Patents by Inventor Michael Schnerr

Michael Schnerr 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: 9371037
    Abstract: A light module (5, 6) for a lighting device (1) of a motor vehicle includes a plurality of semiconductor light sources (11) in serial connection with each other. A circuit arrangement (12a, 12b, 12c) is assigned to and connected in parallel with at least one of the light sources (11), includes a plurality of detectors (13, 15, 16) for detection of a malfunction of the light source (11), and is adapted for bypassing the light source (11) in case of a malfunction of the light source (11). A lighting device (1) of a motor vehicle includes at least one light module (5, 6) for generation of a predefined light distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Schnerr, Dirk Blum
  • Patent number: 9308821
    Abstract: A combination (10) of a power-supply control device (12) and at least one light-control device (14) of a motor vehicle operates at least one semiconductor light source (36, 38). The control device (12) supplies the light-control device (14) with power via a supply line (18) connected to a first connection pin (20) of the control device (12), monitors current flowing through connection pins of the control device (12), and makes use of diagnoses thereof. The light-control device (14) is connected to an additional connection pin (28) of the control device (12) via an error line (26) and checks function of the connected semiconductor light source (36, 38) and, in the case of a malfunction, triggers a current flow in the error line (26). The control device (12) reacts to the triggered current flow with generation of an error message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Schnerr, Dirk Blum
  • Patent number: 8608358
    Abstract: A light module for a vehicle lighting device comprises a semiconductor light source mounted on a carrier element designed. on/including a first printed-circuit board. A control module is electrically connected to and structurally spaced from the light source and designed on/includes a second printed-circuit board and includes an electric circuit constructed upon the second board and a connection element adapted w be connected to a higher-level controller and/or vehicle power supply. The control module is an electronic component of the light source such that a cable does not connect the control module and light source to each other. A highly thermally conductive carrier module is arranged between the light source and control module and directly attached to the carrier element, second printed-circuit board, and electric circuit. An electrical connection is located on the carrier module between the fight source or carrier element and electric circuit or second printed-circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schnerr, Dirk Blum
  • Patent number: 8598735
    Abstract: A controller controls an illumination device of a motor vehicle including at least one light source. The controller includes at least one first stage that provides electric energy for supplying power to the illumination device. At least one second stage forwards the electric energy to the light source. The first stage includes intelligence for controlling the illuminating device, a first supplier for supplying the illumination device with control signals, a generator for generating a constant intermediate voltage, and a second supplier for supplying the second stage with the intermediate voltage. The second stage includes a converter for conversion of the intermediate voltage into a supply voltage suitable for supplying the power to the light source, a third supplier for supplying the light source with the supply voltage, and a mechanism for controlling the light source in dependency on the control signals. Also, an illumination device for a motor vehicle includes the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schnerr, Uwe Bormann
  • Publication number: 20130304304
    Abstract: A combination (10) of a power-supply control device (12) and at least one light-control device (14) of a motor vehicle operates at least one semiconductor light source (36, 38). The control device (12) supplies the light-control device (14) with power via a supply line (18) connected to a first connection pin (20) of the control device (12), monitors current flowing through connection pins of the control device (12), and makes use of diagnoses thereof. The light-control device (14) is connected to an additional connection pin (28) of the control device (12) via an error line (26) and checks function of the connected semiconductor light source (36, 38) and, in the case of a malfunction, triggers a current flow in the error line (26). The control device (12) reacts to the triggered current flow with generation of an error message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schnerr, Dirk Blum
  • Publication number: 20110285291
    Abstract: A controller controls an illumination device of a motor vehicle including at least one light source. The controller includes at least one first stage that provides electric energy for supplying power to the illumination device. At least one second stage forwards the electric energy to the light source. The first stage includes intelligence for controlling the illuminating device, a first supplier for supplying the illumination device with control signals, a generator for generating a constant intermediate voltage, and a second supplier for supplying the second stage with the intermediate voltage. The second stage includes a converter for conversion of the intermediate voltage into a supply voltage suitable for supplying the power to the light source, a third supplier for supplying the light source with the supply voltage, and a mechanism for controlling the light source in dependency on the control signals. Also, an illumination device for a motor vehicle includes the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schnerr, Uwe Bormann
  • Publication number: 20110149588
    Abstract: A light module (5, 6) for a lighting device (1) of a motor vehicle includes at least one semiconductor light source (17), a control module (7) connected to the light source (17) and including an electric circuit and a connection element (9) adapted to be connected to a higher-level controller and/or power supply of the motor vehicle, and a substantially highly thermally conductive carrier module (10) to which the light source (17) and electric circuit are arranged. A lighting device (1) of a motor vehicle includes the light module (5, 6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Schnerr, Dirk Blum
  • Publication number: 20110148301
    Abstract: A light module (5, 6) for a lighting device (1) of a motor vehicle includes a plurality of semiconductor light sources (11) in serial connection with each other. A circuit arrangement (12a, 12b, 12c) is assigned to and connected in parallel with at least one of the light sources (11), includes a plurality of detectors (13, 15, 16) for detection of a malfunction of the light source (11), and is adapted for bypassing the light source (11) in case of a malfunction of the light source (11). A lighting device (1) of a motor vehicle includes at least one light module (5, 6) for generation of a predefined light distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Schnerr, Dirk Blum