Patents by Inventor Martin Fassbender

Martin Fassbender 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: 20240075863
    Abstract: A tray assembly for a vehicle has a steering wheel rim and a plate-shaped tray unit arranged on the steering wheel rim. The steering wheel rim is mounted to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis between a steering position and a tray position arranged at a smaller angle of inclination than in the steering position. In order to provide a tray assembly which can be handled in a manner which is reliable in operation and user-friendly, an edge of the tray unit is matched to a profile of the steering wheel rim such that the tray unit arranged on the steering wheel rim located in the tray position partially or completely covers the steering wheel rim from above, without projecting beyond the steering wheel rim on the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Fassbender, Sascha Kaatz, Philipp Kuepper
  • Patent number: 11912334
    Abstract: A method for releasing a tilt mechanism for a steering element of a vehicle, wherein the steering element is mounted pivotably around a tilt axis between a steering position and at least one non-steering position, wherein the steering element has at least one releasable locking arrangement, which fixes the steering element in the steering position and the at least one non-steering position. The locking arrangement can adopt at least one locking state in which the release of the locking arrangement is prevented and can adopt at least one release state in which the release of the locking arrangement is enabled. A corresponding steering arrangement and a corresponding vehicle are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Kuepper, Martin Faßbender, Bruno Alves, Klemens Degle, Lukas Loehmann
  • Publication number: 20230373552
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a steering wheel may have a first shaft about which the steering wheel is pivotable. A rotary latch is rotationally fixed to the steering wheel by a rotary latch element. A second shaft is arranged in parallel with the first shaft. A coupling lever is arranged on the second shaft to interact with the rotary latch element. The coupling lever has a stop surface which, for the purpose of engagement, engages in at least one corresponding stop surface of the rotary latch element when the steering wheel, and thus also the rotary latch, is pivoted. At least one of the stop surfaces may have a chamfer via which the coupling lever can be displaced or is displaced out of the engagement with the rotary latch element when a predetermined force is applied to the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim KLEIN, Markus SCHAPS, Thorsten JANSSEN, Martin FASSBENDER, Thomas KREUZ, Philipp KÜPPER
  • Patent number: 11628875
    Abstract: A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a tilt steering wheel which is capable of being positioned in at least one steering position and at least one non-steering position, wherein the tilt steering wheel can be locked in the at least one non-steering position by a first locking mechanism. The steering assembly includes a second locking mechanism for additionally locking the tilt steering wheel in the at least one non-steering position, wherein the second locking mechanism comprises a locking device which is movable from a locking position into a release position and vice versa using an actuating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Kuepper, Martin Faßbender, Simon John William Hurr
  • Publication number: 20220258788
    Abstract: A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a tilt steering wheel which is capable of being positioned in at least one steering position and at least one non-steering position, wherein the tilt steering wheel can be locked in the at least one non-steering position by a first locking mechanism. The steering assembly includes a second locking mechanism for additionally locking the tilt steering wheel in the at least one non-steering position, wherein the second locking mechanism comprises a locking device which is movable from a locking position into a release position and vice versa using an actuating mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Kuepper, Martin Faßbender, Simon John William Hurr
  • Patent number: 11352043
    Abstract: A steering wheel for a transport vehicle comprises a hub and a rim which extends around the hub, wherein the rim is pivotably supported between a steering position and at least one non-steering position about a tilting axis. The steering wheel has at least one releasable locking arrangement having a hub-side hub locking device and a rim-side rim locking device for blocking the pivoting by use of mutual engagement. The hub locking device and the rim locking device are configured to engage with each other with spacing from the tilting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Faßbender, Philipp Kuepper, Klemens Degle, Bruno Alves, Thomas Kreuz
  • Publication number: 20220169300
    Abstract: A method for releasing a tilt mechanism for a steering element of a vehicle, wherein the steering element is mounted pivotably around a tilt axis between a steering position and at least one non-steering position, wherein the steering element has at least one releasable locking arrangement, which fixes the steering element in the steering position and the at least one non-steering position. The locking arrangement can adopt at least one locking state in which the release of the locking arrangement is prevented and can adopt at least one release state in which the release of the locking arrangement is enabled. A corresponding steering arrangement and a corresponding vehicle are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Kuepper, Martin Faßbender, Bruno Alves, Klemens Degle, Lukas Loehmann
  • Publication number: 20220073123
    Abstract: A steering wheel for a transport vehicle comprises a hub and a rim which extends around the hub, wherein the rim is pivotably supported between a steering position and at least one non-steering position about a tilting axis. The steering wheel has at least one releasable locking arrangement having a hub-side hub locking device and a rim-side rim locking device for blocking the pivoting by use of mutual engagement. The hub locking device and the rim locking device are configured to engage with each other with spacing from the tilting axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Faßbender, Philipp Kuepper, Klemens Degle, Bruno Alves, Thomas Kreuz
  • Patent number: 11180177
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes a rim that is movably connected to a base for movement between driving and utility positions. A movement control mechanism is configured to selectively lock the rim in the driving position relative to the base structure. The motion control mechanism includes a detent that is configured to retain the rim structure in the utility position relative to the base structure, whereby a user can apply a force to the rim structure to overcome the detent and move the rim structure from the utility position to the driving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Macit Aktas, Joseph Michael Kish, Martin Fassbender, Philipp Kuepper
  • Patent number: 10292207
    Abstract: A heated steering wheel having a first electrical circuit including, in series, a first heating element disposed adjacent to a 3 o'clock of the wheel, a second heating element disposed adjacent to a 9 o'clock position of the wheel, and a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heated by one of the first and second heating elements; and a second electrical circuit including, in series, a third heating element disposed at a 6 o'clock position of the wheel, a fourth heating element disposed at a 12 o'clock position of the wheel, and a negative temperature coefficient thermistor heated by one of the first and second heating elements. The flow of electricity through the second electrical circuit is delayed until after electricity has flowed through the first electrical circuit warm those portions of the wheel to a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Fassbender, Timothy Scott, Uwe Thiesmeyer
  • Publication number: 20170101124
    Abstract: A steering assembly, including a steering wheel having a receiving opening arranged on a base member of the steering wheel and a steering rod having an end portion at least partially received in the receiving opening. The receiving opening has an inner contour and the end portion of the steering rod has an outer contour that corresponds to the inner contour. The receiving opening also has a conical expansion located downstream, with respect to an assembly direction of the steering wheel and steering rod, of the inner contour. The steering rod includes a frustoconical transition portion located downstream, with respect to the assembly direction of the steering wheel and steering rod, of the outer contour. The frustoconical transition portion is complementary to the conical expansion of the receiving opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Birger Assmann, Andre Wilmsen, Martin Fassbender
  • Publication number: 20140306430
    Abstract: A steering wheel and driver airbag assembly in which an airbag module having a container housing a driver airbag is attached to motor vehicle steering wheel by a single snap fastener having a first part on the steering wheel and a second part on the container. To attach the airbag module to the steering wheel a part of the container is brought into contact with the steering wheel, the container is then rotated about a transverse axis so as to engage the second part of the snap fastener located on the container with the first part of the snap fastener on the steering wheel. A pair of location means locate the container at a position spaced away from the single snap fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy SCOTT, James ALCORN, Martin FASSBENDER, Matthew SHYNN
  • Publication number: 20140110388
    Abstract: A heated steering wheel having a first electrical circuit including, in series, a first heating element disposed adjacent to a 3 o'clock of the wheel, a second heating element disposed adjacent to a 9 o'clock position of the wheel, and a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heated by one of the first and second heating elements; and a second electrical circuit including, in series, a third heating element disposed at a 6 o'clock position of the wheel, a fourth heating element disposed at a 12 o'clock position of the wheel, and a negative temperature coefficient thermistor heated by one of the first and second heating elements. The flow of electricity through the second electrical circuit is delayed until after electricity has flowed through the first electrical circuit warm those portions of the wheel to a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Martin FASSBENDER, Timothy SCOTT, Uwe THIESMEYER
  • Publication number: 20130202452
    Abstract: A hydraulic fan drive includes a hydraulic pump that has an adjustable swept volume. The hydraulic pump is assigned a pressure control valve arrangement that is configured to regulate a pump pressure by adjustment of the swept volume. The drive further includes a hydraulic motor configured to drive an impeller wheel and a pressure line, which is connected to a pressure input of the hydraulic motor and into which pressure medium is configured to be conveyed by the hydraulic pump. A hydraulic accumulator is connected to the pressure line and the displacement of the hydraulic motor is configured to be adjusted. Energy is buffer-stored by the hydraulic accumulator by feeding in pressure medium beyond the amount that is displaced by the hydraulic motor. This stored energy becomes free for other operations of a machine, for example, to which the drive is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Schuette, Tobias Pfruender, Martin Fassbender, Egon Rill