Patents Assigned to Gentherm GmbH
  • Patent number: 12240294
    Abstract: A fluid distribution device that includes a distributor housing having at least one fluid inlet opening and at least one fluid outlet opening; and at least one rotary, elongated hollow element having a wall that has one or more fluid-passage openings, a fluid flow through the distributor housing is changed by rotating the at least one hollow element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Johansen, Dan Botez, Jeffery Steven Arsenault
  • Patent number: 12227115
    Abstract: A climate controlled system comprising: a movable member disposed in a recess of a cushion and forming part of an occupant support surface with the cushion; a heater overlaying the cushion and the movable member, the heater including: a flexible substrate, a heating element, and an adhesive layer, wherein the flexible substrate includes adhesive on opposing longitudinal edge regions and the adhesive directly or indirectly connects the heater to the cushion; and wherein the adhesive layer anchors the heater as the flexible substrate stretches or moves with the movable member as the movable member moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Gentherm GmbH
    Inventor: Shane Kyle Greenwood
  • Patent number: 12177967
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically conductive film (10) having an electrically nonconductive substrate layer (12), and an electrically conductive metal layer (14) that has a structure produced by material removal and that on a first side is joined, at least in sections, to the substrate layer (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Schaetzle
  • Patent number: 12113407
    Abstract: A motor that includes a stator having a stator core; a rotor; and a ground pin for at least achieving a ground connection of the stator core; the ground pin is configured to be electrically connected to the stator core by being partially embedded in the stator core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Bob Bao, Loory Wang
  • Patent number: 12071052
    Abstract: An air conditioning device for a vehicle seat, the air conditioning device includes: at least one flow generator to generate an air flow; at least one air inlet opening fluidically connected to a flow inlet of the flow generator to draw in air to be temperature-controlled; at least one air outlet opening fluidically connected to a flow outlet of the flow generator to eject the temperature-controlled air; a temperature-control device configured to control a temperature of the air drawn in through the at least one air inlet opening prior to the air being ejected from the at least one air outlet opening; and a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the air drawn into the at least one air inlet opening and to adapt a heating power of the temperature-control device to the detected temperature of the drawn-in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Gentherm GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Pfaff, Alexander Rappl
  • Patent number: 12017567
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, an air conditioned vehicle seat, and an air conditioning system for a vehicle seat that includes an air mover attached to a first side of a connecting member of the vehicle seat; a gasket attached to a second side of the connecting member; and an air distributor provided adjacent to the gasket on the first side of the connecting member. The air conditioning system is free of adhesive between the air distributor and the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Shane Greenwood, Sai Battula
  • Patent number: 11949178
    Abstract: A function module for electrical applications and method of making a function module for electrical applications. The function module includes: a functional member having a piercing area with at least one aluminum conductor trace; and an electrical connector having at least one piercing member. The at least one piercing member is configured to pierce through the at least one aluminum conductor trace in an electrically conductive manner and provide a form-fit connection between the functional member and the electrical connector within the piercing area. The functional member and the electrical connector are joined together within the piercing area by means of a solder connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Peter Ciaccio, Michael Weiss
  • Patent number: 11849544
    Abstract: A method for milling flex foil includes providing a web of flex foil including a substrate; a first conductive layer arranged on one surface of the substrate; a second conductive layer arranged on an opposite surface of the substrate; a first insulating layer arranged adjacent to the first conductive layer; and a second insulating layer arranged adjacent to the second conductive layer. The method includes dry milling one side of the web using a first cliché pattern including raised portions and non-raised portions to selectively remove at least one of the first conductive layer and the first insulating layer. The method includes dry milling an opposite side of the web using a second cliché pattern including upper raised portions, lower raised portions and non-raised portions to selectively remove the second insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Gentherm GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Horzella, Fritz Jung
  • Patent number: 11751327
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically conductive film (10) having an electrically nonconductive substrate layer (12), and an electrically conductive metal layer (14) that has a structure produced by material removal and that on a first side is joined, at least in sections, to the substrate layer (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Schaetzle
  • Patent number: 11744023
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dual conductor laminated substrate includes providing a first laminate including a first insulating layer and a first conductive layer; defining a first trace pattern including one or more traces in the first laminate; providing a second laminate including a second insulating layer and a second conductive layer; defining a second trace pattern including one or more traces in the second laminate; defining access holes in the second insulating layer; at least one of depositing and stenciling a conductive material in the access holes of the second insulating layer; and aligning and attaching the first laminate to the second laminate to create a laminated substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Gentherm GmbH
