Patents by Inventor Karl Smirra

Karl Smirra 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: 9258918
    Abstract: A housing concept for integrated control electronics, comprising a housing bottom, a circuit carrier populated with electronic components of the central control electronics, and a signal and current distribution component as the electric connection between the central control electronics and peripheral components. The housing bottom is configured in the shape of a basin, the circuit carrier for the electronic components of the central control electronics being disposed therein such that the same can be electrically connected on at least one upwardly curved edge region to the signal and current distribution component disposed above the same via contact points, and wherein the housing bottom may also be connected circumferentially to the signal and current distribution component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Thomas Preuschl, Hermann-Josef Robin, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8674220
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic control device includes at least two housing parts, at least one housing base, a housing lid and an electronic connection between components disposed inside the housing and components disposed outside the housing. The connection is fixed to the base of the housing. The electronic connection is either constructed as a single-component flexible printed circuit board or as at least one partial flexible printed circuit board including at least one uniform open area of a copper conductor track outside an area covered by the housing lid. The width of the uniform region is oriented to a predefined contacting type of peripheral components and is longer than necessary for the contacting type. The invention therefore provides for a variable adaptation of generic electronics housings, thereby not necessarily requiring a novel structure of the housing with corresponding expensive individual packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8602247
    Abstract: A collection device with a collection container and a plurality of conducting elements guided on the collection container is disposed in a fluid container for a motor vehicle. The conducting elements are preferably of one-piece construction together with a collection plate surrounding the collection container. Fluid that sloshes around in the fluid container is fed through the conducting elements and the collection plate to the collection container. This allows the minimum amount of fluid in the fluid container required for the proper operation of the motor vehicle to be kept particularly low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft für Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventor: Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8502089
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrical connection between a rigid printed circuit board and a metallic contact partner, includes preparing the rigid printed circuit board having at least one copper layer and at least one prepreg layer, bringing the metallic contact partner and the printed circuit board together in such a way that the metallic contact partner is brought into contact with a contact pad on the copper layer of the printed circuit board, forming a cutout in the printed circuit board by removing the prepreg layer in at least one partial region of the contact pad, and irradiating with laser light to form a weld connection between the contact partner and the contact pad. A configuration of a rigid printed circuit board, a metallic contact partner and an electrical connection point, as well as a module having such a configuration, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Hermann-Josef Robin, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8339789
    Abstract: An electronic module for an integrated mecatronic transmission control includes a housing cover and at least one multi-layer circuit board as an electrical connection between an interior of the housing and components located outside the housing. The multi-layer circuit board is a circuit carrier for electronic components of central control electronics and at the same time is a thermal connection to a base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Thomas Preuschl, Hermann-Josef Robin, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8300415
    Abstract: An electronic component for an integrated mechatronic system has at least two housing parts with at least one housing base, a housing cover, and an electrical connection between the components disposed in the interior of the housing and components located outside the housing. The electrical connection is fixed on the housing base. The housing cover is glued directly to the electrical connection and/or the housing base and, in this manner, enables lasting hermetically sealed protection for the sensitive electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Joseph Loibl, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8294033
    Abstract: A rigid circuit board is provided which contains at least one integral limb shaped to provide predetermined movement at a free end of the limb in at least two mutually perpendicular planes. The rigid circuit board provides a rewiring structure at a low cost and is adaptable for use in a wide range of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Motsch, Florian Schels, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8220148
    Abstract: A method for producing a first flexible conductor carrier includes applying at least one conductor track to a base insulating film. A covering layer is applied to the conductor track and the base insulating film in such a way that, in at least one conduction region of the first flexible conductor carrier, the conductor track is completely enclosed by the covering layer and the base insulating film. The base insulating film is free of the conductor track and the covering layer in at least one insulating region. The conductor track is free of the covering layer in at least one contact region of the first flexible conductor carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Fischer, Josef Loibl, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8168896
    Abstract: An electronic housing, which includes at least two housing parts, has at least one housing base, a housing cover, and at least one electronic connection in the form of a printed circuit board between electronic substrates disposed in the housing interior and components positioned outside the housing, with the electronic connection being fixed on the housing base. The housing cover has a filling port for a casting compound, and the filling port is closed by a label. A method for the production of such an electronic housing and the use thereof for transmission control of a motor vehicle, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Karl Smirra
  • Publication number: 20120055568
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extractor device for an aqueous fluid from a storage container of a motor vehicle wherein a lengthwise-extended heating element is arranged next to a venting tube. The venting tube connects a catch container to a chamber arranged above the fluid level in the storage container. In case of icing, a connection is created early from the catch container to the chamber. A pump can thus convey the fluid out of the catch container early.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Friedel, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8111527
