Patents by Inventor Kai Brensel

Kai Brensel 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: 11801775
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Fehling, Kai Brensel, Hubert Hille
  • Patent number: 11747221
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Fehling, Matthias Seifert, Alexander Kaul, Michael Bleckmann, Kai Brensel, Guido Huperz
  • Patent number: 11214147
    Abstract: A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may provide visible light and may comprise a base, a decorative module and a light source. The decorative module may comprise an angled surface to direct light toward an inner/textured/nonplanar surface of the decorative module. The inner surface may reflect light. The decorative module may allow light to pass through the inner surface toward an outer surface of the decorative module. The component may comprise a light directing layer comprising a substantially reflective front side adjacent the inner surface of the decorative module and a substantially transparent back side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd., Leopold KOSTAL GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Zimmermann, Bogdan Muresan, Radisa Göritz-Stamencic, Tobias Birth, Kai Brensel, Christian Schirp, Torsten Tiebe
  • Publication number: 20210364373
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Fehling, Matthias Seifert, Alexander Kaul, Michael Bleckmann, Kai Brensel, Guido Huperz
  • Publication number: 20210354596
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Fehling, Kai Brensel, Hubert Hille
  • Patent number: 11112870
    Abstract: An electromagnetic feedback actuator for an operating element includes an electromagnet, a magnet armature, and a metal body. The electromagnet includes a magnetic coil and a magnetic core. The magnet armature is moveable relative to the electromagnet. The operating element includes an actuating element (e.g., touch surface, sensor surface). The magnet armature is mechanically coupled to the operating element to provide a force pulse to the operating element in response to contact with, or pressure actuation on, an actuating element of the operating element. The electromagnet is arranged in the metal body. The metal body, in integral fashion, forms the magnet armature, a magnet yoke for the magnetic core of the electromagnet, and a holder for the electromagnet. An arrangement includes at least one such electromagnetic feedback actuator coupled to an operating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Daniel Klagges, Carl Christian Lexow, Kai Brensel
  • Publication number: 20210268907
    Abstract: A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may provide visible light and may comprise a base, a decorative module and a light source. The decorative module may comprise an angled surface to direct light toward an inner/textured/nonplanar surface of the decorative module. The inner surface may reflect light. The decorative module may allow light to pass through the inner surface toward an outer surface of the decorative module. The component may comprise a light directing layer comprising a substantially reflective front side adjacent the inner surface of the decorative module and a substantially transparent back side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jochen Zimmermann, Bogdan Muresan, Radisa Göritz-Stamencic, Tobias Birth, Kai Brensel, Christian Schirp, Torsten Tiebe
  • Publication number: 20190079585
    Abstract: An electromagnetic feedback actuator for an operating element includes an electromagnet, a magnet armature, and a metal body. The electromagnet includes a magnetic coil and a magnetic core. The magnet armature is moveable relative to the electromagnet. The operating element includes an actuating element (e.g., touch surface, sensor surface). The magnet armature is mechanically coupled to the operating element to provide a force pulse to the operating element in response to contact with, or pressure actuation on, an actuating element of the operating element. The electromagnet is arranged in the metal body. The metal body, in integral fashion, forms the magnet armature, a magnet yoke for the magnetic core of the electromagnet, and a holder for the electromagnet. An arrangement includes at least one such electromagnetic feedback actuator coupled to an operating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Daniel Klagges, Carl Christian Lexow, Kai Brensel