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).

  • Publication number: 20220379824
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Andre Carl, Thorsten Kuhnen, Nima Hakak
  • Patent number: 11384589
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Andre Gunreben, Henning Moench, Holger Wuerstlein, Thorsten Kuhnen, James Troeger
  • Publication number: 20210040788
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Andre Gunreben, Henning Moench, Holger Wuerstlein, Thorsten Kuhnen, James Troeger
  • Patent number: 10677579
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Thorsten Kuhnen, Holger Wuerstlein
  • Patent number: 10563447
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Andre Gunreben, Henning Moench, Holger Wuerstlein, Thorsten Kuhnen, James Troeger
  • Patent number: 10439321
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20190157801
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Marcel KLEIN, Dirk DOERNER, Bernhard REUL, Thorsten KUHNEN, Andre CARL, Silvio SCHATKE, Johannes SCHULZ, Mathias HEPPNER, Olaf KRIESE, Melanie ANGERMUELLER
  • Patent number: 10230195
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Marcel Klein, Dirk Doerner, Bernhard Reul, Thorsten Kuhnen, Andre Carl, Silvio Schatke, Johannes Schulz, Mathias Heppner, Olaf Kriese, Melanie Angermueller
  • Publication number: 20180090876
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Marcel KLEIN, Dirk DOERNER, Bernhard REUL, Thorsten KUHNEN, Andre CARL, Silvio SCHATKE, Johannes SCHULZ, Mathias HEPPNER, Olaf KRIESE, Melanie ANGERMUELLER
  • Publication number: 20170234671
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Thorsten KUHNEN, Holger WUERSTLEIN
  • Patent number: 9702682
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Bamberg
    Inventors: Thorsten Kuhnen, Holger Wuerstlein
  • Patent number: 9585280
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Holger Wuerstlein, Thomas Weingaertner, Christian Weidenbacher, Holger Schmitt, Thorsten Kuhnen
  • Patent number: 9543674
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Holger Wuerstlein, Thomas Weingaertner, Christian Weidenbacher, Holger Schmitt, Thorsten Kuhnen
  • Patent number: 9399387
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Thorsten Kuhnen, Jan Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9385709
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG Hallstadt
    Inventors: Holger Wuerstlein, Thorsten Kuhnen
  • Patent number: 9290981
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Thomas Weingaertner, Carsten Abert, Marcus Klopp, Robert Neundorf, Holger Wuerstlein, Christian Herrmann, Thorsten Kuhnen
  • Publication number: 20160057882
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: HOLGER WUERSTLEIN, THOMAS WEINGAERTNER, CHRISTIAN WEIDENBACHER, HOLGER SCHMITT, THORSTEN KUHNEN
  • Publication number: 20160043486
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: HOLGER WUERSTLEIN, THOMAS WEINGAERTNER, CHRISTIAN WEIDENBACHER, HOLGER SCHMITT, THORSTEN KUHNEN
  • Publication number: 20140373447
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Andre Gunreben, Henning Moenchen, Holger Wuerstlein, Thorsten Kuhnen, James Troeger
  • Publication number: 20140247473
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. Kommanditgesellschaft, Hallstadt
    Inventors: THORSTEN KUHNEN, JAN KAISER