Patents by Inventor Karl Simonis

Karl Simonis 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: 11092807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device (2) for a motor vehicle (1) having a housing, which comprises a projection device (3) arranged in the housing for generating a virtual image (10) on a projection surface which is located outside the housing and observable by an observer, which projection device comprises at least one mirror (6) mounted such that it is pivotable about an axis of rotation (11), which mirror is designed to deflect light (4) output by a light source of the projection device (3) in a deflection position, and having an adjustment device for adjusting the deflection position of the mirror (6) by pivoting about the axis of rotation (11), wherein the adjustment device comprises at least one first shape-memory wire (17), which is coupled to the mirror (6), and therefore the mirror (6) is pivotable about the axis of rotation (11) by a length change of the first shape-memory wire (17). Furthermore, the invention relates to a driver assistance system, a motor vehicle (1) and a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Schoch, Karl Simonis
  • Patent number: 10926817
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective covering (4) for sealing a flat spiral spring housing (2), to a flat spiral spring housing arrangement having a protective covering (4), and to a vehicle having a flat spiral spring housing arrangement of this type. The protective covering (4) has a first housing part (2A) and a second housing part (2B) which forms a housing cover, the first housing part (2A) forming, with the second housing part (2B), a receiving space for a flat spiral spring (3), and the two housing parts (2A, 2B) being rotatable with respect to one another. To this end, the flat spiral spring housing (2) has a gap between the first housing part (2A) and the second housing part (2B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Simonis, Daniela Pikart, Laurent Raddaz, Uwe Hertl
  • Publication number: 20200326541
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device (2) for a motor vehicle (1) having a housing, which comprises a projection device (3) arranged in the housing for generating a virtual image (10) on a projection surface which is located outside the housing and observable by an observer, which projection device comprises at least one mirror (6) mounted such that it is pivotable about an axis of rotation (11), which mirror is designed to deflect light (4) output by a light source of the projection device (3) in a deflection position, and having an adjustment device for adjusting the deflection position of the mirror (6) by pivoting about the axis of rotation (11), wherein the adjustment device comprises at least one first shape-memory wire (17), which is coupled to the mirror (6), and therefore the mirror (6) is pivotable about the axis of rotation (11) by a length change of the first shape-memory wire (17). Furthermore, the invention relates to a driver assistance system, a motor vehicle (1) and a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Schoch, Karl Simonis
  • Publication number: 20180304943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective covering (4) for sealing a flat spiral spring housing (2), to a flat spiral spring housing arrangement having a protective covering (4), and to a vehicle having a flat spiral spring housing arrangement of this type. The protective covering (4) has a first housing part (2A) and a second housing part (2B) which forms a housing cover, the first housing part (2A) forming, with the second housing part (2B), a receiving space for a flat spiral spring (3), and the two housing parts (2A, 2B) being rotatable with respect to one another. To this end, the flat spiral spring housing (2) has a gap between the first housing part (2A) and the second housing part (2B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Simonis, Daniela Jaeckle, Laurent Raddaz, Uwe Hertl
  • Patent number: 10065572
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device (2) for a motor vehicle (1) having a mirror apparatus (13) which has a display element (7) with a semi-transparent mirror surface, and having a drive apparatus (15) by means of which the mirror apparatus (13) can be moved between a storage position and a position of use, wherein the mirror apparatus (13) has a sensor apparatus (22) which is configured to detect, in the position of use of the mirror apparatus (13), a force applied to the display element (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    Inventors: Daniel Kuntze, Lars Schoch, Karl Simonis
  • Patent number: 10029609
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit (1) for operating at least one electrical consumer, which is operated by an electric load current, in a motor vehicle, with a printed circuit board (5) on which strip conductors (9, 11) are arranged, said strip conductors being connected to electrically conductive contact surfaces (8, 10, 13) for contact elements (15, 15?) which are movable with a steering-column lever (16), wherein the strip conductors (9, 11) are configured for the load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Simonis, Roland Gruener
  • Patent number: 9902316
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit (1) for a motor vehicle, having a driver part (7) to which an actuating lever (2) can be connected and which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (11) between an initial position and an actuated position, wherein the driver part (7) has an arm (20) which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis (11), in particular in the direction of a steering spindle, and which projects from a main body (16) of the driver part (7), on which arm there is arranged an electrical contact element (8) which, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled to a further contact element, and having a resetting device (6) with a triggering element (10) which is designed for resetting the driver part (7), and thus the actuating lever (2), from the actuated position into the initial position, wherein the triggering element (10) is arranged on a side of the arm (20) situated opposite the electrical contact element (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Karl Simonis
