Patents by Inventor Christian Herrmann

Christian Herrmann 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: 10669765
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling a capacitive anti-trap system of a vehicle. At least two transmission electrodes and one reception electrode of the capacitive anti-trap system are used for detecting an obstacle, and an electrical field is generated by a pair comprising transmission electrode and reception electrode by actuation of the respective transmission electrode by alternating electric current, said electrical field being influenced by an obstacle such that an electrical capacitance is measurably changed. A changing electrical capacitance is determinable on the basis of a signal received via the reception electrode and this signal is evaluated by means of an electronic evaluation unit at least during closing of the vehicle closing element in order to determine the presence of an obstacle in the displacement path of the vehicle closing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, HALLSTADT
    Inventors: Christian Herrmann, Florian Pohl, Holger Wuerstlein
  • Publication number: 20200139870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for activating massage units in a seat, in particular in a vehicle seat, comprising the following steps: playing back an acoustic entertainment signal, in particular a piece of music, by means of a playback device, in particular an entertainment system of a vehicle; controlling massage units integrated in the seat based on the acoustic entertainment signal by means of a control device. The present invention also relates to a control device for carrying out a method of this kind, and to a corresponding seat arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Christian Mergl, Wojciech Falinski, Christian Karl, Martin Juergenliemk, Wolfgang Uebel, Christian Herrmann, Florian Pohl
  • Patent number: 10626659
    Abstract: An assembly for adjusting an adjustment element relative to a stationary portion of a vehicle, in particular a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body, comprises a drive motor for electromotively adjusting the adjustment element and a transmission element. In a coupling, first condition an electrically actuatable coupling device couples the drive motor with the transmission element, in order to exert an adjustment force for adjusting the adjustment element on the transmission element, and in a decoupling, second condition decouples the drive motor from the transmission element. An electrically actuatable locking device serves for locking the adjustment element with the stationary portion of the vehicle in a closed position. A control device controls the drive motor, the coupling device and the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: BROSE FAHRZEUGTELLE GMBH & CO., KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT. BAMBERG
    Inventors: Christian Herrmann, Wolfgang Uebel
  • Patent number: 10604971
    Abstract: A door handle system for a vehicle door has a door handle and at least one flap for reversibly closing a grip recess set back to the rear of the door handle. An actuating device pivots the one or more flaps between a closed position that covers the handle recess and an open position that exposes the handle recess. A distance sensor is disposed on the flap. A control and evaluation unit uses a first measurement signal that is output by the distance sensor in the closed position, to deduce that a vehicle user is approaching so as to activate the actuation device to move the one or each flap into the open position. A second measurement signal that is output by the distance sensor in the open position indicates that the door handle is grasped by the vehicle user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Florian Pohl, Christian Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20200080349
    Abstract: A door handle system for a vehicle door has a door handle and at least one flap for reversibly closing a grip recess set back to the rear of the door handle. An actuating device pivots the one or more flaps between a closed position that covers the handle recess and an open position that exposes the handle recess. A distance sensor is disposed on the flap. A control and evaluation unit uses a first measurement signal that is output by the distance sensor in the closed position, to deduce that a vehicle user is approaching so as to activate the actuation device to move the one or each flap into the open position. A second measurement signal that is output by the distance sensor in the open position indicates that the door handle is grasped by the vehicle user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: FLORIAN POHL, CHRISTIAN HERRMANN
  • Patent number: 10538951
    Abstract: A device for motorically and manually adjusting a second vehicle part relative to a first vehicle part in an adjustment range is provided. The device comprising at least a driving device by means of which the second vehicle part is motorically adjustable in at least one adjustment direction and can be held in an adjustment position within the adjustment range relative to the first vehicle part, wherein the driving device is switchable between a holding position and a release position and in the holding position the second vehicle part is held in an adjustment position via the driving device and in the release position is manually adjustable within the adjustment range, and an electronic control device by means of which the driving device is switchable between the holding position and the release position in response to an operating event triggered by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KG, BAMBERG
    Inventors: Christian Herrmann, Wolfgang Uebel
  • Patent number: 10486653
    Abstract: A filling device for a fluid container of a vehicle is provided. The filling device comprises at least a motorized drive, a filling component which can be extended by means of the drive from a rest position to a filling position on the vehicle, and on which a filling opening is provided which is accessible in the filling position for filling a fluid container with fluid and a filling element which is adjustably mounted on the filling component and defines at least one edge portion on the perimeter of the filling opening when the filling component is in its filling position. The filling opening is in the filling position accessible for filling of fluid irrespective of a position of the filling element on the extended filling component. Only the perimeter of the filling opening can be enlarged by the filling element when the filling component is in its filling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Michael Hoeppel, Maik Rienecker, Christian Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20190234129
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly including a vehicle door pivotally arranged on a vehicle body, a force-transmitting device for adjusting and/or fixing the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body, wherein the force-transmitting device includes a transmission element for producing a flux of force between the vehicle door and the vehicle body in order to adjust the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body or hold it in position relative to the vehicle body, and a control device for controlling the force-transmitting device. In addition, there is provided a sensor device in the form of an acceleration sensor arranged on the vehicle door for measuring the acceleration of the vehicle door, or a gyrosensor arranged on the vehicle door for measuring the angular velocity of the vehicle door, or a force sensor arranged in the flux of force between the vehicle door and the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KG, BAMBERG
    Inventors: Christian HERRMANN, Wolfgang UEBEL
  • Patent number: 10359138
    Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a control device for the coolant flow in a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine with the following characteristics: a housing with an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a movable control element for varying the flow-through cross section of the channel; an annular seal arrangement comprising a sealing frame and a sealing ring is seated between a sealing surface of the housing and a sealing surface of the control element. According to this disclosure, it is proposed that the sealing ring rests against a plane sealing surface of the housing in a sealing fashion and meets this plane sealing surface along a contact line that encloses a first surface area. Depending on the flow direction through the seal arrangement, the sealing ring features a surface section that has a defined circumference referred to the length of the contact line between the sealing ring and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Bareis, Markus Auer, Christian Herrmann, Nicolai Halder
  • Publication number: 20190203517
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly may include a vehicle door pivotally arranged on a vehicle body, a drive motor for electromotively adjusting the vehicle door, a transmission element for producing a flux of force between the vehicle door and the vehicle body to adjust the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body, and a control device for controlling the drive motor. The control device may be configured to provide an anti-pinch protection. An acceleration sensor may be arranged on the vehicle door for measuring the acceleration of the vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KG, BAMBERG
    Inventors: Christian HERRMANN, Wolfgang UEBEL
  • Publication number: 20190078371
    Abstract: A method displaces a side door of a motor vehicle which can be locked in a completely or partially open state by a self-inhibiting drive and/or by a brake and which is provided with a pinch protection sensor that is arranged at least partly on its closing edge. It is detected by use of the pinch protection sensor whether the closing edge is gripped by a hand. If necessary, the locking of the side door by the drive and/or brake is suspended or relaxed in order to permit the side door to be displaced manually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: FLORIAN POHL, CHRISTIAN HERRMANN
  • Patent number: 10207674
    Abstract: A method for setting a safety belt in a vehicle is provided. For the adjustment of the safety belt an adjusting apparatus is provided, the position of a deflection point for the safety belt being able to be set thereby and the safety belt extending therefrom in the direction of the shoulder of a vehicle occupant fastened-in by the safety belt, and the position of the deflection point is automatically set by means of at least one sensor device in order to adapt the path of the safety belt to the fastened-in vehicle occupant. Via the sensor device an angle is evaluated which is present between a belt portion which extends from the deflection point in the direction of the shoulder of the fastened-in vehicle occupant and a further belt portion and/or a part fixed to the bodywork or seat part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Hubert Panejko, Christian Herrmann, Wolfgang Uebel, Mario Stegerer, Stefan Baetz, Maik Rienecker
  • Patent number: 10052947
    Abstract: A closure device for closing a through opening on a vehicle is provided. An interior space with a filling or connection opening being accessible via the through opening, wherein the filling or connection opening is configured and provided for consumable filling on the vehicle, and it being possible for the through opening to be closed by way of a cover element which can be adjusted on the vehicle in a manner which is actuated by external force between at least one closure position for closing the through opening and an open position for opening the through opening. A control electronics system for triggering an adjustment of the cover element being provided with at least one first and second sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Christian Herrmann, Hubert Panejko, Markus Bauernfeind, Maik Rienecker
  • Patent number: 10024412
    Abstract: A transmission device with secondarily coupled power splitting, having hydrostatic and mechanical branches which can be summed by a summing gear system provided in the area of a central transmission shaft. At least two transmission ratio ranges, in the forward and reverse driving directions, can be obtained such that within the transmission ratio ranges the transmission ratio can, in each case, be varied continuously by a hydrostatic variator in the area of the hydrostatic branch. On the transmission input side, the central transmission shaft can directly couple a drive engine and functionally connect to both an auxiliary drive output shaft and a hydrostatic shaft of the variator, in the form of countershafts, and also to hydraulic pumps in the area of the transmission input. In the area of the transmission output, the central transmission shaft is coupled to a further hydrostatic shaft in the form of a countershaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Tobias Kreß, Jürgen Pohlenz, Christian Herrmann, Erwin Baur
