Patents by Inventor Joachim Korherr

Joachim Korherr 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: 11467696
    Abstract: A capacitive motor vehicle operating system is described, comprising a capacitive screen with an operator interface as well as a pressure- and rotational-actuation device which is formed separately from the capacitive screen, and which is electrically conductive in areas and is at least partially affixed to the operator interface of the capacitive screen. The pressure- and rotational-actuation device comprises at least one electrically conductive interaction element which interacts with the capacitive screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: BCS AUTOMOTIVE INTERFACE SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Korherr, Annkathrin Oksche, Timo Schubert, Soeren Lemcke
  • Patent number: 11435775
    Abstract: A magnetic rotary actuator (12) for a motor vehicle control unit (10) is described, including a stationary part (22) and a rotary member (18) which is rotatable relative to the stationary part (22). The magnetic rotary actuator (12) has a magnetic latching haptics (28) comprising a plurality of magnetic latching positions. Both the stationary part (22) and the rotatable rotary member (18) each comprise at least two separately formed magnetic elements (30) which cooperate to generate the plurality of magnetic latching positions. A motor vehicle control unit (10) is furthermore described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: BCS AUTOMOTIVE INTERFACE SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Korherr, Simon Johler
  • Publication number: 20220066496
    Abstract: A magnetic rotary actuator (12) for a motor vehicle control unit (10) is described, including a stationary part (22) and a rotary member (18) which is rotatable relative to the stationary part (22). The magnetic rotary actuator (12) has a magnetic latching haptics (28) comprising a plurality of magnetic latching positions, Both the stationary part (22) and the rotatable rotary member (18) each comprise at least two separately formed magnetic elements (30) which cooperate to generate the plurality of magnetic latching positions, A motor vehicle control unit (10) is furthermore described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: JOACHIM KORHERR, SIMON JOHLER
  • Publication number: 20200019263
    Abstract: A capacitive motor vehicle operating system is described, comprising a capacitive screen with an operator interface as well as a pressure- and rotational-actuation device which is formed separately from the capacitive screen, and which is electrically conductive in areas and is at least partially affixed to the operator interface of the capacitive screen. The pressure- and rotational-actuation device comprises at least one electrically conductive interaction element which interacts with the capacitive screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: JOACHIM KORHERR, ANNKATHRIN OKSCHE, TIMO SCHUBERT, SOEREN LEMCKE
  • Publication number: 20190323598
    Abstract: An operating assembly unit for a motor vehicle may include a switch for shifting speed levels of an automatic motor vehicle transmission. The switch may include a first lever that is manually operable, a second lever mechanically coupled to the first lever, and a switching element. The first lever may be movable to actuate the electrical switching element by causing contact between the electrical switching element and the second lever. The second lever may include a leaf spring with a clamped end and a free end. The actuation of the first lever may deform the leaf spring such that at least a portion of the leaf spring is displaced towards the switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Joachim KORHERR
  • Publication number: 20190180921
    Abstract: A transformer apparatus (200) comprising a transformer core (210), at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding. The transformer apparatus (200) also comprises an insert element (220), in which the at least one primary winding is arranged, and one printed circuit board (230), in which the at least one secondary winding is arranged. The insert element (220), the circuit board (230) and the transformer core (210) can hereby be coupled together or are coupled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Joachim Korherr
  • Patent number: 10277225
    Abstract: A switching device, in particular in a motor vehicle, includes a control element (12) having an operating interface (14) which may include a plurality of control panels (16). A haptics actuator which is seated in the interior of the switching device provides a haptic response by displacing the control element (12) in a lateral direction as soon as a switching signal is generated. The haptics actuator has a force-travel characteristic with a second force maximum which is remote from the end stop and in the range of which the working travel is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics and Components GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Korherr
  • Publication number: 20180167068
    Abstract: A switching device, in particular in a motor vehicle, includes a control element (12) having an operating interface (14) which may include a plurality of control panels (16). A haptics actuator which is seated in the interior of the switching device provides a haptic response by displacing the control element (12) in a lateral direction as soon as a switching signal is generated. The haptics actuator has a force-travel characteristic with a second force maximum which is remote from the end stop and in the range of which the working travel is placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics and Components GMBH
    Inventor: Joachim Korherr
  • Patent number: 9931935
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle steering wheel (10) has a closed, touch-sensitive, preferably three-dimensionally shaped sensor surface (20), at least two mechanical switching elements (22) which are arranged below the sensor surface (20) and can be actuated by deforming the sensor surface (20), the touch-sensitive sensor surface (20) being designed to be so flexible that the mechanical switching elements (22) can be actuated separately, and a change-over switch (24) which can activate and/or deactivate the mechanical switching elements (22) and/or the touch-sensitive sensor surface (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Koch, Joachim Korherr
  • Patent number: 9530585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device (10), in particular in a motor vehicle, having an adjustable touch-sensitive switching element (12) which is switchable by a touch pressure exerted in a direction (s) of actuation. The switching element (12) is adapted to assume a first initial position, in which the switching element (12) bears on an abutment (14) in the direction (s) of actuation. The switching element (12) is adapted to assume a second initial position, in which, compared with the first initial position, the switching element (12) is adjusted by a predeterminable travel (x1) contrary to the direction (s) of actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Korherr
  • Publication number: 20150306959
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle steering wheel (10) has a closed, touch-sensitive, preferably three-dimensionally shaped sensor surface (20), at least two mechanical switching elements (22) which are arranged below the sensor surface (20) and can be actuated by deforming the sensor surface (20), the touch-sensitive sensor surface (20) being designed to be so flexible that the mechanical switching elements (22) can be actuated separately, and a change-over switch (24) which can activate and/or deactivate the mechanical switching elements (22) and/or the touch-sensitive sensor surface (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Koch, Joachim Korherr
  • Patent number: 8803014
    Abstract: A pushbutton switch array is proposed which provides a uniform operating surface in which switching units are distinguished from dummy elements only by symbols provided on the switching units and the switching units are realized with few functional parts. The pushbutton switch array has a frame which is covered by a transparent film and includes recesses which selectively have an actuating element accommodated therein for displacement or a dummy element accommodated therein so as to be non-displaceable. The actuating elements are provided with symbols on the surface thereof facing the film and hold a printed circuit board at the opposite end. The printed circuit board carries a switch element that cooperates with a contact element on an opposite base plate. The transparent film, which completely covers the frame along with the actuating elements and the dummy elements, provides a continuous smooth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Korherr, Harald Koehnlein
  • Patent number: 8690415
    Abstract: An optical display element (10) made up of selectively illuminatable concentric rings (14) is provided, in which the rings (14) are obtained by the light exit surface (20) of a respective optical waveguide body (18). Each optical waveguide body (18) has a light entry surface (22) which couples light in from an associated light source (24) which is adapted to be selectively activated. The light entry surface (22), as related to the common axis (12), has a larger radial extent than the light exit surface (20). Further, the optical waveguide bodies (18) have directly radially adjacent light-blocking side surfaces (30). Owing to this configuration, it is solely the optical waveguide bodies (18) which determine the geometry of the concentric rings (14). Since the optical waveguide bodies (18) can be manufactured with high precision, the intended close tolerances are obtained. In this way, radial distances between the rings (14) of only approximately 0.2 mm or less can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Korherr, Harald Koehnlein
  • Publication number: 20130284577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device (10), in particular in a motor vehicle, having an adjustable touch-sensitive switching element (12) which is switchable by a touch pressure exerted in a direction (s) of actuation. The switching element (12) is adapted to assume a first initial position, in which the switching element (12) bears on an abutment (14) in the direction (s) of actuation. The switching element (12) is adapted to assume a second initial position, in which, compared with the first initial position, the switching element (12) is adjusted by a predeterminable travel (x1) contrary to the direction (s) of actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Korherr
  • Publication number: 20130039089