  • Publication number: 20170341593
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device (2) for a motor vehicle (1) having a mirror apparatus (13) which has a display element (7) with a semi-transparent mirror surface, and having a drive apparatus (15) by means of which the mirror apparatus (13) can be moved between a storage position and a position of use, wherein the mirror apparatus (13) has a sensor apparatus (22) which is configured to detect, in the position of use of the mirror apparatus (13), a force applied to the display element (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel KUNTZE, Lars SCHOCH, Karl SIMONIS
  • Patent number: 9651982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a resetting device (6) for a steering-column switch unit (1) of a motor vehicle, having a triggering element (10) by means of which an actuating lever (2) of the steering-column switch unit (1) can be moved from an actuated position into an initial position, having an intermediate piece (22) on which the triggering element (10) is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (35) between a rest position and a triggering position in which the actuating lever (2) can be moved into the initial position, wherein the triggering element (10) is furthermore mounted on the intermediate piece (22) so as to be displaceable in a sliding direction (28) perpendicular to the pivot axis (35), having a spring element (27) for generating a spring force which acts parallel to the sliding direction (28) and with which the triggering element (10) is arranged under preload on the intermediate piece (22), and having a switch override protection unit (32) with at least one switch override spring (33, 34
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Karl Simonis
  • Publication number: 20170082857
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device (1) for a motor vehicle, having a mirror (2) which is arranged so as to be movable between a stowage position and a usage position, a first movably arranged covering element (3) which, for the movement between a stowage position and a usage position, is coupled to an electromechanical drive, and a second movably arranged covering element (4), wherein the display device (1) has a stowage position, in which the mirror (2) and the two covering elements (3, 4) are arranged in a respective associated stowage position, and a usage position, in which the mirror (2) and the two covering elements (3, 4) are arranged in a respective associated usage position, and in the stowage position, the two covering elements (3, 4) at least partially cover the mirror (2), wherein the second covering element (4) is, at least in the stowage position, preloaded by a spring element, in order to save structural space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Schoch, Daniel Kuntze, Karl Simonis
  • Patent number: 9599747
    Abstract: A detection device for detecting an object is disclosed. The detection device is located on and/or above an inner panel part of a motor vehicle in the region of an exit opening implemented in the inner panel part, wherein the detection device has a detection region, in which the object is detectable in an acquisition direction of the detection device, wherein the acquisition direction extends at least essentially in parallel to an opening plane of the exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Kuntze, Lars Schoch, Karl Simonis, Marcus Wildt
  • Patent number: 9586542
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (2) for transmitting electrical signals to and/or from a rotatable component of a motor vehicle, having a positionally fixed stator (4) which is intended to be installed in a positionally fixed manner in the motor vehicle, and having a rotor (3) which is rotatably mounted on the stator (4) and which is intended to be coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotatable component of the motor vehicle, wherein the stator (4) has a housing (5) in which a flat cable (14) for transmitting the electrical signals is arranged, wherein a connecting piece (6) which is electrically coupled to the flat cable (14) and is designed to be connected to a corresponding mating piece (15) of the rotatable component is arranged on the rotor (3), and wherein the rotor (3) has a viewing window (11) through which it is possible for a viewer looking from outside the housing (5) to identify a reference element (13) of the flat cable (14) in a neutral position of the rotor (3) with respect to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Sascha Staude, Rainer Lipfert, Viktoria Schwarz, Roland Gruener, Karl Simonis
  • Publication number: 20160264072
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (2) for transmitting electrical signals to and/or from a rotatable component of a motor vehicle, having a positionally fixed stator (4) which is intended to be installed in a positionally fixed manner in the motor vehicle, and having a rotor (3) which is rotatably mounted on the stator (4) and which is intended to be coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotatable component of the motor vehicle, wherein the stator (4) has a housing (5) in which a flat cable (14) for transmitting the electrical signals is arranged, wherein a connecting piece (6) which is electrically coupled to the flat cable (14) and is designed to be connected to a corresponding mating piece (15) of the rotatable component is arranged on the rotor (3), and wherein the rotor (3) has a viewing window (11) through which it is possible for a viewer looking from outside the housing (5) to identify a reference element (13) of the flat cable (14) in a neutral position of the rotor (3) with respect to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Sascha Staude, Rainer Lipfert, Viktoria Schwarz, Roland Gruener, Karl Simonis
  • Publication number: 20160229332
