Patents by Inventor Thorsten Kuhnen
Thorsten Kuhnen 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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Publication number: 20220379824Abstract: An assembly of an adjustment device of a motor vehicle includes a support plate, on which at least one guide rail is disposed. A driver is movably guided on the guide rail, for a functionalized windowpane, in particular an electrically switchable or controllable windowpane. A flexible component is provided for guiding a cable which is connected or can be connected to the functionalized windowpane, in particular for conducting a current and/or for controlling the functionalized windowpane. A window opener of a motor vehicle having the assembly is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Andre Carl, Thorsten Kuhnen, Nima Hakak
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Patent number: 11384589Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for driving a motorized closure element of a motor vehicle, wherein, in order to detect operator control events, at least one sensor control means and at least one elongate distance sensor which extends along a sensor extent are provided, wherein the sensor control means drives the associated distance sensor and/or evaluates the sensor signals from said distance sensor, and wherein the distance sensor detects a distance from a user. It is proposed that, with the control system installed, a vehicle component is arranged or can be arranged in or along the sensor extent, and that the distance sensor is designed such that it has a blind section in the region of the vehicle component, said blind section having no sensitivity or a lower level of sensitivity compared to that region of the distance sensor which adjoins the blind section.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, HallstadtInventors: Andre Gunreben, Henning Moench, Holger Wuerstlein, Thorsten Kuhnen, James Troeger
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Publication number: 20210040788Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for driving a motorized closure element of a motor vehicle, wherein, in order to detect operator control events, at least one sensor control means and at least one elongate distance sensor which extends along a sensor extent are provided, wherein the sensor control means drives the associated distance sensor and/or evaluates the sensor signals from said distance sensor, and wherein the distance sensor detects a distance from a user. It is proposed that, with the control system installed, a vehicle component is arranged or can be arranged in or along the sensor extent, and that the distance sensor is designed such that it has a blind section in the region of the vehicle component, said blind section having no sensitivity or a lower level of sensitivity compared to that region of the distance sensor which adjoins the blind section.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Andre Gunreben, Henning Moench, Holger Wuerstlein, Thorsten Kuhnen, James Troeger
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Patent number: 10677579Abstract: A capacitive distance sensor includes a sensor element having an electrically conductive, elongated, flat sensor area which in turn contains a number of holes. The sensor area is completely surrounded by an electrically non-conductive insulating body, with the result that the insulating body completely covers the edge regions of the holes. The sensor element is produced, in particular, by first of all making the holes in the sensor area. In a subsequent step, the sensor area is completely encased by the insulating body which also completely fills the holes in the sensor area.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, BambergInventors: Thorsten Kuhnen, Holger Wuerstlein
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Patent number: 10563447Abstract: A control system for driving a motorized closure element of a motor vehicle is provided, wherein, in order to detect operator control events, at least one sensor control means and at least one elongate distance sensor which extends along a sensor extent are provided, wherein the sensor control means drives the associated distance sensor, evaluates the sensor signals from the distance sensor or drives the associated distance sensor and evaluates the sensor signals from the distance sensor, and wherein the distance sensor detects a distance from a user. The control system can be configured such that when it is installed in a vehicle, a vehicle component can be arranged in or along the sensor extent, and that the distance sensor is designed such that it has a blind section in the region of the vehicle component, the blind section having no sensitivity or a lower level of sensitivity compared to that region of the distance sensor which adjoins the blind section.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, HallstadtInventors: Andre Gunreben, Henning Moench, Holger Wuerstlein, Thorsten Kuhnen, James Troeger
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Patent number: 10439321Abstract: A device for fastening and electrical contacting of a vehicle window pane with an integrated electrical functional element. The device includes a pane adapter fixed on the window pane; a pane holder that couples the pane adapter with a vehicle body; a pane-side plug that establishes electrical contact with the functional element when the window pane is assembled; and a pane-side coupling shoe for mounting the pane-side plug on the window pane. The device further includes a mating plug that couples with the pane-side plug to provide electrical contact of the functional element to a control unit. The pane adapter, the pane-side coupling shoe, the pane holder, and a plug holder that supports the mating plug, are kinematically coupled so that during assembly of the window pane using the pane adapter on the pane holder, the pane-side plug is connected to the mating plug.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN FRANCE S.A.Inventors: Marcel Klein, Dirk Doerner, Bernhard Reul, Thorsten Kuhnen, Andre Carl, Silvio Schatke, Johannes Schulz, Mathias Heppner, Olaf Kriese, Melanie Angermueller
