Patents by Inventor Heinrich Schaefer

Heinrich Schaefer 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: 11975648
    Abstract: A communication light device for vehicles having a number of light sources, having an elongated optical unit for generating a light signature, having a control unit for controlling the number of light sources such that a locally and/or temporally variable light emission and/or illuminated area is generated in the longitudinal extent of the elongated optical unit, wherein the communication light device is designed as a body styling part that is arranged on an exterior of the vehicle body and extends in the horizontal direction all the way along a front end and/or all the way along a rear end of the vehicle and/or all the way or partially along a longitudinal side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Marc Kaup, Heinrich Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11920629
    Abstract: A method is provided for fitting a snap fit arrangement, as well as a fitting arrangement for fitting the snap fit arrangement for joining a first part with a second part. The snap fit arrangement comprises an engagement hook which is arranged at the first part. The snap fit arrangement comprises a latch element which is arranged at the second part. When the snap fit arrangement closes, the engagement hook deforms elastically and engages into the latch element. In the method, an auxiliary tool is provided. The elastic deformation is caused in the engagement hook by means of the auxiliary tool. The first part is joined to the second part and retracting the auxiliary tool. Retracting causes a spring-back of the elastic deformation in the engagement hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Christian Koerdt, Heinrich Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20230324025
    Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle, having a housing in which a functional module and an actuating unit are arranged, wherein the actuating unit has a drive apparatus and a linear actuating element that is coupled to the functional module so that the functional module can be pivotably moved about a horizontal and/or vertical axis, wherein the drive apparatus is placed in contact with at least one circuit board integrated in the illumination device in a mounted position of the actuating unit so that both the drive apparatus of the actuating unit and the functional module are electrically connected by the same circuit board to an electrical system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Juergen HACKBARTH, Werner KOESTERS, Heinrich SCHAEFER
  • Publication number: 20230204176
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for a vehicle lamp having a flexible printed circuit board, a means of reinforcement of one area of the flexible printed circuit board that is connected to the flexible printed circuit board, an LED that is arranged in this area on the printed circuit board, and a means of shaping light that can be emitted by the LED. The means of shaping light includes at least one light-shaping optical means, and the means of reinforcement is connected to the means of shaping light. The means of reinforcement includes at least one protruding element that comes into contact under tension with a connecting element of the means of shaping light or with a connecting element connected to such means and/or engages an indentation of the connecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Heinrich Schaefer, Christoph Seeberg-Elverfeldt
  • Patent number: 11543632
    Abstract: An optical lens system is provided with at least two lenses firmly bonded to each other. A first lenshas a first adhered surface and a second lens has a second adhered surface. The adhered surfaces are at least indirectly firmly bonded to each other. An optically transparent surface body made of a silicone material is arranged between the adhered surfaces. The first adhered surface is firmly bonded to a first side and the second adhered surface is firmly bonded with the opposite second side of the sheet body by means of a bonding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Markus Fieger, Heinrich Schäfer
  • Patent number: 11243358
    Abstract: A joint layout is provided for the firm bonding of components by means of a light-activated joining agent. A light guide element is arranged at least in sections in a joint gap between the components. The light guide element is embedded into the joining agent in the joint gap, and light for activating the joining agent can be outcoupled from the light guide element in the joint gap. In this context, at least one spacer is arranged in the joint gap between the light guide element and at least one of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Carmen Bungenstock, Heinrich Schäfer, Janis Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20220017009
    Abstract: A communication light device for vehicles having a number of light sources, having an elongated optical unit for generating a light signature, having a control unit for controlling the number of light sources such that a locally and/or temporally variable light emission and/or illuminated area is generated in the longitudinal extent of the elongated optical unit, wherein the communication light device is designed as a body styling part that is arranged on an exterior of the vehicle body and extends in the horizontal direction all the way along a front end and/or all the way along a rear end of the vehicle and/or all the way or partially along a longitudinal side of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Marc KAUP, Heinrich SCHAEFER