    Abstract: An optical display element (10) made up of selectively illuminatable concentric rings (14) is provided, in which the rings (14) are obtained by the light exit surface (20) of a respective optical waveguide body (18). Each optical waveguide body (18) has a light entry surface (22) which couples light in from an associated light source (24) which is adapted to be selectively activated. The light entry surface (22), as related to the common axis (12), has a larger radial extent than the light exit surface (20). Further, the optical waveguide bodies (18) have directly radially adjacent light-blocking side surfaces (30). Owing to this configuration, it is solely the optical waveguide bodies (18) which determine the geometry of the concentric rings (14). Since the optical waveguide bodies (18) can be manufactured with high precision, the intended close tolerances are obtained. In this way, radial distances between the rings (14) of only approximately 0.2 mm or less can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Joachim Korherr, Harald Koehnlein
  • Publication number: 20120205227
    Abstract: A pushbutton switch array is proposed which provides a uniform operating surface in which switching units are distinguished from dummy elements only by symbols provided on the switching units and the switching units are realized with few functional parts. The pushbutton switch array has a frame which is covered by a transparent film and includes recesses which selectively have an actuating element accommodated therein for displacement or a dummy element accommodated therein so as to be non-displaceable. The actuating elements are provided with symbols on the surface thereof facing the film and hold a printed circuit board at the opposite end. The printed circuit board carries a switch element that cooperates with a contact element on an opposite base plate. The transparent film, which completely covers the frame along with the actuating elements and the dummy elements, provides a continuous smooth surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Joachim Korherr, Harald Koehnlein
  • Publication number: 20120186962
    Abstract: A pushbutton switch array is proposed which provides an illuminatable operating surface and manages with only few light sources without requiring any separate optical waveguide structures. The pushbutton switch array has a frame which is covered by a transparent film and includes recesses which have actuating elements accommodated therein for displacement. The actuating elements are configured to have light-guiding and light-coupling structures. A shared light source is, or only few shared light sources are, optically coupled to the light-coupling structures of the actuating elements which, for their part, are optically coupled to each other by adjoining light-coupling structures. The light-guiding structures guide the light coupled into the actuating elements to the actuating surface adjacent to the film. The actuating elements may be provided with symbols on their actuating surface adjoining the film, the symbols being visible through the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Joachim Korherr, Harald Koehnlen
  • Patent number: 7157654
    Abstract: A pressure switch for pressures up to a maximum permissible pressure (pmax), with a housing (1) and a membrane (2), whereby the membrane is fastened in the housing. The membrane has an exposed face on which a pressure can act, and it is deformed when a pressure acts upon it. The pressure switch comprises a means (4) that converts the membrane deformation into a stroke, as well as an electric contact system that interacts with this means. The means causes a membrane deformation to actuate the electric contact system. The pressure switch also comprises a cast solid abutment member (5) that completely fills a cavity between an inner wall of the housing and the face of the membrane opposite the exposed face when the membrane is exposed to the maximum permissible pressure pmax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics and Components GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Markus Trisner, Joachim Korherr
  • Patent number: 7033232
    Abstract: An electric plug connector has two separate contact members. Each of the contact members has a first pair of parallel elongate webs spaced from each other and a second pair of elongate webs that extend in the same plane perpendicular to the first pair of webs. The first and second contact members are assembled so that the first pairs of webs of both contact members are aligned to define a first flat plug-in channel and the second pairs of webs of both contact members are spaced from each other and face each other to define a second flat plug-in channel perpendicular to and crossing the first plug-in channel. The two separate contact members are held in an assembled condition by a holding member tightly surrounding the contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Korherr, Karl Friedrich Brodbeck
  • Publication number: 20060065513
    Abstract: A pressure switch for pressures up to a maximum permissible pressure (pmax), with a housing (1) and a membrane (2), whereby the membrane is fastened in the housing. The membrane has an exposed face on which a pressure can act, and it is deformed when a pressure acts upon it. The pressure switch comprises a means (4) that converts the membrane deformation into a stroke, as well as an electric contact system that interacts with this means. The means causes a membrane deformation to actuate the electric contact system. The pressure switch also comprises a cast solid abutment member (5) that completely fills a cavity between an inner wall of the housing and the face of the membrane opposite the exposed face when the membrane is exposed to the maximum permissible pressure pmax.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Markus Trisner, Joachim Korherr