Patents by Inventor Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt 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).
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Patent number: 9047280Abstract: An apparatus for position determination has an optical scanning unit which is to be moved relative to a surface and which includes an image sensor for detecting light intensity patterns of light which is reflected by the surface. The apparatus furthermore has an electronic processing unit which is associated with the image sensor and configured to determine a traveled movement path and/or a movement speed of the optical scanning unit relative to the surface from a difference between light intensity patterns detected after one another in time. A further processing unit is configured to produce an intensity correlated signal which correlates with the intensity of the light reflected by the surface. An evaluation device is associated with the image sensor and is configured to recognize a graphical code pattern located on the surface with reference to the intensity correlated signal and to read out information from the code pattern.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignees: SICK STEGMANN GMBH, ATLANTIC ZEISER GMBHInventors: Stefan Basler, Trevor Stewart, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
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Patent number: 8754774Abstract: An assembly includes a mount (10) and a sensor (30), in particular a rain/light sensor for a motor vehicle, the mount (10) including at least two abutments (12) for a clamping bracket (50), wherein at least one clamping bracket (50) is hinge-fitted to the sensor (30) at two bearing points, the clamping bracket (50) being adapted to swivel between a mounting position and a clamping position, in which it urges the sensor (30) against the mount (10) with a pretensioning force.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbHInventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Maxim Wasetzki
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Publication number: 20130248664Abstract: An assembly includes a mount (10) and a sensor (30), in particular a rain/light sensor for a motor vehicle, the mount (10) including at least two abutments (12) for a clamping bracket (50), wherein at least one clamping bracket (50) is hinge-fitted to the sensor (30) at two bearing points, the clamping bracket (50) being adapted to swivel between a mounting position and a clamping position, in which it urges the sensor (30) against the mount (10) with a pretensioning force.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbHInventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Maxim Wasetzki
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Patent number: 8456311Abstract: An assembly includes a mount (10) and a sensor (30), in particular a rain/light sensor for a motor vehicle, the mount (10) including at least two abutments (12) for a clamping bracket (50), wherein at least one clamping bracket (50) is hinge-fitted to the sensor (30) at two bearing points, the clamping bracket (50) being adapted to swivel between a mounting position and a clamping position, in which it urges the sensor (30) against the mount (10) with a pretensioning force.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbHInventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Maxim Wasetzki
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Patent number: 7911356Abstract: A rain sensor is provided for fastening on an inner side of a windscreen of a motor vehicle. The rain sensor includes a holding frame for fastening to the inner side of the windscreen, a sensor element, a housing part for housing the sensor element such that the sensor element is arranged in the housing part, and a holding device for engaging the holding frame, the holding device being fastened to the housing part, wherein the holding device is brought into engagement with the holding frame in a pre-mounted state, and the holding device presses the housing part with the sensor element onto the windscreen in a final mounted state.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbHInventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Thomas Ebner
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Patent number: 7667153Abstract: A change-over switch for the switching of two electric circuits is disclosed, including a housing, a tappet, two contacts of a first electric circuit, two contacts of a second electric circuit, and a switching contact which comprises in an initial state a first shape in which said first electric circuit is closed and said second electric circuit is opened, and which by actuating said tappet may be transferred into a second shape in which said first electric circuit is opened and said second electric circuit is closed.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Gerhard Steidle, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
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Publication number: 20090224120Abstract: An assembly includes a mount (10) and a sensor (30), in particular a rain/light sensor for a motor vehicle, the mount (10) including at least two abutments (12) for a clamping bracket (50), wherein at least one clamping bracket (50) is hinge-fitted to the sensor (30) at two bearing points, the clamping bracket (50) being adapted to swivel between a mounting position and a clamping position, in which it urges the sensor (30) against the mount (10) with a pretensioning force.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Maxim Wasetzki
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Publication number: 20080117074Abstract: A rain sensor is provided for fastening on an inner side of a windscreen of a motor vehicle. The rain sensor comprises a holding frame for fastening to the inner side of the windscreen, a sensor element, a housing part for housing the sensor element such that the sensor element is arranged in the housing part, and a holding device for engaging the holding frame, the holding device being fastened to the housing part, wherein the holding device is brought into engagement with the holding frame in a pre-mounted state, and the holding device presses the housing part with the sensor element onto the windscreen in a final mounted state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventors: Karl- Heinz Wohlfahrt, Thomas Ebner
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Patent number: 7346436Abstract: A modular switch and control system for use in a motor vehicle is provided, that is easily and flexibly adapted to the particular needs and requires no additional wiring for added modules. The modular switch and control system comprises a main switch module and optional satellite modules of different types. The main and satellite modules have separate housings with matching engagement structures permitting each satellite module to be fitted to one side of the main module. Each satellite module is electrically connected with the main module through matching male and female connectors. Each satellite module is provided with electrical coding device accessible through the connectors and permitting each satellite to be provided with a code indicative of the module type.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co KgInventors: Markus Altmann, Dieter Bornhorst, Christoph Schostok, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
