Patents Assigned to Johnson Controls GmbH
  • Publication number: 20090230753
    Abstract: A seat adjustment device for a vehicle seat includes a driving motor that is in engagement with a driving part of a self-locking free wheel. An output part of the free wheel is connected to a gearing. To obtain a compact structure, the driving motor, the free wheel and the gearing are located in a common housing, which preferably has a housing base part and at least one housing covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Breitfeld, Frank Triebeneck
  • Patent number: 7494189
    Abstract: A device for the axial fixation of a shaft in a component including a groove which is defined on the shaft and a securing device configured to releasably engage the groove. The axial force is required for releasing the securing device being able to be altered depending on the rotational position of the securing device relative to the shaft. The device may be coupled to an armrest of a vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Otto, Kirubaharan Albert Reginold
  • Patent number: 7481448
    Abstract: The vehicle headliner has integrated head-side airbag modules. Each module has an elongated accommodation housing (12) for a folded airbag (14). The accommodation housings (12) are arranged along the side edges of the headliner (10). At the side of the headliner (10), the accommodation housing (12) is connected to a support structure (18) that has support ribs and that is joined to the headliner by means of gluing. On the opposite side, facing the vehicle body, the accommodation housing (12) is covered by a further support structure (20) having numerous support ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignees: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG, Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Heigl, Wolfgang Müller, Ralf Gerecke, Heinz Eyrainer, Rainer Heyer
  • Patent number: 7467823
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat part and a backrest is disclosed. At least one of the seat part and the back rest comprises a usable surface, an air supply opening, an air duct, and a ventilator. The air duct extends between the air supply opening and the usable surface. The ventilator is in communication with the air duct for producing an air flow in the air duct. The ventilator is coupled to the side of the at least one of the seat part and the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Hartwich
  • Publication number: 20080303334
    Abstract: There is provided a device for fixing a component, in particular a headrest and particularly in or on a vehicle whereby the component includes at least one fixing bar. The fixing bar may be displaced relative to the device in a first direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal extension thereof. The device includes a tolerance compensation means in contact with the fixing bar, whereby said tolerance compensation means may be displaced in a second direction relative to the device running essentially perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Dillinger
  • Publication number: 20080296942
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat, especially for a vehicle, said seat being provided with flat wiring that is easy to mount in and/or on a support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Schweiker
  • Publication number: 20080277993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metal structure for a vehicle seat, in particular for the backrest of a motor vehicle seat. The structure includes a deep-drawn front shell and a deep-drawn rear shell, in addition to at least one fitting that can be fixed to the metal structure with the aid of a fixing lug, the fixing lug being located between the front shell and the rear shell. The fixing lug is connected to the front shell and rear shell, for example by laser welding, which achieves a particularly favorable input of force from the fitting to the metal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventor: Axel Blankart
  • Patent number: 7448643
    Abstract: A method for processing a textile sheet material includes sealing a sheet material in a sealing region. The sealing region comprising at least one partial region of the surface of the sheet material. The method also includes introducing a seam into the sheet material and cutting the sheet material along a cutting line. The textile sheet material may be used to produce covers for airbags used in vehicle seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Kuettner, Manfred Zimmer, Anja Hartmann, Beatrice Derner
  • Publication number: 20080272637
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a pivotable backrest including a counterbalance electric and/or pneumatic drive, a locking/unlocking mechanism and an adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Czinki, Hans Schmodde, Clemens Lowinski, Piotr Szableswki, Richard Boudinot, Sven Natus, Robert Schule
  • Patent number: 7438339
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat part and a backrest which together are configured to be pivoted about a generally vertically aligned pivot axis from a use position into an entry position and from the use position into a cargo position. The seat part is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the backrest in the use position and the entry position. The seat part is configured to be substantially parallel to the backrest in the cargo position. The seat part and the backrest are configured to be pivoted at least approximately 30 degrees from the use position into the entry position. The seat part and the backrest are configured to be pivoted approximately 90 degrees from the use position into the cargo position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: James Abraham
  • Patent number: 7413251
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting a vehicle seat having a backrest and a seat base by moving the backrest and seat base at the same time to one of a normal position and a loading position. A transmission that may include a drive is provided and may further include a lock mechanism coupled to the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Link
  • Patent number: 7404264
