Patents by Inventor Michael Beuschel

Michael Beuschel 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: 11859727
    Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator unit for opening or closing a valve opening of a valve for a pneumatic adjusting device of a vehicle seat, comprising a circuit board with a top side extending in a circuit board plane, an actuating element with an actuating section for opening or closing the valve opening and a bending section connected to the actuating section, and an actuator element with a first end mechanically connected to the actuating section and a second end mechanically connected to the circuit board. The actuator element is configured to, when actuated, bend the bending section such that the actuating section is moved between a first position for opening the valve opening and a second position for closing the valve opening. The actuating section is arranged on a first side and the bending section is arranged on a second side, situated opposite the first side, respective of the circuit board plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Johann Steinberger, Johann Riepl, Stefan Bauer
  • Publication number: 20230304479
    Abstract: A linear drive comprises: a lever having a through bore; a rod which extends through the bore; a bearing supporting the rod; a shape memory alloy connected to the lever and a first fixed bearing, the shape memory alloy exerting a tensile force on the lever when electrical power is applied; and a restoring element connected to the lever and a second fixed bearing, the restoring element exerting a restoring force on the lever and counter to the tensile force. In a first state, the lever is tilted making a non-positive connection between the lever and the rod. In a second state the lever is displaced in parallel to and in the direction of the tensile force. In a third state the lever is tilted back releasing the non-positive connection. In a fourth state, the lever is displaced in parallel to and in the direction of the restoring force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer
  • Publication number: 20230147954
    Abstract: The crimping element for holding a wire with a nominal diameter of approximately 0.1 mm or less comprises sheet-metal with a base portion extending in a base plane and a holding portion connected to the base portion. The holding portion comprises first and second clamping elements spaced apart from each other by a holding portion recess. The first element comprises a first clamping portion extending in a first plane and connected to the base portion and a second clamping portion, forming a first clamping region for holding the wire. The second element comprises a third clamping portion extending in a second plane and connected to the base portion and a fourth clamping portion, forming a second clamping region for holding the wire The first plane forms a first angle approximately 0°-10° with the base portion plane. The second plane forms a second angle approximately 1°-10° with the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer, Johann Steinberger
  • Patent number: 11635154
    Abstract: A fluid bladder valve for a pneumatic vehicle seat adjustment device is disclosed. The valve comprises a first chamber configured to be connected to a fluid source, a second chamber configured to be connected to the fluid bladder, a third chamber configured to be connected to an environment, a fourth chamber connected to the first chamber via a first fluid passage, connected to the second chamber via a second fluid passage, and connected to the third chamber via a third fluid passage; and an actuator comprising a membrane disposed in the fourth chamber and an actuator element disposed in the third chamber and coupled to the membrane and configured to move the membrane between a first position wherein the first fluid passage is opened and the third fluid passage is closed, and a second position wherein the first fluid passage is closed and the third fluid passage is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Johann Steinberger, Norbert Seltner
  • Publication number: 20230121862
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement for an electromagnetically actuatable valve comprises a housing having a first wall, and a second wall situated opposite the first wall, a solenoid armature, with first and second axial armature end surfaces facing toward the first and second housing walls respectively, movable along an axis between a first position, where the first end surface makes contact with the first wall, and a second position, where the first end surface is away from the first wall. A damping element of an elastomer material extends from the second end surface toward the second wall and contacts the second wall in the first and second positions of the solenoid armature, A stop element of an elastomer material extends from the second end surface toward the second wall and, in the first position, is away from the second wall and, in the second position, contacts the second wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer, Holger Fernengel, Jürgen Wedell, Alexander Kerler
  • Patent number: 11603022
    Abstract: A valve configuration parts kit for providing at least two valve configurations, including: a first plate-shaped main body, a plurality of wall-type webs attached to the plate-shaped main body which, conjointly with the plate-shaped main body, at least in part define fluid paths, and a second main body attached to the first main body, or a third main body attached to the first main body. The second main body contacts a first sub-quantity of the plurality of webs such that the first main body, the second main body, and the first sub-quantity define a first fluid path system for providing a first valve configuration. The third main body contacts a second sub-quantity of the plurality of webs such that the first main body, the third main body, and the second sub-quantity define a second fluid path system for providing a second valve configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer
  • Publication number: 20220325815
    Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator unit for opening or closing a valve opening of a valve for a pneumatic adjusting device of a vehicle seat, comprising a circuit board with a top side extending in a circuit board plane, an actuating element with an actuating section for opening or closing the valve opening and a bending section connected to the actuating section, and an actuator element with a first end mechanically connected to the actuating section and a second end mechanically connected to the circuit board. The actuator element is configured to, when actuated, bend the bending section such that the actuating section is moved between a first position for opening the valve opening and a second position for closing the valve opening. The actuating section is arranged on a first side and the bending section is arranged on a second side, situated opposite the first side, respective of the circuit board plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Johann Steinberger, Johann Riepl, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 11458873
