Patents by Inventor BERND HERTHAN

BERND HERTHAN 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: 20230295977
    Abstract: The proposed solution in particular relates to a method for generating a haptic feedback on a vehicle part including an operating element that is accessible for a user for manual actuation, and in response to an electronically detected actuation of the operating element, a feedback haptically perceptible for the user is generated in that the vehicle part and the operating element is adjusted back and forth in a power-operated way or is put into vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE SE & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, BAMBERG
    Inventors: Florian POHL, Christian HERRMANN, Thomas LIEDTKE, Bernd HERTHAN, Christian WEIDENBACHER
  • Patent number: 11692386
    Abstract: A vehicle door arranged on a vehicle body and a device for manually and/or electromotively adjusting the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body including an output element moved on adjustment of the vehicle door and a switching device configured to switch between a coupling state and a freewheeling state, and a control device. The switching device configured to couple the output element to a further assembly in the coupling state and to disengage it from the further assembly in the freewheeling state such that the output element is movable with respect to the further assembly. At least one sensor device configured to detect a signal indicating an occupant's wish to get out of the vehicle, and configured to evaluate the signal for detecting an exit wish and actuate the switching device to switch into the coupling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Bernd Herthan, Alexander Müller, Stefan Bickel
  • Patent number: 11649660
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for integration into a vehicle door including a support element coupled to the vehicle door, a handle element arranged on the support element, and a radar apparatus arranged on the support element or on or in the handle element and configured to emit radar radiation and to receive reflected radar radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventors: Bernd Herthan, Bertram Bopp, Christoph Brueckner, Carsten Topf, Michael Richter, Sebastian Schoedel
  • Publication number: 20230018226
    Abstract: A system for providing contactless movement of a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body including an electric-motor movement device for moving the vehicle door, a radar sensor system for detecting, in the region of the vehicle door, a gesture to be performed by a user, and a control device for controlling the movement device according to a detection by the radar sensor system. The radar sensor system is configured to detect, in a first operating mode, a movement in a detection region in an environment of the vehicle door and to detect, in a second operating mode, a gesture for moving the vehicle door, the radar sensor system being configured to switch to the second operating mode when a movement is detected in the first operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Christian SCHMIDT, Bernd HERTHAN, Carsten TOPF
  • Patent number: 11536073
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly for use in a vehicle, including an adjustable part configured to move between an open position and a closed with respect to a vehicle body. The adjustable part may include an outer side and an inner side. At least a portion of the adjustable part may define an opening extending between the outer side and the inner side. The adjustment assembly may include an ultrasonic transmitter, disposed on either the adjustable part or the vehicle body and may be configured to emit a number of ultrasonic waves to an obstacle, and an ultrasonic receiver disposed on the inner side of the adjustable part and configured to receive the ultrasonic waves reflected from the obstacle through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Bernd Herthan, Manfred Stenzel, Christoph Brückner
  • Publication number: 20220364406
    Abstract: A method of operating a motorized flap arrangement of a motor vehicle, the flap arrangement including a flap, configured to be swiveled about a swivel axis, a drive arrangement, a drive controller, configured to control the drive arrangement, and a motion sensor arrangement, the sensor values determined by the motion sensor arrangement are checked for fulfillment of a specified actuation criterion, upon which an actuation effect manually exerted on the flap is deemed to be detected and the drive arrangement is controlled by the drive controller for motorized adjustment of the flap. The motion sensor arrangement arranged on a section of the flap facing away from the swivel axis. The actuation criterion is defined in such a way that the actuation criterion is fulfilled by a torque introduced into the flap before exceeding a breakaway torque of the flap kinematics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Bernd HERTHAN, Manfred STENZEL
  • Publication number: 20220307295
    Abstract: A decentralized control unit of a motor vehicle, the decentralized control unit having a communication controller, which when installed, communicates via an antenna arrangement with a wireless communication network external to the vehicle by means of a mobile communication standard in order to provide a peripheral function. According to the invention, the communication controller, when installed, generates digital data signals in a preprocessing routine from antenna signals received via the antenna arrangement, and communicates the data signals to a central control unit of the motor vehicle via a communication network internal to the motor vehicle for completion of the peripheral function there.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Thomas LIEDTKE, Bernd HERTHAN
  • Patent number: 11365576
    Abstract: An adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, in particular for an electromotively operated tailgate, having an adjustable part. A drive unit has a first drive train and a second drive train. Each drive train has a variable-length actuation part attached to the adjustable part. The actuation part is driven by an electric motor of the respective drive train. The first drive train has at least one sensor for detection of a position of a rotating part, and the second drive train has no more than one sensor for detection of a position of a rotating part. We also describe a drive unit of an adjustment drive of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Bernd Herthan, Bertram Bopp, Reinhold Hopf
  • Publication number: 20210396064
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a motorized flap arrangement of a motor vehicle, wherein the flap arrangement has a flap which is pivotable with respect to a motor vehicle body, wherein the flap arrangement has a back-driveable drive arrangement for the motorized adjustment of the flap and a control arrangement for controlling the drive arrangement. It is proposed that an, in particular gravitationally induced, predetermined flap deflection is detected by means of the control arrangement from a de-energized intermediate position of the flap in a monitoring routine and, in response to the detection of the predetermined flap deflection, a holding routine is triggered in which the drive arrangement is adjusted to a flap-holding position in a holding control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Bernd HERTHAN, Sebastian SCHÖDEL, Robert DICK
  • Publication number: 20210198935
