Patents Assigned to ZKW GROUP GMBH
  • Patent number: 12115902
    Abstract: A method for resolution-optimized control of a motor vehicle light module, wherein the motor vehicle light module is designed to emit segmented light distribution, wherein the motor vehicle light module includes a deflection unit, with which a native resolution of the motor vehicle light module can be visually increased by at least temporary beam deflection by means of the deflection unit, wherein the method includes a) receiving an image signal (S1), wherein the image signal (S1) contains a setpoint image (Ssoll) of light distribution, b) converting the setpoint image (Ssoll) received according to step a) into two lower-resolution images (S_low1, S_low2), and c) controlling the motor vehicle light module, wherein it is controlled in such a way that the two low-resolution images (S_low1, S_low2) of the image pair (S_res) are emitted one after the other by the motor vehicle light module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Miedler, Clemens Aigner, Erik Haas
  • Patent number: 12117140
    Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle headlamp that provides headlamp levelling. The illumination device includes a primary light module configured to emit light in a main direction, wherein the primary light module is rotatable around a rotation axis; a moveable shield cover for shielding the primary light module; and a motion device for moving simultaneously the primary light module around the rotation axis and the shield cover with respect to each other between (a) non-illuminating positions, wherein the shield cover is in front of the primary light module, and (b) illuminating positions, wherein the shield cover is moved away from the light path of the light module. In each illuminating position, the primary light module is in a defined angular position of a determined operating angular range around the rotation axis to project the light distribution in different angular positions in front of the illumination device for headlamp levelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schadenhofer, Lars Amundsson
  • Patent number: 12111033
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Viktor Lenický, Peter {hacek over (S)}cibrányi
  • Patent number: 12104762
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle configured to create a segmented light function. The device includes a holding frame, a light source holder having first and second light source groups mounted thereto; and at least two optical elements. The light source holder, the first optical element (FOE), and the second optical element (SOE) are configured to be mounted to the holding frame. The FOE has a first protrusion, and the SOE has a second protrusion, and the holding frame includes first and second receiving elements configured to receive the first and second protrusions, respectively. The holding frame includes a first stopping element configured to engage a first contact surface of the FOE and a second stopping element configured to engage a second contact surface of the SOE. The lighting device further includes a cover element configured to secure the FOE and SOE against movement opposite to a main beam direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Pavol Húserka, David Mozny, Michal Hub, Michal Faltus, Ji{hacek over (r)}í Navrátil
  • Patent number: 12098816
    Abstract: An illumination device (1) for a vehicle, wherein the illumination device (1) is configured to create an illuminated, in particular 3-dimensional, shape. The illumination device includes an optical element (2), a first bezel element (3), a second bezel element (4), a light source (5) and a diffuser device (6), wherein the optical element, the first bezel element, and the second bezel element are arranged downstream of the diffuser device. The illuminated shape created with the illumination device is composed of an illuminated and a dark area, wherein the illuminated area is created by the light emitting surface of the illuminated optical element and the dark area is created by the first bezel element and the second bezel element blocking/absorbing light, wherein the first bezel element comprises an aperture, wherein the optical element and the second bezel element permeate the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Viktor Lenicky, Mario Zubaj, Csaba Bedec
  • Patent number: 12066160
    Abstract: An optical device for a motor vehicle headlight for producing continuously closed light distribution. The optical device includes: light sources; collimators which are respectively associated with a light source; and a light guiding body, which has a light shaping structure and is formed from a plurality of interconnected facets. The facets respectively have an inclination to the main emission direction, wherein the spatial vector of a facet forms a horizontal and a vertical angle of inclination to the main emission direction. The inclinations of all facets are distributed such that the horizontal angles of inclination are respectively distributed around an expected value that corresponds to the maximum luminous intensity of the light distribution such that light that enters or leaves the light guiding body via facets that have horizontal and vertical angles of inclination corresponding to the expected value forms the maximum luminous intensity of the light distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Maier
  • Patent number: 12049990
    Abstract: Illumination device for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the illumination device comprises at least one light source and a projection lens system, which projection lens system is designed to project the light in the form of light distribution in front of the illumination device in a main emission direction (X), and wherein the projection lens system consists of the following: a first lens (100) having a first focal point, which first lens (100) is aspherical and made from precision glass by means of precision glass moulding, wherein the first lens has a convex exit surface and a concave entry surface to increase the light entry, wherein the first lens has a refractive index of n?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Reza Larimian, Stefan Miedler, Kyungseung Kim, Jiyeon Lee, Byungwoo Jeoung
  • Patent number: 12044378