    Inventor: Timothy Hughes
  • Patent number: 11716788
    Abstract: A heater control system includes a heater driver, a current sensor, a slope calculator, and a mode selector. The heater driver is configured to control current to a heater. The current sensor is configured to sense current supplied to the heater. The slope calculator is configured to calculate a slope of the current supplied to the heater. The mode selector is configured to adjust current supplied to the heater by the heated driver based on the slope of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Gentherm GmbH
    Inventors: Shane Greenwood, Casey Saenz
  • Patent number: 11707909
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surface temperature-controlling device, in particular for use in vehicles, comprising a first air-distributing layer which has multiple air inlets extending through the first air-distributing layer and multiple air outlets extending through the first air-distributing layer, and a second air-distributing layer which fluidically connects air inlets and air outlets of the first air-distributing layer, wherein the air inlets are designed to introduce pre-heated or pre-cooled air into the second air-distributing layer, and the air outlets are designed to discharge air out of the second air-distributing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventor: Rüdiger Spillner
  • Patent number: 11673495
    Abstract: An air conditioning device for a vehicle seat, the air conditioning device includes: at least one flow generator to generate an air flow; at least one air inlet opening fluidically connected to a flow inlet of the flow generator to draw in air to be temperature-controlled; at least one air outlet opening fluidically connected to a flow outlet of the flow generator to eject the temperature-controlled air; and a temperature-control device configured to control a temperature of the air drawn in through the at least one air inlet opening prior to the air being ejected from the at least one air outlet opening; the at least one air inlet opening and the at least one air outlet opening are arranged next to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Gentherm GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Pfaff, Alexander Rappl
  • Patent number: 11578900
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrothermal converter, which has at least one cold side and one warm side. Provision is made that all the components of the converter cope with the thermal loads appearing when the converter is operated and/or in particular maintains its mechanical stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Gentherm GMBH
    Inventors: Goran Bajic, Syed Iqbal, Dmitri Axakov, Tim Normand
  • Patent number: 11566945
    Abstract: A fastening device that includes a main body having a receiving region configured to receive a passive electrical component such that the main body and the electrical component are connected to one another in an electrically and/or thermally conductive manner; and a retaining device configured to at least temporarily secure the electrical component in the receiving region. The retaining device has a clamp configured to clamp the electrical component to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Issler, Harald Schoppel
  • Patent number: 11552344
    Abstract: A sensing system for a battery includes a flex foil substrate including a first cover layer. A conductive layer defines a trace pattern including traces. A second cover layer defines a first opening. The conductive layer is sandwiched between the first cover layer and the second cover layer. The first opening exposes a first trace and a second trace of the trace pattern. A busbar is attached to the first cover layer of the flex foil substrate. A temperature sensor is connected to the first trace and the second trace of the trace pattern in the first opening of the first cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventor: Timothy Hughes
  • Patent number: 11524614
    Abstract: An insert comprising: (a) a cover layer; (b) a spacer layer located below the cover layer; (c) a connection material that is adapted to extend between and connect the cover layer to a trim layer so that the insert is fixed to the trim layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Daniel Iacovone, Zoran Panic, Ricardo Edmundo Flores Gonzalez, Madalina Onica
  • Patent number: 11498465
    Abstract: A heating device for a vehicle seat, that includes at least one heating surface that is at least in sections permeable to heat radiation; and at least one heat generator arranged at least partially behind the at least one heating surface. The at least one heat generator is configured to generate the heat radiation and to emit the generated heat radiation in a direction of at least one heating surface. The at least one heating surface has a plurality of emission zones that are spaced apart from one another, for emitting the heat radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Rüdiger Spillner, Jens Keller
  • Patent number: 11402238
    Abstract: A system including an assembly arranged in at least one of a seat and a steering wheel of a vehicle and a measurement circuit. The assembly includes a sensor and a heater arranged adjacent to the sensor. The measurement circuit is configured to output an excitation signal to the measurement circuit and the assembly and measure a resonant frequency of the measurement circuit and the assembly in response to the excitation signal. The measurement circuit is configured to determine a capacitance value based on the resonant frequency and determine whether a body part is in proximity to the sensor based on the capacitance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Gentherm GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Lakatos, Peter Marton, Jack Barfuss, Daniel Wei Li Cheah, Ricardo Edmundo Flores Gonzalez, Michael Maass, Tim Normand, Gerardo Edel de la Garza Fernandez
  • Patent number: 11388814
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically conductive film (10) having an electrically nonconductive substrate layer (12), and an electrically conductive metal layer (14) that has a structure produced by material removal and that on a first side is joined, at least in sections, to the substrate layer (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Schaetzle