Patents by Inventor Christoph Schostok

Christoph Schostok has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7346436
    Abstract: A modular switch and control system for use in a motor vehicle is provided, that is easily and flexibly adapted to the particular needs and requires no additional wiring for added modules. The modular switch and control system comprises a main switch module and optional satellite modules of different types. The main and satellite modules have separate housings with matching engagement structures permitting each satellite module to be fitted to one side of the main module. Each satellite module is electrically connected with the main module through matching male and female connectors. Each satellite module is provided with electrical coding device accessible through the connectors and permitting each satellite to be provided with a code indicative of the module type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co Kg
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Dieter Bornhorst, Christoph Schostok, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Patent number: 7342188
    Abstract: A rotary light switch for motor vehicles is presented that ensures a feel that is not susceptible to mechanical influences. The rotary light switch has an actuator that can be rotated around an axis and that can be moved in the axial direction, and that is non-rotatably coupled to a rotational position indicator and axially coupled to an axial position indicator. Moreover, it has an electronic evaluation circuit to which the signals from the rotational position indicator and from the axial position indicator are fed and, according to a permanently stored decision matrix, said evaluation circuit uses the signals to derive discrete switching states that are converted into switching signals that serve to actuate the lighting system of the vehicle. The rotational position indicator comprises a potentiometer that generates a negligible resistance to the rotational movement, so that no mechanical influences are caused by the rotational position indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. Kg
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Stefan Seiler, Christoph Schostok, Matthias Rimmele
  • Publication number: 20060055247
    Abstract: A rotary light switch for motor vehicles is presented that ensures a feel that is not susceptible to mechanical influences. The rotary light switch has an actuator that can be rotated around an axis and that can be moved in the axial direction, and that is non-rotatably coupled to a rotational position indicator and axially coupled to an axial position indicator. Moreover, it has an electronic evaluation circuit to which the signals from the rotational position indicator and from the axial position indicator are fed and, according to a permanently stored decision matrix, said evaluation circuit uses the signals to derive discrete switching states that are converted into switching signals that serve to actuate the lighting system of the vehicle. The rotational position indicator comprises a potentiometer that generates a negligible resistance to the rotational movement, so that no mechanical influences are caused by the rotational position indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Stefan Seiler, Christoph Schostok, Matthias Rimmele
  • Publication number: 20050075741
    Abstract: A modular switch and control system for use in a motor vehicle is provided, that is easily and flexibly adapted to the particular needs and requires no additional wiring for added modules. The modular switch and control system comprises a main switch module and optional satellite modules of different types. The main and satellite modules have separate housings with matching engagement structures permitting each satellite module to be fitted to one side of the main module. Each satellite module is electrically connected with the main module through matching male and female connectors. Each satellite module is provided with electrical coding means accessible through the connectors and permitting each satellite to be provided with a code indicative of the module type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Dieter Bornhorst, Christoph Schostok, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt