Patents Assigned to KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
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Patent number: 11973440Abstract: A voltage converter for direct current includes a power converter circuit having a transformer, a switch converter bridge on a primary-side of the transformer, and a full-bridge rectifier on a secondary side of the transformer. The full-bridge rectifier has first and second rectifier branches. A capacitor is asymmetrically connected to the second rectifier branch.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Ulrich Lukas
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Patent number: 11920960Abstract: A capacitive measuring system includes capacitive sensors and an evaluation circuit having a multiplexer, a synchronous rectifier, a sinusoidal signal generator, and a reference voltage divider. The capacitive sensors are acted on by a mono-frequency voltage signal generated by the sinusoidal signal generator, output signals of the capacitive sensors are transmitted in alternation to the synchronous rectifier via the multiplexer, and signal amplification of output signals of the synchronous rectifier are calibrated as a function of an activatable reference impedance. The synchronous rectifier is formed by a MOS semiconductor switch. A source-drain section of the MOS semiconductor switch forms a shunt that is controlled by the mono-frequency voltage signal. A channel of the multiplexer is provided for transmitting a calibration signal, generated by the reference voltage divider, to the synchronous rectifier alternately with the output signals of the capacitive sensors.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Torben Zeleny, Uwe Borgmann, Jan Freiwald
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Patent number: 11909186Abstract: A coil spring cassette includes a stator housing part and a rotor housing part that is rotatable relative to the stator housing part about a longitudinal axis. The stator housing part and the rotor housing part together form therebetween a first chamber and a second chamber at respective positions along the longitudinal axis. A first flat cable with a reversal of winding direction is arranged in the first chamber. A second flat cable with a uniform winding direction is arranged in the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Knut Moldenhauer, Raphael Kleine
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Publication number: 20240047128Abstract: A matrix transformer includes a magnetic core structure and windings. The magnetic core structure includes magnetic legs and a pair of spaced-apart magnetic plates that are connected together by the magnetic legs. The windings are wrapped around the magnetic legs and have electric current flow directions which cause magnetic fluxes within the magnetic core structure that cancel out in a middle region of each magnetic plate thereby leaving the middle region of each magnetic plate to be a magnetic field-free zone. A first one of the magnetic plates has a recess extending through its middle region within its magnetic field-free zone. A cooling pin connected to a heat sink is insertable through the recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Norbert HEES
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Patent number: 11830686Abstract: An electric pushbutton switch includes a guide housing, a switching element having a haptic element that produces a pressure point and a return spring that generates a restoring force, an actuator for actuating the switching element, and a resilient tolerance compensation element arranged between the guide housing and the actuator. The switching element being stationary relative to the guide housing and the actuator being movable relative to the guide housing. The actuator actuates the switching element against the restoring force when the actuator is moved relative to the guide housing in an actuating direction of the actuator towards the switching element. The resilient tolerance compensation element is arranged between the guide housing and the actuator. The resilient compensation element has a spring force directed in the actuating direction of the actuator towards the switching element and opposite the restoring force of the return spring of the switching element.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andre Fehling, Kristian Lanzon
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Patent number: 11801775Abstract: A seat adjustment switch includes a multidirectional force sensor, a carrier plate, and a button cap. The multidirectional force sensor is arranged on the carrier plate and includes a sensor pin. The sensor pin is pivotable via which the multidirectional force sensor is actuatable. The button cap is connected to the sensor pin. The button cap serves as an actuating element operable by an operator for pivoting the sensor pin in order to actuate the multidirectional force sensor. The carrier plate includes a receiving sleeve that is integrally formed with the carrier plate and is connected to other portions of the carrier plate via flexible regions, the sensor pin is guided through the receiving sleeve for the multidirectional force sensor to be arranged on the carrier plate. The button cap forms a form-fit connection with the receiving sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andre Fehling, Kai Brensel, Hubert Hille
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Patent number: 11756751Abstract: A functional component having a button function includes a support component, a film, and an electrical switching element. The support component has a recess. The film covers the recess. The electrical switching element is situated below the recess and is actuatable by pressure being exerted on the film in the area above the recess. A ring-shaped or hollow cylindrical body is situated along an inner edge surface of the recess and is in contact with the film.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Berthold Esders
