Patents by Inventor Heiko Betzen
Heiko Betzen 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: 10533352Abstract: A push to release fuel filler door assembly for a motor vehicle includes a door on the exterior of the vehicle having a latch that cooperates with a spring biased plunger which rotates and translates axially. The plunger includes radially extending pins which are received in complementary helical tracks on the inner surface of an inner housing. The tracks define a closed path having a first segment, in which the pins travel while the fuel door is being closed, a second segment in which they travel while the fuel door is opening and a latching recess between the first and second segments in which the pins reside when the door is closed. The inner housing typically includes three segments or sections and is, in turn, received and retained within an outer housing which mounts on a fuel door inlet assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Heiko Betzen, Dirk Rainer Lungershausen, Markus Frommann
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Patent number: 10336183Abstract: A fuel door arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a filler neck compartment, a fuel door and a pivot arm carrying the fuel door. The pivot arm is coupled to the filler neck compartment and can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position about a pivoting axis. The fuel door can be radially displaced on the pivot arm relative to the pivoting axis. The fuel door at least sectionally closes the filler neck compartment in a closed position. The filler neck compartment is sufficiently revealed for refueling the motor vehicle when the fuel door is in an open position.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko Betzen, Markus Frommann, Klaus Gerst, Philipp Huse
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Publication number: 20190119960Abstract: A push to release fuel filler door assembly for a motor vehicle includes a door on the exterior of the vehicle having a latch that cooperates with a spring biased plunger which rotates and translates axially. The plunger includes radially extending pins which are received in complementary helical tracks on the inner surface of an inner housing. The tracks define a closed path having a first segment, in which the pins travel while the fuel door is being closed, a second segment in which they travel while the fuel door is opening and a latching recess between the first and second segments in which the pins reside when the door is closed. The inner housing typically includes three segments or sections and is, in turn, received and retained within an outer housing which mounts on a fuel door inlet assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Heiko Betzen, Dirk Rainer Lungershausen, Markus Frommann
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Publication number: 20180154768Abstract: A fuel door arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a filler neck compartment, a fuel door and a pivot arm carrying the fuel door. The pivot arm is coupled to the filler neck compartment and can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position about a pivoting axis. The fuel door can be radially displaced on the pivot arm relative to the pivoting axis. The fuel door at least sectionally closes the filler neck compartment in a closed position. The filler neck compartment is sufficiently revealed for refueling the motor vehicle when the fuel door is in an open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko Betzen, Markus Frommann, Klaus Gerst, Philipp Huse
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Publication number: 20170297427Abstract: A flap for a motor vehicle is disclosed which has a side with an actuating region for manually unlocking the flap. An indicator is provided for optically indicating the actuating region on the flap.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Markus FROMMANN, Heiko BETZEN
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Patent number: 9776504Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a sealing unit such a fuel tank cap for a tank unit of a motor vehicle. The sealing unit includes a cover element that can be arranged on or at least partially in an opening of a tank component of the motor vehicle such that it seals the opening of the tank component in an at least fluid-tight fashion. An actuator is arranged on an outer side of the cover element that faces away from the opening. In a non-actuated, normal position rests, flat against the outer side of the cover element. The actuator can be transferred into a gripping position, in which it at least partially extends oblique or transverse to the outer side of the cover element.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko Betzen, Markus Frommann
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Patent number: 9682619Abstract: A flap arrangement for a motor vehicle is disclosed which includes a flap, and more specifically a tank flap, a plunger on which the flap is rotatably mounted, and a base, and more particularly a tank trough on which the plunger is shiftably mounted in a projection direction (A).Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko Betzen, Markus Frommann, Klaus Gerst, Marco Haupt
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Patent number: 9662973Abstract: A motor vehicle filler inlet compartment lid arrangement is disclosed. A filler inlet compartment lid is mounted so that it can swivel around a lid axis relative to a vehicle body. A filler module with at least one filler passage for filling up the motor vehicle is joined with the filler inlet compartment lid so that it can swivel relative to the vehicle body between a use and non-use position.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko Betzen, Markus Frommann
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Patent number: 9656544Abstract: A flap arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle with a moveably mounted flap that is in particular a preloaded tank flap, a holder for fixing the flap, an actuator for actuating the holder, and a switch for selectively operating the actuator. The actuator is equipped in order to actuate the holder for fixing and for releasing the flap.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Markus Frommann, Heiko Betzen
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Patent number: 9359796Abstract: A locking arrangement for a pivotable lid of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The locking arrangement includes an axially displaceable guided bolt which releasably engages with the lid. A rotatably mounted rocker is coupled to the bolt. A slotted link guide is arranged on a circumferential side of the rocker about its axis of rotation. The slotted link guide has a channel and a sliding element which is guided therein. The channel has an engagement position and counteracts movement of the sliding element out of the engagement position against a predetermined passage direction. The locking arrangement can be alternately brought into and out of engagement with the lid through successive axial displacements in order to lock or unlock the lid.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko Betzen, Markus Frommann
