Patents by Inventor Daniel Fritz

Daniel Fritz 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: 20180147977
    Abstract: A camera module housing of a vehicle includes at least a first light source adapted to radiate light having a first color, a second light source adapted to radiate light having a second color, wherein the first color is different from the second color, at least a first opening in the aperture of the camera module housing adapted to allow for light passing through from the first light source, at least a second opening in the aperture of the camera housing adapted to allow for light passing through from the second light source, where the first and second opening are arranged around a lens of the camera. A control circuit for controlling a lighting application in a vehicle includes at least a voltage input channel for receiving an input voltage; and at least a first output channel, a first lighting device, a second output channel, and a second lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Alf Liesener, Stefanie Göttlicher, Romeo Wieczorek, Daniel Fritz, Ilka Rötzer
  • Publication number: 20180124878
    Abstract: An exterior rear-view assembly for a vehicle has at least one reflective element and at least one camera fixedly secured to a backing plate and movable therewith. A heating device having at least one heatable element is between the backing plate and the reflective element. The heatable element is divided into first and second regions, wherein the first and second regions are subjected to different heating output over time. At least one information element and at least one window for electromagnetic radiation are disposed in the second region and are visible before the entire reflective element is defrosted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz, Douglas Wilson, Anthony D'Andrea, Andreas Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9923437
    Abstract: A tool for shaping generator bars for large power generators. In particular, a tool for shaping a stator bar out of a straight unprocessed bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz Stalder, Reinhard Fischer, Thomas Morris, Simon Christoph Honold, Patrik Kiss
  • Patent number: 9879840
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light guide for a vehicle lighting unit, having at least one light-conducting body, which conducts the light along at least one light direction; and at least one, in particular band-shaped, optically active flat material which interacts with the light guided into the body in order to produce a light effect. The light guide according to the invention is characterized in that the flat material with its longitudinal extension direction along the direction of light of the light-conducting body in the light-conducting body is completely surrounded and embedded by the same at least transversely to the direction of longitudinal extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: SMR PATENTS S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz, Heiko Hoeber
  • Publication number: 20170240102
    Abstract: A multifunction lamp unit for a vehicle includes a housing, at least one light conductor with at least one illuminant provided by an LED on a printed circuit board, at least one light foil, and a clear lens. A method for manufacturing lamps for vehicles includes producing a housing, a light conductor, and a clear lens as one unit out of plastic in a 3-component injection procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Raimund NEGEL, Arne SCHMIERER, Daniel FRITZ
  • Publication number: 20170227187
    Abstract: A lighting device for a visual display in a rearview device of a vehicle includes at least one light element, at least one reflecting element which is included on or in a support element of the lighting device and is adapted to reflect incident light from the light element, at least one absorption element which is included on or in the support element of the lighting device and is adapted to absorb incident light from the light element, and at least one light guide element which is included on or in the support element of the lighting device and is adapted to collect and guide incident light from the light element, where the support element, the reflecting element, the absorption element or the light guide element are at least partially curved away from the light element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz, Eugen Meier, Oliver Schmidt, Raimund Negel
  • Publication number: 20170217362
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a travel direction indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror arrangement for a motor vehicle having at least one light source, a first light conductor comprising a multiplicity of light decoupling points, and a second light conductor, wherein 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, and a module housing is formed as one injection molded part in common with the first light conductor and the second light conductor, which 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, and an exterior rearview mirror arrangement having such a travel direction indicator module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz, Volker Erhart, Dénes Marosvoelgyi
  • Patent number: 9643532
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lamp for vehicles is disclosed in which a housing, a light conductor, and a clear lens are produced as one unit out of plastic in a 3-component injection procedure. The refractive index of the plastic of the clear lens is selected to be different from the refractive index of the plastic of the light conductor. The boundary between clear lens and the light conductor adjacent to it is formed with a structure. Because of the difference of the two refractive indexes and the structure at the given light admission on at least one light incoupling area at one end of the light conductor, light outcoupling areas are defined along the extent of the light conductor and out of the lamp. The invention furthermore relates to a side-view mirror arrangement of a vehicle having a lamp manufactured in this manner, preferably in the form of a blinker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SMR PATENTS S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Raimund Negel, Arne Schmierer, Daniel Fritz
  • Publication number: 20170113620
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic circuit for a blind-spot monitoring display, having a circuit carrier; a first light source and a second light source mounted to the circuit carrier. A circuit connection is mounted to the circuit carrier, which circuit connection is coupled to the first light source and the second light source. The electronic circuit comprises circuit means which are designed, on the basis of a polarity of a voltage applied to the circuit connection to supply current either to the first light source or to the second light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventor: Daniel Fritz
  • Publication number: 20170106783
    Abstract: An adaptive cornering light system for a motor vehicle includes an exterior mirror head, housing at least one lighting module that having a plurality of LEDs arranged in sectors to provide different lighting functionalities. One LED or light sector is provided for adaptively illuminating a cornering area that extends along the side of the vehicle toward the front of the exterior mirror head. This “cornering LED” is adaptively activated if the speed of the vehicle is below a threshold speed, or in response to additional optional parameters such as steering angle, turn-signal blinker activation, and running lights activation. Another LED or light sector may be used as a security light to illuminate or display a message on the ground in the door area adjacent the side of the vehicle. Interior lights are also disclosed. User input may also control options for illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz, Andreas Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20170097135
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light guide for a vehicle lighting unit, having at least one light-conducting body, which conducts the light along at least one light direction; and at least one, in particular band-shaped, optically active flat material which interacts with the light guided into the body in order to produce a light effect. The light guide according to the invention is characterized in that the flat material with its longitudinal extension direction along the direction of light of the light-conducting body in the light-conducting body is completely surrounded and embedded by the same at least transversely to the direction of longitudinal extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz, Heiko Hoeber
  • Publication number: 20170090100
    Abstract: A display arrangement for a motor vehicle can be disposed in a rear view device such as an interior- or exterior rear view mirror. The display arrangement may include at least one light source and at least one optical unit. The at least one optical unit may include at least one light-conducting body having at least one coupling-in section through which light emitted by at least one light source can be coupled into the light-conducting body and having at least one coupling-out section through which light can be coupled out of the light-conducting body. The at least one optical unit also comprises at least one optical means which at least in some sections is or can be secured to the light conducting body such that it is overlaid on the surface of the at least one coupling-out section of said light-conducting body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel Fritz
  • Publication number: 20170072839
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle component, especially for a rearview device of a motor vehicle, features at least one illuminant for emitting light and a condenser unit having at least one condenser lens. The condenser unit is adapted to focus the light emitted by the at least one illuminant into an optical path. At least one mask means is provided, which is arranged in the optical path and by means of which an image, symbol, logo and/or legend can be displayed on a projection surface. A lens unit having at least one objective lens, is arranged in the optical path, and at least one reflector unit, is arranged between the condenser unit and the projection surface. The reflector unit is adapted to deflect the optical path, especially essentially transversely or diagonally, to the projection surface, wherein the reflector unit comprises a reflector element which comprises at least one surface section by means of which the light can be deflected relative to the optical path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Oliver Schmidt, Daniel Fritz
  • Publication number: 20170066380
    Abstract: A light module for a light assembly of an exterior rear view device comprises a light source unit with at least one wire for an electric connection with a printed circuit board of the rear view device, in particular of the light assembly. The light module further comprises a housing unit supporting the light source unit and being provided with connecting and/or holding means for the attachment to at least one part, in particular a housing part, of the rear view device. The light module also includes sealing means for water and dustproof of the connection between the light module and the at least one part. A light assembly includes at least one of such a light module, and an exterior rear view device includes such a light assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Nitesh Shah, Artem Rudi, Andreas Herrmann, Sandeep Panchal, Romeo Wieczorek, Daniel Fritz
  • Patent number: 9527431
    Abstract: A light system for a motor vehicle includes an exterior mirror head housing at least one lighting module having a plurality of LEDs arranged in sectors to provide different lighting functionalities. At least one LED of at least one light sector is activated in response to the speed of the vehicle, and other vehicle parameters such as steering angle, turn-signal blinker activation, and running lights activation. The LEDs of the lighting module may also function as marker lights or turn-signal blinker lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Daniel Fritz
  • Publication number: 20160341393
    Abstract: A light guiding device for an illumination device, especially for a motor vehicle or an indicator device in a rearview device of a motor vehicle includes a light coupling side for incoupling light from a light source, a reflection side having a reflection layer; and a light outcoupling side, which is disposed generally opposite the reflection side. A clearance between the reflection side and the light outcoupling side generally decreases as the distance from the light incoupling side increases. The reflection side having the reflection layer is configured so that light arriving from the light incoupling side is deflected to the light outcoupling side. The reflection layer may be a paint or lacquer layer that is imprinted or evaporation-coated on the reflection side; and the having a white sheet on or next to the rejection side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.I.
    Inventors: Norbert Kürschner, Daniel Fritz, Eugen Meier, Volker Erhart, Andrew Brian Little, Harry Welfare, Stephen Edney
  • Publication number: 20160243737
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lamp for vehicles is disclosed in which a housing, a light conductor, and a clear lens are produced as one unit out of plastic in a 3-component injection procedure. The refractive index of the plastic of the clear lens is selected to be different from the refractive index of the plastic of the light conductor. The boundary between clear lens and the light conductor adjacent to it is formed with a structure. Because of the difference of the two refractive indexes and the structure at the given light admission on at least one light incoupling area at one end of the light conductor, light outcoupling areas are defined along the extent of the light conductor and out of the lamp. The invention furthermore relates to a side-view mirror arrangement of a vehicle having a lamp manufactured in this manner, preferably in the form of a blinker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.I.
    Inventors: Raimund Negel, Arne Schmierer, Daniel Fritz
  • Publication number: 20160209000
    Abstract: A light guiding device for an illumination device, especially for a motor vehicle or an indicator device in a rearview device of a motor vehicle includes a light coupling side for incoupling light from a light source, a reflection side having a reflection layer; and a light outcoupling side, which is disposed generally opposite the reflection side. A clearance between the reflection side and the light outcoupling side generally decreases as the distance from the light incoupling side increases. The reflection side having the reflection layer is configured so that light arriving from the light incoupling side is deflected to the light outcoupling side. The reflection layer may be a paint or lacquer layer that is imprinted or evaporation-coated on the reflection side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Norbert Kürschner, Daniel Fritz
  • Publication number: 20160164385
    Abstract: A tool for shaping generator bars for large power generators. In particular, a tool for shaping a stator bar out of a straight unprocessed bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz STALDER, Reinhard FISCHER, Thomas MORRIS, Simon Christoph HONOLD, Patrik KISS
  • Publication number: 20150282254
    Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror assembly for a motor vehicle includes a mirror bracket secured to the motor vehicle. A mirror housing is secured to the mirror bracket and defines a primary opening facing rearward. A substrate is movably secured therewithin. A mirror is secured to the substrate and is movable therewith. A heating device having a heatable element is disposed between the substrate and the mirror. The heating device has a contact that is electrically connected to electrical contacts of the power supply of the motor vehicle. The heating device is divided into first and second regions, which are subjected to different heating output or different heat release over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel Fritz