Patents by Inventor Volker Erhart

Volker Erhart 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: 20240123902
    Abstract: A folding joint for attaching a rear view display device to a vehicle includes one or more hinge sections and a biasing element. The one or more hinge sections are adapted to rotate relative to the vehicle, with each of the one or more hinge sections comprising a first end and a second end. The biasing element includes a spring, a coil, a wave spring, or other elastic member for biasing at least one of the one or more hinge sections in response to rotation of the folding joint, with the biasing element biasing at least one of a spring biased cam section or a biased clamping bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Christian Wezel, Alexandru Dobrete, Peter Hein, Andrea König, Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Csaba Szilagyi, Hans-Dieter Pomparew
  • Publication number: 20230356670
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a vehicle mounted display unit comprising a display frame; a display attached to the display frame; an electronic control unit (ECU) attached to the display frame; and a display adaptor attached to the display frame and acting as an attachment component; and at least one wire harness characterized in that the vehicle mounted display unit comprises a display cover and a display housing, wherein the display cover and the at least one wiring harness have two geometric configurations, one for the vehicle mounted display unit to be position left from the driver or passenger and one to be position right from the driver or passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Arne Schmierer, Csaba Szilágyi, Volker Erhart
  • Patent number: 11794650
    Abstract: A folding joint for attaching a rear view display device to a vehicle includes one or more hinge sections each of which is adapted to rotate relative to the vehicle, with each of the one or more hinge sections having a first end and a second end, and a biasing element comprising a spring, a coil, a wave spring, or other elastic member for biasing at least one of the one or more hinge sections in response to rotation of the folding joint, with the biasing element biasing at least one of a spring biased cam section and a biased clamping bolt. An external rear view display device for a vehicle may include the folding joint, and a vehicle may include two external rear view display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Christian Wezel, Alexandru Dobrete, Peter Hein, Andrea König, Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Csaba Szilagyi, Hans-Dieter Pomparew
  • Publication number: 20230303007
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a camera pod stabilization assembly, comprising an intermediate attachment; wherein the intermediate attachment comprises a first end and a second end, a first protruding member, and a second receiving cavity; a camera arm pivotably coupled to the intermediate attachment at a first end to form a first axis, wherein the camera arm includes a first receiving cavity to receive the first protruding member; and a base pivotably coupled to the intermediate attachment at the second end forms a second axis, wherein the base includes a second protruding member that is received by the second receiving cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Arne SCHMIERER, Volker ERHART, Csaba SZILÁGYI, Hans-Dieter POMPAREW
  • Publication number: 20230249630
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a vehicle display retention system, comprising a display unit affixed to a display frame and connected to a grab bar, and an intermediate adapter coupled to the grab bar, characterized in that the intermediate adapter comprises a mounting arm for attachment to a vehicle at a first mounting member, a retention strap coupled to the mounting arm and the vehicle at the first mounting member, and an attachment component coupled to the intermediate adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Volker ERHART, Arne SCHMIERER, Csaba SZILÁGYI
  • Publication number: 20230204184
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blinker module for a rearview device of a motor vehicle includes the steps of providing at least one lighting element comprising at least one light guide and at least one light disk or lens and providing of at least one illuminant unit comprising at least one illuminant, wherein the illuminant unit is designed to couple light emitted by the illuminant into the lighting element. A blinker module, rearview device and motor vehicle, including the blinker module manufactured according to the method, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Volker Erhart, Eugen Meier, Oliver Schmidt, Ilka Rötzer, Andrew Thompson, James Dickson
  • Patent number: 11624489
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blinker module for a rearview device of a motor vehicle includes the steps of providing at least one lighting element comprising at least one light guide and at least one light disk or lens and providing of at least one illuminant unit comprising at least one illuminant, wherein the illuminant unit is designed to couple light emitted by the illuminant into the lighting element. A blinker module, rearview device and motor vehicle, including the blinker module manufactured according to the method, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Volker Erhart, Eugen Meier, Oliver Schmidt, Ilka Rötzer, Andrew Thompson, James Dickson
