Patents Assigned to Johnson Controls GmbH
  • Publication number: 20120187738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a structural element (100) of a motor vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle seat, wherein the structural element (100) comprises a first component (101) and a second component (102). In an overlap region (103), the first component (101) and the second component (102) have a formed-closed connection, or a form-closed and form-closed connection, wherein the connection in the overlap region (103) can be produced by an electromagnetic pulse shaping method, wherein the first component comprises at least one form-closed moulding (600), wherein the second component can be moulded into the at least one form-closed moulding (600).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gross, Christian Hübsch, Joshua Hesterberg, Dirk Angermann, Dirk Eckenroth, Stefan Funk, Andreas Dannheisig, Hans-Georg Werner, Wolfgang Pellenz, Robin Ndagijimana, Vikas Wayal, Praveen Koparde, Yaniv Oren, Martin Oren, Vedat Nuyan
  • Patent number: 8205946
    Abstract: The present application relates to an actuating device (1) having a drive part (2) moving an output part (5) from an initial position into a final position, wherein the output part (5), or the drive part (2), has a first region (9) and a second region (10), and the drive part (2), or the output part (5), interacts with the two regions (9, 10) such that the position of the output part (5) is changed during an interaction with the first region (9), and an interaction with the second region (10) prevents a return movement of the output part (5) into the initial position. The present invention further relates to a vehicle seat comprising the actuating device (1) according to the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Ludger Mühlenbrock, Jörg Seibt
  • Patent number: 8197006
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a pivotable backrest, a locking/unlocking mechanism and an adjustment mechanism. The backrest is counterbalanced such that torque produced by the weight of the backrest during pivoting is adjustable by a counter torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Czinki, Hans Schmodde, Clemens Lowinski, Piotr Szableswki, Richard Boudinot, Sven Natus, Robert Schüle
  • Patent number: 8187721
    Abstract: A structure includes a first part provided in a first plane and second and third parts provided in a second plane located under the first plane. The second and third parts are welded together at a welded seam. The first part has at least one recess configured to receive a welding mechanism that forms the welded seam on the second and third parts. Another structure includes an “n” number of layers, n being at least three. Adjacent layers are in contact with one another and are connected by a welded seam. The structure also includes an outer surface. The layers between the outer surface and the respective welded seam define a recess through which a welding mechanism is configured to be passed as far as the respective layers to be welded to produce the welded seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Geisler, Michael Hamers, Andreas Schmitter, Henri Kirchhof, Mathew Cooper, Sven Bronich, Jürgen Otto, Klaus Hemmelmann
  • Patent number: 8177298
    Abstract: A loading flap is pivotally mounted on the backrest of a vehicle seat and can be locked with the backrest. The locking operation can be carried out using positive and/or non-positive means, e.g. a bolt that moves in a translatory and rotative manner during locking and unlocking. The loading flap includes a housing that may be moved in a translatory manner parallel thereto during opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Lindner, Markus Lindgens, Stefan Stamm
  • Patent number: 8166839
    Abstract: A transmission device, in particular for the adjuster of a vehicle seat, is suitable for converting a linear driving motion into a rotary output motion. According to an exemplary embodiment, the device has at least one lever that extends radially relative to a driven axis and is connected thereto. The at least one lever has a free end that interacts with an inclined surface that is moveable in a substantially linear manner in the direction of a driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Schüle, Hans Schmodde, Clemens Lowinski
  • Patent number: 8162401
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bracket system (1) adapted for use in a raising and lowering mechanism of an adjustable headrest (4) of a vehicle seat. The inventive bracket system (1) adapted for use in a raising and lowering mechanism of an adjustable headrest (4) of a vehicle seat comprises a spring element (8) an actuation arm (7) a longitudinal carrier bar (2) carrying the head rest (4) and having on its surface at least one notch of a first kind (9) and at least one notch of a second kind (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Kongberg Automotive AB, Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Arnout Homan, Nicholas Morrell, Anders Kvarnstrom
  • Patent number: 8147368
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Breitfeld, Frank Triebeneck
  • Publication number: 20110316317
    Abstract: An adjustable seat for a vehicle includes a seat part having a first seat position and a second seat position relative to a floor of the vehicle. The seat also includes a quick unlocking device that unlocks the adjusting device to adjust the seat. An adjusting device moves the seat part between the first seat position and the second position. The vehicle seat also includes a backrest part pivotably connected to the seat part. The backrest part is operatively connected to the quick unlocking adjusting device such that pivoting of the backrest part between an upright position and a folded over position unlocks the adjusting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Erik Sprenger, Stefan Heuel, Salih Yilmaz, Jorg Seibt
  • Patent number: 8081387
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device, particularly for an automotive vehicle, that comprises an unfolding member (1), the display device including a mounting member (10) for attaching the unfolding member in at least a first inactive position and in at least a second unfolded position, the display device being adapted so that the unfolding member follows an unfolding movement between the first and second positions thereof, the movement of the unfolding member including at least partially a translation portion and a rotation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Laurent Montarou, Olivier Luneau, Robert Arnould
  • Patent number: 8070231
    Abstract: A locking and releasing mechanism for a seat having a first fitting part associated with one of a seat part and a backrest and a second fitting part associated with the other one of the seat part and the backrest that may be locked and released relative to one another by the mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism includes a detent pawl configured to selectively latch the first fitting part to lock a displacement of the first fitting part and the second fitting part relative to one another and a detent plate configured to be reversibly displaced between a detent position, wherein the detent plate locks the detent pawl so that the detent pawl remains latched with the first fitting part, and a release position, wherein the detent plate allows the detent pawl to be released from the first fitting part. The mechanism also includes driver configured to selectively move the detent plate between the detent position and the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Kienke, James Abraham, Prasad Andhavarapu Bhavani, Kirubaharan Reginold Albert
  • Patent number: 8029055
    Abstract: A head restraint for a vehicle seat is provided. The head restraint includes a head restraint subsection and a driving device. The head restraint subsection is movable from a use position to a safety position, while the driving device is configured to move the head restraint subsection from the use position to the safety position. The driving device includes at least two components which are movable with respect to each other under the action of a first force. At least one component has an oblique surface which acts on the other component and is inclined in relation to a direction of the first force. Movement of the at least one component under the action of the first force transmits a second force on the other component in a direction different than the first force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Silvio Hartlaub
  • Patent number: 8016359
    Abstract: An armrest for a motor vehicle seat includes an armrest body configured to coupled to a fixing mechanism. The armrest body includes axle pins and stop pins and the fixing mechanism includes a pivot bearing and a stop groove. The axle pins are configured to insert into the pivot bearings and pivot about an axis of rotation. The distance between the stop pins is smaller than the distance between the pivot bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Dillinger, David Collins
  • Patent number: 7992932
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuating means with which the position of a component can be changed directly or indirectly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Silvio Hartlaub
  • Patent number: 7950713
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part having a seat substructure. The seat part is displaceable along a transverse axis with respect to the seat substructure and the seat part is at least partially swivelably about the transverse axis. The seat includes a displacement element having a displacement length, a fixed lower part and an upper part. A first longitudinal movement of the seat part and a first transverse movement of the seat part occurs along a first section of the adjustment length. A second longitudinal movement of the seat part and a second transverse movement of the seat part occurs along a second section of the adjustment length. The ratio of the first longitudinal movement to the first transverse movement differs from the ratio of the second longitudinal movement to the second transverse movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Grudl, Guido Herkenrath, Martin Zynda, Andreas Gustavel, Ralf Janisch, Bernd Engels, Andreas Irgang
  • Publication number: 20110080026
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a sitting part and a back-rest, the inclination of which is adjustable relative to the sitting part and which can be converted from a working position into a stowage position, and vice versa. The present invention particularly relates to the center seat of a row of seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Szegeny, Stefan Flucht, Guido Haladuda
  • Patent number: 7918507
    Abstract: A device for limiting the adjustability of a component, in particular, a vehicle seat is provided. The device has an adjustment range, running in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle wherein the adjustment range comprises a first forward partial range and a second rear partial range. If the component is adjusted to a functional position that is different from the normal position, the device limits the adjustability of the component to the first partial range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Schmale
  • Publication number: 20110074199
    Abstract: An adjustable seat for a vehicle includes a seat part that is moveable between a first seat position and a second seat position. The first seat position is spaced a first predetermined distance from a floor of the vehicle and the second seat position is spaced a second predetermined distance from the floor of the vehicle. A backrest pivotally connected to the seat part about a pivot axis. An adjusting device is operatively connected to the seat part for moving the seat part between the first seat position and the second seat position. The adjusting device includes an energy storage mechanism that exerts a variable first force on the seat part by pivoting the backrest from a folded over position to an upright position to move the seat part from the second seat position to the first seat position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Erik Sprenger, Stefan Heuel, Salih Yilmaz
  • Publication number: 20110062738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) comprising at least one first segment (3, 3?) with a seat part (6) as well as a second segment (2) with a seat part (5) and a backrest (4). The second segment can be stowed underneath the seat part (6) while the backrest (4) is collapsible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Miles Lindley, Joerg Tabellion, Ponnarasu Annal Ganesan, Michael Fahl, Raghu Balla
  • Patent number: 7870685
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of covering materials for use with a vehicle component, in particular for pieces of trim or vehicle seats, whereby the moisture content of the covering material is temporarily increased, such that the covering material is softened in a treatment chamber by the introduction of moisture and then smoothed by the action of a drawing force extending the covering material is disclosed. A vehicle component treated by the above method, in particular seats, roof linings, and trim pieces for motor vehicles is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Henry Wurm