Patents by Inventor Christian MERGL

Christian MERGL 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: 20230299653
    Abstract: An actuator includes an electric motor having a stator and a rotor that can be rotated relative to the stator about an axis of rotation (D). The stator comprises an inner stator part, a first outer stator part and a second outer stator part, wherein the inner stator part, the first outer stator part and the second outer stator part are aligned with one another along the axis of rotation (D) and the inner stator part forms an arrangement of first inner stator poles on a first side axially facing the first outer stator part, and forms an arrangement of second inner stator poles on a second side axially facing the second outer stator part, wherein the first inner stator poles and the second inner stator poles are integrally connected to one another as a single piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE SE & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Timo WITZEL, Dominik BRIETZ, Alexander KIFER, Helmut PFALZGRAF, Uwe SOMMER, Thomas SUSEMIHL, Christian MERGL
  • Patent number: 11639127
    Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement, a control device in the seat arrangement, and a method for activating a plurality of massage units integrated in a vehicle seat, including the following steps: playing back an acoustic entertainment signal by means of a playback device of a vehicle; and controlling the plurality of massage units based on the acoustic entertainment signal by means of the control device; in which at least one of the plurality of massage units is activated so as to vibrate in a frequency range, in which the at least one of the plurality of massage units only brings about noise emission which is externally imperceptible to a person other than a person sitting on the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG (Coburg)
    Inventors: Christian Mergl, Wojciech Falinski, Christian Karl, Martin Juergenliemk, Wolfgang Uebel, Christian Herrmann, Florian Pohl
  • Publication number: 20230008478
    Abstract: A console element for a vehicle, with a top assembly, a bottom assembly and an adjustment assembly, wherein the top assembly is adjustable along an adjustment axis with respect to the bottom assembly via the adjustment assembly, and the adjustment assembly has a first adjustment element, which is coupled at one end to the top assembly, and a second adjustment element, which is coupled at one end to the bottom assembly, wherein the first adjustment element is coupled pivotably to the second adjustment element at a common coupling point. The first adjustment element and the second adjustment element project in each case with a further, free end beyond the coupling point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Wojciech FALINSKI, Christian MERGL, Marcel SCHIEBER
  • Publication number: 20220371494
    Abstract: A rest device for a vehicle, including a support and an element that adjustable relative to the support. In addition, a drive unit including a drive motor is provided, which can be activated for the motor-driven adjusting of the element relative to the support, the drive unit being designed such that the element can be adjusted relative to the support both manually and using a motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Christian MERGL, Wojciech FALINSKI, Marcel SCHIEBER
  • Publication number: 20220169161
    Abstract: A console for a motor vehicle, having a base part to be arranged on a vehicle floor, a structural part arranged on the side of the base part that faces away from the vehicle floor, and an adjustment mechanism by means of which the structural part is adjustably connected to the base part such that the distance of the structural part from the vehicle floor can be adjusted. A spindle drive is provided for actuating the adjustment mechanism. A second aspect relates to a motor vehicle assembly having a seat adjustment unit by means of which a height of at least one vehicle seat relative to a vehicle floor can be adjusted. The seat adjustment unit is coupled with an adjustment mechanism of the console.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Christian MERGL, Uwe SOMMER, Luca JOSEPH, Sebastian GIESE, Marcel SCHIEBER, Wojciech FALINSKI
  • Patent number: 11241988
    Abstract: A vehicle seat element, in particular seat pan, backrest or seat headrest, having a cushion facing a vehicle occupant, a covering and at least one vibration massage unit, arranged underneath the covering in a recess in the cushion and consists of an electric drive and a driven unbalanced mass, arranged at one end of the elongate vibration massage unit, characterised in that the vibration massage unit is supported in the recess only at points, in lines and/or in small areas and is spaced from the end of the vibration massage unit at which the unbalanced mass is arranged, and the substantial portion of the walls of the recess is spaced from the vibration massage unit. An insert element for a vehicle seat element of this type, a cushion for a vehicle seat element of this type, and a method for producing a vehicle seat element of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Christian Mergl, Wojciech Falinski, Marcel Schieber
  • Publication number: 20210316646
    Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement, a control device in the seat arrangement, and a method for activating a plurality of massage units integrated in a vehicle seat, including the following steps: playing back an acoustic entertainment signal by means of a playback device of a vehicle; and controlling the plurality of massage units based on the acoustic entertainment signal by means of the control device; in which at least one of the plurality of massage units is activated so as to vibrate in a frequency range, in which the at least one of the plurality of massage units only brings about noise emission which is externally imperceptible to a person other than a person sitting on the vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Christian MERGL, Wojciech FALINSKI, Christian KARL, Martin JUERGENLIEMK, Wolfgang UEBEL, Christian HERRMANN, Florian POHL
  • Publication number: 20210228440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for activating motors of a massage device provided in a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, wherein the activation of the motors is performed by a control unit on the basis of an acoustic entertainment signal, wherein a first motor and a second motor are activated as a pair, and wherein the activation of the motors of the pair is performed alternately. The invention further relates to a control unit, which is designed to control at least one pair of motors according to a method according to the invention, and to a seat arrangement for carrying out such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Christian MERGL, Wojciech FALINSKI, Wolfgang UEBEL, Christian KARL, Peter HORN, Stefan BICKEL, Alexander MUELLER, Martin JUERGENLIEMK
  • Patent number: 11046225
    Abstract: A method for activating massage units in a seat, a control device for carrying out the method, and seat arrangement are described. One method for activating massage units in a seat, in particular in a vehicle seat, includes playing back an acoustic entertainment signal, in particular a piece of music, by means of a playback device, in particular an entertainment system of a vehicle. The method further includes controlling massage units integrated in the seat based on the acoustic entertainment signal by means of a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG (Coburg)
    Inventors: Christian Mergl, Wojciech Falinski, Christian Karl, Martin Juergenliemk, Wolfgang Uebel, Christian Herrmann, Florian Pohl
  • Patent number: 10960788
    Abstract: It is provided an adjusting device for a seat element of a vehicle seat, the strength structure of said seat element being connected to a guide device which substantially oriented in a first spatial direction and on which a support and a slide are arranged in a longitudinally adjustable manner relative to each other by means of a first drive device. A support lever which changes the contour of the seat element and which is hinged to the support and a toggle lever which is hinged to the slide and to the support lever via a connection joint are pivotable about axes which are oriented in a second spatial direction running perpendicularly to the first spatial direction and pivot on a plane defined by the first spatial direction and a third spatial direction running perpendicularly to the first and second spatial direction when the first drive device is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Christian Andres, Sebastian Eichhorn, Florian Schmieder, Christian Mergl, Hans-Joerg Birkefeld
  • Publication number: 20200324677
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a motor (20) of a massage unit (2) provided in a seat (10), in particular a vehicle seat, wherein the control is undertaken based on a primary signal (4) and a secondary signal, wherein the primary signal is an entertainment signal and wherein the secondary signal is based on at least one state parameter of the motor. The invention further relates to a control device, which is designed to control the motor according to such a method, and to a seat arrangement having a seat, having a motor provided in the seat, and having such a control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Christian MERGL, Wojciech FALINSKI, Wolfgang UEBEL, Christian KARL, Christian HERRMANN, Martin JUERGENLIEMK
  • Patent number: 10766499
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle system, in particular a vehicle seat system, having at least one vibration unit which is configured and disposed to generate vibrations perceptible for a passenger of a motor vehicle, based on real current drive parameters of the motor vehicle. The present invention further relates to a method for controlling and the use of at least one vibration unit of a vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Christian Mergl, Wojciech Falinski
  • Publication number: 20200139870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for activating massage units in a seat, in particular in a vehicle seat, comprising the following steps: playing back an acoustic entertainment signal, in particular a piece of music, by means of a playback device, in particular an entertainment system of a vehicle; controlling massage units integrated in the seat based on the acoustic entertainment signal by means of a control device. The present invention also relates to a control device for carrying out a method of this kind, and to a corresponding seat arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Christian Mergl, Wojciech Falinski, Christian Karl, Martin Juergenliemk, Wolfgang Uebel, Christian Herrmann, Florian Pohl
  • Publication number: 20190248262