  • Patent number: 11518310
    Abstract: A lighting device of a rear view device of a motor vehicle, includes at least one light source with at least one light emitter for emitting light which can be coupled into and out of a light guide with at least one light funnel in order to pass at least through part of a light transmission unit and illuminate an area adjacent to the motor vehicle, where each light funnel extends upward or downward from its light input end to its light output end, and each light emitter is associated with a light funnel determining an optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Levente Acs, Mikhail Kudryavtsev, Tobias Schwenger, Oliver Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11312305
    Abstract: A lamp apparatus for use in an external rear view assembly includes at least one aperture, the apparatus including a housing comprising a rear view face and a front face with the at least one aperture; a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted adjacent the rear face, the PCB further having a power connector; an electronic circuit; and at least one light source mounted in a location on the PCB; a transparent lens component comprising at least one lens portion; and an adjusting device for spatially adjusting the apparatus relative to a housing part of the rear view assembly, relative to at least one of a housing cap or a mirror foot cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Jacob Heath Messenger, Sam Thoday, Simon Belcher, Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Tobias Schwenger, Mikhail Kudryavtsev, Levente Acs
  • Publication number: 20210206320
    Abstract: A lamp apparatus for use in an external rear view assembly includes at least one aperture, the apparatus including a housing comprising a rear view face and a front face with the at least one aperture; a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted adjacent the rear face, the PCB further having a power connector; an electronic circuit; and at least one light source mounted in a location on the PCB; a transparent lens component comprising at least one lens portion; and an adjusting device for spatially adjusting the apparatus relative to a housing part of the rear view assembly, relative to at least one of a housing cap or a mirror foot cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Jacob Heath Messenger, Sam Thoday, Simon Belcher, Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Tobias Schwenger, Mikhail Kudryavtsev, Levente Acs
  • Publication number: 20210116096
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blinker module for a rearview device of a motor vehicle includes the steps of providing at least one lighting element comprising at least one light guide and at least one light disk or lens and providing of at least one illuminant unit comprising at least one illuminant, wherein the illuminant unit is designed to couple light emitted by the illuminant into the lighting element. A blinker module, rearview device and motor vehicle, including the blinker module manufactured according to the method, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Volker Erhart, Eugen Meier, Oliver Schmidt, Ilka Rötzer, Andrew Thompson, James Dickson
  • Patent number: 10967799
    Abstract: A combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus for use in an external rear view assembly comprising at least one aperture, the apparatus including a housing including a rear view face and a front face with the at least one aperture; a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted adjacent the rear face, the printed circuit board further including a power connector, an electronic circuit, a first light source mounted in a first location on the printed circuit board, and a second light source mounted in a second location on the printed circuit board, and a transparent lens component comprising a first lens portion and a second lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Jacob Heath Messenger, Sam Thoday, Simon Belcher, Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Tobias Schwenger, Mikhail Kudryavtsev, Levente Acs
  • Patent number: 10969080
    Abstract: A multifunction lamp unit for a vehicle includes a housing, at least one light pipe together with at least one light source disposed at least partially within the housing, and a clear lens substantially enclosing the housing, the at least one light pipe and the at least one light source, the lens having an inner surface, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface and at least one of a continuous transparent and translucent coating on the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SMR Patent S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: James Nicholson, Shane Koehne, Scott Edwards, Simon Belcher, Jacob Messenger, Mathew Chapman-Winter, Gary Dekievit, Simon Field, Sam Thoday, Dean Caruso, Bill Frank, Raimund Negel, Arne Schmierer, Daniel Fritz, Andreas Herrmann, Eugen Meier, Oliver Schmidt, Volker Erhart, David Chamberlain, Andrew Brian Little, Eugene Schmirin, Drew Raymond Evans, Colin James Hall, Kamil Zuber
  • Publication number: 20200398756
