Patents by Inventor Martin Prokscha

Martin Prokscha 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: 9559618
    Abstract: A control (18) for a seat belt positioning device (10) includes a motor (12) for positioning a seat belt component (16). A locking tongue sensor (20) generates a locking tongue signal (S) depending on whether a locking tongue is inserted in a belt buckle (16). A trigger circuit (22) connected to the locking tongue sensor (20) generates a trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM) in response to the locking tongue signal (S) A timer (32) or a motor load circuit (33) connected to the trigger circuit (22) generates a motor signal (M) having a predetermined period or depending on a motor load in response to the trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM). A motor control circuit (34) connected to the timer (32) and the trigger circuit (22) turns the motor on and off in response to the motor signal (M). The direction of motion of the motor (12) is selected depending on the trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Prokscha, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 8777268
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reversible belt tensioner (10) comprising a drive motor (12), a spindle (14) connected to the drive motor (12), a spindle nut (16) adapted to be displaced in axial direction (18) on the spindle (14), a catch (20) the one end of which is connected to the spindle nut (16) and a belt buckle (22) connected to the other end of the catch (20), wherein at least one of the following features prevents the spindle nut (16) from jamming during travel against block: a cylindrical guiding portion (50) inside the spindle nut (16) interacting with the outer geometry of the spindle (14); a freewheel mechanism (48) between the drive motor (12) and the spindle (14); a compression spring (70) between the belt buckle (22) and a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Nathalie Kramer, Martin Prokscha, Stefano Roehm
  • Publication number: 20140021900
    Abstract: A control (18) for a seat belt positioning device (10) includes a motor (12) for positioning a seat belt component (16). A locking tongue sensor (20) generates a locking tongue signal (S) depending on whether a locking tongue is inserted in a belt buckle (16). A trigger circuit (22) connected to the locking tongue sensor (20) generates a trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM) in response to the locking tongue signal (S) A timer (32) or a motor load circuit (33) connected to the trigger circuit (22) generates a motor signal (M) having a predetermined period or depending on a motor load in response to the trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM). A motor control circuit (34) connected to the timer (32) and the trigger circuit (22) turns the motor on and off in response to the motor signal (M). The direction of motion of the motor (12) is selected depending on the trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Prokscha, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 8561932
    Abstract: A friction coupling has a drive part, an output part, and a friction element which can transfer a friction moment between the drive part and the output part. A release element is provided which after a predetermined rotation angle of the friction coupling can act on the friction element so that a reduction of the friction moment occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Martin Prokscha
  • Patent number: 8496269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt buckle presenter for a seat belt system of a vehicle comprising a belt buckle which is coupled to a spindle drive (16) through force transmission means (14), the force transmission means (14) including a locking member (40) which in normal operation is movable along a threaded spindle (30) of the spindle drive (16) in axial direction and in the case of restraint can be deformed by a restraining force acting on the belt buckle (12) so as to adopt a locking position in which the locking member (40) positively engages in the threaded spindle (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Nathalie Kramer, Martin Prokscha, Stefano Roehm
  • Publication number: 20130032653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reversible belt tensioner (10) comprising a drive motor (12), a spindle (14) connected to the drive motor (12), a spindle nut (16) adapted to be displaced in axial direction (18) on the spindle (14), a catch (20) the one end of which is connected to the spindle nut (16) and a belt buckle (22) connected to the other end of the catch (20), wherein at least one of the following features prevents the spindle nut (16) from jamming during travel against block: a cylindrical guiding portion (50) inside the spindle nut (16) interacting with the outer geometry of the spindle (14); a freewheel mechanism (48) between the drive motor (12) and the spindle (14); a compression spring (70) between the belt buckle (22) and a stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Nathalie Kramer, Martin Prokscha, Stefano Roehm
  • Publication number: 20120299282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt buckle presenter for a seat belt system of a vehicle comprising a belt buckle which is coupled to a spindle drive (16) through force transmission means (14), the force transmission means (14) including a locking member (40) which in normal operation is movable along a threaded spindle (30) of the spindle drive (16) in axial direction and in the case of restraint can be deformed by a restraining force acting on the belt buckle (12) so as to adopt a locking position in which the locking member (40) positively engages in the threaded spindle (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Nathalie Kramer, Martin Prokscha, Stefano Roehm
  • Publication number: 20110056789
    Abstract: A friction coupling has a drive part, an output part, and a friction element which can transfer a friction moment between the drive part and the output part. A release element is provided which after a predetermined rotation angle of the friction coupling can act on the friction element so that a reduction of the friction moment occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Martin Prokscha
  • Patent number: 7850111
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a safety belt system has a frame (2), a belt reel (4) rotatably mounted in the frame (2) for receiving a belt webbing, a reversible belt tensioning unit with a motor (8), an irreversible belt tensioning unit, and a coupling mechanism, by means of which the reversible belt tensioning unit can be coupled to the belt reel (4) and which can be deactivated and reactivated, the coupling mechanism being deactivated when the irreversible belt tensioning unit is activated and the coupling mechanism being reactivated after termination of the irreversible belt tensioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Prokscha, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 7458535
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt has a frame, a belt reel which is rotatably mounted in the frame, a locking mechanism which is adapted to block a rotation of the belt reel in an unwinding direction of the safety belt in a vehicle sensitive and/or seat belt sensitive manner and a pretensioning drive which is adapted to drive the belt reel in a wind up direction of the safety belt and in the unwinding direction. A locking means is provided which prevents a reverse rotation of the belt reel in the unwinding direction, after the pretensioning drive has driven the belt reel in the wind up direction and has thereby pretensioned the safety belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Martin Prokscha
  • Publication number: 20080210803
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a safety belt system has a frame (2), a belt reel (4) rotatably mounted in the frame (2) for receiving a belt webbing, a reversible belt tensioning unit with a motor (8), an irreversible belt tensioning unit, and a coupling mechanism, by means of which the reversible belt tensioning unit can be coupled to the belt reel (4) and which can be deactivated and reactivated, the coupling mechanism being deactivated when the irreversible belt tensioning unit is activated and the coupling mechanism being reactivated after termination of the irreversible belt tensioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Prokscha, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 7272303
    Abstract: An electric motor drives a belt spool of a seatbelt retractor in a vehicle using a micro-controller and a drive circuit that drives the electric motor. A plurality of PWM control signal sources are provided each of which has a trigger input and a control signal output. Each control signal source, upon application of a trigger pulse to its trigger input, provides on its control signal output a control pulse of a duration different from durations of control pulses of all other control signal sources. A set of motor control programs are permanently stored in the micro-controller. A program selection signal is sent to the micro-controller from a central sensor unit in the vehicle. Trigger pulses are sent by the micro-controller to the trigger inputs of the control signal sources. Particular ones of the control signal sources are selected for application of their signal outputs to the drive circuit in a control sequence defined by a selected control program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bolz, Martin Prokscha
  • Publication number: 20060227490
    Abstract: An electronic drive circuit for an impulse-controlled actor (10) comprises a first capacitor and a first thyristor (24). The first thyristor (24), after its ignition, permits a discharging of the first capacitor (18) via the actor (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Bolz, Martin Prokscha
  • Publication number: 20060226273
    Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle occupant restraint system is able to be transferred from a first state into a second state. An impulse-controlled actor is provided to transfer the safety device from the first state into the second state. The actor is preferably a linear adjustment drive with a bistable lifting magnet (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Prokscha, Joachim Biller, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 7080801
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt comprises a rotatably mounted belt spool, a drive wheel coupled coaxially with the belt spool, an electric motor which can drive the drive wheel at a variable drive force, and an electronic control unit which can control the electric motor. The belt spool is rotatable to a limited extent with respect to the drive wheel and a sensor is provided that on rotation of the belt spool relative to the drive wheel generates a signal which is representative of the belt force acting in the safety belt and is supplied to the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Prokscha, Dieter Biller
  • Patent number: 7051969
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt comprises a frame and a belt spool (1) which is rotatably mounted in the frame, and at least one locking toothing (2, 3) which is connected with the belt spool. A first locking catch (5) and a second locking catch (6) are provided, which are supported on the frame and can engage into the at least one locking toothing (2, 3). The first locking catch (5) is able to swing about a point of rotation which is arranged such that with the first locking catch (5) guided into the locking toothing (2, 3) a virtual line, which passes through a point of contact between the first locking catch (5) and the locking toothing (2, 3) and stands perpendicularly on a tooth face in the point of contact, runs between the point of rotation and a rotation axis of the belt spool (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Heilig, Martin Prokscha
  • Publication number: 20060072911
    Abstract: An electric motor drives a belt spool of a seatbelt retractor in a vehicle using a micro-controller and a drive circuit that drives the electric motor. A plurality of PWM control signal sources are provided each of which has a trigger input and a control signal output. Each control signal source, upon application of a trigger pulse to its trigger input, provides on its control signal output a control pulse of a duration different from durations of control pulses of all other control signal sources. A set of motor control programs are permanently stored in the micro-controller. A program selection signal is sent to the micro-controller from a central sensor unit in the vehicle. Trigger pulses are sent by the micro-controller to the trigger inputs of the control signal sources. Particular ones of the control signal sources are selected for application of their signal outputs to the drive circuit in a control sequence defined by a selected control program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Bolz, Martin Prokscha
  • Publication number: 20050284976
    Abstract: In a method for operating a belt retractor, the belt retractor comprising a belt tensioner drive and with a pre-tensioner drive which can both exert a torque onto a belt spool in a direction for winding a safety belt, the pre-tensioner drive is prevented from exerting a torque onto the belt spool through the activation of the belt tensioner drive. In a belt retractor for a safety belt, having a belt spool, a pre-tensioner drive with a drive motor, which can turn the belt spool in the winding direction for the purpose of pre-tensioning the safety belt, and with a belt tensioner drive which can drive the belt spool for the purpose of a belt tensioning, a safety mechanism is provided, which through an activation of the belt tensioner drive prevents the pre-tensioner drive from driving the belt spool in the winding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Martin Prokscha
  • Publication number: 20050247811
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt has a frame, a belt reel which is rotatably mounted in the frame, a pretensioning drive which is adapted to drive the belt reel in a wind up direction of the safety belt and in an unwinding direction, and a coupling by means of which the pretensioning drive may be coupled to the the belt reel. The coupling comprises an actuating element which is coupled to the pretensioning drive. When the pretensioning drive is activated, the actuating element is driven in a direction that is opposite to a direction in which a driven member of the coupling is driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Martin Prokscha, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Publication number: 20050247812
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt has a frame, a belt reel which is rotatably mounted in the frame, a locking mechanism which is adapted to block a rotation of the belt reel in an unwinding direction of the safety belt in a vehicle sensitive and/or seat belt sensitive manner and a pretensioning drive which is adapted to drive the belt reel in a wind up direction of the safety belt and in the unwinding direction. A locking means is provided which prevents a reverse rotation of the belt reel in the unwinding direction, after the pretensioning drive has driven the belt reel in the wind up direction and has thereby pretensioned the safety belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Martin Prokscha