Patents by Inventor Jochen Hofmann

Jochen Hofmann 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: 20240017646
    Abstract: It is provided a vehicle seat, with a backrest which is rigidly coupled to a seat part so that a pivotal movement of the backrest about a rear pivot axis, via which an inclination of the backrest can be adjusted, always is accompanied by a corresponding pivotal movement of the seat part. There is provided a pan adjusting device via which a seat pan part can be pivoted relative to the seat part about a seat part pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Jochen HOFMANN, Erik LUTHER, Marcel AMSTEIN
  • Patent number: 11872914
    Abstract: A fitting arrangement for a vehicle seat including two fitting parts adjustable relative to each other about an adjustment axis and forming a bearing space, a locking element disposed in the bearing space on one of the two fitting parts and radially adjustable with respect to the adjustment axis between an unlocking position, in which the two fitting parts are pivotable relative to each other and a locking position, in which the two fittings parts are non-rotatably locked to each other, and at least one adjuster part pivotally mounted within the bearing space for adjusting the locking element between the unlocking position and the locking position. The at least one adjuster part mounted on a bush element on which a cover element is provided for sealing the bearing space and attached axially with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Jürgen Schukalski, Jochen Hofmann, Peter Hausmann
  • Patent number: 11845369
    Abstract: An upholstery unit (28) for a seat of a motor vehicle has bar-form upholstery elements (30) that can be displaced relative to one another and provide a person with cushioned support. A flexible connecting layer (32) connects the upholstery elements (30) to one another and can be folded into an interspace (34) between adjacent upholstery elements (30). The upholstery element (30) has at least one pocket (36), and at least one pressure-point actuator (38) is inserted in the pocket (36) of the upholstery element (30) to apply a massage pressure to the person through a material of the upholstery element (30). The pressure-point actuators (38) in the accommodating pockets (36) of the upholstery elements (30) can be displaced relative to one another. Thus, a massage function of the upholstery unit (28) is adapted optimally to people of different heights, and provides comfortable seating in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h. c. F Porsche AG
    Inventors: Volker Sieber, Jochen Hofmann, Katharina Wolfahrt
  • Publication number: 20230286420
    Abstract: An assembly of a vehicle seat comprises a seat part assembly, a floor assembly, a front swivel element that is pivotally coupled to the seat part assembly at a front, upper pivot point, and a rear swivel element that is pivotally coupled to the seat part assembly at a rear, upper pivot point. A drive device includes a linear element and a transmission element operatively connected to the linear element. In a first end position, the linear element takes a first angle to an imaginary line extending through the front, upper pivot point and the rear, upper pivot point, and in a second end position takes a second angle to the line, in an intermediate position the linear element is arranged at a right angle to the line and exceeds the right angle when adjusted between the first end position and the second end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE SE & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Jochen HOFMANN, Mina MAKRAM, Bastian ERBACHER, Katharina WOLFAHRT
  • Publication number: 20230158924
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat rail pair (2) for adjustment of a vehicle seat (8), in particular of a motor vehicle seat, in an adjustment direction (x), comprising a guide rail (10) extending parallel to the adjustment direction (x) for fastening to a vehicle floor, and a fastening rail (21), which is adjustably guided on the guide rail (10) in the adjustment direction (x) for fastening the vehicle seat (8), wherein an energy absorber element (5) is provided in a path, which introduces the force acting on the vehicle seat (8) into the vehicle structure, which energy absorber element permits a movement of the vehicle seat in the adjustment direction (x) under plastic deformation when a predetermined value of the force is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Marcel AMSTEIN, Ramzi OUAFI, Jochen HOFMANN, Sven SINNE, Frank RICHTER, Fabian POHLMANN, Michael LENG, Dieter STRASSER, Andreas HUF
  • Publication number: 20230001833
    Abstract: An upholstery unit (28) for a seat of a motor vehicle has bar-form upholstery elements (30) that can be displaced relative to one another and provide a person with cushioned support. A flexible connecting layer (32) connects the upholstery elements (30) to one another and can be folded into an interspace (34) between adjacent upholstery elements (30). The upholstery element (30) has at least one pocket (36), and at least one pressure-point actuator (38) is inserted in the pocket (36) of the upholstery element (30) to apply a massage pressure to the person through a material of the upholstery element (30). The pressure-point actuators (38) in the accommodating pockets (36) of the upholstery elements (30) can be displaced relative to one another. Thus, a massage function of the upholstery unit (28) is adapted optimally to people of different heights, and provides comfortable seating in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Volker Sieber, Jochen Hofmann, Katharina Wolfahrt
