Patents by Inventor Rainer Pientka
Rainer Pientka 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: 6894619Abstract: A sensor for optical detection of foreign bodies, in particular raindrops, on a window, in particular on the windshield of a motor vehicle, having a sensor element that is coupled to the inside of the window and having a fastening device, which is glued to the window, wherein the housing part has a fastening part pivotably attached to it, which can be brought into engagement with the fastening device by the clamping tension.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Patrick Schmitt, Norbert Hog, Bruno Hodapp, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Henry Blitzke, Martin Hager, Manfred Burkart, Jochen Benz
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Patent number: 6831288Abstract: Light-sensitive sensor unit, especially for the automatic switching of illuminating equipment, preferably in motor vehicles, which includes at least two light-sensitive sensors, at least a first sensor and a second sensor detecting the light conditions in predetermined directions. For this purpose, all light-conducting elements allocated to the sensors are to be connected in one piece as a light-conducting member and integrated into the light-conducting member of a rain sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Patrick Schmitt, Norbert Hog, Andreas Gille, Bruno Hodapp, Gehbard Michenfelder, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Henry Blitzke, Manfred Burkart
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Patent number: 6810729Abstract: A rain sensor (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, is shown, having at least one transmitter (20) emitting radiation in the operating state, and at least one receiver (22) at least partially sensitive to the radiation from the transmitter (20), and a substantially flat light-conducting body (14) that is capable of being coupled nearly parallel to a surface of a wettable window pane (12) of the motor vehicle, and comprising structures (18a, 18b) for directing and catching the radiation from the transmitter (20), whereby the structures (18a) for directing the radiation are different from the structures (18b) for catching the radiation, and they have radiation-concentrating properties.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Helmut Sautter, Bruno Hodapp, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Andreas Schneider, Manfred Burkart
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Patent number: 6802631Abstract: A light-sensitive sensor unit, in particular for automatic switching of lighting devices, preferably in motor vehicles, including at least two light-sensitive sensors, at least one first sensor detecting the global lighting conditions, and at least one second sensor detecting the lighting conditions in predetermined directions. All light guide elements provided for the sensors are joined in one piece to form a light guide body.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Norbert Hog, Bruno Hodapp, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Henry Blitzke, Manfred Burkart
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Patent number: 6759761Abstract: The device has a sensor device (20) and an evaluation device (30). The sensor device (20) has a global sensor (22), by which the general light intensity in the surroundings of the vehicle is detected nondirectionally, and a directional sensor (24), by which the light intensity is detected directionally in the travel direction of the vehicle. By the evaluation device (30), the signals (S1, S2) of the sensors (22, 24) of the sensor device (20) are compared with threshold values (SE), and if at least one threshold value (SE) is undershot, the lighting devices (10, 12) are switched on. A temperature measuring instrument (32) for detecting the temperature of the sensor device (20) is also provided, which supplies the evaluation device with a signal (ST) about the temperature. In the evaluation device (30), temperature-dependent basic signals (S10, S20) that the sensors (22, 24) generate without light incidence are stored in memory.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Patrick Schmitt, Norbert Hog, Bruno Hodapp, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Henry Blizke, Manfred Burkart
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Patent number: 6744371Abstract: A sensor arrangement for detecting a wetting, in particular a precipitation and dirt accumulation, on a window (13) is proposed, with at least one transmitter (14) and at least one receiver (15) for the transmitter light (17) emitted by the transmitters (14), where the transmitters (14) and receivers (15) are disposed on the vertex points of an imaginary trapezoid. As a result, the external dimensions of the sensor are reduced, the ratio of sensitive area (19) and base area (18) of the sensor is improved, and a coherent sensitive area is produced, where there is also space available for a receiving element of an automatic light control.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Patrick Schmitt, Norbert Hog, Andreas Gille, Bruno Hodapp, Gebhard Michenfelder, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Henry Blitzke, Manfred Burkart
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Patent number: 6727653Abstract: A sensor device, by which the light intensity in the surroundings of the vehicle is detected and which is connected to an evaluation device, by which the signals (S) of the sensor device for the light intensity are compared with at least one threshold value, and from that it is ascertained whether a change in the switching state of the lighting devices is necessary. The evaluation device evaluates signals (S) of the sensor device for the presence of at least one periodically variable signal component (Sk), and in the presence of such a signal component (Sk), the lighting devices are either turned on at a certain level, or remain turned on at that level.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Patrick Schmitt, Norbert Hog, Bruno Hodapp, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Henry Blitzke, Manfred Burkart
