Patents by Inventor Thomas Niemann

Thomas Niemann 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).

  • Publication number: 20130014601
    Abstract: In a holding device for a sensor, in particular for a rain/light sensor, for mounting on the inner side of a window pane, such as a vehicle pane or suchlike, with at least one holder able to be fastened on the window pane, which holder has a mount for the sensor, and with at least one spring component for fixing the sensor in the mount of the holder, the spring component has detent means for at least a partially detachable connection to the holder. The spring component comprises a spring section with a snap function, which is constructed such that the spring section is in one of two stable spring positions, wherein in one spring position a spring force acts on the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas NIEMANN, Jürgen PALLOKS, Uwe RÖBEN
  • Publication number: 20120234091
    Abstract: In the case of a device for ascertaining a fill level of a medium inside a collection container, having at least one measuring chamber, in which an ultrasonic sensor is arranged, connected to conduct media to the collection chamber, and having at least one antechamber connected upstream from the measuring chamber, which has at least one inlet opening for the medium from the collection chamber, at least one flow damper for the medium, according to the invention, is arranged in at least one subarea of the antechamber. Thereby multiple antechambers, which are connected in series one behind another to conduct media, are connected upstream from the measuring chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Jürgen Palloks, Thomas Kück, David Hessenkämper, Ingo Zoyke, Herbert Claassen
  • Publication number: 20120092315
    Abstract: In a method for determining a control signal as a function of measured ambient light conditions for subsequent processing by at least one electrical component, in particular in order to control an imaging unit of an image output apparatus, the present light conditions are detected by means of a plurality of light sensors, measuring signals are output as a function of the intensity of the light conditions recorded by the light sensors, and the measuring signals of the individual light sensors are then combined into at least one control signal in accordance with at least one predefined ratio. The control signal is adjusted with consideration of the orientation of at least one of the light sensors and is then output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Almut Schlarmann, Christin Nitsche
  • Publication number: 20120019271
    Abstract: In the case of a device for detecting physical state variables of a medium, such as pressure or temperature, for example, of a liquid, comprising at least one measuring sensor, which is connected to at least one electrical conductor so as to transmit signals, wherein at least one section of the conductor, which encompasses the sensor, is embedded in a casting compound, the casting compound is embodied, according to the invention, from at least one casting core and a casting jacket, which encloses the casting core, and provision is made in the casting compound for at least one recess for a media-conducting access to a contact surface of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Thomas NIEMANN, Torsten EGGERS
  • Publication number: 20120007507
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the visibility outside of a motor vehicle by means of at least two light sensors, in the case of which the intensity of the light reflection of the driving light emitted in the direction of travel is detected by means of a first light sensor, which is oriented in the direction of travel. The first light sensor thereby transmits at least a first evaluation signal to a control unit for further processing at least as a function of the recorded intensity of the light reflection. The ambient light is detected by means of a second light sensor and a second evaluation signal is transmitted to the control unit as a function of the intensity of the ambient light. The control unit correlates the evaluation signals of both light sensors and the light intensity threshold value is determined on the basis thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Olaf Lüdtke, Almut Schlarmann, Jürgen Palloks, Antje Müller, Tim Petasch
  • Publication number: 20120006907
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for acquiring predetermined state variables inside a room, in particular in the interior of a motor vehicle, with at least one temperature sensor and with a humidity sensor, at least regions of which are enclosed by a housing, wherein a first temperature sensor exhibits at least one contact surface for abutting against a perimeter surface bordering the room, and that at least one second temperature sensor is provided inside the housing for acquiring the room temperature. The contact surface is thereby a surface piece of a printed circuit board section of a printed circuit board, which encompasses elastic characteristics, wherein the printed circuit board section encompasses a plurality of surface pieces, which are angled relative to one another, and the temperature sensors are arranged at different surface pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Olaf Lüdtke, Almut Schlarmann, Jürgen Palloks, Antje Müller, Tim Petasch
  • Publication number: 20120006110
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor arrangement for detecting ambient conditions, in particular for a motor vehicle, with at least one carrier plate and optical elements arranged on this carrier plate, wherein several of the optical elements are arranged around a shared central region on the carrier plate, and at least two of the optical elements arranged around the central region exhibit primary action axes. These primary action axes are adjusted at a predetermined angle relative to the carrier plate, wherein the primary action axes are directed toward the shared central region. Additional sensors arranged on the carrier plate include a rain sensor, a solar sensor as well as various light sensors, which preferably are arranged on receiving surfaces of the carrier plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Olaf Lüdtke, Almut Schlarmann, Jürgen Palloks, Antje Müller, Tim Petasch
  • Patent number: 8053950
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor with a cylinder-shaped housing whose base forms a diaphragm of the ultrasonic sensor. The diaphragm is manufactured as an independent component and directly mounted in the cylinder-shaped housing. A method for manufacturing the ultrasonic sensor includes the steps of manufacturing the diaphragm and the cylinder-shaped housing separately from each other, and mounting the diaphragm directly in the cylinder-shaped housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Niemann
  • Publication number: 20110228641
    Abstract: A device for determining a filling level in a container, with a stillwell which has an entry opening and a vent opening, an ultrasonic transducer arranged in the base region of the stillwell and at least one pre-chamber. The pre-chamber has an inlet opening to the container and an outlet opening to the entry opening of the Stillwell. The pre-chamber of the device has a second outlet opening that opens out in a lead-off arrangement. By the lead-off arrangement, foamed medium flowing in quickly and suddenly into the pre-chamber of the device does not arrive into the measurement section of the ultrasonic transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Niemann
