Patents by Inventor Ralf Seiger

Ralf Seiger 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: 11958402
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle, having a housing, at least one light module for producing a light function, a supporting frame that is arranged in the housing so as to be pivotable. The at least one light module is mounted in the supporting frame such that it is pivoted upon a pivoting of the supporting frame. An adjuster is designed to pivot the supporting frame about a vertical axis. The adjuster being connected to the supporting frame in a first engagement region and in a second engagement region that is arranged horizontally on the opposite side of the supporting frame. The adjuster moving the supporting frame in a first horizontal direction in the first engagement region and to simultaneously move it in a second horizontal direction, which is opposite to the first direction, in the second engagement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Sebastian Scholz, Ralf Seiger
  • Patent number: 11913621
    Abstract: A fan system includes a fan mount having a main body with at least two bayonet guides, and a fan having at least two bayonet elements configured to be coupled to the bayonet guides to form a bayonet joint. Each of the bayonet guides include a bayonet arm fastened to and extending spaced apart from the main body. The fan is coupled to the fan mount by moving towards the main body in an axial direction, then rotating it such that the bayonet elements engage the bayonet guides, with each of the bayonet arms securing a corresponding bayonet element against the main body. The fan system is used in a vehicle headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Annhild Gockel, Sebastian Scholz, Ralf Seiger, Franz-Georg Willeke
  • Publication number: 20230406194
    Abstract: An illuminating apparatus for a vehicle, in particular a headlamp for a vehicle, comprises a housing, at least one light module for generating a light function, a supporting frame, which is pivotably arranged in the housing. The light module is mounted on the supporting frame such that it is pivoted along with the pivoting of the supporting frame. A manually actuatable adjuster pivots the supporting frame around a horizontal axis. The adjuster has a setting spindle, which is rotatable around its longitudinal axis and is used to pivot the supporting frame, a servomotor including an adjusting element, which is linearly displaceable in a displacement direction for the purpose of implementing an automatic headlamp leveling control. The setting spindle and the adjusting element being connected to each other in such a way that a movement of the adjusting element in the displacement direction effectuates a movement of the setting spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Ralf SEIGER, Sebastian SCHOLZ, Franz-Georg WILLEKE
  • Publication number: 20230373381
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle, having a housing, at least one light module for producing a light function, a supporting frame that is arranged in the housing so as to be pivotable. The at least one light module is mounted in the supporting frame such that it is pivoted upon a pivoting of the supporting frame. An adjuster is designed to pivot the supporting frame about a vertical axis. The adjuster being connected to the supporting frame in a first engagement region and in a second engagement region that is arranged horizontally on the opposite side of the supporting frame. The adjuster moving the supporting frame in a first horizontal direction in the first engagement region and to simultaneously move it in a second horizontal direction, which is opposite to the first direction, in the second engagement region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Sebastian SCHOLZ, Ralf SEIGER
  • Patent number: 11679710
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a supporting frame of a headlight of a motor vehicle, comprising a first coupling element, a second coupling element, and a guide element, wherein the second coupling element is pivotable relative to the first coupling element, wherein the first coupling element has a receiving region for a spherical segment-shaped region of the second coupling element, wherein the region is secured in a positive manner in the receiving region, wherein the region is secured to the supporting frame, wherein the first coupling element is guided in the guide element so as to be displaceable in at least one first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Sebastian Scholz, Ralf Seiger
  • Publication number: 20230074354
    Abstract: A fan system for a headlight of a motor vehicle, wherein the fan system comprises a fan mount which is designed to be fastened to a housing of the headlight and comprises at least two bayonet guides and comprises a fan which comprises at least two bayonet elements, wherein the bayonet guides and the bayonet elements form a bayonet joint by means of a plug-in movement of the fan into the fan mount in an axial direction and a rotational movement of the bayonet elements into the bayonet guides in a rotational direction, wherein each of the bayonet guides is formed between a main body of the fan mount and a bayonet arm of the relevant one of the bayonet guides, wherein each of the bayonet arms is fastened to the main body and is spaced apart from the main body in a direction counter to the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Annhild GOCKEL, Sebastian SCHOLZ, Ralf SEIGER, Franz-Georg WILLEKE
  • Publication number: 20230024973
    Abstract: A light module for a headlight of a motor vehicle, the light module having: a circuit board having at least one illuminating device for emitting light, wherein the circuit board has a longitudinal extent along a Y-axis, a width extent, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal extent, along an X-axis, and a vertical extent, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal extent and the width extent, along a Z-axis; a reflector; and a heat sink on which the circuit board is fastened. The heat sink is fastened to the reflector via a first fastener in such a manner that the first fastener secures a first referencing structure and/or a second referencing structure of the reflector against the circuit board such that the at least one illuminating device is located in a reference position in the direction of the Y-axis and in the direction of the X-axis relative to the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Katrin HUNECKE, Martin KAPPELHOFF, Sebastian SCHOLZ, Ralf SEIGER, Franz-Georg WILLEKE
  • Publication number: 20220234492
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a supporting frame of a headlight of a motor vehicle, comprising a first coupling element, a second coupling element, and a guide element, wherein the second coupling element is pivotable relative to the first coupling element, wherein the first coupling element has a receiving region for a spherical segment-shaped region of the second coupling element, wherein the region is secured in a positive manner in the receiving region, wherein the region is secured to the supporting frame, wherein the first coupling element is guided in the guide element so as to be displaceable in at least one first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: HELLA GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Sebastian SCHOLZ, Ralf SEIGER
  • Patent number: 10752161
    Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle comprising a housing, a low beam light unit and at least one high beam light unit. Both the low and high beam light units are received in the housing, along with a headlight range adjusting unit for adjusting the range of the low beam by tilting the low beam light unit about a low beam tilting axis. The headlamp comprises a mechanical coupling unit coupling the low beam light unit to the high beam light unit such that the high beam light unit is tilted about a high beam tilting axis simultaneously with the low beam light unit being tilted about the low beam tilting axis. The mechanical coupling unit comprises a coupling element, a first coupling link and a second coupling link. The first coupling link is arranged between the low beam light unit and the coupling element and the second coupling link is arranged between the high beam light unit and the coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Ralf Seiger
  • Publication number: 20200208810
    Abstract: A method is provided for mounting a light module. A light module that is mounted by means of such a method includes at least one light source for emitting light, and at least one optical element for forming the beam of light. The relative arrangement between the light source and the optical element is adjusted via the following steps. The light module is arranged in an adjusting device, and a light detection device is provided. The light source is switched on, and the light detection device is illuminated with the light. A set deviation between a value and an actual value of a light field generated with the light as compared to a required light field is measured. The relative arrangement between the light source and the optical element is then adjusted until the set/actual deviation is minimal or zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: David Duhme, Werner Kosters, Stefan Kraus, Thomas Albert Röbbecke, Ralf Seiger
  • Publication number: 20190176682
    Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle comprising a housing, a low beam light unit and at least one high beam light unit. Both the low and high beam light units are received in the housing, along with a headlight range adjusting unit for adjusting the range of the low beam by tilting the low beam light unit about a low beam tilting axis. The headlamp comprises a mechanical coupling unit coupling the low beam light unit to the high beam light unit such that the high beam light unit is tilted about a high beam tilting axis simultaneously with the low beam light unit being tilted about the low beam tilting axis. The mechanical coupling unit comprises a coupling element, a first coupling link and a second coupling link. The first coupling link is arranged between the low beam light unit and the coupling element and the second coupling link is arranged between the high beam light unit and the coupling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventor: Ralf SEIGER
  • Patent number: 10240740
    Abstract: A light module for a lighting apparatus of a vehicle having a reflector body, a light generating unit having at least one light source, a carrier on which the light generating unit is arranged. The light generating unit is replaceably arranged on the light module. The reflector body has at least one reference surface and the light generating unit has at least one locating surface. The locating surface can be brought to rest against the reference surface during insertion of the light generating unit into the light module in order to create a precisely positioned arrangement of the light generating unit on the reflector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Ralf Seiger, Heinz-Uwe Spork