  • Publication number: 20210141161
    Abstract: A joint layout is provided for the firm bonding of components by means of a light-activated joining agent. A light guide element is arranged at least in sections in a joint gap between the components. The light guide element is embedded into the joining agent in the joint gap, and light for activating the joining agent can be outcoupled from the light guide element in the joint gap. In this context, at least one spacer is arranged in the joint gap between the light guide element and at least one of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Carmen Bungenstock, Heinrich Schäfer, Janis Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20200208663
    Abstract: A method is provided for fitting a snap fit arrangement, as well as a fitting arrangement for fitting the snap fit arrangement for joining a first part with a second part. The snap fit arrangement comprises an engagement hook which is arranged at the first part. The snap fit arrangement comprises a latch element which is arranged at the second part. When the snap fit arrangement closes, the engagement hook deforms elastically and engages into the latch element. In the method, an auxiliary tool is provided. The elastic deformation is caused in the engagement hook by means of the auxiliary tool. The first part is joined to the second part and retracting the auxiliary tool. Retracting causes a spring-back of the elastic deformation in the engagement hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Christian Koerdt, Heinrich Schäfer
  • Patent number: 10697609
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles with a plurality of components to be connected, having a light source, a light source carrier, an optical element and a heat sink. The heat sink is connected by a fastener to the light source carrier. The fastener is a shrink-fitting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Heinrich Schaefer, Janis Schaefer, Robin Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20190384037
    Abstract: An optical lens system is provided with at least two lenses firmly bonded to each other. A first lenshas a first adhered surface and a second lens has a second adhered surface. The adhered surfaces are at least indirectly firmly bonded to each other. An optically transparent surface body made of a silicone material is arranged between the adhered surfaces. The first adhered surface is firmly bonded to a first side and the second adhered surface is firmly bonded with the opposite second side of the sheet body by means of a bonding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Markus Fleger, Heinrich Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20180372297
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles with a plurality of components to be connected, having a light source, a light source carrier, an optical element and a heat sink, wherein a first component is connected by a fastener to a second component at a fastening point and wherein the first component and the second component have different thermal expansion properties, wherein as the fastener, a shrink-fitting agent is provided, which in a fastening state of the same exerts a fixing force which compresses joining surfaces of the first component and the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Heinrich Schaefer, Janis Schaefer, Robin Schaefer
  • Patent number: 10018314
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles with an elongated light guide comprising an end face for the coupling-in of light, into which a light beam radiated from a light source can be coupled-in. The lighting device further comprises elements for the coupling-out of light for the deflection of the coupled-in light beam in the direction of a front skin surface of the elongated light guide, on which the light beam can be coupled-out for the generation of a given light function, such that the front skin surface of the elongated light guide is connected to a rear skin surface by means of a curved dispersion surface. At least one light directing element is arranged between a row of light sources and the light guide so that the light of the light sources arranged in a row can be coupled into the rear skin surface or the curved dispersion surface of the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Carmen Bungenstock, Christoph Geister, Martin Mügge, Heinrich Schäfer
  • Patent number: 9995451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (10) according to the invention for a motor vehicle external light having a light conductor (12), which extends along a longitudinal extension direction (14) and has two end faces (16, 18), at least one first light source (20) for coupling light into one of the two end faces (16, 18) of the light conductor (12), a plurality of second light sources (22) for coupling light into the light conductor (12) vertically with respect to the longitudinal extension direction (14) of the light conductor (12), and a control unit for separate actuation of the at least one first light source (20) and of the plurality of second light sources (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: AUDI AG, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Manuel Brosinger, Linda Alpmann, Sebastian Stumpe, Christoph Geister, Heinrich Schäfer, Carmen Bungenstock, Martin Mügge
  • Publication number: 20180142851
