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).

  • Patent number: 9047280
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignees: SICK STEGMANN GMBH, ATLANTIC ZEISER GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Basler, Trevor Stewart, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Patent number: 8754774
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Maxim Wasetzki
  • Publication number: 20130248664
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Maxim Wasetzki
  • Patent number: 8456311
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Maxim Wasetzki
  • Patent number: 7911356
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Thomas Ebner
  • Patent number: 7667153
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Steidle, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Publication number: 20090224120
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Maxim Wasetzki
  • Publication number: 20080117074
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Karl- Heinz Wohlfahrt, Thomas Ebner
  • Patent number: 7346436
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co Kg
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Dieter Bornhorst, Christoph Schostok, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Patent number: 7307232
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Publication number: 20060180453
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Gerhard Steidle, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Publication number: 20050241925
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Patent number: 6894242
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Müller, Jürgen Girke, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Publication number: 20050075741
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Dieter Bornhorst, Christoph Schostok, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Publication number: 20040016630
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Muller, Jurgen Girke, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Patent number: 6670549
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt, Horst Singer
  • Patent number: 6396380
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Girke, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt