Patents by Inventor Rainer Lipfert
Rainer Lipfert 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).
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Patent number: 9902316Abstract: The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit (1) for a motor vehicle, having a driver part (7) to which an actuating lever (2) can be connected and which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (11) between an initial position and an actuated position, wherein the driver part (7) has an arm (20) which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis (11), in particular in the direction of a steering spindle, and which projects from a main body (16) of the driver part (7), on which arm there is arranged an electrical contact element (8) which, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled to a further contact element, and having a resetting device (6) with a triggering element (10) which is designed for resetting the driver part (7), and thus the actuating lever (2), from the actuated position into the initial position, wherein the triggering element (10) is arranged on a side of the arm (20) situated opposite the electrical contact element (8).Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Karl Simonis
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Patent number: 9651982Abstract: The invention relates to a resetting device (6) for a steering-column switch unit (1) of a motor vehicle, having a triggering element (10) by means of which an actuating lever (2) of the steering-column switch unit (1) can be moved from an actuated position into an initial position, having an intermediate piece (22) on which the triggering element (10) is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (35) between a rest position and a triggering position in which the actuating lever (2) can be moved into the initial position, wherein the triggering element (10) is furthermore mounted on the intermediate piece (22) so as to be displaceable in a sliding direction (28) perpendicular to the pivot axis (35), having a spring element (27) for generating a spring force which acts parallel to the sliding direction (28) and with which the triggering element (10) is arranged under preload on the intermediate piece (22), and having a switch override protection unit (32) with at least one switch override spring (33, 34Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Karl Simonis
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Patent number: 9586542Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (2) for transmitting electrical signals to and/or from a rotatable component of a motor vehicle, having a positionally fixed stator (4) which is intended to be installed in a positionally fixed manner in the motor vehicle, and having a rotor (3) which is rotatably mounted on the stator (4) and which is intended to be coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotatable component of the motor vehicle, wherein the stator (4) has a housing (5) in which a flat cable (14) for transmitting the electrical signals is arranged, wherein a connecting piece (6) which is electrically coupled to the flat cable (14) and is designed to be connected to a corresponding mating piece (15) of the rotatable component is arranged on the rotor (3), and wherein the rotor (3) has a viewing window (11) through which it is possible for a viewer looking from outside the housing (5) to identify a reference element (13) of the flat cable (14) in a neutral position of the rotor (3) with respect to thType: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Sascha Staude, Rainer Lipfert, Viktoria Schwarz, Roland Gruener, Karl Simonis
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Publication number: 20160264072Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (2) for transmitting electrical signals to and/or from a rotatable component of a motor vehicle, having a positionally fixed stator (4) which is intended to be installed in a positionally fixed manner in the motor vehicle, and having a rotor (3) which is rotatably mounted on the stator (4) and which is intended to be coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotatable component of the motor vehicle, wherein the stator (4) has a housing (5) in which a flat cable (14) for transmitting the electrical signals is arranged, wherein a connecting piece (6) which is electrically coupled to the flat cable (14) and is designed to be connected to a corresponding mating piece (15) of the rotatable component is arranged on the rotor (3), and wherein the rotor (3) has a viewing window (11) through which it is possible for a viewer looking from outside the housing (5) to identify a reference element (13) of the flat cable (14) in a neutral position of the rotor (3) with respect to thType: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2014Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Sascha Staude, Rainer Lipfert, Viktoria Schwarz, Roland Gruener, Karl Simonis
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Publication number: 20150001051Abstract: The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit (1) for a motor vehicle, having a driver part (7) to which an actuating lever (2) can be connected and which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (11) between an initial position and an actuated position, wherein the driver part (7) has an arm (20) which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis (11), in particular in the direction of a steering spindle, and which projects from a main body (16) of the driver part (7), on which arm there is arranged an electrical contact element (8) which, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled to a further contact element, and having a resetting device (6) with a triggering element (10) which is designed for resetting the driver part (7), and thus the actuating lever (2), from the actuated position into the initial position, wherein the triggering element (10) is arranged on a side of the arm (20) situated opposite the electrical contact element (8).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2012Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Karl Simonis
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Publication number: 20140339057Abstract: The invention relates to a resetting device (6) for a steering-column switch unit (1) of a motor vehicle, having a triggering element (10) by means of which an actuating lever (2) of the steering-column switch unit (1) can be moved from an actuated position into an initial position, having an intermediate piece (22) on which the triggering element (10) is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (35) between a rest position and a triggering position in which the actuating lever (2) can be moved into the initial position, wherein the triggering element (10) is furthermore mounted on the intermediate piece (22) so as to be displaceable in a sliding direction (28) perpendicular to the pivot axis (35), having a spring element (27) for generating a spring force which acts parallel to the sliding direction (28) and with which the triggering element (10) is arranged under preload on the intermediate piece (22), and having a switch override protection unit (32) with at least one switch override spring (33, 34Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBHInventors: Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Karl Simonis
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Publication number: 20110168866Abstract: An arrangement for fastening functional units in a vehicle is disclosed. The arrangement includes a carrier part arranged between a functional unit and the vehicle. The carrier part is designed in one piece and includes, on the side facing the vehicle, mechanical connecting elements which in each case are specific to the vehicle. On the opposing side facing the interior of the vehicle, the carrier part includes mechanical connecting elements adapted to the functional unit. A roof module is formed by the arrangement, which is attached approximately centrally in the transition region of the vehicle body to the front windscreen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBHInventors: Roland Gruener, Laurent Raddaz, Rainer Lipfert, Bernd Binder, Martin Hasch, Michael Barwanitz, Karl Simonis, Daryl Harrigan
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Patent number: 7878813Abstract: The invention relates to a connection device for transmitting electric current, in particular for a steering wheel heater of a motor vehicle, between a stationary housing part and a rotor which can rotate with respect to the housing part, comprising a flat ribbon cable and end plug connectors which are provided in the region of the free ends of the flat ribbon cable. The invention is characterized in that the flat ribbon cable has a central plug connector which is placed between the end plug connectors and is intended to be arranged on the rotor side or housing side, from which central plug connector at least one line runs to one end plug connector and one line to the other end plug connector, wherein the two end plug connectors are intended to be arranged on the housing side or rotor side. The invention also relates to a steering column/steering wheel transmission unit with a connection apparatus of this type.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Karl Simonis, Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Roland Gruener, Bernd Binder
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Publication number: 20100133410Abstract: An arrangement for fastening functional units in a vehicle is disclosed. The arrangement includes a carrier part arranged between a functional unit and the vehicle. The carrier part is designed in one piece and includes, on the side facing the vehicle, mechanical connecting elements which in each case are specific to the vehicle. On the opposing side facing the interior of the vehicle, the carrier part includes mechanical connecting elements adapted to the functional unit. A roof module is formed by the arrangement, which is attached approximately centrally in the transition region of the vehicle body to the front windscreen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBHInventors: Roland Gruener, Laurent Raddaz, Rainer Lipfert, Bernd Binder, Martin Hasch, Michael Barwanitz, Karl Simonis, Daryl Harrigan
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Publication number: 20090142937Abstract: The invention relates to a connection device for transmitting electric current, in particular for a steering wheel heater of a motor vehicle, between a stationary housing part and a rotor which can rotate with respect to the housing part, comprising a flat ribbon cable and end plug connectors which are provided in the region of the free ends of the flat ribbon cable. The invention is characterized in that the flat ribbon cable has a central plug connector which is placed between the end plug connectors and is intended to be arranged on the rotor side or housing side, from which central plug connector at least one line runs to one end plug connector and one line to the other end plug connector, wherein the two end plug connectors are intended to be arranged on the housing side or rotor side. The invention also relates to a steering column/steering wheel transmission unit with a connection apparatus of this type.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventors: Karl Simonis, Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Roland Gruener, Bernd Binder
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Patent number: 7385152Abstract: The invention relates to a switch module comprising a selector lever that is pivotally mounted in a bearing housing. The selector lever comprises two opposing, projecting trunnions and the bearing housing has receiving openings, at least sections of the latter being configured in polygonal form. A force is exerted on the selector lever, together with its trunnions, in the direction of one vertex.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Martin Hasch, Rainer Lipfert, Karl Simonis, Roland Gruener, Bernd Binder, Juergen Suchanek
