Patents by Inventor Matthias HEGWEIN

Matthias HEGWEIN 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: 20240116433
    Abstract: An illumination module for highlighting a region of a vehicle component, such as a charging or tank recess or a handle assembly, includes a light source support having at least one light source and a housing, in which the light source support with the at least one light source is received. The housing includes a light outlet region, via which light can be decoupled from the housing. The illumination module further includes a light diffuser optically coupled to the light outlet region of the housing, which diffuser includes a first light outlet region, via which light can be decoupled for direct illumination or highlighting of the region of the vehicle component and which includes a second light outlet region, which is spatially separated from the first light outlet region via which signal light can be decoupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Roland OCH, Joachim OBERST, Andreas RUDOLF, Matthias HEGWEIN, Matthias GANS
  • Publication number: 20240110427
    Abstract: Described is an actuating mechanism for actuating a cover of a vehicle. The cover is reversibly movable between a closed position where the cover is arranged flush with a vehicle outer shell and an open position where the cover is arranged at least partially or regionally behind the vehicle outer shell. The actuating mechanism comprises a movement mechanism operatively connected to the rear side of the cover. In order to transition the cover from the closed position into the open position proceeding from the closed position of the cover, the movement mechanism moves the cover initially into an intermediate position in a rotational and translational movement in which intermediate position the cover is pivoted relative to the closed position of the cover about a first axis of rotation and is at least partially or regionally offset in comparison to the closed position backwards towards the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Tobias GÖPFERT, Matthias HEGWEIN, Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK, Joachim OBERST, Roland OCH
  • Publication number: 20240060343
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuating mechanism (100) for actuating covers (102) for vehicles. The actuation mechanism (110) includes: a drive having a drive shaft; and at least one lever arm (101), which is connectable to the cover (102) and is configured so as to tap a rotational movement from the drive shaft when the drive is actuated and convert it into a movement of the cover (102). The lever arm (101) includes a drive surface (111), which communicates with the drive shaft such that a rotation of the drive shaft via the drive surface (111) is transferred to the lever arm (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Tobias GÖPFERT, Matthias HEGWEIN, Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK, Joachim OBERST, Roland OCH
  • Patent number: 11878626
    Abstract: An illumination module (1) for highlighting a region of a vehicle component, such as a charging or tank recess (20) or a handle assembly, includes a light source support (2) having at least one light source (3) and a housing (4), in which the light source support with the at least one light source is received. The housing includes a light outlet region (5), via which light can be decoupled from the housing (4). The illumination module (1) further includes a light diffuser (6) optically coupled to the light outlet region of the housing, which diffuser includes a first light outlet region (7), via which light can be decoupled for direct illumination or highlighting of the region of the vehicle component and which includes a second light outlet region (8), which is spatially separated from the first light outlet region (7) via which signal light can be decoupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Roland Och, Joachim Oberst, Andreas Rudolf, Matthias Hegwein, Matthias Gans
  • Publication number: 20230151651
    Abstract: A locking device enables locking a charging, fueling, or service flap on a compartment. The flap is reversibly movable between a closed position and an open position. The locking device includes a flap lock for locking the flap in its closed position. The flap lock has a locking position, in which the flap lock locks the flap, and a release position in which the flap is moveable in relation to the flap lock. A first transfer shaft is connected to the flap lock such that the flap lock is moveable by a movement of the first transfer shaft between the locking position and the release position. A pushing element is connected to the first transfer shaft and configured so as to push the flap out of its closed position away from the charging compartment after the flap lock is transferred into its release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Matthias HEGWEIN, Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF, Roland OCH, Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK, Matthias KAPAUN
  • Patent number: 11634025
    Abstract: A mechanism (1) for pivoting a charging or tank flap (2) on a charging or filler neck housing (3), which is accommodated or can be accommodated in a body component of a motor vehicle, wherein the mechanism (1) is configured, by superposing at least two at least temporarily simultaneous circular rotational movements having different rotation radii or at least one at least temporarily simultaneous circular rotational movement and at least one linear movement, to pivot the charging or tank flap (2) reversibly between a first orientation, in particular a closed position of the charging or tank flap (2), and a second orientation, in particular an open position of the charging or tank flap (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Rudolf, Zsolt Wilke, Matthias Hegwein
  • Publication number: 20230097685
    Abstract: A housing body (1) is designed in order to be mounted at least in regions in a mounting opening of an outer skin or outer body component (5) of a motor vehicle, and has an outer flange region (6), which surrounds the housing body (1) at least in regions and defines the outer geometry of the housing body at least in regions, the flange region having a multidimensional shape and being designed in order to rest against a support surface of the outer skin or outer body component (5) in the installed state of the housing body. The shape of the outer flange region (6) is designed such that the housing body (1) is mountable, as needed, in a mounting opening, mirrored relative to the motor vehicle longitudinal axis, in a left- or right-sided outer skin or outer body component, by moving the housing body from left to right.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Jürgen HERZIG, Matthias KAPAUN, Matthias HEGWEIN
  • Patent number: 11597270
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle has a blocking device for blocking the cover in a locked position. The blocking device has a transmission mechanism with a rotation part (64.1; 50) mounted rotatably and driveable by an actuator (34), and a blocking bar (62) which is operatively connected to the rotation part. The transmission mechanism converts a rotation movement of the rotation part into an axial movement of the blocking bar. The blocking bar is transferable with the aid of the rotation part from a release position into a blocking position. The transmission mechanism is self-locking so that, at least whenever the blocking bar is in the blocking position, the rotation part is not driveable via an axial movement of the blocking bar, and the rotation part prevents an axial movement of the blocking bar out of the blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Matthias Hegwein, Jan Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20220372809
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus (1) for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle, having a locking and/or arresting kinematics that cooperate with the cover. The actuating apparatus includes a housing (2) and an actuating part (3) received in the housing (2) and movably supported relative to the housing (2). The actuating part (3) cooperates with the cover in such a way that the actuating part (3) performs a movement relative to the housing (2) between a first position and a second position upon a movement of the cover between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the first position, the actuating part (3) is in a locked state. The actuating apparatus (1) further includes an elastically deformable spring system (4) associated with the actuating part (3), in particular having a progressive spring characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventor: Matthias HEGWEIN
  • Publication number: 20220290476
    Abstract: An actuating mechanism for actuating a charging or fueling flap on a charging or fueling compartment received on or in a body component of a vehicle, wherein the charging or fueling flap is reversibly movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein a flap lock is provided for locking the charging or fueling flap in its closed position. The actuating mechanism includes a drive having a drive shaft, which is operatively connectable to the charging or fueling flap such that, upon rotation of the drive shaft, the charging or fueling flap is movable relative to the charging or fueling compartment. The actuating mechanism further includes a mechanical control or switching mechanism, which is configured such that, upon rotation of the drive shaft to manipulate the flap lock, a rotational movement of the drive shaft can be tapped with the aid of the mechanical control or switching mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Matthias HEGWEIN, Joachim OBERST, Maximiliane MERKERT, Stefan KÄMMER, Günter HINS, Roland OCH
  • Publication number: 20220268066
    Abstract: A device for switching and actuating multiple functions of a charging and/or filler-neck compartment system having a charging and/or filler-neck compartment and a cover which is movable relative to the charging and/or filler-neck compartment. The device has a drive element with a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is operatively connected to the cover such that, when the drive shaft rotates, the cover is movable relative to the charging and/or filler-neck compartment. The device furthermore has a mechanical control or switching mechanism, in particular in the form of or with a gearing mechanism, wherein the mechanical control or switching mechanism is designed such that, when the drive shaft rotates, a rotational movement of the drive shaft can be picked off by the mechanical control or switching mechanism for the purposes of manipulating at least one functional component of the charging and/or filler-neck compartment system as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Roland OCH, Matthias HEGWEIN, Andreas RUDOLF
  • Publication number: 20220185173
    Abstract: An illumination module (1) for highlighting a region of a vehicle component, such as a charging or tank recess (20) or a handle assembly, includes a light source support (2) having at least one light source (3) and a housing (4), in which the light source support with the at least one light source is received. The housing includes a light outlet region (5), via which light can be decoupled from the housing (4). The illumination module (1) further includes a light diffuser (6) optically coupled to the light outlet region of the housing , which diffuser includes a first light outlet region (7), via which light can be decoupled for direct illumination or highlighting of the region of the vehicle component and which includes a second light outlet region (8), which is spatially separated from the first light outlet region (7) via which signal light can be decoupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Roland OCH, Joachim OBERST, Andreas RUDOLF, Matthias HEGWEIN, Matthias GANS
  • Publication number: 20220034146
    Abstract: A mechanism (1) for pivoting a charging or tank flap (2) on a charging or filler neck housing (3), which is accommodated or can be accommodated in a body component of a motor vehicle, wherein the mechanism (1) is configured, by superposing at least two at least temporarily simultaneous circular rotational movements having different rotation radii or at least one at least temporarily simultaneous circular rotational movement and at least one linear movement, to pivot the charging or tank flap (2) reversibly between a first orientation, in particular a closed position of the charging or tank flap (2), and a second orientation, in particular an open position of the charging or tank flap (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Andreas Rudolf, Zsolt Wilke, Matthias Hegwein
  • Publication number: 20220024299
    Abstract: A covering device (100) for a vehicle, includes: a cover (10); a drive element (40a, 40b) formed to enable a movement of the cover, wherein the drive element brings about a force which acts on the cover. The covering device has a force-limitation apparatus (30a, 30b) which limits the force brought about by the drive element to a limit force so that the covering device is protected in the event of an overload acting on the covering device and/or a user is protected when using the covering device. An actuator (200) has a drive apparatus (210) with a drive element (211); an output drive element (290); and a force-decoupling apparatus (230). The force-decoupling apparatus is formed so that it at least temporarily does not output a force taken up by the drive element or at least temporarily outputs it in a delayed manner to the output drive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF, Christian BECK, Matthias HEGWEIN
  • Publication number: 20200269684
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle has a blocking device for blocking the cover in a locked position. The blocking device has a transmission mechanism with a rotation part (64.1; 50) mounted rotatably and driveable by an actuator (34), and a blocking bar (62) which is operatively connected to the rotation part. The transmission mechanism converts a rotation movement of the rotation part into an axial movement of the blocking bar. The blocking bar is transferable with the aid of the rotation part from a release position into a blocking position. The transmission mechanism is self-locking so that, at least whenever the blocking bar is in the blocking position, the rotation part is not driveable via an axial movement of the blocking bar, and the rotation part prevents an axial movement of the blocking bar out of the blocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Matthias HEGWEIN, Jan DVORAK