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Publication number: 20160016464Abstract: A motor vehicle filler inlet compartment lid arrangement is disclosed. A filler inlet compartment lid is mounted so that it can swivel around a lid axis relative to a vehicle body. A filler module with at least one filler passage for filling up the motor vehicle is joined with the filler inlet compartment lid so that it can swivel relative to the vehicle body between a use and non-use position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko BETZEN, Markus FROMMANN
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Publication number: 20150291024Abstract: A flap arrangement for a motor vehicle is disclosed which includes a flap, and more specifically a tank flap, a plunger on which the flap is rotatably mounted, and a base, and more particularly a tank trough on which the plunger is shiftably mounted in a projection direction (A).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko BETZEN, Markus FROMMANN, Klaus GERST, Marco HAUPT
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Patent number: 9151367Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuator element for a motor vehicle cover. The actuator element includes a plunger, which is axially guided on a guide. A slotted link guide with a sliding element and a control surface for guiding the sliding element, positively couple the plunger and the guide. A spring element, elastically couple the plunger and the guide in axial and rotational direction. The control surface includes a first loading section for rotating the plunger as a consequence of an axial movement in closing direction subject to axial and rotational loading of the spring element.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Markus Frommann, Heiko Betzen
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Patent number: 9139085Abstract: A flap arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle, with a movably mounted flap that is in particular preloaded, in particular a tank flap, a holder for fixing the flap, an actuator for actuating the holder, and an actuator for actuating the actuator. The actuator is equipped in order to actuate the holder for fixing and for releasing the flap.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Markus Frommann, Heiko Betzen
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Publication number: 20150224872Abstract: A flap arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle with a moveably mounted flap that is in particular a preloaded tank flap, a holder for fixing the flap, an actuator for actuating the holder, and a switch for selectively operating the actuator. The actuator is equipped in order to actuate the holder for fixing and for releasing the flap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Markus FROMMANN, Heiko BETZEN
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Patent number: 9033391Abstract: A flap assembly is provided for a motor vehicle, with a base, in particular a prestressed flap, in particular a fuel filler flap, which is movably mounted relative to the base in a closing direction, and exhibits a latching element with a stop, which in a closing position engages a counter-stop of the base from the back, so as to counteract an opening of the flap opposite the closing direction, and a movable unlocking element, which in an unlocking position counteracts an engagement of the counter-stop by the stop from the back.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Markus Frommann, Heiko Betzen
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Publication number: 20150090713Abstract: A fuel filler door module for installation in a motor vehicle is provided with a trough body that can be placed in a vehicle body along with a fuel filler door pivoted to the trough body. The trough body exhibits an axial through opening for accommodating a fuel filler neck, and a radially outwardly projecting fastening edge for attachment to the motor vehicle body. The fastening edge has a flexible sealing element arranged on it with a first sealing section that forms a sealing abutment against an interior side of the fuel filler door, extends in the radial direction and can be deformed in an axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Heiko Betzen, Anett Kilian
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Patent number: 8926004Abstract: A trough module is provided for attachment to the body of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, which can be sealed by a cover that can be locked by a bolt. The trough module exhibits a wall with a passage opening through which the bolt can pass. The passage opening incorporates a seal, which is molded, in particular injection molded, with the wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Heiko Betzen, Markus Frommann
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Publication number: 20140367384Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a sealing unit such a fuel tank cap for a tank unit of a motor vehicle. The sealing unit includes a cover element that can be arranged on or at least partially in an opening of a tank component of the motor vehicle such that it seals the opening of the tank component in an at least fluid-tight fashion. An actuator is arranged on an outer side of the cover element that faces away from the opening. In a non-actuated, normal position rests, flat against the outer side of the cover element. The actuator can be transferred into a gripping position, in which it at least partially extends oblique or transverse to the outer side of the cover element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko Betzen, Markus Frommann
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Publication number: 20140312627Abstract: A locking arrangement for a pivotable flap or cover on a motor vehicle is disclosed. The cover locking arrangement includes a slotted link element with a control groove, a holding element with a sliding element and a torsion element. The control groove has a first loading section, through which upon an axial displacement of the sliding element guided in the control groove in a closing direction, slotted link element and holding element are rotated against one another subject to loading the torsion element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Markus Frommann, Heiko Betzen