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Patent number: 7329819Abstract: The invention relates to a steering column module for a vehicle, especially for a motor vehicle. The steering column comprises a base housing, at least one switch unit which is arranged in or on the base housing and comprises a mechanism which is coupled to an actuating element, at least one printed circuit board arranged in or on the base housing, and at least one switch which can be displaced on the printed circuit board, the switch being coupled in a displaceable manner to the mechanism of the switch unit. The printed circuit board and the switch are associated with a common pre-mounted unit which is constructed in such a manner that the switch is movingly coupled to the mechanism of the switch unit during mounting of the switch unit to said pre-mounted unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Martin Hasch, Rainer Lipfert, Bernd Binder, Roland Gruener, Karl Simonis, Juergen Suchanek
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Patent number: 7311536Abstract: The invention concerns a transmission device for transmitting electrical signals between a rotor and a stator, having an annular space formed by the rotor and the stator, wherein the space receives at least one flat strip cable which extends between the rotor and the stator and can be wound and unwound in the space, and wherein at least one elastically resilient annular band is provided to support the flat strip cable in the space. The invention is characterized in that the annular band can be driven by the rotor and/or the stator via engagement sections provided on the side of the annular band.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Karl Simonis, Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Roland Gruener, Bernd Binder, Jürgen Suchanek
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Publication number: 20070125631Abstract: The invention relates to a switch module comprising a selector lever that is pivotally mounted in a bearing housing. The selector lever comprises two opposing, projecting trunnions and the bearing housing has receiving openings, at least sections of the latter being configured in polygonal form. A force is exerted on the selector lever, together with its trunnions, in the direction of one vertex.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2004Publication date: June 7, 2007Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBHInventors: Martin Hasch, Rainer Lipfert, Karl Simonis, Roland Gruener, Bernd Binder, Juergen Suchanek
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Publication number: 20060276057Abstract: The invention concerns a transmission device for transmitting electrical signals between a rotor and a stator, having an annular space formed by the rotor and the stator, wherein the space receives at least one flat strip cable which extends between the rotor and the stator and can be wound and unwound in the space, and wherein at least one elastically resilient annular band is provided to support the flat strip cable in the space. The invention is characterized in that the annular band can be driven by the rotor and/or the stator via engagement sections provided on the side of the annular band.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2004Publication date: December 7, 2006Inventors: Karl Simonis, Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Roland Gruener, Bernd Binder, Jurgen Suchanek
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Publication number: 20060243570Abstract: The invention relates to a steering column module for a vehicle, especially for a motor vehicle. The steering column comprises a base housing, at least one switch unit which is arranged in or on the base housing and comprises a mechanism which is coupled to an actuating element, at least one printed circuit board arranged in or on the base housing, and at least one switch which can be displaced on the printed circuit board, the switch being coupled in a displaceable manner to the mechanism of the switch unit. The printed circuit board and the switch are associated with a common pre-mounted unit which is constructed in such a manner that the switch is movingly coupled to the mechanism of the switch unit during mounting of the switch unit to said pre-mounted unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2004Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventors: Martin Hasch, Rainer Lipfert, Roland Grüner, Karl Simonis, Jürgen Suchanek
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Patent number: 6903285Abstract: A steering column switch for a vehicle has a switch unit whose control lever is pivotably disposed in two transverse pivot planes which are preferably approximately perpendicular to each other and is coupled to switching members having switching contacts such that the switching contacts load the connecting contacts of a strip conductor support (20) in dependence on a working position of the control lever. A region of the control lever facing the switching members has contact points which are tapped by contact elements disposed on the switching member side to provide an electric connection to the strip conductor support. The ends of the contact elements facing the control lever load the contact points approximately at a right angle with respect to the strip conductor support and below a pivot axis of the control lever which extends parallel to the strip conductor support.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Juergen Bosch, Erhard Brunner, Martin Kleinle, Karl Simonis, Rainer Lipfert
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Publication number: 20040094395Abstract: A steering column switch for a vehicle has a switch unit whose control lever is pivotably disposed in two transverse pivot planes which are preferably approximately perpendicular to each other and is coupled to switching members having switching contacts such that the switching contacts load the connecting contacts of a strip conductor support (20) in dependence on a working position of the control lever. A region of the control lever facing the switching members has contact points which are tapped by contact elements disposed on the switching member side to provide an electric connection to the strip conductor support. The ends of the contact elements facing the control lever load the contact points approximately at a right angle with respect to the strip conductor support and below a pivot axis of the control lever which extends parallel to the strip conductor support.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventors: Juergen Bosch, Erhard Brunner, Martin Kleinle, Karl Simonis, Rainer Lipfert