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Patent number: 7307232Abstract: A rotary switch for installation in the dashboard of a vehicle has a switch housing, an actuation shaft that is arranged rotatably in the switch housing, a knob that is mounted on one end of the actuation shaft, and a ring-shaped faceplate that surrounds the knob and that is detachably fastened to the switch housing. The faceplate is connected to the switch housing by a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism can be released by a relative rotation between the faceplate and the switch housing. The knob can be moved axially in a predetermined rotational position and is coupled non-rotatably to the faceplate by means of this axial movement. In order to detach the faceplate from the switch housing, the knob is moved into the predetermined rotational position and then moved axially and turned at the same time, whereby the faceplate also turns and the latched connection between the faceplate and the switch housing is released.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Markus Altmann, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
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Publication number: 20060180453Abstract: A change-over switch for the switching of two electric circuits is disclosed, including a housing, a tappet, two contacts of a first electric circuit, two contacts of a second electric circuit, and a switching contact which comprises in an initial state a first shape in which said first electric circuit is closed and said second electric circuit is opened, and which by actuating said tappet may be transferred into a second shape in which said first electric circuit is opened and said second electric circuit is closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2006Publication date: August 17, 2006Inventors: Gerhard Steidle, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
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Publication number: 20050241925Abstract: A rotary switch for installation in the dashboard of a vehicle has a switch housing, an actuation shaft that is arranged rotatably in the switch housing, a knob that is mounted on one end of the actuation shaft, and a ring-shaped faceplate that surrounds the knob and that is detachably fastened to the switch housing. The faceplate is connected to the switch housing by a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism can be released by a relative rotation between the faceplate and the switch housing. The knob can be moved axially in a predetermined rotational position and is coupled non-rotatably to the faceplate by means of this axial movement. In order to detach the faceplate from the switch housing, the knob is moved into the predetermined rotational position and then moved axially and turned at the same time, whereby the faceplate also turns and the latched connection between the faceplate and the switch housing is released.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2005Publication date: November 3, 2005Inventors: Markus Altmann, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
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Patent number: 6894242Abstract: The rotary light switch for motor vehicles has a housing (10) and an actuating member (14) mounted rotatably. In a peripheral wall (24) of the housing, a cam surface (26) is recessed, which runs in peripheral direction and rises axially facing axially away from the actuating member. A cam follower (22) projects radially from the actuating member (14) and runs up on the cam surface on rotation of the actuating member, bearing only axially on the cam surface and forcing the actuating member (14) to move axially.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Klaus Müller, Jürgen Girke, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
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Publication number: 20050075741Abstract: A modular switch and control system for use in a motor vehicle is provided, that is easily and flexibly adapted to the particular needs and requires no additional wiring for added modules. The modular switch and control system comprises a main switch module and optional satellite modules of different types. The main and satellite modules have separate housings with matching engagement structures permitting each satellite module to be fitted to one side of the main module. Each satellite module is electrically connected with the main module through matching male and female connectors. Each satellite module is provided with electrical coding means accessible through the connectors and permitting each satellite to be provided with a code indicative of the module type.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2004Publication date: April 7, 2005Inventors: Markus Altmann, Dieter Bornhorst, Christoph Schostok, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
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Publication number: 20040016630Abstract: The rotary light switch for motor vehicles has a housing (10) and an actuating member (14) mounted rotatably. In a peripheral wall (24) of the housing, a cam surface (26) is recessed, which runs in peripheral direction and rises axially facing axially away from the actuating member. A cam follower (22) projects radially from the actuating member (14) and runs up on the cam surface on rotation of the actuating member, bearing only axially on the cam surface and forcing the actuating member (14) to move axially.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2003Publication date: January 29, 2004Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Klaus Muller, Jurgen Girke, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
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Patent number: 6670549Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic module consisting of electrical circuit board conductors (3a), one or more electronic and/or electromechanical components (5, 5′), and one or more electrical connection contacts (7) wherein the circuit board conductors (3a) and the components (5, 5′) are surrounded at least partially by a plastic material (11) having low Shore Hardness.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Horst Singer
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Patent number: 6396380Abstract: A fuse box for motor vehicles includes a housing that is adapted to contain electrical fuses mounted to a common busbar for connecting one end of the fuses directly to a pole of an electric battery in the vehicle. The housing includes lateral surfaces for providing torsional protection to the fuses against twisting or bending when the nuts holding the fuses in place are tightened. Screening zones are defined in the housing for screening off fusable portions of the fuses so that melted material is prevented from migrating into the housing beyond the screening zone where the melted material may cause damage. Mechanical coding structures are provided in the housing to ensure that only cable terminals having a shape corresponding to the coding structures can be installed in selected regions of the fuse box. This prevents inadvertent misuse of cross-connection of cables having inadequate or excessive current carrying capacity.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1999Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Jürgen Girke, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt