Patents Assigned to Kiekert AG
  • Patent number: 10738509
    Abstract: A latching system for a motor vehicle is formed of compact construction, that can manage with a small number of components and, enable bolting and/or opening the motor vehicle conveniently and quickly. The motor vehicle latching system is provided with an actuator and a drive for driving the actuator with a first acceleration and a second acceleration, whereby the actuator adjusts the latching system dependent on acceleration. If the drive accelerates the actuator sufficiently slow, the actuator moves the latching system into a first position. If the drive accelerates the actuator sufficiently quick, the actuator moves the latching system into a second position different from the first position. It is therefore adjusted by the drive dependent on the acceleration. Adjustment takes place quickly and especially conveniently without requiring an excessively large number of components. In particular, bolting and/or opening occurs in a motorized manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Robert S. Pettengill
  • Patent number: 10731386
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, comprising an external actuating lever (2), an inertial element (3), and a detent lever (4) which is preloaded by a spring element (6) and rotatably mounted on the inertial element (3), wherein said detent lever (4) is able to cooperate with a blocking contour arranged on a housing of the lock, wherein the external actuating lever (2) acts directly on the detent lever (4) and wherein a movement of the external actuating lever (2) can be blocked by an inertia of the inertial element (3) and the external actuating lever (2) cooperates with the detent lever (4) by way of a control contour (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Stephan Mittelbach
  • Patent number: 10683683
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a motor vehicle latch (1), in particular an electrically actuated flap latch, demonstrating a locking mechanism (11) comprising a catch (10) and at least one pawl, a triggering lever (9), whereby by means of the triggering lever (9) the locking mechanism (11) can be unlocked, a closure device (8), whereby by means of the closure device (8) the locking mechanism (11) can be transferred at least from a pre-ratchet position into a main ratchet position and the closure device (8) demonstrates a spindle drive (4), whereby a functional position (N, O, Z) of the spindle drive (4) can be recorded by sensors, and whereby the spindle drive (4) demonstrates a spindle nut (5) and the spindle nut (5) interacts with an activation device (6) in such a way that using a sensor (7) at least a functional position (N, O, Z) of the spindle nut (5) can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Robert J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10676961
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (1), comprising a lock housing (2), a lock plate, adjusting means (3, 4) which are received in the lock housing (2) and/or on the lock plate such that they can move, particularly swivel in at least in some regions, the adjusting means (3, 4) being positionable in at least two different positions (L1, L2), a spring element (5, 6), said spring element (5, 6) cooperating with the adjusting means (3, 4) in such a way that the spring element (5, 6) holds the adjusting means (3, 4) in the respective position (L1, L2), and the spring element (5, 6) being attached to the adjusting means (3, 4) such that the adjusting means (3, 4) can move together with the spring element (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Weichsel, Ömer Inan
  • Patent number: 10669753
    Abstract: A motor vehicle latch with a catch and a pawl for a latching of the catch which is pivotably mounted on a latch plate or a latch case, whereby only the catch and the pawl are pivotably mounted as rigid-shaped, power-transmitted latch components of the motor vehicle latch in the same first rotational level on the latch plate or on the latch case, whereby in a system with at least two such motor vehicle latches each catch and each pawl are mounted at the same position on the latch plate or the latch case and the at least two motor vehicle latches demonstrate differently arranged screwing points in the latch plate or the latch case for screwing of one of each motor vehicle latch to a motor vehicle. This facilitates especially great flexibility with regard to the varying arrangements of the screwing points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Yuhui Liu
  • Patent number: 10662681
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a locking mechanism for a lock, which can be opened quietly. To achieve this aim, a lock is proposed comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch, a locking pawl for locking the rotary latch in a detent position and a braking pawl which initially can brake a rotary motion of the rotary latch that occurs after or during a movement of the locking pawl out of its detent position. Opening sounds can be reduced by means of this initial braking action. The lock also comprises a driving dog mechanism with a translatory action that can lift the braking pawl out of its braking position. This ensures that the braking pawl is moved out of its braking position in a reliable manner so that the lock can be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Carsten Fuchs, Pavol Sedlar
  • Patent number: 10662683
    Abstract: A motor vehicle latch includes a retaining device which retains the pawl in its starting position with particular reliability during an opening process. The motor vehicle latch includes a locking mechanism encompassing a catch and a pawl for ratcheting of the catch. A retaining device is present which retains the pawl in its non-ratcheting starting position during opening. The retaining device encompasses a spring with an elastically rotated leg and a spring lever mounted thereon which can retain the pawl in its starting position during opening due to the elastic torsion. The pawl is retained in its starting position during opening with the aid of the spring lever and consequently with the aid of a torsional moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert S. Pettengill, Ruben Reyna
  • Patent number: 10648202
    Abstract: A locking device and method for locking the locking device includes a lock for a door or a hatch for a hood of a motor vehicle. The lock having includes a locking mechanism that has a rotary latch and at least one pawl for blocking the rotary latch. The locking device includes a drive which allows the locking mechanism to be moved in such a way that a door gap or hatch gap can be narrowed in the closed state of the door or hatch. The lock is an electric lock that includes an electric drive which allows the locking mechanism to be brought into the main blocking position of the locking mechanism and/or allows the lock to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer
  • Patent number: 10604975
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a reversible activation unit for the alternate impingement of two separate motor vehicle functional elements (1, 2), in particular two motor vehicle door latches (1, 2). The activation unit possesses a single motor (3, 4) and two connecting elements (8, 10). The motor (3, 4) impinges either the distanced first functional element (1) via the connecting element (8) or the distanced second functional element (2) via the second connecting element (10) dependent on its working direction. According to the invention, the first connecting element (8) is connected to a first lever (7) and the second connecting element (10) to a second lever (9). The respective lever (7, 9) is impinged dependent on the working direction of the motor (3, 4) which preferably works in a linear manner. Furthermore, the two levers (7, 9) are connected via an interposed spring (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Robert J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10597911
