Patents by Inventor Karl Birk

Karl Birk 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).

  • Patent number: 12030457
    Abstract: A method for a seat belt system (10) in a vehicle (14), the seat belt system (10) comprising a control unit (36) and at least one seat belt (18) with an extendable webbing (20) and a webbing extension measuring device (30), includes the steps of: a) determining whether a vehicle seat (16) is occupied, b) determining whether the webbing (20) is in a storage position, if the vehicle seat (16) is not occupied, and c) outputting a warning signal, in particular via an output device (34), if the webbing (20) is not in the storage position. Moreover, the invention provides a seat belt system (10) for a vehicle (14) comprising an extendable seat belt (17, 18) as well as a vehicle (14) comprising a seat belt system (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Karl Birk
  • Patent number: 11794689
    Abstract: A method for the dynamic fixation of an occupant wearing a seatbelt on a vehicle seat involves determining a lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a road course ahead of the vehicle. The seatbelt is tightened with a predetermined belt force for a predetermined period of time before entering a bend having a certain curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventors: Karl Birk, Ralf Bogenrieder, Uwe Merz, Christian Nierla, Martin Seyffert
  • Patent number: 11614346
    Abstract: A method for sensing the webbing extension of a seat belt (12) from a webbing retractor (10) of a vehicle includes sensing the position of the magnet (18) by means of the magnetic field sensor (20) by the control unit (22). The control unit (22) detects when the magnet (18) has completed a full turn. The control unit (22) deposits the number of the full turns in a memory (26). The control unit (22) determines the webbing extension by way of number of the full turns and the position of the magnet (18). A webbing retractor (10) for a seat belt (12) has a magnet (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Karl Birk
  • Publication number: 20230070331
    Abstract: A method for a seat belt system (10) in a vehicle (14), the seat belt system (10) comprising a control unit (36) and at least one extendable seat belt (18) with a locking tongue (22), at least one belt buckle (24) and at least one webbing extension measuring device (30), includes the steps of: a) determining the webbing extension by means of the webbing extension measuring device (30), b) determining whether a buckling operation has occurred, c) activating at least one guide element on the belt buckle (24) and/or the seat belt (18), if a buckling operation has occurred. Moreover, the invention provides a seat belt system (10) for a vehicle (14) comprising an extendable seat belt (18) as well as a vehicle comprising a seat belt system (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Oliver GROSS, Karl HUDELMAIER, Karl BIRK, Marcel KÖNIG
  • Publication number: 20230052692
    Abstract: A method for a seat belt system (10) in a vehicle (14), wherein the seat belt system (10) comprises an extendable seat belt (18), a webbing extension measuring device (30) and a control unit (36), includes the steps of: a) determining the webbing extension by means of the webbing extension measuring device (30), b) determining whether a locking tongue (22) is connected to a belt buckle (24), c) determining whether the webbing extension is above a threshold. Moreover, the invention provides a seat belt system (10) for a vehicle (14) comprising an extendable seat belt (18) and a vehicle (14) comprising a seat belt system (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Karl BIRK, Martin SEYFFERT
  • Publication number: 20230031409
    Abstract: A method for a seat belt system (10) in a vehicle (14), the seat belt system (10) comprising a control unit (36) and at least one seat belt (18) with an extendable webbing (20) and a webbing extension measuring device (30), includes the steps of: a) determining whether a vehicle seat (16) is occupied, b) determining whether the webbing (20) is in a storage position, if the vehicle seat (16) is not occupied, and c) outputting a warning signal, in particular via an output device (34), if the webbing (20) is not in the storage position. Moreover, the invention provides a seat belt system (10) for a vehicle (14) comprising an extendable seat belt (17, 18) as well as a vehicle (14) comprising a seat belt system (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Martin SEYFFERT, Karl BIRK
  • Publication number: 20210001801
    Abstract: A method for the dynamic fixation of an occupant wearing a seatbelt on a vehicle seat involves determining a lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a road course ahead of the vehicle. The seatbelt is tightened with a predetermined belt force for a predetermined period of time before entering a bend having a certain curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Karl BIRK, Ralf BOGENRIEDER, Uwe MERZ, Christian NIERLA, Martin SEYFFERT
  • Publication number: 20200292357
    Abstract: A method for sensing the webbing extension of a seat belt (12) from a webbing retractor (10) of a vehicle includes sensing the position of the magnet (18) by means of the magnetic field sensor (20) by the control unit (22). The control unit (22) detects when the magnet (18) has completed a full turn. The control unit (22) deposits the number of the full turns in a memory (26). The control unit (22) determines the webbing extension by way of number of the full turns and the position of the magnet (18). A webbing retractor (10) for a seat belt (12) has a magnet (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Karl Birk
  • Patent number: 10457247
    Abstract: A belt buckle feeder comprises a stationary base (12) adapted to be fixedly mounted to the vehicle and a carriage (14) movable to a retracted position and to an extended position vis-à-vis the base (12), which carriage is connected to a belt buckle (20) via an intermediate plate (22) provided between the belt buckle (20) and the carriage (14). The intermediate plate (22) is tightly connected to the belt buckle (20) and there is provided a positive guidance by which the intermediate plate (22) is pivoted during traversing to the extended position by a predetermined degree vis-à-vis the carriage (14) so that in addition to the traversing movement of the carriage (14) along a tilting direction (N) the belt buckle (20) reversibly tilts from a home position to an inclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Klaassen, David Reich, Karsten Kortschack, Karl Birk
  • Patent number: 10266146
    Abstract: A belt buckle feeder comprises a base (12) adapted to be fixedly attached to the vehicle and a carriage (14) being movably supported on the base (12) to which carriage a belt buckle (20) can be coupled and which can be moved by a drive arranged on the base (12). The drive includes an electric motor (26) and a worm gear comprising a worm shaft (34) which has a worm (36) as well as drive spur wheel teeth (40), with the shaft (28) of the electric motor (26) including a pinion (30) which is engaged in the drive spur wheel teeth (40) and drives the worm shaft (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Klaassen, Karl Birk
  • Patent number: 10227057
    Abstract: In a method for identifying misuse of a seat belt in a vehicle, vehicle data are detected and, based on said data, a plausibility check is performed for determining whether the seat belt is fastened as intended. Signals of at least one belt buckle sensor and of at least one webbing extension sensor are detected and a plausibility check for misuse is performed by taking the time course of the signals and/or the point in time of input of the signals into account so as to make a comparison with stored reference data. A seat belt system in a vehicle for carrying out said method comprises at least one belt buckle sensor and at least one webbing extension sensor as well as at least one seat occupation sensor, one door sensor, one vehicle acceleration sensor and/or one vehicle speedometer as well as a control unit in which the signals of the sensors are stored and evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Karl Birk
  • Publication number: 20170369031
    Abstract: In a method for identifying misuse of a seat belt in a vehicle, vehicle data are detected and, based on said data, a plausibility check is performed for determining whether the seat belt is fastened as intended. Signals of at least one belt buckle sensor and of at least one webbing extension sensor are detected and a plausibility check for misuse is performed by taking the time course of the signals and/or the point in time of input of the signals into account so as to make a comparison with stored reference data. A seat belt system in a vehicle for carrying out said method comprises at least one belt buckle sensor and at least one webbing extension sensor as well as at least one seat occupation sensor, one door sensor, one vehicle acceleration sensor and/or one vehicle speedometer as well as a control unit in which the signals of the sensors are stored and evaluated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Karl Birk
  • Publication number: 20170253214
    Abstract: A belt buckle feeder comprises a base (12) adapted to be fixedly attached to the vehicle and a carriage (14) being movably supported on the base (12) to which carriage a belt buckle (20) can be coupled and which can be moved by a drive arranged on the base (12). The drive includes an electric motor (26) and a worm gear comprising a worm shaft (34) which has a worm (36) as well as drive spur wheel teeth (40), with the shaft (28) of the electric motor (26) including a pinion (30) which is engaged in the drive spur wheel teeth (40) and drives the worm shaft (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jens Klaassen, Karl Birk
  • Publication number: 20170225646
    Abstract: A belt buckle feeder comprises a stationary base (12) adapted to be fixedly mounted to the vehicle and a carriage (14) movable to a retracted position and to an extended position vis-à-vis the base (12), which carriage is connected to a belt buckle (20) via an intermediate plate (22) provided between the belt buckle (20) and the carriage (14). The intermediate plate (22) is tightly connected to the belt buckle (20) and there is provided a positive guidance by which the intermediate plate (22) is pivoted during traversing to the extended position by a predetermined degree vis-à-vis the carriage (14) so that in addition to the traversing movement of the carriage (14) along a tilting direction (N) the belt buckle (20) reversibly tilts from a home position to an inclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Klaassen, David Reich, Karsten Kortschack, Karl Birk
  • Patent number: 9216714
    Abstract: A belt presenter system for a seat belt system of a vehicle includes an arm (22) mounted on a vehicle pillar, wherein the arm (22) can adopt a feeding position (A) and a parking position (P). An end portion (40) of the arm (22) is connected to a fixed arm portion (36) via a hinge (42) so that the end portion (40) is bendable about a pivot axis relative to the fixed arm portion (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Karl Birk
  • Patent number: 8950781
    Abstract: A belt presenter for a seat belt system of a vehicle includes an arm (22) which is pivotal in a state mounted on the vehicle, wherein the arm (22) can adopt a feeding position (A) and a parking position (P). The arm (22) includes a finger (44) for seizing the strap (20) when the arm moves into the feeding position (A), and the finger (44) is pivoted at the arm (22) so that it can adopt a folded position in which it is located substantially in parallel to the arm (22) and an unfolded position in which the finger (44) is orientated substantially perpendicularly to a pivoting plane of the arm (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Karl Birk
  • Patent number: 8899626
    Abstract: In an assembly comprising a belt height adjuster (104) and a belt feeder for feeding a belt webbing (110) the belt feeder includes an arm (112) which is adapted to be moved, especially pivoted from a home position into a feeding position by means of a drive. The arm (112) is arranged at the belt height adjuster (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Birk, Martin Seyffert
  • Publication number: 20140291975
    Abstract: A belt presenter system for a seat belt system of a vehicle includes an arm (22) mounted on a vehicle pillar, wherein the arm (22) can adopt a feeding position (A) and a parking position (P). An end portion (40) of the arm (22) is connected to a fixed arm portion (36) via a hinge (42) so that the end portion (40) is bendable about a pivot axis relative to the fixed arm portion (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Karl Birk
  • Publication number: 20140252840
    Abstract: A belt presenter for a seat belt system of a vehicle includes an arm (22) which is pivotal in a state mounted on the vehicle, wherein the arm (22) can adopt a feeding position (A) and a parking position (P). The arm (22) includes a finger (44) for seizing the strap (20) when the arm moves into the feeding position (A), and the finger (44) is pivoted at the arm (22) so that it can adopt a folded position in which it is located substantially in parallel to the arm (22) and an unfolded position in which the finger (44) is orientated substantially perpendicularly to a pivoting plane of the arm (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Karl Birk
  • Publication number: 20140175780
    Abstract: In an assembly comprising a belt height adjuster (104) and a belt feeder for feeding a belt webbing (110) the belt feeder includes an arm (112) which is adapted to be moved, especially pivoted from a home position into a feeding position by means of a drive. The arm (112) is arranged at the belt height adjuster (104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Birk, Martin Seyffert