  • Publication number: 20180031194
    Abstract: A light module for a lighting apparatus of a vehicle having a reflector body, a light generating unit having at least one light source, a carrier on which the light generating unit is arranged. The light generating unit is replaceably arranged on the light module. The reflector body has at least one reference surface and the light generating unit has at least one locating surface. The locating surface can be brought to rest against the reference surface during insertion of the light generating unit into the light module in order to create a precisely positioned arrangement of the light generating unit on the reflector body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Ralf SEIGER, Heinz-Uwe SPORK
  • Patent number: 9090204
    Abstract: A holder arrangement of a light module in the housing of a headlamp includes a headlamp leveling actuator being arranged between the light module and the housing for the adjustment of the position of the light module in the housing, wherein the position of the headlamp leveling actuator can be changed in the housing by means of an adjustment device. The adjustment device may include a connecting link which is embodied for the compensation of thermally induced changes of the position of the light module in the housing of the headlamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Winfried Leisse, Ralf Seiger, Norbert Röhr
  • Publication number: 20140146550
    Abstract: A holder arrangement of a light module in the housing of a headlamp includes a headlamp leveling actuator being arranged between the light module and the housing for the adjustment of the position of the light module in the housing, wherein the position of the headlamp leveling actuator can be changed in the housing by means of an adjustment device. The adjustment device may include a connecting link which is embodied for the compensation of thermally induced changes of the position of the light module in the housing of the headlamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Winfried Leisse, Ralf Seiger, Norbert Röhr
  • Patent number: 8439544
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle headlamp (1) with a base body (2) containing at least one light module (3) for emitting low beam light, whereby the low beam light is emitted at a specified angle or within an angle range. The invention envisages that the fixture of the light module (3) in the headlamp (1) must have at least one expansion joint (5), whereby temperature-related deviations in the emission of the low beam light from the specified angle or the specified angle range can be compensated by the temperature-related expansion of the expansion joint (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Ralf Seiger
  • Publication number: 20100259946
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle headlamp (1) with a base body (2) containing at least one light module (3) for emitting low beam light, whereby the low beam light is emitted at a specified angle or within an angle range. The invention envisages that the fixture of the light module (3) in the headlamp (1) must have at least one expansion joint (5), whereby temperature-related deviations in the emission of the low beam light from the specified angle or the specified angle range can be compensated by the temperature-related expansion of the expansion joint (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventor: Ralf Seiger
  • Patent number: 6267488
    Abstract: A light apparatus for vehicles includes a housing, which is closed by a closure pane. In the housing is installed at least one reflector with a corresponding light source. A cover which supports a light shield for the light source is located between the reflector and the closure pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Hella KG & Hueck Co.
    Inventors: Martin Muegge, Ralf Seiger
  • Patent number: 5795056
    Abstract: A lamp can be mounted in an opening of a reflector of a vehicle headlight from the rear side of the reflector. The lamp has a socket which lies against a support surface of the reflector and is covered by a cover mounted on the reflector. The lamp is held in position on the reflector by a spring holding element. The spring holding element has, laterally to the opening of the reflector, a reflector attaching first portion, a cover bracing free-standing second portion and a lamp socket gripping third portion which presses the lamp socket against the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Ralf Seiger
  • Patent number: 5558423
    Abstract: A headlight has an adjustable reflector (1) which is mounted in a housing (2) closed by a light-transmissive shield (3). An opaque-baffle frame (5) surrounding the reflector extends between the reflector and the light-transmissive shield. The opaque-baffle frame supports a light-transmissive screen (4) on its rear side. A front surface of the light-transmissive screen borders on an inner edge (6) area of the opaque-baffle frame directed toward the reflector. At the bottom of a mounting area of a lamp (18) the light-transmissive screen is positioned behind an outer edge area (7) of the opaque-baffle frame. The outer edge area of the opaque-baffle frame is attached to an outer edge of the housing. The light-transmissive screen is held against movement in all directions on the rear side of the opaque-baffle frame by a shaped interlocking coupling between its outer edge and the opaque-baffle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Wilhelm Schatka, Ralf Seiger, Josef Wieneke