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Publication number: 20030074962Abstract: A rain sensor (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, is shown, having at least one transmitter (20) emitting radiation in the operating state, and at least one receiver (22) at least partially sensitive to the radiation from the transmitter (20), and a substantially flat light-conducting body (14) that is capable of being coupled nearly parallel to a surface of a wettable window pane (12) of the motor vehicle, and comprising structures (18a, 18b) for directing and catching the radiation from the transmitter (20), whereby the structures (18a) for directing the radiation are different from the structures (18b) for catching the radiation, and they have radiation-concentrating properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: Helmut Sautter, Bruno Hodapp, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Andreas Schneider, Manfred Burkart
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Patent number: 6545285Abstract: A sensor device is described for detecting wetting of a windshield that has only one transmitter with which two measuring zones of the sensor device can be implemented on a wettable outside of the windshield. A light guidance body injecting transmitter radiation into the windshield has structures with which the transmitter radiation emitted by the transmitter is collected and parallelized in two different directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Rainer Pientka, Manfred Burkart
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Patent number: 6525478Abstract: A device for checking the evaluation circuit for automatic switching operations of the illumination devices in vehicles. A sensor device contains a global sensor for detecting the light conditions in the environment of the vehicle and a directional sensor for the directed detection of the light conditions in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle. The signals of the sensor device are supplied to the evaluation circuit, to determine whether a change in the switching state of the illumination devices is necessary. In order to check the evaluation circuit which is designed using analog technology, in the operating state, the voltage supply to the sensor unit is briefly interrupted at predetermined intervals, as a result of which the condition “night” is simulated. When the evaluation circuit is functioning correctly, this is detected by it as such.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Patrick Schmitt, Norbert Hog, Bruno Hodapp, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Henry Blitzke, Manfred Burkart
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Patent number: 6455866Abstract: A sensor device is described for detecting wetting, in particular rainfall and soiling, on a windshield that has at least two, preferably eight, transmitters and at least one receiver for receiving light emitted by the respective transmitters. The at least two transmitters are arranged concentrically around the at least one receiver. A base area is defined by the at least two transmitters and the at least one receiver, with the base area being at least a sector of a circle. This reduces an outer dimension of the sensor device and improves a ratio of sensitive area to base area of the sensor device.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Rainer Pientka
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Patent number: 6433501Abstract: A sensor device is described for detecting wetting, in particular rainfall and soiling, on a windshield that has at least one transmitter and at least one receiver for the light emitted by the transmitters where transmitters and receivers are arranged at the corner points of an imaginary triangle or parallelogram. As a result, the outside dimensions of the sensor are reduced, and the ratio of sensitive area to base area of the sensor is improved.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Rainer Pientka
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Publication number: 20020105415Abstract: The system has a sensor device (20), by which the light intensity in the surroundings of the vehicle is detected and which is connected to an evaluation device (32), by which the signals (S) of the sensor device (20) for the light intensity are compared with at least one threshold value, and from that it is ascertained whether a change in the switching state of the lighting devices (10, 12) is necessary. By means of the evaluation device (32), the signals (S) of the sensor device (20) are evaluated for the presence of at least one periodically variable signal component (Sk), and in the presence of such a signal component (Sk), the lighting devices are either turned on at a certain level, or remain turned on at that level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2002Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Patrick Schmitt, Norbert Hog, Bruno Hodapp, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Henry Blitzke, Manfred Burkart
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Patent number: 6376824Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor for motor vehicles, for detecting ambient parameters that affect vision, having at least one transmitter and at least one receiver for electromagnetic waves (light waves), in which a windshield is disposed in a measurement segment between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver and influences a wave propagation between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver in such a way that when a film develops on the windshield, and especially when wetting occurs from precipitation, an output signal generated by the receiver varies and serves to trigger a windshield wiper system. It is provided that at least one of the receivers (16, 20, 22) of the optical sensor (4) receives electromagnetic waves (light waves) of an ambient brightness of the motor vehicle and serves to trigger a light system of the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Gebhard Michenfelder, Rainer Pientka, Guenther Riehl, Stephanie Lorenz, Manfred Burkart, Klaus Roth, Stephan Schrodt