    Abstract: Method for operation-optimized control of a deflection unit (DU) for a light module. The light module is designed to emit segmented light distribution. The light module includes the DU, with which a native resolution of the light module can be visually increased by at least temporary beam deflection via the DU. The method includes: a) receiving a setpoint operating signal (SOS) which contains information on at least one of: setpoint's energy efficiency, temperature, image resolution, image sharpness, clarity, or offset correction; and b) manipulating a control variable (CV) of the DU depending on the SOS, wherein the extent and temporal process of deflection by the DU occurs depending on the CV. At least two of the following aspects of the deflection, predetermined by the CV, are manipulated in amount and/or time period: amplitude; zero position; temporal rate of change; signal basic form; or time period between the zero position passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Erik Haas, Clemens Aigner, Stefan Miedler
  • Patent number: 12044379
    Abstract: Reflector unit (1) comprising a single pieced reflector (2), said reflector (2) being obtained by way of a molding process, and a frame structure (3) for supporting the single pieced reflector (2), wherein the reflector (2) comprises at least two reflecting chambers (2a) for reflecting light from a light source (8), wherein the at least two chambers (2a) are being spaced from another, and wherein the reflector (2) is firmly and essentially non-adjustably connected to the frame structure (3) by at least two connecting means (4), wherein the reflector (2) is non-movable with regard to the frame structure (3) along the portions of the connecting means (4), wherein the frame structure (3) comprises at least one adjusting screw (5a, 5b) being connected with an engaging portion (7a, 7b) of the frame structure (3) and an engaging portion (6a, 6b) of the reflector (2), wherein the engaging portions (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) are configured to allow rotational movement of the respective adjusting screw (5a, 5b), and wherein rot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Felip Baláz, Andrej Zubaj
  • Patent number: 12031691
    Abstract: Light module for a motor vehicle light including a light source, projection unit, deflection unit, and control unit. The light source is designed to receive a light control signal (LCS) and emit spatially modulated light (SML) as a function of the LCS. The projection unit is designed to project the SML emitted by the light source within a projection angular range (PAR) in front of the light module. The deflection unit is designed to receive a deflection control signal (DCS) and manipulate the SML emitted by the light source as a function of the DCS such that the projection of the SML emitted by the light source can be displaced in front of the light module with a displacement angle within the PAR. The control unit is designed to receive and evaluate an input signal and to transmit the LCS to the light source based on said evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Erik Haas, Clemens Aigner, Stefan Miedler, Jeong Jiyoung, Hyung Joo Kang, Sungdu Kwon
  • Patent number: 12024085
    Abstract: Adjustment device for a motor vehicle headlight for adjusting at least one optically relevant unit (ORU) of the motor vehicle headlight. The adjustment device includes (i) a base body fixedly arranged with respect to the ORU, (ii) a sliding body, displaceably mounted along a displacement axis on the base body and designed to engage the ORU, (iii) a drive device, fixedly arranged with respect to the ORU, preferably on the base body, and designed to engage the sliding body and displace it along the displacement axis such that during a displacement movement of the sliding body by the drive device, the ORU is moved. The sliding body is mounted on the base body by a guide device designed to guide the sliding body driven by the drive device along the displacement axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Höfler, Leopold Pritzl, Martin Artner, Thomas Petzold
  • Patent number: 12018811
    Abstract: A lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle, including a light source (2), a light conductor (3) having a first region (3a) and a curved region (3b), a first optical element (4) having a light entry surface, which comprises a first portion (4a) and a second portion (4b), wherein the first optical element (4) is arranged relative to the light conductor (3) in such a manner that light, which is decoupled from the first region (3a) of the light conductor (3), impinges on the first portion (4a) of the light entry surface of the first optical element (4), and light, which is decoupled from the curved region (3b) of the light conductor (3), impinges on a part region of the second portion (4b) of the light entry surface of the first optical element (4), wherein the lighting device (1) comprises a second optical element (5), which is arranged between the curved region (3b) of the light conductor (3) and the second portion (4b) of the light entry surface of the first optical element (4) in such a manner and equipped in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Maier, Tuncay Firat
  • Patent number: 12013095
    Abstract: A lighting device (1) for a vehicle headlamp is provided. The lighting device includes an illuminant (2), a collimator (4), a mirror device (5) with a reflection surface (5a), and a DMD device (6). The mirror device (5) is arranged downstream of the collimator (4), wherein the reflection surface (5a) of the mirror device (5) is configured to reflect a first part of the light from the illuminant and to transmit a second part of the light from the illuminant. The mirror device (5) is configured in such a way that the reflected part is free of UV light and the transmitted part has UV light. The DMD device (6) is configured to modulate and deflect the first part of the light from the illuminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hölzl, Christian Knobloch, Stefan Mitterlehner
  • Patent number: 12007087
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight (1) with adjustable dipped beam, comprising at least two dipped beam modules (2) for the shared radiation of a dipped beam distribution, wherein each dipped beam module (2) are respectively set up to radiate a portion of the dipped beam distribution with a predeterminable light intensity, at least one light source carrier (3) with light sources (4), wherein at least one light source (4) is associated with each dipped beam module (2), wherein each dipped beam module (2) comprises a reflector (2a) with at least one focal point (P) or a focal line, and at least one light source (4) is arranged in the focal point (P) or a focal line of the reflector (2a), and each dipped beam module reflector (2a) is configured so that the light distribution radiated from each dipped beam module (2) and also the light-dark boundary of the respective dipped beam distribution is finally established in connection with the mounting position of the dipped beam module reflector (2a), w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Tomasetig, Christian Jackl, Bernd Eichinger