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles with an elongated light guide comprising an end face for the coupling-in of light, into which a light beam radiated from a light source can be coupled-in. The lighting device further comprises elements for the coupling-out of light for the deflection of the coupled-in light beam in the direction of a front skin surface of the elongated light guide, on which the light beam can be coupled-out for the generation of a given light function, such that the front skin surface of the elongated light guide is connected to a rear skin surface by means of a curved dispersion surface. At least one light directing element is arranged between a row of light sources and the light guide so that the light of the light sources arranged in a row can be coupled into the rear skin surface or the curved dispersion surface of the light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Carmen Bungenstock, Christoph Geister, Martin Mügge, Heinrich Schäfer
  • Patent number: 9759396
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles with an elongated light guide comprising an end face for the coupling-in of light, into which a light beam radiated from a light source can be coupled-in. The lighting device further comprises elements for the coupling-out of light for the deflection of the coupled-in light beam in the direction of a front skin surface of the elongated light guide, on which the light beam can be coupled-out for the generation of a given light function, such that the front skin surface of the elongated light guide is connected to a rear skin surface by means of a curved dispersion surface. At least one light directing element is arranged between a row of light sources and the light guide so that the light of the light sources arranged in a row can be coupled into the rear skin surface or the curved dispersion surface of the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Carmen Bungenstock, Christoph Geister, Martin Mügge, Heinrich Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20170167687
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles with an elongated light guide comprising an end face for the coupling-in of light, into which a light beam radiated from a light source can be coupled-in. The lighting device further comprises elements for the coupling-out of light for the deflection of the coupled-in light beam in the direction of a front skin surface of the elongated light guide, on which the light beam can be coupled-out for the generation of a given light function, such that the front skin surface of the elongated light guide is connected to a rear skin surface by means of a curved dispersion surface. At least one light directing element is arranged between a row of light sources and the light guide so that the light of the light sources arranged in a row can be coupled into the rear skin surface or the curved dispersion surface of the light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Carmen Bungenstock, Christoph Geister, Martin Mügge, Heinrich Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20160312973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (10) according to the invention for a motor vehicle external light having a light conductor (12), which extends along a longitudinal extension direction (14) and has two end faces (16, 18), at least one first light source (20) for coupling light into one of the two end faces (16, 18) of the light conductor (12), a plurality of second light sources (22) for coupling light into the light conductor (12) vertically with respect to the longitudinal extension direction (14) of the light conductor (12), and a control unit for separate actuation of the at least one first light source (20) and of the plurality of second light sources (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Manuel BROSINGER, Linda ALPMANN, Sebastian STUMPE, Christoph GEISTER, Heinrich SCHÄFER, Carmen BUNGENSTOCK, Martin MÜGGE
  • Publication number: 20150359101
    Abstract: An electronic unit for a lighting device in a motor vehicle. The electronic unit may include at least one touch-sensitive part which is mounted onto a carrier and which surpasses at least partly beyond the surface of the carrier. In order to protect the touch-sensitive part of any direct physical contact by means of further objects, at least one guiding element may be mounted onto the carrier adjacent to the touch-sensitive part. The shape and size of the guiding element may be designed in such a way, that the touch-sensitive part is protected against any physical contact to further objects by the guiding element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventor: Heinrich Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20140321139
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles with an elongated light guide comprising an end face for the coupling-in of light, into which a light beam radiated from a light source can be coupled-in. The lighting device further comprises elements for the coupling-out of light for the deflection of the coupled-in light beam in the direction of a front skin surface of the elongated light guide, on which the light beam can be coupled-out for the generation of a given light function, such that the front skin surface of the elongated light guide is connected to a rear skin surface by means of a curved dispersion surface. At least one light directing element is arranged between a row of light sources and the light guide so that the light of the light sources arranged in a row can be coupled into the rear skin surface or the curved dispersion surface of the light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Carmen Bungenstock, Christoph Geister, Martin Mügge, Heinrich Schäfer