    Abstract: The invention relates to covers for seats used in transport vehicles, especially motor vehicles. The covers of the seats are automatically finished as the manufactured seats are transported by a conveyor through at least one treating chamber of a tunnel finisher. All of the seats are treated in the treating chamber at least with steam which smoothes the covers thereof. The inventive finishing treatment results in an even smoothness of said covers, even in areas which are difficult to reach manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Engelbert Heinz, Wilfried Dreischmeier, Henry Wurm
  • Patent number: 7361293
    Abstract: In a method for producing a trim article (1), the interspace between a sheet-like decorative material (5) and a carrier (3) is foam-filled. There is provision, during foaming, for the decorative material (5) to be pressed sealingingly onto the interior-side surface of the carrier (3) so as to run around the region to be foam-filled. In this case, the discharge of the air to be displaced during foaming can take place through the foam-tight, but, at least in regions, not gas-tight structure of the carrier (3). For this purpose, the carrier (3) can be gas-sealed in regions by the local compression of an intrinsically gas-permeable unprocessed part before introduction into the foaming die. Also disclosed is a trim article capable of being produced according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Wolff, Birgit Budde, Johann-Georg Werner, Hubert Brueckner, Detlef Walter Juerss, Heinz Dieter Wellen
  • Patent number: 7357443
    Abstract: A structural article, in particular an equipment article for the interior of a motor vehicle, includes a first, hard-elastic or plastically deformable carrier structure (2) and of a second, soft-elastic component (6) which is connected in one piece to the latter and which sealingly closes the carrier structure provided with recesses (5). There is provision for the recesses (5) to be essentially filled by the soft-elastic component (6) and consequently to be sealingly closed. A method for producing a structural article of this type is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Wolff, Birgit Budde, Otwald Bruns, Hubert Brueckner
  • Patent number: 7337693
    Abstract: An actuating lever (1), in particular for adjusting a vehicle seat, has an axle receptacle (2), an articulation device (4) for force delivery and a grip piece (3). The actuating lever (1) is manufactured in one piece from plastic, a core (5) which comprises the axle receptacle (2) and the articulation device (4) is manufactured from a material having higher strength than the grip piece (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Wolff, Johann-Georg Werner
  • Patent number: 7316455
    Abstract: A locking device and a headrest are disclosed. The locking device includes spring elements, which can be engaged in at least one locking position and the locking device can be displaced in relation to at least two retaining bars that have a large number of recesses. The spring elements co-operate with the recesses in such a way that the engagement of the spring elements in their locking position locks the locking device in relation to the retaining bars. According to the invention, the spring elements are configured in such as way that the retaining bars are locked by the mechanical fixing of the spring elements in their central zone or by exertion of a force on the spring elements in their central zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Metz, Daniel Navarro, Bruno Jallon, Ernst-Otto Fröse
  • Publication number: 20070252423
    Abstract: Provided is a trim panel suitable for attachment to a displaceable seat, and a seat. The seat has a seat substructure with a first part and a second part and a seat component. The seat component is moveable with the first part in a horizontal direction relative to the second part of the seat substructure and displaceable relative to the first part in a second direction. The trim panel is configured to be attached to the seat component and to be displaceable with the seat component for concealing parts of the seat substructure from normal viewing angle by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Thomas Folster, Thorsten Helbig, Thomas Heckmann
  • Publication number: 20070222251
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat part and a backrest which together are configured to be pivoted about a generally vertically aligned pivot axis from a use position into an entry position and from the use position into a cargo position. The seat part is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the backrest in the use position and the entry position. The seat part is configured to be substantially parallel to the backrest in the cargo position. The seat part and the backrest are configured to be pivoted at least approximately 30 degrees from the use position into the entry position. The seat part and the backrest are configured to be pivoted approximately 90 degrees from the use position into the cargo position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: James Abraham
  • Patent number: 7261371
    Abstract: A ventilation system comprises a seat, a first fan, and a second fan. The seat has an upholstery part that includes a shaped body. The shaped body has a bearing surface, a rear side opposite the bearing surface, a first opening extending generally from the bearing surface to the rear side, and a second opening. The first fan is coupled to the first opening and is configured to generate a first flow of air generally perpendicular to the bearing surface. The second fan is coupled to second opening and is configured to generate a second flow of air generally transverse to the first flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Thunissen, Alfred Scholl, Ming Huo
  • Patent number: 7237834
    Abstract: A panel system for use within an interior of a vehicle includes a panel member configured for placement along the overhead portion of the interior of the vehicle. A support member substantially surrounds the panel member and is configured for attachment to the vehicle. The support member includes frame segments interconnected by connectors. At least one fastener is provided for securing the panel member to the support member. An accessory mounted is to a receiving structure on a frame segment and is configured for use by an occupant of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Czinki, Jürgen Kretschmer, Torsten Leenaerts, Wolfgang Mueller