  • Publication number: 20220176852
    Abstract: A fitting arrangement for a vehicle seat including two fitting parts adjustable relative to each other about an adjustment axis and forming a bearing space, a locking element disposed in the bearing space on one of the two fitting parts and radially adjustable with respect to the adjustment axis between an unlocking position, in which the two fitting parts are pivotable relative to each other and a locking position, in which the two fittings parts are non-rotatably locked to each other, and at least one adjuster part pivotally mounted within the bearing space for adjusting the locking element between the unlocking position and the locking position. The at least one adjuster part mounted on a bush element on which a cover element is provided for sealing the bearing space and attached axially with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Jürgen SCHUKALSKI, Jochen HOFMANN, Peter HAUSMANN
  • Patent number: 11299071
    Abstract: It is provided an adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat, comprising at least one rail for defining a longitudinal seat axis along which a seat base of the vehicle seat is adjustable, and for supporting at least one adjusting unit of the adjusting device, and at least two shiftably guided adjusting units arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal seat axis, to which the seat base is to be fixed in order to be adjustable along the longitudinal seat axis. The at least two adjusting units are adjustable relative to each other along the longitudinal seat axis, and each adjusting unit is assigned a separate drive for the power-operated adjustment along the longitudinal seat axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Joerg Gropp, Marcel Amstein, Jochen Hofmann, Gregor Kroener, Sandra Kieser, Fabian Rehmet
  • Publication number: 20220089066
    Abstract: A detent fitting for use in a vehicle seat including a first fitting part and a second fitting part rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation, four locking elements movably mounted relative to the first fitting part, configured to move to a locking position in engagement with a toothing of the second fitting part, and a cam element rotatably mounted relative to the first fitting part and including a plurality of cams for supporting the locking elements in the locking position, so that each of the locking elements contacts an associated cam at a support point. Two of the support points are arranged closer to each other than the other support points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Jürgen SCHUKALSKI, Jochen HOFMANN, Peter HAUSMANN
  • Patent number: 11260775
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprising a seat frame and at least one rail pair that has a seat rail which is connected to the seat frame and a base rail which is to be connected to the vehicle base and on which the seat rail is movably guided along a longitudinal direction. A drive device is used to move the seat rail along the longitudinal direction relative to the base rail and has a spindle, a rotatable spindle nut which is mounted on the spindle via a threaded engagement, a drive unit which is operatively connected to the spindle nut, and an electric motor for driving the spindle nut via the transmission unit. The spindle is arranged on the seat rail, and the spindle nut and the transmission unit are arranged on the base rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Juergen Schukalski, Gregor Kroener, Joerg Gropp, Jochen Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20210309129
    Abstract: It is provided an adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat, comprising at least one rail for defining a longitudinal seat axis along which a seat base of the vehicle seat is adjustable, and for supporting at least one adjusting unit of the adjusting device, and at least two shiftably guided adjusting units arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal seat axis, to which the seat base is to be fixed in order to be adjustable along the longitudinal seat axis. The at least two adjusting units are adjustable relative to each other along the longitudinal seat axis, and each adjusting unit is assigned a separate drive for the power-operated adjustment along the longitudinal seat axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Joerg GROPP, Marcel AMSTEIN, Jochen HOFMANN, Gregor KROENER, Sandra KIESER, Fabian REHMET
  • Publication number: 20210245634
    Abstract: A backrest for a vehicle seat, comprising a backrest frame on which a backrest head support element provided for supporting a seat user in the shoulder region can be pivoted. In particular, the support element can be pivoted via a drive unit arranged on the support element and a lever mechanism which interacts with the drive unit so as to be actuated by an external force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Thomas BITTERMANN, Jochen HOFMANN, Marcel AMSTEIN, Jörg GROPP, Jacqueline ALBRECHT
  • Patent number: 10940773
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat comprises construction elements that are movable relative to one another and at least one force transmission element which transmits activation forces and/or stress forces that result from the use of the vehicle seat from one construction element to the other. The force transmission element by way of at least one joint is connected to both construction elements, and conjointly with the at least one joint is an integral component part of at least one of the two construction elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Bastian Erbacher, Jochen Hofmann, Christian Schnapp, Marcel Amstein, Stefan Henning, Enno Meyer
  • Publication number: 20200269730
    Abstract: It is provided an adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat, comprising at least one rail for defining a longitudinal seat axis along which a seat base of the vehicle seat is adjustable, and for supporting at least one adjusting unit of the adjusting device, and at least two shiftably guided adjusting units arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal seat axis, to which the seat base is to be fixed in order to be adjustable along the longitudinal seat axis. The at least two adjusting units are adjustable relative to each other along the longitudinal seat axis, and each adjusting unit is assigned a separate drive for the power-operated adjustment along the longitudinal seat axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Joerg GROPP, Marcel AMSTEIN, Jochen HOFMANN, Gregor KROENER, Sandra KIESER, Fabian REHMET
  • Publication number: 20200231068
    Abstract: It is provided an adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat, comprising at least one rail for defining a longitudinal seat axis along which a seat base of the vehicle seat is adjustable, and for supporting at least one adjusting unit of the adjusting device, and at least two shiftably guided adjusting units arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal seat axis, to which the seat base is to be fixed in order to be adjustable along the longitudinal seat axis. The at least two adjusting units are adjustable relative to each other along the longitudinal seat axis, and each adjusting unit is assigned a separate drive for the power-operated adjustment along the longitudinal seat axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Joerg GROPP, Marcel AMSTEIN, Jochen HOFMANN, Gregor KROENER, Sandra KIESER, Fabian REHMET
  • Publication number: 20190389331
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprising a seat frame and at least one rail pair that has a seat rail which is connected to the seat frame and a base rail which is to be connected to the vehicle base and on which the seat rail is movably guided along a longitudinal direction. A drive device is used to move the seat rail along the longitudinal direction relative to the base rail and has a spindle, a rotatable spindle nut which is mounted on the spindle via a threaded engagement, a drive unit which is operatively connected to the spindle nut, and an electric motor for driving the spindle nut via the transmission unit. The spindle is arranged on the seat rail, and the spindle nut and the transmission unit are arranged on the base rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Juergen SCHUKALSKI, Gregor KROENER, Joerg GROPP, Jochen HOFMANN
  • Patent number: 9975456
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with a seat part, a backrest and a fitting which pivotally connects the backrest with the seat part. The fitting includes a backrest-side fitting part coupled with the backrest via a locking mechanism, and a rotary fitting mechanism. A driving device is arranged on the backrest for driving the rotary fitting mechanism. In a locking position, the locking mechanism firmly couples the backrest-side fitting part with the backrest, and in a free-pivoting position decouples the backrest-side fitting part from the backrest, so that the backrest is pivotable into a folded position in a swivel direction about the swivel axis. The driving device is formed to actuate the rotary fitting mechanism for pivoting the backrest-side fitting part by a predetermined angle against the swivel direction, when the locking mechanism is actuated for pivoting the backrest into the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GMBH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Jochen Hofmann, Marcus Alex, Marco Gleiβberg
  • Publication number: 20180126885
    Abstract: It is provided a structural assembly for a vehicle seat backrest, with a surface element which is configured and designed to form at least one part of a rear wall of the vehicle seat backrest and/or to close a recess for a load through-opening in the vehicle seat backrest, and at least one interface element which is configured and designed for connecting to a further component of the vehicle seat backrest. The surface element is produced from a thermoformable composite material and is connected by a material connection to at least one part of the interface element. The at least one interface element is configured as a duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Ulf HARTMANN, Jochen HOFMANN, Thomas BITTERMANN, Andrea BAUERSACHS
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20180001790
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat comprises construction elements that are movable relative to one another and at least one force transmission element which transmits activation forces and/or stress forces that result from the use of the vehicle seat from one construction element to the other. The force transmission element by way of at least one joint is connected to both construction elements, and conjointly with the at least one joint is an integral component part of at least one of the two construction elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Bastian ERBACHER, Jochen HOFMANN, Christian SCHNAPP, Marcel AMSTEIN, Stefan HENNING, Enno MEYER