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Patent number: 11747221Abstract: An electrical multidirectional force sensor includes a sensor element having a sensor pin and a sensor plate and a circuit board. The sensor pin is movable in at least two actuation directions. The sensor plate is integrally connected to multiple strip-shaped support elements. Each strip-shaped support element has an end portion with an opening. The sensor plate and the strip-shaped support elements are cut free in one piece from a metal plate. The sensor plate is connected to the sensor pin to move relative to the circuit board in correspondence with movement of the sensor pin.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andre Fehling, Matthias Seifert, Alexander Kaul, Michael Bleckmann, Kai Brensel, Guido Huperz
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Patent number: 11745633Abstract: A beverage dispensing system for a vehicle includes a beverage dispenser and a drinking vessel. The beverage dispenser includes a nozzle having an upwardly directed nozzle tube for dispensing a beverage liquid. The drinking vessel is connectable to the nozzle tube and is fillable with the beverage liquid from a bottom side of the drinking vessel. The drinking vessel has a hollow dome which is opened on its bottom and top sides and is formed by a central section of the bottom side of the drinking vessel extending into the drinking vessel interior. The hollow dome is pushed onto the nozzle tube for the drinking vessel to be filled with the beverage liquid from its bottom side. The drinking vessel may be a cylindrical or truncated conical mug in which the central section of its bottom side is curved into the drinking vessel interior to form the hollow dome.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Roland Drees
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Patent number: 11736106Abstract: A capacitive multipath force sensor module includes a movable actuator, first and second stationary capacitor plates, and a central capacitor plate connected to the actuator and positioned between the stationary plates. The central plate moves by a same amount toward one stationary plate and away from the other stationary plate when the actuator is moved. In multiple successive cycles, while the first stationary plate is held at ground, (i) the central plate and the second stationary plate are connected to a voltage and (ii) are then disconnected from the voltage with the central plate being connected to a capacitor having a known capacitance value to thereby enable a charge quantity stored on the central plate to be transferred to the capacitor. After a predefined number of cycles, a voltage of the capacitor, which is indicative of an amount of movement of the actuator, is measured.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Marc Lux, Matthias Seifert
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Patent number: 11735381Abstract: An electric pushbutton switch includes a guide housing, a switching element having a haptic element that produces a pressure point and a return spring that generates a restoring force, an actuator for actuating the switching element, and a resilient tolerance compensation element arranged between the guide housing and the actuator. The switching element being stationary relative to the guide housing and the actuator being movable relative to the guide housing. The actuator actuates the switching element against the restoring force when the actuator is moved relative to the guide housing in an actuating direction of the actuator towards the switching element. The resilient tolerance compensation element is arranged between the guide housing and the actuator. The resilient compensation element has a spring force directed in the actuating direction of the actuator towards the switching element and opposite the restoring force of the return spring of the switching element.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andre Fehling, Kristian Lanzon
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Publication number: 20230256898Abstract: A steering column switch includes a switch lever, a switch piece, a slide, a magnet, and a magnet sensor. The switch lever is pivotable in perpendicular directions. The switch piece is pivotable about the first axis. The switch lever has an end piece pivotably mounted in the switch piece so that the switch lever is pivotable about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The end piece bears a latching sleeve that is engageable into a detent cam at different positions. The slide is mounted on the switch piece so that the slide is linearly displaceable parallel to the first axis and follows switch lever movement about the second axis. The magnet and the magnet sensor are position-able relative to one another via switch lever movements. The magnet is connected to the slide and swivels with the switch piece as the switch piece swivels about the first axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Alexander TRINN
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Patent number: 11728587Abstract: A flat plug-in connector assembly includes a flat contact, a mating plug connector, and a contact chamber. The flat contact has a middle strip having opposite first and second sides and further has a first end that forms a blade contact section. The mating plug connector includes a pair of contact springs for accommodating the blade contact section. The flat contact further includes first and second spring arms for damping relative movements between the blade contact section and the contact springs. The first and second spring arms are integrally formed in one piece at the first and second sides of the flat contact. The first and second spring arms have first and second free end sections in a form of first and second detent hooks. The flat contact is inserted in the contact chamber with the first and second detent hooks being displaceable supported in the contact chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Michael Roehr, Till Ringel, Philip Babczynski