    Abstract: Method for controlling massage units of a massage apparatus arranged in a seat in a vehicle for massaging an occupant, comprising the following method steps: controlling massage units integrated in the seat based on an audio entertainment signal; and changing an intensity of the massage provided by the massage units based on the basis of the entertainment signal in a manner adapted to current operating information relating to the vehicle. A seat arrangement for a vehicle or in a vehicle for carrying out such a method is also involved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHA KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Christian MERGL, Gregor KROENER
  • Publication number: 20190217763
    Abstract: A vehicle seat element, in particular seat pan, backrest or seat headrest, having a cushion facing a vehicle occupant, a covering and at least one vibration massage unit, arranged underneath the covering in a recess in the cushion and consists of an electric drive and a driven unbalanced mass, arranged at one end of the elongate vibration massage unit, characterised in that the vibration massage unit is supported in the recess only at points, in lines and/or in small areas and is spaced from the end of the vibration massage unit at which the unbalanced mass is arranged, and the substantial portion of the walls of the recess is spaced from the vibration massage unit. An insert element for a vehicle seat element of this type, a cushion for a vehicle seat element of this type, and a method for producing a vehicle seat element of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Christian MERGL, Wojciech FALINSKI, Marcel SCHIEBER
  • Publication number: 20190143848
    Abstract: It is provided an adjusting device for a seat element of a vehicle seat, the strength structure of said seat element being connected to a guide device which substantially oriented in a first spatial direction and on which a support and a slide are arranged in a longitudinally adjustable manner relative to each other by means of a first drive device. A support lever which changes the contour of the seat element and which is hinged to the support and a toggle lever which is hinged to the slide and to the support lever via a connection joint are pivotable about axes which are oriented in a second spatial direction running perpendicularly to the first spatial direction and pivot on a plane defined by the first spatial direction and a third spatial direction running perpendicularly to the first and second spatial direction when the first drive device is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaf Coburg
    Inventors: Christian ANDRES, Sebastian EICHHORN, Florian SCHMIEDER, Christian MERGL, Hans-Joerg BIRKEFELD
  • Publication number: 20190092204
    Abstract: A method for operating an electromotive massage device of a seat, in particular of a motor vehicle, comprising a massage drive having an electric motor. The electric motor is energized, and a torque of the electric motor is detected, and a first reference value is calculated therefrom. Based on the first reference value, the occupancy of at least one section of the seat is determined. An electromotive massage device of a seat and a seat of a motor vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg.
    Inventors: Christian MERGL, Thomas WEINGAERTNER, Peter HORN, Alexander MUELLER, Stefan BICKEL, Matthias MARKERT, Uwe SOMMER, Sebastian DORSCH
  • Publication number: 20190077289
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a massage device for a vehicle seat, comprising: a number of massage units which can be integrated in upholstery of a vehicle seat; a control device which is designed to activate the massage units, or a central connector which provides a connection for controlling the massage units; at least one connection apparatus which couples the massage units to the control device; wherein the control device or the central connector and/or the massage units and/or the connection apparatus comprise(s) means for ensuring that at least the massage units are installed in a manner that is unique in terms of position and/or orientation. The present invention also relates to a vehicle seat comprising a massage device of this kind, and to a method for producing a vehicle seat of this kind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Christian Mergl, Wojciech Falinski, Gregor Kröner
  • Publication number: 20190016347
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle system, in particular a vehicle seat system, having at least one vibration unit which is configured and disposed to generate vibrations perceptible for a passenger of a motor vehicle, based on real current drive parameters of the motor vehicle. The present invention further relates to a method for controlling and the use of at least one vibration unit of a vehicle system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Christian Mergl, Wojciech Falinski
  • Publication number: 20180036198
    Abstract: It is provided a massage device for a vehicle seat having at least one massage element, which moves a contact surface of the vehicle seat by means of an electromechanical actuator for the purpose of massaging a person in the vehicle seat. The massage element has a spring element, whereof the shape can be altered with respect to the contact surface of the vehicle seat by a restoring element containing the electromechanical actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Christian MERGL, Jochen HOFMANN, Christoph SINGER, Ulf HARTMANN, Gregor KROENER