  • Patent number: 11993334
    Abstract: An optical device (10) for a motorcycle headlamp, the optical device (10) comprising: a primary optics (100) having a base body (110) and a plurality of light guiding elements (120) for forming a light distribution in a main direction (X), wherein each light guiding element (120) has a common light output surface (130) having an optically relevant area (131), a holder (300), a cover element (400), which is attachable to the holder (300), wherein the cover element (400) in combination with the holder (300) is configured to fix the position of the primary optics (100) between the holder (300) and the cover element (400), when the cover element (400) is attached to the holder (300), wherein the primary optics (100) comprises a stabilizing structure (200), wherein the stabilizing structure (200) is built as a protrusion projecting from the common light output surface (130) in the main direction (X), wherein the stabilizing structure (200) having a first support surface (210), and wherein the cover element (400
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventor: Jaroslav Kyselica
  • Patent number: 11982416
    Abstract: An illuminant (1) for a motor vehicle headlight includes an SMD component (2) and a circuit carrier (4). The SMD component (2) is connected to the circuit carrier (4) by means of a solder connection, wherein the circuit carrier has a plurality of contact elements (5a), wherein in order to dissipate waste heat from the SMD component (2), the circuit carrier (4) has a plurality of micro-vias (7) designed for heat conduction, wherein a number of contact elements (5a) have a substantially hexagonal base (5b), wherein the micro-vias (7) are arranged in a two-dimensional hexagonal packing arrangement with respect to one another in such a way that the substantially hexagonal bases (5b) of the contact elements (5a) are interspersed by a plurality of micro-vias (7) substantially completely, according to the highest area packing density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Mayerhofer, Albrecht Emmerich
  • Patent number: 11970106
    Abstract: A positioning device (10) for pivoting at least one relevant component (20) for a motor vehicle headlight about a first and a second axis (X, Y), comprising a holding element (100) for a relevant component (20), said holding element comprising a first sliding surface (110), which is designed as part of a spherical surface, a support frame (200), which comprises a second sliding surface (210), which is designed as part of a spherical surface, the holding element (100) being supported in the support frame (200) by means of a bearing apparatus such that the first sliding surface (110) of the holding element (100) can be displaced along the second sliding surface (210) of the support frame (200) about the first and second axis (X, Y), an adjusting apparatus (300), which has a positioning component (301) and a first moving apparatus (310) and a second moving apparatus (320), which are each arranged on the positioning component (301), which is mechanically connected to the holding element (100) by means of a con
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Steinkellner, Lukas Ederer
  • Patent number: 11971151
    Abstract: A signal lighting device or lighting device, for a motor vehicle headlight, including light sources for emitting light rays and a light guiding body (LGB) with two light-emitting surfaces (LESs). The LGB includes a beam splitting device with a total internal reflection surface (TIRS), which totally reflects part of the incident light rays and deflects them from the light guide main propagation direction to one of the LESs. The TIRS has individual optical structures (OS), which allow incident light rays to pass through to the other LES. Each OS is designed as a recess in the TIRS, the recess, starting from an opening in the LGB, being delimited by lateral surfaces extending into the LGB. One lateral surface (the base surface) is oriented such that light rays pass through it toward the first LES.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventor: Petr Mahel
  • Patent number: 11965636
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headlight (1), comprising a headlight housing (10) with a light exit opening (12), which is closed by means of a cover plate (11), at least one LED light source (21), which is arranged in at least one light module (20) positioned in the headlight housing (10) for generating a specified light distribution in front of the headlight (1), as well as a condensation protection device (30) with at least one air duct (40) for guiding air (41), as well as with at least one radiation emitter (60), wherein the at least one air duct (40) has an air entry opening (42) and at least one air exit opening (43), and the air exit opening (43) preferably faces the cover plate (11), as well as the air (41) guided in the air duct (40) can be heated up by means of the thermal radiation generated by the radiation emitter (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Zauner, Sebastian Godderidge
  • Patent number: 11965634
    Abstract: Illumination device (1) for a motor vehicle headlight, comprising an illuminant, an optical element (2) for forming light distribution, wherein the optical element (2) has a focal point, a holding device (3), which holds the position of the optical element (2) in relation to the illuminant, wherein the holding device (3) has a compensating element (4), which connects the optical element (2) to the holding device (3), wherein the compensating element (4) has a first end section (4a) and a second end section (4b), wherein the first end section (4a) is connected to the optical element (2) and the second end section (4b) is connected to the holding device (3), wherein the compensating element (4) is designed in such a way that the compensating element (4) has a temperature-dependent longitudinal extension in one direction (X), wherein the compensating element (4) is connected to the optical element (2) in such a way as to pivot and/or move the optical element (2) as a function of a temperature relative to a light
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Artner