    Abstract: A folding joint for attaching a rear view display device to a vehicle includes one or more hinge sections each of which is adapted to rotate relative to the vehicle, with each of the one or more hinge sections having a first end and a second end, and a biasing element comprising a spring, a coil, a wave spring, or other elastic member for biasing at least one of the one or more hinge sections in response to rotation of the folding joint, with the biasing element biasing at least one of a spring biased cam section and a biased clamping bolt. An external rear view display device for a vehicle may include the folding joint, and a vehicle may include two external rear view display devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Christian Wezel, Alexandru Dobrete, Peter Hein, Andrea König, Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Csaba Szilagyi, Hans-Dieter Pomparew
  • Publication number: 20200317131
    Abstract: A lighting device of a rear view device of a motor vehicle, includes at least one light source with at least one light emitter for emitting light which can be coupled into and out of a light guide with at least one light funnel in order to pass at least through part of a light transmission unit and illuminate an area adjacent to the motor vehicle, where each light funnel extends upward or downward from its light input end to its light output end, and each light emitter is associated with a light funnel determining an optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Levente Acs, Mikhail Kudryavtsev, Tobias Schwenger, Oliver Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20200290516
    Abstract: A combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus for use in an external rear view assembly comprising at least one aperture, the apparatus including a housing including a rear view face and a front face with the at least one aperture; a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted adjacent the rear face, the printed circuit board further including a power connector, an electronic circuit, a first light source mounted in a first location on the printed circuit board, and a second light source mounted in a second location on the printed circuit board, and a transparent lens component comprising a first lens portion and a second lens portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Jacob Heath MESSENGER, Sam THODAY, Simon BELCHER, Arne SCHMIERER, Volker ERHART, Tobias SCHWENGER, Mikhail KUDRYAVTSEV, Levente ACS
  • Patent number: 10759348
    Abstract: A system for providing interchangeable approach lamps for use with an external rear view assembly mounted to a motor vehicle includes a first approach lamp module and a second approach lamp module. the second approach lamp module differs from the first approach lamp module by being a projecting or logo approach lamp module due to its projection assembly for projecting a logo or a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MOTHERSON INNOVATIONS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jacob Heath Messenger, Simon Belcher, Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Tobias Schwenger, Mikhail Kudryavtsev, Levente Acs
  • Patent number: 10759331
    Abstract: A travel direction indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror arrangement for a motor vehicle has at least one light source. A first light conductor associated with the at least one light source includes a multiplicity of light decoupling points. The travel direction indicator further includes a second light conductor. The light source couples a first beam part into the first light conductor at a first end and a second beam part into the second light conductor at a first end. A module housing is formed as one injection molded part in common with the first light conductor and the second light conductor. The at least one light source emits light into a single light decoupling area, which is arranged in an area of the second end of the first light conductor situated opposite the first end of the first light conductor. An exterior rearview mirror arrangement having such a travel direction indicator module is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz, Volker Erhart, Dénes Marosvoelgyi
  • Publication number: 20200122630
    Abstract: A travel direction indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror arrangement for a motor vehicle has at least one light source. A first light conductor associated with the at least one light source includes a multiplicity of light decoupling points. The travel direction indicator further includes a second light conductor. The light source couples a first beam part into the first light conductor at a first end and a second beam part into the second light conductor at a first end. A module housing is formed as one injection molded part in common with the first light conductor and the second light conductor. The at least one light source emits light into a single light decoupling area, which is arranged in an area of the second end of the first light conductor situated opposite the first end of the first light conductor. An exterior rearview mirror arrangement having such a travel direction indicator module is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz, Volker Erhart, Dénes Marosvoelgyi
  • Publication number: 20200114825
    Abstract: A system for providing interchangeable approach lamps for use with an external rear view assembly mounted to a motor vehicle includes a first approach lamp module and a second approach lamp module. the second approach lamp module differs from the first approach lamp module by being a projecting or logo approach lamp module due to its projection assembly for projecting a logo or a mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jacob Heath MESSENGER, Simon BELCHER, Arne SCHMIERER, Volker ERHART, Tobias SCHWENGER, Mikhail KUDRYAVTSEV, Levente ACS