Patents by Inventor Martin Seyffert

Martin Seyffert 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: 11794612
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (10) for a motor vehicle, having a backrest (12), a height-adjustable headrest (14) and a seatbelt guide (22) integrated in the vehicle seat (10) for a seatbelt (18), wherein the height-adjustable headrest (14) is coupled to the backrest (12), and wherein the headrest (14) can be mechanically coupled to a seatbelt guide adjusting mechanism (36), which mechanically adjusts the seatbelt guide (22) when adjusting the height of the headrest (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH, FAURECIA AUTOSITZE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Gumprecht, Martin Seyffert, Artur Klein, Alexander Zagula, David Reich, Swen Schaub
  • 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: 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: 20220363217
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a webbing (20) for a seat belt system in a vehicle comprises the following steps of: weaving the webbing (20) using a first yarn (30) and a second yarn (32), the first yarn (30) and the second yarn (32) reflecting light in the spectrum invisible to humans with different intensity, wherein the first and second yarns (30, 32) form a pattern (36), and overdying the webbing (20) so that the webbing (20) reflects light in the spectral range visible to humans in such a way that it has a homogenous appearance for humans. Moreover, such a webbing (20) and a vehicle comprising such a webbing (20) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Martin SEYFFERT, Oliver GROSS, Karl HUDELMAIER, Jochen HUBER
  • Patent number: 11040684
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint device comprises a control unit and a group of at least two matched airbags (20, 24; 22, 26) for the protection of a vehicle occupant (10; 16) on a particular vehicle seat (12; 16). The control unit is arranged and the airbags (20, 24; 22, 26) are disposed and designed so that, in a collision case, the control unit differentiates between a first situation in which the vehicle occupant (10; 16) is located in a standard distance area relative to a first airbag (20; 22) and a second situation in which the vehicle occupant (10; 16) is located in a rear area which is further distant from the first airbag (20; 22) than the standard distance area. When the first situation is given, the control unit activates the first airbag (20; 22) only. In contrast, when the second situation is given, the control unit activates the first airbag (20; 22) and additionally at least a second airbag (24; 26) of the group, with the first airbag (20; 22) backing the second airbag (24; 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Simon Kramer, Marco Wahl, Silke Leger
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200262316
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (10) for a motor vehicle, having a backrest (12), a height-adjustable headrest (14) and a seatbelt guide (22) integrated in the vehicle seat (10) for a seatbelt (18), wherein the height-adjustable headrest (14) is coupled to the backrest (12), and wherein the headrest (14) can be mechanically coupled to a seatbelt guide adjusting mechanism (36), which mechanically adjusts the seatbelt guide (22) when adjusting the height of the headrest (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Gumprecht, Martin Seyffert, Artur Klein, Alexander Zagula, David Reich, Swen Schaub
  • Publication number: 20200055479
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint device comprises a control unit and a group of at least two matched airbags (20, 24; 22, 26) for the protection of a vehicle occupant (10; 16) on a particular vehicle seat (12; 16). The control unit is arranged and the airbags (20, 24; 22, 26) are disposed and designed so that, in a collision case, the control unit differentiates between a first situation in which the vehicle occupant (10; 16) is located in a standard distance area relative to a first airbag (20; 22) and a second situation in which the vehicle occupant (10; 16) is located in a rear area which is further distant from the first airbag (20; 22) than the standard distance area. When the first situation is given, the control unit activates the first airbag (20; 22) only. In contrast, when the second situation is given, the control unit activates the first airbag (20; 22) and additionally at least a second airbag (24; 26) of the group, with the first airbag (20; 22) backing the second airbag (24; 26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Seyffert, Simon Kramer, Marco Wahl, Silke Leger
  • Patent number: 10315650
    Abstract: A control system and corresponding control method which is adapted and intended for use in an own vehicle for detecting one or more objects based on environmental data obtained from one or more environmental sensors disposed at the vehicle. The environmental sensors are adapted to provide an electronic control unit of the control system with the environmental data which reflect the areas in front of, laterally next to and/or behind the vehicle. The control system is at least adapted and intended for detecting at least one object by means of the environmental sensors during a predetermined period of time or continuously. A movement of each detected object is determined. The presence of a rotational part in the movement of at least one object is identified, and when a rotational part is present, a probability of an occurrence of a collision between the corresponding object and the own vehicle is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Class, Karl-Heinz Glander, Martin Seyffert
  • Patent number: 10292659
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle operating element (12) comprising a sensor (14) for non-invasive measurement of biomolecules in the blood of an operator of a vehicle operating element (12) by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, comprising at least one antenna (16) which includes at least a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and an insulating layer being sandwiched between the two conductive layers. By means of the second conductive layer an excitation signal can be coupled out and an off-resonance excitation signal can be coupled into the antenna (16). Furthermore, a method of non-invasive measurement of biomolecules and a method of operating a vehicle are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Guido Hirzmann, Martin Seyffert, Raymond Glocker, Chunnan Chen, Hendrik Dietrich
  • 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: 20180228440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle operating element (12) comprising a sensor (14) for non-invasive measurement of biomolecules in the blood of an operator of a vehicle operating element (12) by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, comprising at least one antenna (16) which includes at least a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and an insulating layer being sandwiched between the two conductive layers. By means of the second conductive layer an excitation signal can be coupled out and an off-resonance excitation signal can be coupled into the antenna (16). Furthermore, a method of non-invasive measurement of biomolecules and a method of operating a vehicle are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Guido Hirzmann, Martin Seyffert, Raymond Glocker, Chunnan Chen, Hendrik Dietrich
  • 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: 20170217431
    Abstract: A control system and corresponding control method which is adapted and intended for use in an own vehicle for detecting one or more objects based on environmental data obtained from one or more environmental sensors disposed at the vehicle. The environmental sensors are adapted to provide an electronic control unit of the control system with the environmental data which reflect the areas in front of, laterally next to and/or behind the vehicle. The control system is at least adapted and intended for detecting at least one object by means of the environmental sensors during a predetermined period of time or continuously. A movement of each detected object is determined. The presence of a rotational part in the movement of at least one object is identified, and when a rotational part is present, a probability of an occurrence of a collision between the corresponding object and the own vehicle is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Uwe Class, Karl-Heinz Glander, Martin Seyffert
  • 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