Patents by Inventor Helmut Regnet

Helmut Regnet 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).

  • Device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element
    Patent number: 7046129
    Abstract: A device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element (13), more particularly an electrically powered window pane (13) or sunroof of a motor vehicle (10), comprises a sensor electrode (20), a base electrode (21) spaced away from the sensor electrode (20), and a control unit (40) connected to the sensor electrode (20) and the base electrode (21). The sensor electrode (20) and the base electrode (21) generate an electric field (F) in the opening range of the closure element (13) and are spaced away at a constant distance from each other in a first operational mode. The control unit (40) detects in the first operational mode a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an obstacle in the electric field (F) and providing at least one control signal (Is, Ip) for a drive (50) powering the closure element (13). The device is characterized by high reliability in operation and availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Metzler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Regnet, Gunther Kopp
  • Device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element
    Publication number: 20040172879
    Abstract: A device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element (13), more particularly an electrically powered window pane (13) or sunroof of a motor vehicle (10), comprises a sensor electrode (20), a base electrode (21) spaced away from the sensor electrode (20), and a control unit (40) connected to the sensor electrode (20) and the base electrode (21). The sensor electrode (20) and the base electrode (21) generate an electric field (F) in the opening range of the closure element (13) and are spaced away at a constant distance from each other in a first operational mode. The control unit (40) detects in the first operational mode a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an obstacle in the electric field (F) and providing at least one control signal (Is, Ip) for a drive (50) powering the closure element (13). The device is characterized by high reliability in operation and availability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Regnet, Gunther Kopp