  • Publication number: 20110226212
    Abstract: A device for measuring the fill level in a container has an ultrasound sensor and a damping beaker with at least one antechamber. The antechamber has an inlet opening to the container and an outlet opening to the damping beaker, and has a geometric structure, which guides a fluid at least once around the midpoint of the damping beaker. The antechamber has at least two planes lying horizontally over each other. Each plane has a geometric structure, and the geometric structures of the planes are designed so that the fluid streams through the planes in opposite directions. As a result, the path to be traversed in the antechamber is lengthened, and the inflowing medium is additionally swirled. Even foamed media that quickly flow into the antechamber are effectively retained, and degassing is possible prior to entry into the measuring section of the ultrasound sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Thomas Kueck, Ingo Zoyke, David Hessenkaemper, Sergej Tonewizki
  • Patent number: 7798008
    Abstract: For a pressure sensor module comprising a printed circuit board and a pressure cell, wherein the pressure cell has a measuring opening, and the pressure cell is encapsulated by injection molding compound in such a manner that the measuring opening is kept open, the pressure cell, as viewed from the measuring opening, is attached on the rear side of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has a recess in the area of the measuring opening, and the injection molding compound encloses the attachment area of the pressure cell on the printed circuit board. Thereby, the use of different adhesives, also soft adhesives, for the connection of the pressure cell with the printed circuit board is possible without this attachment area being attacked by the surrounding media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Joerg Stuermann, Thomas Niemann
  • Publication number: 20090255344
    Abstract: For a pressure sensor module comprising a printed circuit board and a pressure cell, wherein the pressure cell has a measuring opening, and the pressure cell is encapsulated by injection molding compound in such a manner that the measuring opening is kept open, the pressure cell, as viewed from the measuring opening, is attached on the rear side of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has a recess in the area of the measuring opening, and the injection molding compound encloses the attachment area of the pressure cell on the printed circuit board. Thereby, the use of different adhesives, also soft adhesives, for the connection of the pressure cell with the printed circuit board is possible without this attachment area being attacked by the surrounding media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Joerg Stuermann, Thomas Niemann
  • Publication number: 20080135734
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an air-conditioning unit, in which the incident solar radiation is captured by means of at least three spatially arranged sensors, the calculation of the incident solar radiation is performed on the basis of a vector representation of the incident solar radiation. In this way a particularly simple calculation method can be implemented, which requires a particularly small calculation effort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas NIEMANN, Carsten HEILENKOTTER
  • Publication number: 20080060439
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor with a cylinder-shaped housing whose base forms a diaphragm of the ultrasonic sensor. The diaphragm is manufactured as an independent component and directly mounted in the cylinder-shaped housing. A method for manufacturing the ultrasonic sensor includes the steps of manufacturing the diaphragm and the cylinder-shaped housing separately from each other, and mounting the diaphragm directly in the cylinder-shaped housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Niemann
  • Patent number: 7336160
    Abstract: In a device for reading out from sensors in a motor vehicle, the sensors can be read out particularly easily if each sensor has a transponder, the motor-vehicle has a coil provided for the energy transmission and the motor-vehicle has at least one reading antenna for the sensors to be read out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Niemann
  • Publication number: 20070151263
    Abstract: A method and a device detects the state of an air filter in an air conditioning system for the interior of a motor vehicle. Condensed water created at the evaporator is discharged and fed to a sensor, which determines a parameter of the condensed water, and which, from a change or a certain value of the measured parameter, draws a conclusion regarding a change of the state of the air filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Carsten Heilenkotter
  • Patent number: 7115850
    Abstract: A sensor device is provided for generating an electrical output signal in dependence on the position of a light source in relation to the sensor device. The sensor device has a three-dimensional switch carrier with several adjacent faces oriented in different directions, on which faces at least two sensors are arranged. On the two sides of a central face, there is arranged in each case a face, with an infrared light (IR) photodetector in each case, oriented at an angle to the central face, whereby the faces on which the IR photodetectors are arranged are not directly adjacent to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Thomas Henke, Carsten Heilenkötter
  • Publication number: 20050237169
    Abstract: In a device for reading out from sensors in a motor vehicle, the sensors can be read out particularly easily if each sensor has a transponder, the motor-vehicle has a coil provided for the energy transmission and the motor-vehicle has at least one reading antenna for the sensors to be read out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Niemann
  • Publication number: 20050184226
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for determining brightness, comprising a photosensor and a reflector. The photosensor and the reflector are positioned such that light reflected by the reflector reaches the photosensor; and the reflector is designed such that a visible fraction of the ambient light is reflected, and an infrared fraction of the ambient light is transmitted. In this way, a sensor arrangement is created which is modeled on the perception of the human eye and which is comparatively easy and economical to produce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Carsten Heilenkotter, Thomas Niemann
  • Publication number: 20050045802
    Abstract: A sensor device is provided for generating an electrical output signal in dependence on the position of a light source in relation to the sensor device. The sensor device has a three-dimensional switch carrier with several adjacent faces oriented in different directions, on which faces at least two sensors are arranged. On the two sides of a central face, there is arranged in each case a face, with an infrared light (IR) photodetector in each case, oriented at an angle to the central face, whereby the faces on which the IR photodetectors are arranged are not directly adjacent to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Thomas Henke, Carsten Heilenkotter