Patents by Inventor Karsten Eichhorn

Karsten Eichhorn 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: 11802674
    Abstract: A lighting device is provided for a motor vehicle. The lighting device comprises at least one imaging component with at least one active surface, on which imaging elements for the generation of pixels of a light distribution are arranged matrix-like. The lighting device further comprises a light-guiding optics having at least one entry surface and one exit surface. During operation of the lighting device, the light emanating from the at least one active surface enters the light-guiding optics through the at least one entry surface and exits the light-guiding optics through the exit surface. The exit surface has a different shape and/or a different size than the at least one active surface, and/or a plurality of active surfaces and only one exit surface or a plurality of adjacent exit surfaces are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Markus Giehl, Daniela Karthaus, Christian Schmidt, Benjamin Willeke
  • Publication number: 20220283364
    Abstract: A display device for a motor vehicle is provided. The display device includes at least one display with a display surface for displaying content via a plurality of pixels. The display device comprises a light-guiding lens with at least one entry surface and an exit surface. During operation of the display device the light emitted from the display surface enters the light-guiding lens through the at least one entry surface and is emitted by an exit surface, such that the content is shown on the exit surface. In one embodiment, the exit surface features a different shape. In another embodiment, the exit surface is a different size than the at least one display surface. In another embodiment, the display device comprises several displays with display surfaces at distances to each other, and the light-guiding lens features merely one exit surface or several exit surfaces directly adjoining each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Markus Giehl, Daniela Karthaus, Christian Schmidt, Benjamin Willeke
  • Publication number: 20220260223
    Abstract: A lighting device is provided for a motor vehicle. The lighting device comprises at least one imaging component with at least one active surface, on which imaging elements for the generation of pixels of a light distribution are arranged matrix-like. The lighting device further comprises a light-guiding optics having at least one entry surface and one exit surface. During operation of the lighting device, the light emanating from the at least one active surface enters the light-guiding optics through the at least one entry surface and exits the light-guiding optics through the exit surface. The exit surface has a different shape and/or a different size than the at least one active surface, and/or a plurality of active surfaces and only one exit surface or a plurality of adjacent exit surfaces are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Marcus Giehl, Daniela Karthaus, Christian Schmidt, Benjamin Willeke
  • Publication number: 20080239746
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headlamp for vehicles with a plurality of LED light sources combined into a single light-emitting surface, where an optical unit is allocated to at least one LED light source to generate some of a specified light distribution, where one or several LED light sources can be turned on or off such that the light distribution can be modified, where a first optical unit with first projection characteristics is placed before a first group of LED light sources and a second optical unit with second projection characteristics is placed before a second group of LED light sources such that a number of differently sized light spots can be generated in the traffic space by optionally turning on or off or dimming the LED light sources of the first group of LED light sources or the second group of LED light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Martin Wuller, Nikolaus Decius, Karsten Eichhorn, Mirco Gotz, Susanne Hagedorn, Christian Luder
  • Patent number: 7316494
    Abstract: A lighting unit for vehicles has a plurality of semiconductor light sources distributed in a grid. The grid of semiconductor light sources is divided into at least two grid segments, the grid segments being each activatable independently of each other and/or assigned to a different light functions, with an optical element in the beam path of a light beam emitted by the semiconductor light sources. The semiconductor light sources (3) are arranged on a common carrier substrate (5), with a chip cover (6) transparent to light in the direction of light propagation, in that the chip cover (6) is filled with a light-scattering and/or light-converting auxiliary material (8) and in that a shading device (9) is provided such that, in the boundary region between the activated grid segment (10) and the unactivated grid segment (11), a relatively steep transition of light intensity is adjustable to form a light/dark boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Susanne Hagedorn
  • Publication number: 20060198118
    Abstract: A lighting unit for vehicles has a plurality of semiconductor light sources distributed in a grid. The grid of semiconductor light sources is divided into at least two grid segments, the grid segments being each activatable independently of each other and/or assigned to a different light functions, with an optical element in the beam path of a light beam emitted by the semiconductor light sources. The semiconductor light sources (3) are arranged on a common carrier substrate (5), with a chip cover (6) transparent to light in the direction of light propagation, in that the chip cover (6) is filled with a light-scattering and/or light-converting auxiliary material (8) and in that a shading device (9) is provided such that, in the boundary region between the activated grid segment (10) and the unactivated grid segment (11), a relatively steep transition of light intensity is adjustable to form a light/dark boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2004
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Susanne Hagedorn
  • Publication number: 20060193145
    Abstract: A headlamp for vehicle has at least one planar luminous panel of luminous-element chips, and an optical element arranged in the beam path of the light beam emitted by the luminous panel. The luminous-element chips (4) of the luminous panel (3, 21, 31) are arranged in a common recess (5). The recess (5) is on the side facing the direction of the light emission. The headlamp has an edge in spatial arrangement to the luminous-element chips such (4) that a predetermined luminance gradient (G, G?, G?) in a light distribution (L) of the headlamp is formed in the region of the edges (9, 25, 32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Christian Luder, Susanne Hagedom, Martin Wuller
  • Patent number: 6533442
    Abstract: A beam light unit for vehicles, having a light module with a light source and a reflector, includes a downstream light output element to produce a predetermined light distribution. The light output element is mounted in a housing that leaves only a light outlet face of the light output element exposed, with sidewalls of the housing being in contact with jacket walls of the light output element immediately adjacent the light outlet face. Edge contours of the sidewalls correspond to a form of an edge of the light outlet face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Detlef Korff, Roland Lachmayer, Burkhard Woerdenweber
