Patents by Inventor Ronald Hegewald

Ronald Hegewald 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: 7863973
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating panel arrangement, in particular for domestic appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers. An operating panel has formed on its outside actuating sections and display sections for operating or monitoring purposes. An electrical circuit arrangement is coupled to the actuating sections and the display sections and is arranged in the region of the inside of the operating panel. In this case, the circuit arrangement has at least three electrodes, which are arranged in a manner distributed approximately parallel to the operating panel. The circuit arrangement has evaluation means which are designed to calculate the spatial position of an operating means in relation to the position of the three electrodes, to be precise by evaluating the fields between the electrodes and the operator. The actuating sections can be freely defined as positions of the operating means in the region of the outside of the operating panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: PAS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Ehrlich, Michael Seikel, Roland Meyer, Marek Betnerowicz, Peter Geiger, Ronald Hegewald
  • Patent number: 7700900
    Abstract: A panel arrangement for a domestic appliance, having a panel which can be fitted to the domestic appliance such that it is visible from the outside. Indicator and/or operator controls are provided which are mounted on the panel. A printed circuit board comprises control and possibly power electronics and can be arranged in the interior of the domestic appliance. The indicator and/or operator controls are connected to the printed circuit board. At least some of the indicator and/or operator controls are mounted on the panel substantially independently of the layout of the printed circuit board and are connected to the printed circuit board via at least one flexible supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Geiger, Ronald Hegewald, Michael Seikel
  • Publication number: 20090072883
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating panel arrangement, in particular for domestic appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers. An operating panel has formed on its outside actuating sections and display sections for operating or monitoring purposes. An electrical circuit arrangement is coupled to the actuating sections and the display sections and is arranged in the region of the inside of the operating panel. In this case, the circuit arrangement has at least three electrodes, which are arranged in a manner distributed approximately parallel to the operating panel. The circuit arrangement has evaluation means which are designed to calculate the spatial position of an operating means in relation to the position of the three electrodes, to be precise by evaluating the fields between the electrodes and the operator. The actuating sections can be freely defined as positions of the operating means in the region of the outside of the operating panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: PAS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Ehrlich, Michael Seikel, Roland Meyer, Marek Betnerowicz, Peter Geiger, Ronald Hegewald
  • Publication number: 20060219697
    Abstract: A panel arrangement for a domestic appliance, having a panel which can be fitted to the domestic appliance such that it is visible from the outside. Indicator and/or operator controls are provided which are mounted on the panel. A printed circuit board comprises control and possibly power electronics and can be arranged in the interior of the domestic appliance. The indicator and/or operator controls are connected to the printed circuit board. At least some of the indicator and/or operator controls are mounted on the panel substantially independently of the layout of the printed circuit board and are connected to the printed circuit board via at least one flexible supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Geiger, Ronald Hegewald, Michael Seikel
  • Patent number: 7041922
    Abstract: The invention proposes a key arrangement for a control panel, particularly for domestic machines such as washing machines, driers etc., having at least one key with a front control face and at least one backward-protruding projection, a key support which has at least one opening through which the projection passes, and elastic means which are borne on the back of the key support, the elastic means engaging with the projection which passes through the opening and prestressing the key forwards from the key support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Prettl Appliance Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Geiger, Ronald Hegewald, Michael Seikel
  • Publication number: 20050109592
    Abstract: The invention proposes a key arrangement for a control panel, particularly for domestic machines such as washing machines, driers etc., having at least one key with a front control face and at least one backward-protruding projection, a key support which has at least one opening through which the projection passes, and elastic means which are borne on the back of the key support, the elastic means engaging with the projection which passes through the opening and prestressing the key forwards from the key support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Geiger, Ronald Hegewald, Michael Seikel