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).

  • Publication number: 20140283636
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Markus Frommann, Heiko Betzen
  • Publication number: 20140239646
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Heiko Betzen, Markus Frommann
  • Publication number: 20140183899
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Markus FROMMANN, Heiko BETZEN
  • Publication number: 20140183898
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Heiko BETZEN, Markus FROMMANN
  • Publication number: 20140084620
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Markus FROMMANN, Heiko BETZEN
  • Patent number: 7905535
    Abstract: A fuel filler door unit for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a hinged arm embodied for mounting a fuel filler door, which is supported about a pivot axis so as to be pivotable, a locking section moved together with the fuel filler door and a locking element, which can be moved for locking and unlocking the fuel filler door by means of a control unit between a locking position, in which the locking element engages with the locking section, and a release position, in which the locking element does not engage with the locking section. The locking element and/or the locking section comprise a beveled surface, which is arranged in such a manner that the locking element and the locking section glide along one another in response to a closing motion of the fuel filler door during a state, in which the locking element is in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christian Zentner, Heiko Betzen
  • Publication number: 20090026794
    Abstract: A fuel filler door unit for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a hinged arm embodied for mounting a fuel filler door, which is supported about a pivot axis so as to be pivotable, a locking section moved together with the fuel filler door and a locking element, which can be moved for locking and unlocking the fuel filler door by means of a control unit between a locking position, in which the locking element engages with the locking section, and a release position, in which the locking element does not engage with the locking section. The locking element and/or the locking section comprise a beveled surface, which is arranged in such a manner that the locking element and the locking section glide along one another in response to a closing motion of the fuel filler door during a state, in which the locking element is in the locking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christian ZENTNER, Heiko BETZEN