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Publication number: 20230249553Abstract: An electronic device includes a display carrier, a layer of transparent castable polymer material, and a display. The display carrier has an opening and an outer side. The layer of polymer material is on the outer side of the display carrier. The display is arranged within or beneath the aperture of the display carrier. The outer side of the display carrier and the aperture are flooded or over-molded with the polymer material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Applicant: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Berthold ESDERS, Arno LAUBROCK, Norbert BENDICKS, Stephanie GOEHL
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Patent number: 11681385Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly includes a rotary actuator having a rotary body on a capacitively-sensing detection surface of the touch panel. A sensor ring coupled to the rotary body includes on a first ring surface includes alternately arranged contact surfaces and insulating surfaces and on a second ring surface includes a circumferential metal surface that is electrically connected to the contact surfaces. A sliding contact includes a contact pad and a contact spring connected together. The contact pad forms an electrical contact point fixed at a position of the detection surface. The contact spring contacts the contact surfaces and the insulating surfaces in alternation as the sensor ring rotates with rotation of the rotary body whereby a variable electrical signal is generated at the contact point. The electrical signal is detectable by the touch panel and the touch panel includes a mutual capacitance touch sensor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Cem Kara, Lars Klisch
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Publication number: 20230018520Abstract: An axially resilient press-in contact pin includes a metal body and an electrically conductive, elastic element. The metal body includes a pin-shaped section and a press-in spring. The press-in spring is on a first end of the pin-shaped section. The elastic element surrounds at least portions of the pin-shaped section and extends beyond a second end (i.e., free end region) of the pin-shaped section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Norbert Andresen, Ralf Ostermann, Heike Skutta, Frank Kunert, Matthias Seifert, Edward Ziebko
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Publication number: 20230004237Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly includes a rotary actuator having a rotary body on a capacitively-sensing detection surface of the touch panel. A sensor ring coupled to the rotary body includes on a first ring surface includes alternately arranged contact surfaces and insulating surfaces and on a second ring surface includes a circumferential metal surface that is electrically connected to the contact surfaces. A sliding contact includes a contact pad and a contact spring connected together. The contact pad forms an electrical contact point fixed at a position of the detection surface. The contact spring contacts the contact surfaces and the insulating surfaces in alternation as the sensor ring rotates with rotation of the rotary body whereby a variable electrical signal is generated at the contact point. The electrical signal is detectable by the touch panel and the touch panel includes a mutual capacitance touch sensor assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Applicant: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Cem KARA, Lars KLISCH
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Publication number: 20220371475Abstract: A floating seat may have at least one seat shell with a seat surface region and a backrest region. The seat may also have a base element on which the seat shell is arranged in an adjustable manner, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the seat shell relative to the base element and/or a seat base. The adjustment mechanism has at least one adjustment unit for adjusting the seat shell and at least one drive unit which is designed to lock the base element and the seat shell in place in a self-locking manner. The lock can be released by a force introduced into the adjustment unit by an occupant sitting in the seat shell via said seat shell as well as by a force introduced into the adjustment unit by the drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicants: Adient US LLC, Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Thomas DILLINGER, Christian SCHIRP
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Patent number: 11452236Abstract: A housing includes a cup-shaped, plastic housing case; a cooling channel guided in the housing case for fluid cooling of an electric or electronic device situated in an interior of the housing case; and a planar shielding body integrated into the housing case and traversing walls of the housing case for shielding from electromagnetic radiation. The shielding body is a metallic wire cage or trough. The cooling channel is a metallic tubing. The shielding body and the cooling channel are connected to form a frame-like, pre-assembled assembly. The pre-assembled assembly, consisting of the shielding body and the cooling channel, is extrusion-coated with a plastic or encapsulated in a plastic to form the housing case.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Berthold Esders, Matthias Thiel, Thorsten Puehl, Rene Riedel
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Publication number: 20220219556Abstract: A charging system for direct current (DC) charging of a traction battery of an electric vehicle includes a stationary charging station and a portable module. The stationary charging station is connectable to a three-phase alternating current (AC) power supply operable for supplying first, second, and third phases of AC current. The stationary charging station has second and third AC/DC converters for the second and third phases of AC current, respectively. The portable module is removably connectable to the stationary charging station. The portable module has a first AC/DC converter for the first phase of AC current.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Christian Hirschauer, Sven Wessel