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Publication number: 20190157801Abstract: A device for fastening and electrical contacting of a vehicle window pane with an integrated electrical functional element. The device includes a pane adapter fixed on the window pane; a pane holder that couples the pane adapter with a vehicle body; a pane-side plug that establishes electrical contact with the functional element when the window pane is assembled; and a pane-side coupling shoe for mounting the pane-side plug on the window pane. The device further includes a mating plug that couples with the pane-side plug to provide electrical contact of the functional element to a control unit. The pane adapter, the pane-side coupling shoe, the pane holder, and a plug holder that supports the mating plug, are kinematically coupled so that during assembly of the window pane using the pane adapter on the pane holder, the pane-side plug is connected to the mating plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Marcel KLEIN, Dirk DOERNER, Bernhard REUL, Thorsten KUHNEN, Andre CARL, Silvio SCHATKE, Johannes SCHULZ, Mathias HEPPNER, Olaf KRIESE, Melanie ANGERMUELLER
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Patent number: 10230195Abstract: A device for fastening and electrical contacting of a vehicle window pane with an integrated electrical functional element is presented. The device includes a pane adapter that is fixed on the window pane; a pane holder that couples the pane adapter with a vehicle body; a pane-side plug that establishes electrical contact with the functional element when the window pane is assembled; and a pane-side coupling shoe for mounting the pane-side plug on the window pane. The device further includes a mating plug that couples with the pane-side plug to provide electrical contact of the functional element to a control unit. The pane adapter, the pane-side coupling shoe, the pane holder, and a plug holder that supports the mating plug, are kinematically coupled so that during assembly of the window pane using the pane adapter on the pane holder, the pane-side plug is connected to the mating plug.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCEInventors: Marcel Klein, Dirk Doerner, Bernhard Reul, Thorsten Kuhnen, Andre Carl, Silvio Schatke, Johannes Schulz, Mathias Heppner, Olaf Kriese, Melanie Angermueller
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Publication number: 20180090876Abstract: A device for fastening and electrical contacting of a vehicle window pane with an integrated electrical functional element. The device includes a pane adapter fixed on the vehicle window pane; a pane holder that couples the pane adapter with a vehicle body; a pane-side plug that establishes electrical contact with the functional element when the window pane is assembled; and a pane-side coupling shoe for mounting the pane-side plug on the vehicle window pane. The device further includes a mating plug that couples with the the pane-side plug to provide electrical contact of the functional element to a control unit. Furthermore, the pane adapter, the pane-side coupling shoe, the pane holder, and a plug holder that supports the mating plug, are kinematically coupled so that during assembly of the vehicle window pane using the pane adapter on the pane holder, the pane-side plug is connected to the mating plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2016Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Marcel KLEIN, Dirk DOERNER, Bernhard REUL, Thorsten KUHNEN, Andre CARL, Silvio SCHATKE, Johannes SCHULZ, Mathias HEPPNER, Olaf KRIESE, Melanie ANGERMUELLER
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Publication number: 20170234671Abstract: A capacitive distance sensor includes a sensor element having an electrically conductive, elongated, flat sensor area which in turn contains a number of holes. The sensor area is completely surrounded by an electrically non-conductive insulating body, with the result that the insulating body completely covers the edge regions of the holes. The sensor element is produced, in particular, by first of all making the holes in the sensor area. In a subsequent step, the sensor area is completely encased by the insulating body which also completely fills the holes in the sensor area.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, BambergInventors: Thorsten KUHNEN, Holger WUERSTLEIN
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Patent number: 9702682Abstract: A capacitive distance sensor is provided. The distance sensor includes a sensor element having an electrically conductive, elongated, flat sensor area which in turn contains a number of holes. The sensor area is completely surrounded by an electrically non-conductive insulating body, with the result that the insulating body completely covers the edge regions of the holes. The sensor element is produced, in particular, by first of all making the holes in the sensor area. In a subsequent step, the sensor area is completely encased by the insulating body which also completely fills the holes in the sensor area.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, BambergInventors: Thorsten Kuhnen, Holger Wuerstlein
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Patent number: 9585280Abstract: An electronic modular unit having electronics has a printed circuit board, a housing receiving the electronics and an electrical conductor. The conductor is in this connection directly soldered with a flat connection end to a contact surface of the printed circuit board. In order to simplify the soldering process, a spring element is arranged in the housing and presses the connection end of the conductor on the contact surface of the printed circuit board for the purpose of fixing the connection end during soldering. The modular unit is, in particular, a capacitive proximity sensor for a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, HallstadtInventors: Holger Wuerstlein, Thomas Weingaertner, Christian Weidenbacher, Holger Schmitt, Thorsten Kuhnen
