Patents by Inventor Ludwig Seethaler

Ludwig Seethaler 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: 20240092431
    Abstract: A wheel cover apparatus for a vehicle includes an upper planar section for at least partially covering the wheel outer side of a steerable wheel, a lower planar section for at least partially covering the wheel outer side of the steerable wheel, an adjustment device for adjusting a position and/or orientation of the upper planar section and a positioning device for positioning the lower planar section. The upper planar section can be arranged on a body of a vehicle so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The upper planar section and the lower planar section are connected to each other so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The upper planar section is coupled to the adjustment device in such a manner that, in a functional installed state in the vehicle, the upper planar section is movable relative to the wheelhouse by means of the adjustment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Jurij JECMENJAK-URBAN, Andreas MAYER, Ludwig SEETHALER
  • Patent number: 11780281
    Abstract: An independent wheel suspension for a two-track vehicle has a wheel carrier, a vibration damper designed and arranged in the manner of a damper strut, and a leaf spring element, which has, in particular, a fiber composite material or is made from a fiber composite material. The leaf spring element is oriented at least approximately in the transverse direction of the vehicle and is designed to provide a suspension function and, together with the vibration damper, to guide a vehicle wheel fastened to the wheel carrier when the independent wheel suspension is installed in a vehicle for functional usage. The leaf spring element is connected, on the wheel carrier end, to the wheel carrier via two rubber bearings, each having a bearing axis and a central bearing point, so as to be rotatable about the respective bearing axis of each rubber bearing and is designed to be connected, on the vehicle body end, to an axle support in a torsion-resistant manner and/or directly to a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludwig Seethaler
  • Publication number: 20220227192
    Abstract: An independent wheel suspension for a two-track vehicle has a wheel carrier, a vibration damper designed and arranged in the manner of a damper strut, and a leaf spring element, which has, in particular, a fiber composite material or is made from a fiber composite material. The leaf spring element is oriented at least approximately in the transverse direction of the vehicle and is designed to provide a suspension function and, together with the vibration damper, to guide a vehicle wheel fastened to the wheel carrier when the independent wheel suspension is installed in a vehicle for functional usage. The leaf spring element is connected, on the wheel carrier end, to the wheel carrier via two rubber bearings, each having a bearing axis and a central bearing point, so as to be rotatable about the respective bearing axis of each rubber bearing and is designed to be connected, on the vehicle body end, to an axle support in a torsion-resistant manner and/or directly to a vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventor: Ludwig SEETHALER
  • Patent number: 11338693
    Abstract: A method is provided for charging a battery-operated vehicle having a chargeable traction energy store and a system for autonomously guiding the vehicle with a charging vehicle having an energy generator and/or an energy store. The method forms at least one electrical coupling between the battery-operated vehicle and the charging vehicle via an autonomous driving manoeuver of the battery-operated vehicle and/or the charging vehicle. A charging of the traction energy store of the battery-operated vehicle occurs via the energy generator and/or the energy store of the charging vehicle during the driving of the paired battery-operated vehicle and charging vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fabian Bachmann, Robert Bobinger, Elsa Davy, Norbert Deixler, Richard Eiletz, Sebastian Gielisch, Roland Koenig, Alfred Pruckner, Dirk Schlichte, Hubert Scholz, Anette Sedlmaier-Fuchs, Ludwig Seethaler, Stefan Sicklinger, Ralf Stroph, Stefan Stuerzl, Martin Waldmann
  • Patent number: 11173762
    Abstract: A method controls a user interface and an air-conditioning unit of a vehicle. The user interface includes display and operating elements. The method displays a plurality of the elements on the user interface, receives at least two operation parameters of the air-conditioning unit, determines one or more display parameters for a first element from the plurality of elements on the basis of the at least two operation parameters, and displays the first element on the basis of the one or more display parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludwig Seethaler
  • Publication number: 20210229513
    Abstract: A method controls a user interface and an air-conditioning unit of a vehicle. The user interface includes display and operating elements. The method displays a plurality of the elements on the user interface, receives at least two operation parameters of the air-conditioning unit, determines one or more display parameters for a first element from the plurality of elements on the basis of the at least two operation parameters, and displays the first element on the basis of the one or more display parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventor: Ludwig SEETHALER
  • Publication number: 20190210479
    Abstract: A method is provided for charging a battery-operated vehicle having a chargeable traction energy store and a system for autonomously guiding the vehicle with a charging vehicle having an energy generator and/or an energy store. The method forms at least one electrical coupling between the battery-operated vehicle and the charging vehicle via an autonomous driving manoeuver of the battery-operated vehicle and/or the charging vehicle. A charging of the traction energy store of the battery-operated vehicle occurs via the energy generator and/or the energy store of the charging vehicle during the driving of the paired battery-operated vehicle and charging vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Fabian BACHMANN, Robert BOBINGER, Elsa DAVY, Norbert DEIXLER, Richard EILETZ, Sebastian GIELISCH, Roland KOENIG, Alfred PRUCKNER, Dirk SCHLICHTE, Hubert SCHOLZ, Anette SEDLMAIER-FUCHS, Ludwig SEETHALER, Stefan SICKLINGER, Ralf STROPH, Stefan STUERZL, Martin WALDMANN
  • Patent number: 9855984
    Abstract: An underbody panelling part of a wheel axle near the wheel arch of a motor vehicle has a main part, the covering surface of which is variable, and a fastening structure for fixed connection to the body and/or a fastening structure for fixed connection to a transverse link of the motor vehicle. In the mounted state the covering surface can be varied with the steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bayershire Motoren Werke Aktiegesellschaft
    Inventors: Gregor Tesch, Markus Kohlhuber, Rasmus Leicht, Roland Schmidt, Hubert Scholz, Matthias Hennig, Ludwig Seethaler, Roland Koenig, Markus Fauser
  • Patent number: 9643664
    Abstract: An underbody panelling part of a wheel axle near the wheelhouse of a motor vehicle includes a substantially flat main part, a first mounting point provided on the main part, which first mounting point can be rotatably connected to a transverse link of the motor vehicle, and a second mounting point provided on the main part, which second mounting point can be coupled to a wheel carrier or a steering rod. The underbody panelling part can be pivoted about the first mounting point when the wheel carrier is pivoted. A subassembly having the underbody panelling part is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gregor Tesch, Markus Kohlhuber, Rasmus Leicht, Roland Schmidt, Hubert Scholz, Matthias Hennig, Ludwig Seethaler, Roland Koenig, Markus Fauser
  • Patent number: 9566840
    Abstract: An independent suspension for a vehicle includes a spring-link suspension structure which is made from a fibrous composite material, is substantially U-shaped when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Ends of upper and lower members are secured to the vehicle body or a carrier connected thereto. At least one of these securements has no rotational degree of freedom about an axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, while a wheel hub is connected to the base of the U-shaped spring-link suspension structure in order to secure a vehicle wheel. At least one of the members is secured to the vehicle body or to the carrier in a substantially rigid manner i.e. aside from low levels of elasticity, and no further wheel guiding suspension link is provided that substantially extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, in order to achieve a desired toe-in increase when braking, a recess is provided in at least one of the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludwig Seethaler, Hubert Scholz
  • Publication number: 20160257353
    Abstract: An underbody panelling part of a wheel axle near the wheelhouse of a motor vehicle includes a substantially flat main part, a first mounting point provided on the main part, which first mounting point can be rotatably connected to a transverse link of the motor vehicle, and a second mounting point provided on the main part, which second mounting point can be coupled to a wheel carrier or a steering rod. The underbody panelling part can be pivoted about the first mounting point when the wheel carrier is pivoted. A subassembly having the underbody panelling part is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Gregor TESCH, Markus KOHLHUBER, Rasmus LEICHT, Roland SCHMIDT, Hubert SCHOLZ, Matthias HENNIG, Ludwig SEETHALER, Roland KOENIG, Markus FAUSER
  • Publication number: 20160185402
    Abstract: An underbody panelling part of a wheel axle near the wheel arch of a motor vehicle has a main part, the covering surface of which is variable, and a fastening structure for fixed connection to the body and/or a fastening structure for fixed connection to a transverse link of the motor vehicle. In the mounted state the covering surface can be varied with the steering angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Gregor TESCH, Markus KOHLHUBER, Rasmus LEICHT, Roland SCHMIDT, Hubert SCHOLZ, Matthias HENNIG, Ludwig SEETHALER, Roland KOENIG, Markus FAUSER
  • Publication number: 20160046162
    Abstract: An independent suspension for a vehicle includes a spring-link suspension structure which is made from a fibrous composite material, is substantially U-shaped when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Ends of upper and lower members are secured to the vehicle body or a carrier connected thereto. At least one of these securements has no rotational degree of freedom about an axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, while a wheel hub is connected to the base of the U-shaped spring-link suspension structure in order to secure a vehicle wheel. At least one of the members is secured to the vehicle body or to the carrier in a substantially rigid manner i.e. aside from low levels of elasticity, and no further wheel guiding suspension link is provided that substantially extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, in order to achieve a desired toe-in increase when braking, a recess is provided in at least one of the members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Ludwig SEETHALER, Hubert SCHOLZ
  • Patent number: 9050872
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension has a suspension spring, by which the vehicle body is proportionally supported on a supporting bracket of the wheel suspension. The wheel load acting upon a pertaining wheel as a result of this support is changeable in that the transmission ratio at a shift lever provided in the load path of the support and swivelably disposed at the vehicle body with respect to the latter can be changed by an actuator. Parallel to the load path containing the shift lever and a first suspension spring element, an additional load path with a second suspension spring element effective between the vehicle body and the pertaining wheel is provided. The transmission ratio at the shift lever may be changed over a wide range by displacement of the supporting point of the first suspension spring element or a transmission rod supported with its other end at the supporting bracket of the wheel suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludwig Seethaler, Hubert Scholz
  • Patent number: 8777244
    Abstract: A single-pivot suspension strut axle for a passenger car, includes a wheel carrier/pivot bearing carrying the wheel and a brake disk non-rotatably connected with the wheel relative to a rotational axis thereof. A suspension strut is fastened to the wheel carrier/pivot bearing and, at another end, is supported at the vehicle body. The wheel carrier/pivot bearing is guided by a supporting joint situated close to the wheel center plane by a lower control arm, representing an A-arm, and by a tie rod. A section of the control arm connected with the supporting joint projects through the ring-shaped brake disk. A leaf spring element oriented in the transverse direction of the vehicle provides proportional support for the vehicle body on the wheel, and is supported, on one side, at the control arm and, on another side, directly or indirectly, at the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludwig Seethaler, Roland Schmidt, Michael Glanzer
  • Publication number: 20140183830
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension has a suspension spring, by which the vehicle body is proportionally supported on a supporting bracket of the wheel suspension. The wheel load acting upon a pertaining wheel as a result of this support is changeable in that the transmission ratio at a shift lever provided in the load path of the support and swivelably disposed at the vehicle body with respect to the latter can be changed by an actuator. Parallel to the load path containing the shift lever and a first suspension spring element, an additional load path with a second suspension spring element effective between the vehicle body and the pertaining wheel is provided. The transmission ratio at the shift lever may be changed over a wide range by displacement of the supporting point of the first suspension spring element or a transmission rod supported with its other end at the supporting bracket of the wheel suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludwig SEETHALER, Hubert SCHOLZ
  • Patent number: 8714574
    Abstract: A swivel bearing of a wheel suspension is connected to a longitudinal control arm via two joints at different heights viewed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in an articulated manner such that the joints determine a steering axis of rotation extending primarily perpendicularly when viewed from the side, and which has a negative scrub radius. Each transverse control arm is attached to the longitudinal control arm via one rubber mount or joint having a minimal degree of rotary freedom. The swivel bearing is guided by a tie rod, which is supported on a soft rubber bearing. The tie rod is connected to an actuator adjuster element, whose actuator is arranged substantially in a center of the vehicle and acts for the two rear wheels thereof. The tie rod is moveable substantially in the transverse direction to minimally steer the rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Glanzer, Hubert Scholz, Ludwig Seethaler
  • Publication number: 20140035251
    Abstract: A swivel bearing of a wheel suspension is connected to a longitudinal control arm via two joints at different heights viewed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in an articulated manner such that the joints determine a steering axis of rotation extending primarily perpendicularly when viewed from the side, and which has a negative scrub radius. Each transverse control arm is attached to the longitudinal control arm via one rubber mount or joint having a minimal degree of rotary freedom. The swivel bearing is guided by a tie rod, which is supported on a soft rubber bearing. The tie rod is connected to an actuator adjuster element, whose actuator is arranged substantially in a center of the vehicle and acts for the two rear wheels thereof. The tie rod is moveable substantially in the transverse direction to minimally steer the rear wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael GLANZER, Hubert SCHOLZ, Ludwig SEETHALER
  • Publication number: 20070114748
    Abstract: A rear axle of a two-track motor vehicle is provided. The vehicle may have an independent wheel suspension with lower rods, which guide a wheel carrier, and an upper guide device, which engages with an extension arm of the wheel carrier. The extension arm guides in a region above a wheel mounted on the wheel carrier. The upper guide device is formed by a physical guiding path comprising a guide element, which can be displaced along said guiding path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludwig Seethaler, Alfred Stenzenberger, Jan Eilers, Klaus Trzaska