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Patent number: 6311005Abstract: A sensor device for determining the degree of wetting and/or soiling of a pane in a motor vehicle is provided. The sensor device detects the coating of moisture on the outer side of the pane via an optical beam which is arranged in the area of the pane. The sensor device includes a reflector positioned in the pane, the reflector directing the beam through the pane under conditions of total reflection or reflection at the outer side of the pane and at the reflector. The pane additionally includes a light filter which absorbs a selected wavelength of sunlight. The attenuation is reduced via an optically more absorbent layer of the light filter.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2000Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Francois Schabanel
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Publication number: 20010033491Abstract: A device for checking the evaluation circuit for automatic switching operations of the illumination devices in vehicles. A sensor device contains a global sensor for detecting the light conditions in the environment of the vehicle and a directional sensor for the directed detection of the light conditions in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle. The signals of the sensor device are supplied to the evaluation circuit, to determine whether a change in the switching state of the illumination devices is necessary. In order to check the evaluation circuit which is designed using analog technology, in the operating state, the voltage supply to the sensor unit is briefly interrupted at predetermined intervals, as a result of which the condition “night” is simulated. When the evaluation circuit is functioning correctly, this is detected by it as such.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2001Publication date: October 25, 2001Inventors: Patrick Schmitt, Norbert Hog, Bruno Hodapp, Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Henry Blitzke, Manfred Burkart
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Publication number: 20010013763Abstract: A sensor device for detecting wetting, in particular rainfall and soiling, on a windshield (22) has at least one transmitter (12) and at least one receiver (14) for the light (26) emitted by the transmitters (12), where transmitters (12) and receivers (14) are arranged at the corner points of an imaginary triangle or parallelogram (16). Therefore, the outside dimensions (b, l) of the sensor are reduced, and the ratio of sensitive area (20) to base area (16) of the sensor is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2000Publication date: August 16, 2001Inventor: RAINER PIENTKA
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Patent number: 6229613Abstract: An optical sensor for detecting wetting of a surface in a motor vehicle, the optical sensor has a measuring segment which has at least one transmitter of electromagnet waves and at least one receiver of electromagnetic waves and in which a windshield is disposable so that when a layer of moisture forms on the windshield upon wetting from precipitation a wave propagation between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver changes and an output signal generated by the receiver changes, a housing disposable on an inside of the windshield and having a bottom face adapted to be in physical contact with the windshield, the bottom face of the housing being oval.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Norbert Hog, Gebhard Michenfelder, Rainer Pientka, Stefanie Lorenz
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Patent number: 6064059Abstract: An arrangement for detecting moisture conditions on a pane, particularly a windshield of a motor vehicle, wherein radiation emitted by a transmitter is coupled by a radiation guide into the pane and is coupled out of the pane onto a receiver. With respect to the production and the dimensions, the design is supported by the measures which provide that the beam entry surface and/or the beam exit surface is/are arranged on the parallel side of the radiation guide facing the circuit board, and that the optical axis of the transmitter or of the receiver is oriented to be perpendicular to the beam entry surface or the beam exit surface and that the radiation guide has at least one input-end or output-end deviating surface with which the radiation that entered the radiation guide is guided at a right angle into the interior of the radiation guide or the radiation which is to be oriented out of the radiation guide onto the receiver is guided at a right angle out of the interior of the radiation guide.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1997Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Rainer Pientka, Manfred Throl
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Patent number: 6052196Abstract: A sensor device for determining the degree of wetting and/or soiling of a pane in a motor vehicle is provided. The sensor device detects the coating of moisture on the outer side of the pane via an optical beam which is arranged in the area of the pane. The sensor device includes a reflector positioned in the pane, the reflector directing the beam through the pane under conditions of total reflection or reflection at the outer side of the pane and at the reflector. The pane additionally includes a light filter which absorbs a selected wavelength of sunlight. The attenuation is reduced via an optically more absorbent layer of the light filter.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Rainer Pientka, Hans Meier, Francois Schabanel