optical elements (31) forming an input optical unit (4), all micro-output optical elements (31) forming an output optical unit (5), and all micro-diaphragms (32) forming a diaphragm device (6); the diaphragm device (6) is disposed in a plane extending substantially perpendicularly to the main direction of emission (Z) of the projection apparatus (2), while the input optical unit (4), the output optical unit (5) and the diaphragm device (6) are disposed in planes extending substantially parallel to one another; the micro-diaphragm (32) of each micro-optical system (3) has an optically effective
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ZKW GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Moser, Bernhard Mandl, Friedrich Bauer