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle locking mechanism and to a motor vehicle locking mechanism, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a control unit, at least one electric drive that can be controlled by the control unit, and at least one illuminant that can be associated with the locking mechanism, the illuminant being controllable in accordance with a status of the locking mechanism and/or of a vehicle component accommodating the locking mechanism, said status being detectable by the control unit, the illuminant being integrated into a switching circuit of the electric drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Thorsten Nottebaum
  • Patent number: 10584520
    Abstract: The problem addressed by the invention is to devise a method for closing a motor vehicle hood which makes it possible to minimize a gap between the hood and the vehicle body. This should in particular make it possible to keep the risk of injuries low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer, Omar Inan, Thomas Hulsmann
  • Patent number: 10562381
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive of a sliding door of a motor vehicle comprising an electric drive unit (2), a drive cable (10) and a guide (3) for the drive cable (10). Said drive unit (2), the drive cable (10) and the guide (3) are fixed in the vehicle body (K) and the sliding door can be moved by means of the drive cable (10) with respect to the vehicle body. At least one sub-assembly (33) of the guide (3) of the drive cable (10) is modular and the drive cable (10) can be deflected by the modular sub-assembly (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Rainer Haubs, Rainhard Chilla
  • Patent number: 10526819
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door lock or flap lock comprising a locking mechanism that has a rotary latch and a pawl for locking the rotary latch. Said type of lock is also described in DE 103 20 457 A 1. The aim of the invention is to provide a lock with a position securing system with low technical complexity. Said aim is achieved by a lock with a locking mechanism comprising a rotary latch and a pawl for locking the rotary latch. The lock comprises a position securing system for a locking or anti-theft device. A spring is used for securing the position. Said spring is embodied as a dual-acting clamping spring. A tilting mechanism tilts a slot thus securing the position of the slot if excessively accelerated. As a result, an undesired movement of the slot is inhibited and the position thereof is thus improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Bernardo Erices, Nicolas Cavalie, Madhu S. Basavarajappa
  • Patent number: 10525908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle system, in particular a motor vehicle latching system encompassing a locking mechanism with a catch and a pawl, where the motor vehicle system encompasses a cable duct 1 for the conducting of a cable 4, 5 through a sheet metal aperture, whereby the cable duct 1 is formed of a single component and has a first exit aperture 2 for a first cable 4 and a second exit aperture 3 for a second cable 5, which are designed in such a way that the first cable 4 and the second cable 5 cannot come into contact with one another when exiting the cable duct 1. Undesired noise formation can thus be counteracted in an improved manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Octavian Cimpean, Michael Uhrin, John Kachnowski, Brad Edgar
  • Patent number: 10519699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock having a locking mechanism comprising a rotary latch and a pawl for locking the rotary latch in a locked position of the lock. An identification device for identifying a position of a moving component of the lock is provided. The identification device comprises a spring which is fitted to the component. The spring opens or closes an electrical circuit when the component and the spring which is connected to said component are moved. In this way, positions of the locking mechanism can be reliably determined, without having to worry about fatigue of the spring and associated problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Armin Handke, Milan Koubek
  • Patent number: 10508478
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control unit (1, 12), comprising a control element (4, 15), particularly for a closing drive of a motor vehicle lock. Said control unit comprises a housing (2, 13), a drive unit, and a spindle gear unit having a spindle nut and a spindle (3, 14). Said spindle gear unit can be driven by the drive unit and the control element (4, 15) can be moved by means of the spindle (3, 14), the control element (4, 15) having a means for guiding the control element (4, 15) in the housing (2, 13) so that the control element (4, 15) can be prevented from rotating about an axis of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Claus Töpfer, Andreas Kind, Jan Stötzer
  • Patent number: 10472863
    Abstract: The invention concerns a lock, in particular for a motor vehicle bonnet extending horizontally at least in sections, with a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch (16) and a retaining pawl (1) for locking the rotary latch (16), with a release lever (2) for opening the locking mechanism, and with an accumulator lever (10) for temporarily holding the retaining pawl (1) in its open position while the locking mechanism is being opened, the accumulator lever (10) taking the form of a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Radek Mazal, Jan Zejda
  • Patent number: 10464453
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat includes at least a seat area, a backrest and, if necessary, a headrest as seat elements. The motor vehicle seat includes at least one detachable bolting unit assigned to the seat area and/or the backrest. Furthermore, at least one handle is provided to act on the bolting unit(s). The seat elements can assume several different functional positions. The single handle is arranged to act on at least an electrical drive assigned to the bolting unit(s) and thus to execute all functional positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Scott Brown, Andrew Barta
  • Patent number: 10443277
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock for a fuel tank cap or tailboard in a vehicle, comprising a locking bolt (1) which can be adjusted between an open and a closed position by opening and closing the cap or tailboard. Said fuel tank cap lock, in the housing (2) of the lock, is positively driven counter to the force of a compression spring (4) in the direction of its longitudinal axis (6) and about its longitudinal axis (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Madhu Basavarajappa, Hendrik Wahmann
  • Patent number: 10407951
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, comprising a lock housing, a lock case, a locking mechanism and an operating device, wherein at least one component of the operating device extends through an opening in the lock housing and said opening is designed with at least one reinforcing insert. The main area of the plate or the metal sheet from which the lock case is made is basically relatively large. In light of this, it has proved advantageous to form the reinforcing insert from the lock case. Waste is thus avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Klaus Götzen, Alexander Grossmann, Dorothea Müller