    Abstract: A vehicle door arranged on a vehicle body and a device for manually and/or electromotively adjusting the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body including an output element moved on adjustment of the vehicle door and a switching device configured to switch between a coupling state and a freewheeling state, and a control device. The switching device configured to couple the output element to a further assembly in the coupling state and to disengage it from the further assembly in the freewheeling state such that the output element is movable with respect to the further assembly. At least one sensor device configured to detect a signal indicating an occupant's wish to get out of the vehicle, and configured to evaluate the signal for detecting an exit wish and actuate the switching device to switch into the coupling state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Bernd HERTHAN, Alexander MÜLLER, Stefan BICKEL
  • Patent number: 11021902
    Abstract: An adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, in particular for an electromotively operated tailgate, having an adjustable part. A drive unit has a first drive train and a second drive train. Each drive train has a variable-length actuation part attached to the adjustable part. The actuation part is driven by an electric motor of the respective drive train. The first drive train has at least one sensor for detection of a position of a rotating part, and the second drive train has no more than one sensor for detection of a position of a rotating part. We also describe a drive unit of an adjustment drive of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Bernd Herthan, Bertram Bopp, Reinhold Hopf
  • Publication number: 20210148153
    Abstract: An adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, in particular for an electromotively operated tailgate, having an adjustable part. A drive unit has a first drive train and a second drive train. Each drive train has a variable-length actuation part attached to the adjustable part. The actuation part is driven by an electric motor of the respective drive train. The first drive train has at least one sensor for detection of a position of a rotating part, and the second drive train has no more than one sensor for detection of a position of a rotating part. We also describe a drive unit of an adjustment drive of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: BERND HERTHAN, BERTRAM BOPP, REINHOLD HOPF
  • Publication number: 20200318402
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for integration into a vehicle door including a support element coupled to the vehicle door, a handle element arranged on the support element, and a radar apparatus arranged on the support element or on or in the handle element and configured to emit radar radiation and to receive reflected radar radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Bernd HERTHAN, Bertram BOPP, Christoph BRUECKNER, Carsten TOPF, Michael RICHTER, Sebastian SCHOEDEL
  • Publication number: 20200263476
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly for use in a vehicle, including an adjustable part configured to move between an open position and a closed with respect to a vehicle body. The adjustable part may include an outer side and an inner side. At least a portion of the adjustable part may define an opening extending between the outer side and the inner side. The adjustment assembly may include an ultrasonic transmitter, disposed on either the adjustable part or the vehicle body and may be configured to emit a number of ultrasonic waves to an obstacle, and an ultrasonic receiver disposed on the inner side of the adjustable part and configured to receive the ultrasonic waves reflected from the obstacle through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Bernd HERTHAN, Manfred STENZEL, Christoph BRÜCKNER
  • Patent number: 10662692
    Abstract: A door of a motor vehicle, in particular a tailgate, having a section made of a plastic, and having a metallic strut embedded in the section, and having an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer is acoustically coupled to the strut. An electromotor door drive of a motor vehicle is also provided as well as a metallic strut of a door of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Brueckner, Bernd Herthan
  • Patent number: 10613519
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a method for controlling a sliding door arrangement of a motor vehicle, wherein the sliding door arrangement comprises a sliding door, a drive arrangement for motorized displacement of the sliding door, a control arrangement and a sensor arrangement with at least one sensor element, in particular implemented as a proximity sensor, where-in during operator event monitoring by means of the control arrangement the sensor signals of the sensor arrangement are monitored as to whether a predetermined operator event exists. It is proposed that the sensor arrangement is disposed at least partly in or on the sliding door and that opening the sliding door at least from a closed end position and/or closing the sliding door at least from an open end position is/are carried out by means of the drive arrangement depending on the result of the operator event monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Bernd Herthan, Frank Ebert
  • Publication number: 20190305776
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor electrode for a capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor comprising an electrode wire arranged over different radial positions extending around a longitudinal axis of the wire carrier distributed in a cylinder peripheral surface of the wire carrier, and an elongated wire carrier including the electrode wire embedded in a portion of the elongated wire carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHA FT, BAMBERG
    Inventors: Bernd HERTHAN, Stefan HIELTSCHER, Markus KORDER, Florian POHL, Thomas WEINGAERTNER
  • Publication number: 20190242170
    Abstract: A door of a motor vehicle, in particular a tailgate, having a section made of a plastic, and having a metallic strut embedded in the section, and having an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer is acoustically coupled to the strut. An electromotor door drive of a motor vehicle is also provided as well as a metallic strut of a door of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellscha ft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Christoph BRUECKNER, Bernd HERTHAN
  • Publication number: 20190242727
    Abstract: A method of producing a proximity sensor, comprising integrating an electrode carrier with an electronics housing, forming an electronic housing via plastic injection moulding, embedding at least one capacitive sensor electrode into the electrode carrier, arranging a sensor electronics system in the electronics housing of the electrode carrier and inside the electronics housing, wherein the sensor electronic system is contact-connected to at least one capacitive sensor electrode, and supplying energy to the sensor electronic systems utilizing a plug element, wherein the plug element is configured to serve for contact connection to an energy source provided by the motor vehicle, wherein the energy source is produced separately from the electrode carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, BAMBERG
    Inventors: Bernd HERTHAN, Stefan HIELTSCHER, Markus KORDER, Florian POHL, Thomas WEINGAERTNER
  • Publication number: 20180245394
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for adjusting a first vehicle door which can be automatically adjusted between a closed position and an open position is used in a vehicle. To this end, the actuating apparatus has a capacitive distance sensor for detecting a movement of a person who is in the vicinity of the vehicle, and also has a control and evaluation unit. The control and evaluation unit is configured to identify a first door actuation request on the basis of the detected movement, and to trigger adjustment of the first vehicle door when the first door actuation request is identified. In this case, a sensor electrode of the capacitive distance sensor is arranged in a vehicle corner region which is associated with the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: BERND HERTHAN, DOMINIK HAGEL