Patents by Inventor Bernhard Sielhorst

Bernhard Sielhorst 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).

  • Patent number: 11975576
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle may include a coupling element, which is mounted by a bearing so as to be movable between a usage position, in which for attachment of a trailer the coupling element projects rearwards in front of the rear of the motor vehicle, and a rest position, in which the coupling element is moved closer to the motor vehicle, wherein the bearing has a bearing base which is stationary relative to the motor vehicle and a bearing element which is movably mounted on the bearing base and supports the coupling element, wherein the trailer coupling has an electric drive motor by which the bearing element can be driven relative to the bearing base between the rest position and the usage position, and wherein the drive motor has a stator and an armature that is driven relative to the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: WESTFALIA-Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Kay Angermann, Bernhard Sielhorst, Raphael Gringel
  • Patent number: 11794705
    Abstract: A sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling or as a component of a towing vehicle coupling, with which a trailer vehicle, in particular a semi-trailer, can be coupled to a towing vehicle wherein the towing vehicle coupling has a coupling element for detachably coupling a coupling counter element, which are/can be secured to the towing vehicle and the trailer vehicle, and in the coupled state forming a joint, where they can rotate relative to one another about at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the sensor device has a follower, which is mounted on a bearing body where it can rotate relative to the coupling element about a follower rotational axis, which can rotate about the follower rotational axis by rotationally following the coupling counter element in a rotation about the at least one joint rotational axis, and which is for detecting a rotation of the coupling counter element relative to the coupling element about the at least one joint rotational axis, and wherein the sensor device has at least
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Sielhorst, Stefan Röring
  • Patent number: 11530004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling (60) or as a component of a towing vehicle coupling (60), with which a trailer vehicle (A), in particular a semitrailer, can be coupled to a towing vehicle (Z), in particular a truck, wherein the towing vehicle coupling (60) has a coupling element (61) for detachably coupling a coupling counter element (81), which are or can be secured to the towing vehicle (Z) and the trailer vehicle (A), and in the coupled state forming a joint (95), they can rotate relative to one another about at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the sensor device (610) has a follower (620), which is mounted such that it can rotate relative to the coupling element (61) about a follower rotational axis (M), and which can rotate about the follower rotational axis (M) by rotationally following the coupling counter element (81) during rotation about the at least one joint rotational axis for detecting a rotation of the coupling counter element (81) relative to the c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Kay Angermann, Martin Duker, Jürgen Peitz, Bernhard Sielhorst
  • Patent number: 11512979
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling or as a component of a towing vehicle coupling, in particular a fifth-wheel coupling, with which a trailer vehicle can be coupled to a towing vehicle wherein the towing vehicle coupling has a coupling element for detachably coupling to a coupling counter element, in particular a fifth-wheel king pin, wherein the coupling element is/can be secured to the towing vehicle and the coupling counter element is/can be secured to the trailer vehicle, and in the coupled state forming a joint, they can rotate relative to one another about at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the sensor device has a follower, mounted on a bearing body such that it can rotate about a follower rotational axis, for detecting a rotation of the coupling counter element relative to the coupling element about the at least one joint rotational axis wherein the follower can rotate about the follower rotational axis by rotationally following the coupling counter element in a rotatio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventors: Bernhard Sielhorst, Stefan Röring
  • Publication number: 20210354520
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle having may include a coupling element, which is mounted by a bearing so as to be movable between a usage position, in which for attachment of a trailer the coupling element projects rearwards in front of the rear of the motor vehicle, and a rest position, in which the coupling element is moved closer to the motor vehicle, wherein the bearing has a bearing base which is stationary relative to the motor vehicle and a bearing element which is movably mounted on the bearing base and supports the coupling element, wherein the trailer coupling has an electric drive motor by which the bearing element can be driven relative to the bearing base between the rest position and the usage position, and wherein the drive motor has a stator and an armature that is driven relative to the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Kay ANGERMANN, Bernhard SIELHORST, Raphael GRINGEL
  • Publication number: 20210206217
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling (60) or as a component of a towing vehicle coupling (60), with which a trailer vehicle (A), in particular a semi-trailer, can be coupled to a towing vehicle (Z), in particular a truck, wherein the towing vehicle coupling (60) has a coupling element (61) for detachably coupling a coupling counter element (81), which are or can be secured to the towing vehicle (Z) and the trailer vehicle (A), and in the coupled state forming a joint (95), they can rotate relative to one another about at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the sensor device (610) has a follower (620), which is mounted such that it can rotate relative to the coupling element (61) about a follower rotational axis (M), and which can rotate about the follower rotational axis (M) by rotationally following the coupling counter element (81) during rotation about the at least one joint rotational axis for detecting a rotation of the coupling counter element (81) relative to the
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Kay ANGERMANN, Martin DUKER, Jürgen PEITZ, Bernhard SIELHORST
  • Publication number: 20200331441
    Abstract: A sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling or as a component of a towing vehicle coupling, with which a trailer vehicle, in particular a semi-trailer, can be coupled to a towing vehicle wherein the towing vehicle coupling has a coupling element for detachably coupling a coupling counter element, which are/can be secured to the towing vehicle and the trailer vehicle, and in the coupled state forming a joint, where they can rotate relative to one another about at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the sensor device has a follower, which is mounted on a bearing body where it can rotate relative to the coupling element about a follower rotational axis, which can rotate about the follower rotational axis by rotationally following the coupling counter element in a rotation about the at least one joint rotational axis, and which is for detecting a rotation of the coupling counter element relative to the coupling element about the at least one joint rotational axis, and wherein the sensor device has at least
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Bernhard SIELHORST, Stefan RÖRING
  • Publication number: 20200292353
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling or as a component of a towing vehicle coupling, in particular a fifth-wheel coupling, with which a trailer vehicle can be coupled to a towing vehicle wherein the towing vehicle coupling has a coupling element for detachably coupling to a coupling counter element, in particular a fifth-wheel king pin, wherein the coupling element is/can be secured to the towing vehicle and the coupling counter element is/can be secured to the trailer vehicle, and in the coupled state forming a joint, they can rotate relative to one another about at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the sensor device has a follower, mounted on a bearing body such that it can rotate about a follower rotational axis, for detecting a rotation of the coupling counter element relative to the coupling element about the at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the follower can rotate about the follower rotational axis by rotationally following the coupling counter element in a rotati
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Bernhard SIELHORST, Stefan RÖRING
  • Patent number: 10479151
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle including a coupling arm for attaching a trailer or for carrying a load carrier, and including at least one sensor for detecting a deformation, caused by a load engaged on the bearing element, of a bearing element of the trailer coupling, wherein at least one recess is provided on the bearing element for the at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is provided for measuring a spacing of reference surfaces of the at least one recess. The reference surfaces move toward one another or away from one another during a deformation of the bearing element and extend in a transverse manner in relation to a support section of the bearing element which deforms during stress applied by the load and/or are free from a flow of forces through the support section of the bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Westfalia-Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rene Brinkmann, Bernhard Sielhorst, Tim Stockhaus
  • Patent number: 10406872
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle for attaching a trailer or for supporting a load carrier, including a coupling arm provided for coupling a coupling piece of the trailer or load carrier, and at least one sensor arranged on the coupling arm for detecting a deformation of the coupling arm caused by a load on the coupling arm. For the trailer coupling, at least one recess is provided on an outer circumferential contour of the coupling arm, in which or on which recess the at least one sensor is arranged or held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Rene Scheips, Bernhard Sielhorst
  • Patent number: 10252589
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a towing vehicle, having a coupling carrier, which includes, in particular, a coupling arm and at whose free end a coupling body, in particular, a coupling ball is arranged for connecting a trailer, and which coupling carrier is fixedly or movably arranged on a mount which is or can be attached to the towing vehicle, and having a sensor arrangement which has at least one sensor and has the purpose of sensing a traction force and/or thrust force which can be caused by a traction load acting on the coupling element during a traction operation of the trailer and of outputting a force signal representing the traction force and/or thrust force, and having an evaluation device for determining a trailer mass value of the trailer on the basis of the force signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard Sielhorst
  • Publication number: 20190084362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting element as a component of a motor vehicle trailer coupling or other trailer or a load carrier provided for coupling to a motor vehicle trailer coupling, wherein the supporting element (60-63) has at least one sensor (40) for sensing a deformation of the supporting element (60-63) by a load acting on the supporting element (60-63), wherein at least one recess (21, 121) for the at least one sensor (40) is provided on the supporting element (60-63), in the region of a supporting section (31; 331; 731), which deforms during the loading by the load, of the supporting element (60-63), wherein the at least one sensor (40) is provided for measuring a distance from reference areas (25, 26) of the at least one recess (21, 121).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Bernhard SIELHORST, Hendrik Lotter
  • Publication number: 20170334256
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle including a coupling arm for attaching a trailer or for carrying a load carrier, and including at least one sensor for detecting a deformation, caused by a load engaged on the bearing element, of a bearing element of the trailer coupling wherein at least one recess is provided on the bearing element for the at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is provided for measuring a spacing of reference surfaces of the at least one recess. The reference surfaces move toward one another or away from one another during a deformation of the bearing element and extend in a transverse manner in relation to a support section of the bearing element which deforms during stress applied by the load and/or are free from a flow of forces through the support section of the bearing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: Westfalia-Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rene Scheips, Bernhard Sielhorst, Tim Stockhaus
  • Publication number: 20170305215
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle for attaching a trailer or for supporting a load carrier, including a coupling arm provided for coupling a coupling piece of the trailer or load carrier, and at least one sensor arranged on the coupling arm for detecting a deformation of the coupling arm caused by a load on the coupling arm. For the trailer coupling, at least one recess is provided on an outer circumferential contour of the coupling arm, in which or on which recess the at least one sensor is arranged or held.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Westfalia-Automotive GMBH
    Inventors: Rene Scheips, Bernhard Sielhorst
  • Publication number: 20170015163
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a towing vehicle, having a coupling carrier, which includes, in particular, a coupling arm and at whose free end a coupling body, in particular, a coupling ball is arranged for connecting a trailer, and which coupling carrier is fixedly or movably arranged on a mount which is or can be attached to the towing vehicle, and having a sensor arrangement which has at least one sensor and has the purpose of sensing a traction force and/or thrust force which can be caused by a traction load acting on the coupling element during a traction operation of the trailer and of outputting a force signal representing the traction force and/or thrust force, and having an evaluation device for determining a trailer mass value of the trailer on the basis of the force signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Bernhard Sielhorst
  • Patent number: 8596704
    Abstract: A closure for a storage compartment of a motor vehicle including an electromagnet having an armature wherein the armature can by moved by excitation of the electromagnet, and wherein a movement of the armature can be transmitted to a locking element which, due to a restoring force of a spring, is in a locked position for the storage compartment when the electromagnet is not energized, a means for generating an electric current for exciting the electromagnet, and means for measuring the electric current flow used for exciting the electromagnet, wherein the means for generating the current are designed to control the electric current such that, after turning on the current after measuring when a maximum current is reached and subsequent dropping below said maximum current, the current is reduced to a predetermined minimum value, wherein the minimum value is such that the armature is held in its position against the spring force acting on the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Sielhorst, Vincent Chevroton, Christophe Pignon
  • Patent number: 8127495
    Abstract: A window lift system, especially for the side window of a motor vehicle, includes (i) a pulling device and (ii) a catch for a window pane, which can be moved up and down using the pulling device. The catch has a first fastening point for an upward pulling end of the pulling device and a second fastening point for a downward pulling end of the pulling device, which point is horizontally off-set from the first fastening point in the window pane plane when the window pane is fitted. The window lift system also includes (iii) an arrangement positioning and fixating the catch in terms of at least three degrees of freedom so that the catch can be maintained in a position that is defined in terms of the degrees of freedom even when the window pane is not yet fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Eckhardt, Bernhard Sielhorst, Enrico Schliwa, Harald Kollner
  • Patent number: 8047602
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorber for protection against side impact on a motor vehicle, which absorber is made of fiber material and has a cross-sectional profile comprising at least first, second, third and fourth flanks, wherein two consecutive flanks extend in opposite directions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Sielhorst, Eric Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7905517
    Abstract: The invention is a device for increasing occupant protection in a motor vehicle during a lateral impact, in which the energy input acts laterally on a partial area of the motor vehicle door wherein a motor vehicle seat is situated on the side of the motor vehicle door facing away from the energy input. The motor vehicle door is provided with an interior lining facing the motor vehicle seat and at least one partial area of the interior door lining is conveyable from an initial state into an extended state projecting by a drive unit into the motor vehicle interior. The drive unit is connected to the motor vehicle door and to the partial area of the interior door lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Melz, Björn Seipel, Bernhard Sielhorst, Eric Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7726074
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a window-winding arrangement (1) as well as a motor vehicle door containing this window-winding arrangement. The window-winding arrangement contains a drive means (5) as well as a guide means for the drive and for guiding a pane (2) belonging to the window-winding arrangement. The drive means and guide means is designed in a manner such that the drive force for movement is applied onto the pane such that this (4.1; 4.2) independently of its movement direction is always pressed against a certain guide edge (6c) of the guide means. With this it is rendered possible on manufacture of the window-winding arrangement to envisage greater tolerances as well as to do away with the costintensive installation of additional guide rails in the door inner space. Furthermore one achieves a reduction in friction as well as a reduction in weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Kollner, Enrico Schliwa, Bernhard Sielhorst, Bernhard Eckhardt