    Abstract: A support element for an electronic control device includes receivers for peripheral electronic components and at least one path region for guiding electrical connections. The electrical connections lead to an integrated standardized interface for connection to central control electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8089773
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic control unit has at least two housing parts which include at least a housing base, a housing cover and an electronic connection between components which are disposed inside the housing and components which are outside the housing. The connection is fixed to the housing base. The electronic connection has open conductor track regions outside the housing cover. The regions are at least partially covered by one or more contact partners. In this case, the contact partners simultaneously have at least one direct contact-connection to one or more of the open conductor track regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Joseph Loibl, Karl Smirra
  • Publication number: 20110303689
    Abstract: A collection device with a collection container and a plurality of conducting elements guided on the collection container is disposed in a fluid container for a motor vehicle. The conducting elements are preferably of one-piece construction together with a collection plate surrounding the collection container. Fluid that sloshes around in the fluid container is fed through the conducting elements and the collection plate to the collection container. This allows the minimum amount of fluid in the fluid container required for the proper operation of the motor vehicle to be kept particularly low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 8031473
    Abstract: A control device has a base plate, a cover plate coupled to the base plate, a cavity formed between the base plate and the cover plate, a circuit carrier disposed in the cavity, and a conducting track carrier electrically coupled to the circuit carrier. The base plate has a continuous recess that is configured and arranged for feeding a casting compound into the cavity between the base plate and the cover plate. The casting compound is embodied to at least partly enclose the circuit carrier and/or the conducting track carrier in a vibration-damping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Beer, Josef Loibl, Hermann-Josef Robin, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 7952885
    Abstract: A control device includes a number of individual flexible printed circuit boards that are preferably laminated on an aluminum base plate. A molded seal is used to reliably seal the edge areas of the partially flexible printed circuit board and these edge areas are formed to assist in creating the seal. The device is suited for mechatronic control units and is particularly suited for control devices that are mounted in a transmission or engine of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Karl Smirra
  • Publication number: 20110036627
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrical connection between a rigid printed circuit board and a metallic contact partner, includes preparing the rigid printed circuit board having at least one copper layer and at least one prepreg layer, bringing the metallic contact partner and the printed circuit board together in such a way that the metallic contact partner is brought into contact with a contact pad on the copper layer of the printed circuit board, forming a cutout in the printed circuit board by removing the prepreg layer in at least one partial region of the contact pad, and irradiating with laser light to form a weld connection between the contact partner and the contact pad. A configuration of a rigid printed circuit board, a metallic contact partner and an electrical connection point, as well as a module having such a configuration, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Hermann- Josef Robin, Karl Smirra
  • Publication number: 20100271791
    Abstract: A housing concept for integrated control electronics, comprising a housing bottom, a circuit carrier populated with electronic components of the central control electronics, and a signal and current distribution component as the electric connection between the central control electronics and peripheral components. The housing bottom is configured in the shape of a basin, the circuit carrier for the electronic components of the central control electronics being disposed therein such that the same can be electrically connected on at least one upwardly curved edge region to the signal and current distribution component disposed above the same via contact points, and wherein the housing bottom may also be connected circumferentially to the signal and current distribution component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Thomas Preuschl, Hermann-Josef Robin, Karl Smirra
  • Publication number: 20100226098
    Abstract: An electronic module for an integrated mecatronic transmission control includes a housing cover and at least one multi-layer circuit board as an electrical connection between an interior of the housing and components located outside the housing. The multi-layer circuit board is a circuit carrier for electronic components of central control electronics and at the same time is a thermal connection to a base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Thomas Preuschl, Hermann-Josef Robin, Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 7745739
    Abstract: A housing (1) with at least one electrical connection (7) through a housing wall (4) can be manufactured especially economically and can facilitate an especially economical lacing of electronic components (2, 13) present on the interior and on the exterior of the housing (1). The electrical connection (7) is enclosed by a housing material and additionally sealed by a sealing material (6). The sealing material (6) also advantageously serves to seal a top (3) and a bottom (5) to the housing wall (4). Through the combination of the casing of the electrical connection (7) of the housing (1) and the sealing material (6), this arrangement is, moreover, especially impervious to oil or other aggressive media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Continental Automotive GmbH, Walter Sohner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Michael Schwab, Hubert Remmlinger, Oskar Schütz, Andreas Rekofsky, Thomas Riepl, Karl Smirra, Günter Lugert
  • Publication number: 20100133001
    Abstract: An electronic housing, which includes at least two housing parts, has at least one housing base, a housing cover, and at least one electronic connection in the form of a printed circuit board between electronic substrates disposed in the housing interior and components positioned outside the housing, with the electronic connection being fixed on the housing base. The housing cover has a filling port for a casting compound, and the filling port is closed by a label. A method for the production of such an electronic housing and the use thereof for transmission control of a motor vehicle, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Karl Smirra