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Patent number: 9543674Abstract: An electronic unit has an electronic assembly that comprises a circuit board, and also having a conductor that is connected to said electronic assembly and is provided with a flat connection end. At least one piercing contact protrudes down from the circuit board and connects the conductor electrically to the electronic assembly. The piercing contact penetrates the connection end of the conductor while forming an electrical connection with a conductor track of the conductor. The electronic component is particularly suited as a capacitive proximity sensor for a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, HallstadtInventors: Holger Wuerstlein, Thomas Weingaertner, Christian Weidenbacher, Holger Schmitt, Thorsten Kuhnen
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Patent number: 9399387Abstract: A device electrically contacts an electrically activatable functional layer of a vehicle windowpane that is adjustable by a windowpane driver. The device has the windowpane driver with at least two first contact elements for the transmission of control signals to the functional layer. In an as-intended installed state, the first contact elements are in electrical contact directly with at least two corresponding first contact points of the functional layer or of a windowpane holder directly securing the vehicle windowpane.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, HallstadtInventors: Thorsten Kuhnen, Jan Kaiser
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Patent number: 9385709Abstract: A capacitive distance sensor is provided having an elongated sensor element. The sensor element comprises a cylindrical carrier body, which is made of an electrically non-conductive material and has a round cross-sectional areas, and a sensor area which substantially surrounds the carrier body in the manner of a sheath and is made of an electrically conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG HallstadtInventors: Holger Wuerstlein, Thorsten Kuhnen
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Patent number: 9290981Abstract: The invention relates to a drive arrangement for the motorized adjustment of a closure element of a motor vehicle, wherein the drive arrangement, in the installed state, is coupled in drive terms to the closure element. It is proposed for the drive arrangement to have at least one drive, which is intended for generating drive movements and in or on which is arranged an acoustic indicator for supplying acoustic feedback to the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, HallstadtInventors: Thomas Weingaertner, Carsten Abert, Marcus Klopp, Robert Neundorf, Holger Wuerstlein, Christian Herrmann, Thorsten Kuhnen
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Publication number: 20160057882Abstract: An electronic modular unit having electronics has a printed circuit board, a housing receiving the electronics and an electrical conductor. The conductor is in this connection directly soldered with a flat connection end to a contact surface of the printed circuit board. In order to simplify the soldering process, a spring element is arranged in the housing and presses the connection end of the conductor on the contact surface of the printed circuit board for the purpose of fixing the connection end during soldering. The modular unit is, in particular, a capacitive proximity sensor for a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: HOLGER WUERSTLEIN, THOMAS WEINGAERTNER, CHRISTIAN WEIDENBACHER, HOLGER SCHMITT, THORSTEN KUHNEN
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Publication number: 20160043486Abstract: An electronic unit has an electronic assembly that comprises a circuit board, and also having a conductor that is connected to said electronic assembly and is provided with a flat connection end. At least one piercing contact protrudes down from the circuit board and connects the conductor electrically to the electronic assembly. The piercing contact penetrates the connection end of the conductor while forming an electrical connection with a conductor track of the conductor. The electronic component is particularly suited as a capacitive proximity sensor for a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: HOLGER WUERSTLEIN, THOMAS WEINGAERTNER, CHRISTIAN WEIDENBACHER, HOLGER SCHMITT, THORSTEN KUHNEN
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Publication number: 20140373447Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for driving a motorized closure element of a motor vehicle, wherein, in order to detect operator control events, at least one sensor control means and at least one elongate distance sensor which extends along a sensor extent are provided, wherein the sensor control means drives the associated distance sensor and/or evaluates the sensor signals from said distance sensor, and wherein the distance sensor detects a distance from a user. It is proposed that, with the control system installed, a vehicle component is arranged or can be arranged in or along the sensor extent, and that the distance sensor is designed such that it has a blind section in the region of the vehicle component, said blind section having no sensitivity or a lower level of sensitivity compared to that region of the distance sensor which adjoins the blind section.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2012Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Andre Gunreben, Henning Moenchen, Holger Wuerstlein, Thorsten Kuhnen, James Troeger
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Publication number: 20140247473Abstract: A device electrically contacts an electrically activatable functional layer of a vehicle windowpane that is adjustable by a windowpane driver. The device has the windowpane driver with at least two first contact elements for the transmission of control signals to the functional layer. In an as-intended installed state, the first contact elements are in electrical contact directly with at least two corresponding first contact points of the functional layer or of a windowpane holder directly securing the vehicle windowpane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. Kommanditgesellschaft, HallstadtInventors: THORSTEN KUHNEN, JAN KAISER