  • Patent number: 6474857
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles that envisages a light-decoupling element in a decoupling bay of the vehicle. The light-decoupling element is fed by a light source arranged at a distance therefrom. A light guide is envisaged between the light source and the light decoupling element. An additional decoupling bay lighting device is envisaged to achieve a visually appealing appearance of the decoupling bay and to illuminate the decoupling bay of the light-decoupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Alfred Ott, Uwe Frederking, Wener Heinz, Karsten Eichhorn, Ewald Topp, Gerhard Jost, Michael Wuestefeld, Stefan Wiesner
  • Patent number: 6471382
    Abstract: A lighting device for motor vehicles, having at least one light output element to produce a given light distribution, having at least one light source arranged at a distance from the light output element, having at least one optical fiber for connecting the light source to the light output element, where a plurality of light output elements are provided, and a light function selector is connected upstream for optional selection of the light output elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Karsten Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 6371635
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting device for a vehicle, having a light-decoupling element in a decoupling bay of the vehicle. The light-decoupling element is fed by a light source arranged at a distance, where an optical fiber connects the light source and the light decoupling element. A light panel is used to achieve a visual shielding of an inner bay containing structural elements and components. The light panel facilitates a visual shielding of the rear inner bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Alfred Ott, Uwe Frederking, Wener Heinz, Karsten Eichhorn, Ewald Topp, Gerhard Jost, Micheal Wuestefeld, Stefan Wiesner
  • Publication number: 20010043477
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting device for a vehicle, having a light-decoupling element in a decoupling bay of the vehicle. The light-decoupling element is fed by a light source arranged at a distance, where an optical fiber connects the light source and the light decoupling element. A light panel is used to achieve a visual shielding of an inner bay containing structural elements and components. The light panel facilitates a visual shielding of the rear inner bay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Alfred Ott, Uwe Frederking, Wener Heinz, Karsten Eichhorn, Ewald Topp, Gerhard Jost, Micheal Wuestefeld, Stefan Wiesner
  • Publication number: 20010014026
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles that envisages a light-decoupling element in a decoupling bay of the vehicle. The light-decoupling element is fed by a light source arranged at a distance therefrom. A light guide is envisaged between the light source and the light decoupling element. An additional decoupling bay lighting device is envisaged to achieve a visually appealing appearance of the decoupling bay and to illuminate the decoupling bay of the light-decoupling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Alfred Ott, Uwe Frederking, Werner Heinz, Karsten Eichhorn, Ewald Topp, Gerhard Jost, Michael Wuestefeld, Stefan Wiesner
  • Publication number: 20010014024
    Abstract: A beam light unit for vehicles, having a light module with a light source and a reflector, includes a downstream light output element to produce a predetermined light distribution. The light output element is mounted in a housing that leaves only a light outlet face of the light output element exposed, with sidewalls of the housing being in contact with jacket walls of the light output element immediately adjacent the light outlet face. Edge contours of the sidewalls correspond to a form of an edge of the light outlet face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Detlef Korff, Roland Lachmayer, Burkhard Woerdenweber
  • Publication number: 20010006466
    Abstract: A lighting device for motor vehicles, having at least one light output element to produce a given light distribution, having at least one light source arranged at a distance from the light output element, having at least one optical fiber for connecting the light source to the light output element, where a plurality of light output elements are provided, and a light function selector is connected upstream for optional selection of the light output elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventor: Karsten Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 6116764
    Abstract: A headlight, having a bowel shaped reflector with two focal points and a lens, includes a screen shaft positioned between the lens and the reflector, a rotational axis of which extends horizontally and at a right angle to an optical axis. The screen shaft is adjustable to a plurality of rotational positions and has in each rotational position a focal line, which produces a light-dark border of a light pattern. A mantle surface of the screen shaft has at least one surface portion which connects two focal lines which extends irregularly to, and deviates from, a cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Franz-Josef Kalze, Ewald Topp
  • Patent number: 6107916
    Abstract: A signal lamp for vehicles, specifically motor vehicles, has a housing in which at least one light source is positioned, and a light guide from which light is directed in a predetermined light exit direction, whereby the light guide is structured as a long stretched-out light-release element that extends at least in areas along an edge of a housing and/or of a reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Hella Kg Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Christian Beck, Andre Blanke, Herbert Cramer, Elmar Duenschede, Karsten Eichhorn, Guenther Fischer, Klaus Henneboehle, Franz-Gerhard Jost, Christian Plattfaut, Bernhard Scholl
  • Patent number: 5988837
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a vehicle headlight during cornering, involves creating cornering light by superimposing a light distribution pattern (37) with a greater horizontal dispersion than that of a low-beam light onto the low-beam light distribution pattern (36). A fog-light distribution pattern (37) of a fog light is used as the light distribution pattern having the greater horizontal dispersion. A single headlight unit can be used for generating such cornering light according to the method of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Franz-Josef Kalze, Christian Plattfaut
  • Patent number: 5954428
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight (1) has a reflector (2) that is divided vertically into an upper region (6), a middle region (7), and a lower region (8), wherein the upper region is structured as a low-beam light surface (9) having a first center (10), through which extends a longitudinal axis of a first lamp (3), the middle region is formed as a fog light surface (14) and the lower region as a high-beam light surface (15), and the fog light surface and the high-beam light surface have a common center (16) through which extends a longitudinal axis of a second lamp (4). The reflector is mounted so that it can pivot about its central axis, and is pivoted by an electric motor (5) as a function of lateral inclination of a vehicle on which the headlight is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Roland Lachmayer, Christian Plattfaut, Holm Tietz