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).
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Patent number: 11975576Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: WESTFALIA-Automotive GmbHInventors: Kay Angermann, Bernhard Sielhorst, Raphael Gringel
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Patent number: 11794705Abstract: 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 leastType: GrantFiled: November 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Bernhard Sielhorst, Stefan Röring
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Patent number: 11530004Abstract: 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 cType: GrantFiled: July 3, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Inventors: Kay Angermann, Martin Duker, Jürgen Peitz, Bernhard Sielhorst
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Patent number: 11512979Abstract: 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 rotatioType: GrantFiled: November 22, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Inventors: Bernhard Sielhorst, Stefan Röring
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Publication number: 20210354520Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2019Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Kay ANGERMANN, Bernhard SIELHORST, Raphael GRINGEL
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Publication number: 20210206217Abstract: 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 theType: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2019Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Kay ANGERMANN, Martin DUKER, Jürgen PEITZ, Bernhard SIELHORST
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Publication number: 20200331441Abstract: 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 leastType: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2018Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Bernhard SIELHORST, Stefan RÖRING
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Publication number: 20200292353Abstract: 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 rotatiType: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2018Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Bernhard SIELHORST, Stefan RÖRING
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Patent number: 10479151Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Westfalia-Automotive GmbHInventors: Rene Brinkmann, Bernhard Sielhorst, Tim Stockhaus
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Patent number: 10406872Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Rene Scheips, Bernhard Sielhorst
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Patent number: 10252589Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventor: Bernhard Sielhorst
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Publication number: 20190084362Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Bernhard SIELHORST, Hendrik Lotter
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Publication number: 20170334256Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2015Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: Westfalia-Automotive GmbHInventors: Rene Scheips, Bernhard Sielhorst, Tim Stockhaus
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Publication number: 20170305215Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2015Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Westfalia-Automotive GMBHInventors: Rene Scheips, Bernhard Sielhorst
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Publication number: 20170015163Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2015Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventor: Bernhard Sielhorst
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Patent number: 8596704Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbHInventors: Bernhard Sielhorst, Vincent Chevroton, Christophe Pignon
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Patent number: 8127495Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbHInventors: Bernhard Eckhardt, Bernhard Sielhorst, Enrico Schliwa, Harald Kollner
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Patent number: 8047602Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbHInventors: Bernhard Sielhorst, Eric Zimmerman
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Patent number: 7905517Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbHInventors: Tobias Melz, Björn Seipel, Bernhard Sielhorst, Eric Zimmerman
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Patent number: 7726074Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbHInventors: Harald Kollner, Enrico Schliwa, Bernhard Sielhorst, Bernhard Eckhardt