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit (1) for operating at least one electrical consumer, which is operated by an electric load current, in a motor vehicle, with a printed circuit board (5) on which strip conductors (9, 11) are arranged, said strip conductors being connected to electrically conductive contact surfaces (8, 10, 13) for contact elements (15, 15?) which are movable with a steering-column lever (16), wherein the strip conductors (9, 11) are configured for the load current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Simonis, Roland Gruener
  • Patent number: 9279452
    Abstract: The invention concerns a bearing assembly (2) of a steering column lever on a steering column part (1) of a motor vehicle, wherein the steering column lever is mounted on the steering column part (1) pivotably at least indirectly via a bearing (5, 9) having a main bearing point (26, 28) which is formed by a main bearing journal (4, 10) and a corresponding main bearing sleeve (20, 21). The bearing (5, 9) has an additional bearing journal (7, 11) which is arranged concentrically in relation to the main bearing journal (4, 10) and in particular has a smaller diameter than the main bearing journal (4, 10), wherein the additional bearing journal (7, 11) and a corresponding additional bearing sleeve (17, 23) form an additional bearing point (27, 29) of the bearing (5, 9), and wherein the main bearing point (26, 28) is formed with play and the additional bearing point (27, 29) without play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Simonis, Roland Gruener, Laurent Raddaz, Martin Hasch, Enrico Raimondo
  • Publication number: 20150309206
    Abstract: A detection device for detecting an object is disclosed. The detection device is located on and/or above an inner panel part of a motor vehicle in the region of an exit opening implemented in the inner panel part, wherein the detection device has a detection region, in which the object is detectable in an acquisition direction of the detection device, wherein the acquisition direction extends at least essentially in parallel to an opening plane of the exit opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Kuntze, Lars Schoch, Karl Simonis, Marcus Wildt
  • Publication number: 20150001051
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit (1) for a motor vehicle, having a driver part (7) to which an actuating lever (2) can be connected and which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (11) between an initial position and an actuated position, wherein the driver part (7) has an arm (20) which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis (11), in particular in the direction of a steering spindle, and which projects from a main body (16) of the driver part (7), on which arm there is arranged an electrical contact element (8) which, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled to a further contact element, and having a resetting device (6) with a triggering element (10) which is designed for resetting the driver part (7), and thus the actuating lever (2), from the actuated position into the initial position, wherein the triggering element (10) is arranged on a side of the arm (20) situated opposite the electrical contact element (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Karl Simonis
  • Publication number: 20140339057
    Abstract: The invention relates to a resetting device (6) for a steering-column switch unit (1) of a motor vehicle, having a triggering element (10) by means of which an actuating lever (2) of the steering-column switch unit (1) can be moved from an actuated position into an initial position, having an intermediate piece (22) on which the triggering element (10) is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (35) between a rest position and a triggering position in which the actuating lever (2) can be moved into the initial position, wherein the triggering element (10) is furthermore mounted on the intermediate piece (22) so as to be displaceable in a sliding direction (28) perpendicular to the pivot axis (35), having a spring element (27) for generating a spring force which acts parallel to the sliding direction (28) and with which the triggering element (10) is arranged under preload on the intermediate piece (22), and having a switch override protection unit (32) with at least one switch override spring (33, 34
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Karl Simonis
  • Publication number: 20140133790
    Abstract: The invention concerns a bearing assembly (2) of a steering column lever on a steering column part (1) of a motor vehicle, wherein the steering column lever is mounted on the steering column part (1) pivotably at least indirectly via a bearing (5, 9) having a main bearing point (26, 28) which is formed by a main bearing journal (4, 10) and a corresponding main bearing sleeve (20, 21). The bearing (5, 9) has an additional bearing journal (7, 11) which is arranged concentrically in relation to the main bearing journal (4, 10) and in particular has a smaller diameter than the main bearing journal (4, 10), wherein the additional bearing journal (7, 11) and a corresponding additional bearing sleeve (17, 23) form an additional bearing point (27, 29) of the bearing (5, 9), and wherein the main bearing point (26, 28) is formed with play and the additional bearing point (27, 29) without play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Karl Simonis, Roland Gruener, Laurent Raddaz, Martin Hasch, Enrico Raimondo
  • Publication number: 20110168866
    Abstract: An arrangement for fastening functional units in a vehicle is disclosed. The arrangement includes a carrier part arranged between a functional unit and the vehicle. The carrier part is designed in one piece and includes, on the side facing the vehicle, mechanical connecting elements which in each case are specific to the vehicle. On the opposing side facing the interior of the vehicle, the carrier part includes mechanical connecting elements adapted to the functional unit. A roof module is formed by the arrangement, which is attached approximately centrally in the transition region of the vehicle body to the front windscreen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Roland Gruener, Laurent Raddaz, Rainer Lipfert, Bernd Binder, Martin Hasch, Michael Barwanitz, Karl Simonis, Daryl Harrigan