Patents by Inventor Erik Kiehl

Erik Kiehl 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: 10348944
    Abstract: A modular unit comprises at least one camera unit for sensing an outside area, and an actuating unit for opening and/or closing a door or gate of a motor vehicle. The modular unit is located on a movable door or gate of the motor vehicle. The camera unit can be brought into an active operating position or a standby position upon activation of the actuating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Erik Kiehl
  • Patent number: 10104271
    Abstract: A modular unit comprises at least one camera unit for sensing an outside area, an actuating unit for opening and/or closing a door or gate of a motor vehicle, and a coupling unit for connecting the camera unit and the actuating unit. The modular unit is located on a movable door or gate of the motor vehicle. The camera unit can be brought into an operating position upon activation of the actuating unit. In the operating position, the camera unit actively visually senses the outside area located behind the motor vehicle. Upon activation of the actuating unit, the gate or door can be brought into an open position and the camera unit can be brought into the operating position by the coupling unit. The camera unit is in an active operating position for sensing the outside area located behind the motor vehicle when the gate is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Hug Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Erik Kiehl
  • Patent number: 9606255
    Abstract: An electronic motor vehicle sensor unit includes a housing, a control and evaluation device arranged in the housing, and at least one capacitive sensor electrode with a detection region (X, X?). The capacitive sensor electrode is coupled to the control and evaluation device and is arranged in the housing. The sensor unit further includes a lighting device with an illuminant that can emit an optical signal, wherein the lighting device is coupled to the control and evaluation device, and a target region (Y) identifying the detection region (X) can be marked outside the housing with the lighting device. The housing, the control and evaluation device, the at least one capacitive sensor electrode and the lighting device form an integrated assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Berthold Sieg, Erik Kiehl
  • Publication number: 20160176347
    Abstract: A modular unit comprises at least one camera unit for sensing an outside area, and an actuating unit for opening and/or closing a door or gate of a motor vehicle. The modular unit is located on a movable door or gate of the motor vehicle. The camera unit can be brought into an active operating position or a standby position upon activation of the actuating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Erik Kiehl
  • Publication number: 20160176346
    Abstract: A modular unit comprises at least one camera unit for sensing an outside area, an actuating unit for opening and/or closing a door or gate of a motor vehicle, and a coupling unit for connecting the camera unit and the actuating unit. The modular unit is located on a movable door or gate of the motor vehicle. The camera unit can be brought into an operating position upon activation of the actuating unit. In the operating position, the camera unit actively visually senses the outside area located behind the motor vehicle. Upon activation of the actuating unit, the gate or door can be brought into an open position and the camera unit can be brought into the operating position by the coupling unit. The camera unit is in an active operating position for sensing the outside area located behind the motor vehicle when the gate is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Erik Kiehl
  • Publication number: 20150226870
    Abstract: An electronic motor vehicle sensor unit includes a housing, a control and evaluation device arranged in the housing, and at least one capacitive sensor electrode with a detection region (X, X?). The capacitive sensor electrode is coupled to the control and evaluation device and is arranged in the housing. The sensor unit further includes a lighting device with an illuminant that can emit an optical signal, wherein the lighting device is coupled to the control and evaluation device, and a target region (Y) identifying the detection region (X) can be marked outside the housing with the lighting device. The housing, the control and evaluation device, the at least one capacitive sensor electrode and the lighting device form an integrated assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Berthold Sieg, Erik Kiehl
  • Patent number: 7261339
    Abstract: A device for actuating locks on a vehicle door has a rotary latch spring-loaded into an open position. When the door is closed, the rotary latch receives a lock member of the lock and is rotated into a defined locked position. The rotary latch has a detent into which a pivotable catch drops in a blocking position for securing the locked position of the rotary latch. A catch spring forces the catch into the blocking position. An actuation is provided for lifting the catch from the blocking position into a release position for releasing the rotary latch. The catch spring is an over-center helper spring that reverses a direction of action of the spring force. The catch spring acts as a snow load device that holds the catch in the release position until the rotary latch has reached the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Erik Kiehl
  • Publication number: 20060012185
    Abstract: A device for actuating locks on a vehicle door has a rotary latch spring-loaded into an open position. When the door is closed, the rotary latch receives a lock member of the lock and is rotated into a defined locked position. The rotary latch has a detent into which a pivotable catch drops in a blocking position for securing the locked position of the rotary latch. A catch spring forces the catch into the blocking position. An actuation is provided for lifting the catch from the blocking position into a release position for releasing the rotary latch. The catch spring is an over-center helper spring that reverses a direction of action of the spring force. The catch spring acts as a snow load device that holds the catch in the release position until the rotary latch has reached the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventor: Erik Kiehl
  • Patent number: 6648380
    Abstract: A rotary latch (11) of a door lock is retained in a detent position by a spring-mounted retainer (20). A motor-driven working member (47) is provided for lifting said retainer (20). An energy-storing device (30) subjects a storing member (22) to a force and hereby serves to lift the retainer (20) out of its detent position in the rotary latch (11). To this end, the storing member (22) has a control surface against which the working member (47) travels in a first motor phase in order to load the energy-storing device (30). A counter-control surface (29) against which the working member (47) travels when lifting the retainer (20) in a staggered second motor phase is also provided. The aim of the invention is to provide a reliable door lock which will also function in the event of an accident. To this end, both the control surface (23) and the counter-control surface (29) are located on the storing member (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Piotr Szablewski, Erik Kiehl