  • Patent number: 10017976
    Abstract: An assembly for adjusting an adjustment element relative to a stationary portion of a vehicle, in particular of a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body comprises a drive motor for electromotively adjusting the adjustment element and an electrically actuatable locking device for locking the adjustment element with the stationary portion of the vehicle in a closed position, wherein the locking device has a locked condition in which the locking device is locked relative to the stationary portion for blocking the adjustment element in the closed position, and an unlocked condition in which the locking device is unlocked for adjusting the adjustment element relative to the stationary portion. A control device serves for controlling the drive motor and the locking device. It is provided that the control device is formed to actuate the drive motor for executing a diagnostic routine, while the locking device is in the locked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GMBH & Co. KG, Bamberg
    Inventors: Christian Herrmann, Wolfgang Uebel
  • Publication number: 20180023330
    Abstract: A device for motorically and manually adjusting a second vehicle part relative to a first vehicle part in an adjustment range is provided. The device comprising at least a driving device by means of which the second vehicle part is motorically adjustable in at least one adjustment direction and can be held in an adjustment position within the adjustment range relative to the first vehicle part, wherein the driving device is switchable between a holding position and a release position and in the holding position the second vehicle part is held in an adjustment position via the driving device and in the release position is manually adjustable within the adjustment range, and an electronic control device by means of which the driving device is switchable between the holding position and the release position in response to an operating event triggered by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Christian HERRMANN, Wolfgang UEBEL
  • Publication number: 20170335617
    Abstract: An assembly for adjusting an adjustment element relative to a stationary portion of a vehicle, in particular a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body, comprises a drive motor for electromotively adjusting the adjustment element and a transmission element. In a coupling, first condition an electrically actuatable coupling device couples the drive motor with the transmission element, in order to exert an adjustment force for adjusting the adjustment element on the transmission element, and in a decoupling, second condition decouples the drive motor from the transmission element. An electrically actuatable locking device serves for locking the adjustment element with the stationary portion of the vehicle in a closed position. A control device controls the drive motor, the coupling device and the locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Christian HERRMANN, Wolfgang UEBEL
  • Publication number: 20170335615
    Abstract: An assembly for adjusting an adjustment element relative to a stationary portion of a vehicle, in particular of a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body comprises a drive motor for electromotively adjusting the adjustment element and an electrically actuatable locking device for locking the adjustment element with the stationary portion of the vehicle in a closed position, wherein the locking device has a locked condition in which the locking device is locked relative to the stationary portion for blocking the adjustment element in the closed position, and an unlocked condition in which the locking device is unlocked for adjusting the adjustment element relative to the stationary portion. A control device serves for controlling the drive motor and the locking device. It is provided that the control device is formed to actuate the drive motor for executing a diagnostic routine, while the locking device is in the locked condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Christian HERRMANN, Wolfgang UEBEL
  • Publication number: 20170321830
    Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a control device for the coolant flow in a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine with the following characteristics: a housing with an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a movable control element for varying the flow-through cross section of the channel; an annular seal arrangement comprising a sealing frame and a sealing ring is seated between a sealing surface of the housing and a sealing surface of the control element. According to this disclosure, it is proposed that the sealing ring rests against a plane sealing surface of the housing in a sealing fashion and meets this plane sealing surface along a contact line that encloses a first surface area. Depending on the flow direction through the seal arrangement, the sealing ring features a surface section that has a defined circumference referred to the length of the contact line between the sealing ring and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Bernd Bareis, Markus Auer, Christian Herrmann, Nicolai Halder
  • Publication number: 20170217402
    Abstract: A method for setting a safety belt in a vehicle is provided. For the adjustment of the safety belt an adjusting apparatus is provided, the position of a deflection point for the safety belt being able to be set thereby and the safety belt extending therefrom in the direction of the shoulder of a vehicle occupant fastened-in by the safety belt, and the position of the deflection point is automatically set by means of at least one sensor device in order to adapt the path of the safety belt to the fastened-in vehicle occupant. Via the sensor device an angle is evaluated which is present between a belt portion which extends from the deflection point in the direction of the shoulder of the fastened-in vehicle occupant and a further belt portion and/or a part fixed to the bodywork or seat part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Hubert PANEJKO, Christian HERRMANN, Wolfgang UEBEL, Mario STEGERER, Stefan BAETZ, Maik RIENECKER