    Abstract: A method for determining a fluid pressure in a pneumatic bladder of a pneumatic adjusting device of a vehicle seat is disclosed, wherein the pneumatic bladder is connected to a valve for the filling or emptying of the bladder with or of fluid. Fluid start pressure at the valve is provided as initial pressure for determining of the fluid pressure in the bladder. Fluid throughflow through the valve device is determined using a first assignment rule which assigns the fluid throughflow to the fluid start pressure at the valve. The fluid throughflow obtained using the first assignment rule over a predetermined period of time is summed to determine a fluid quantity that has flowed through the valve. Fluid pressure present in the bladder is determined using a second assignment rule which assigns the fluid pressure present in the bladder to the determined fluid quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 11453316
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle including at least one device, in which the one device is altered from a first state to a second state by an electronic computing device of the vehicle. The electronic computing device ascertains a present time and automatically alters the device from the first state to the second state on the basis of the ascertained time. Provision is made for the second state to be ascertained automatically by the electronic computing device from the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Berthold Bocsanyi
  • Patent number: 11236839
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve, including a valve housing with an air chamber with one or more air ports. A respective air port of at least one of the air ports can be opened and closed by a movable valve flap which is mechanically coupled to a shape memory alloy. The SMA element deforms as a result of supplying electrical heating current and effects a predefined movement of the valve flap for opening or closing the respective air port. The deformation of the SMA element is reversed when the supply of the electrical heating current ends. The valve flap has a leaf spring. The leaf spring is held rotationally fixedly relative to the valve housing. The leaf spring interacts with the SMA element such that a stroke of the SMA element caused by the deformation is converted into a stroke of the valve flap by elastic bending of the leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Alexander Kerler, Johann Steinberger
  • Patent number: 11077781
    Abstract: A fluid bladder valve for a pneumatic vehicle seat adjustment device is disclosed. The valve comprises a first chamber configured to connect to a fluid source, a second chamber configured to connect to the fluid bladder, a third chamber configured to connect to an environment, a fourth chamber connected to the first chamber via a first fluid passage, connected to the second valve chamber via a second fluid passage, and connected to the third valve chamber via a third fluid passage; and an actuator comprising a blocking element disposed in the fourth chamber and an actuator element disposed in the third valve chamber and coupled to the blocking element and configured to move the blocking element between a first position wherein the first passage is opened and the third passage is closed, and a second position wherein the first passage is closed and the third passage is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Johann Steinberger, Norbert Seltner, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 11047497
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve including an air chamber with an air connection, and an actuator with a movable shut-off element and with an SMA element composed of a shape memory alloy. The SMA element is mechanically coupled to the movable shut-off element, wherein, for the activation of the actuator, electrical heating power is fed to the SMA element, after which the SMA element deforms and brings about a predefined movement of the shut-off element for opening or closing the air connection. The actuator includes a detection unit to detect the arrival at and departure from an end position of the shut-off element when the actuator is activated. The actuator includes a control device which is configured such that, when the actuator is activated, the control device detects the current cycle time between a departure from and the next arrival at the end position by the shut-off element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 10989323
    Abstract: A pneumatic solenoid valve, comprising an electromagnetic actuator and an air chamber with multiple air connections configured to be connected with the interposition of the air chamber via multiple switching positions of the magnetic actuator is disclosed. The actuator is configured to assume three different switching positions by energizing the actuator in a unipolar manner with three different current intensities and to move first and second sealing element via an actuation mechanism when switching between the switching positions. In a first position, a first sealing element closes a first air connection, and a second sealing element releases a second air connection. In a second switching position, the first sealing element closes the first air connection, and the second sealing element closes the second air connection. In a third switching position, the first sealing element releases the first air connection, and the second sealing element closes the second air connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer, Holger Fernengel, Alexander Kerler, Martin Kolbinger
  • Publication number: 20210114497
    Abstract: A valve configuration parts kit for providing at least two valve configurations, including: a first plate-shaped main body, a plurality of wall-type webs attached to the plate-shaped main body which, conjointly with the plate-shaped main body, at least in part define fluid paths, and a second main body attached to the first main body, or a third main body attached to the first main body. The second main body contacts a first sub-quantity of the plurality of webs such that the first main body, the second main body, and the first sub-quantity define a first fluid path system for providing a first valve configuration. The third main body contacts a second sub-quantity of the plurality of webs such that the first main body, the third main body, and the second sub-quantity define a second fluid path system for providing a second valve configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer
  • Publication number: 20210018109
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve, including a valve housing with an air chamber with one or more air ports. A respective air port of at least one of the air ports can be opened and closed by a movable valve flap which is mechanically coupled to a shape memory alloy. The SMA element deforms as a result of supplying electrical heating current and effects a predefined movement of the valve flap for opening or closing the respective air port. The deformation of the SMA element is reversed when the supply of the electrical heating current ends. The valve flap has a leaf spring. The leaf spring is held rotationally fixedly relative to the valve housing. The leaf spring interacts with the SMA element such that a stroke of the SMA element caused by the deformation is converted into a stroke of the valve flap by elastic bending of the leaf spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Alexander Kerler, Johann Steinberger
  • Publication number: 20200378516
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve including an air chamber with an air connection, and an actuator with a movable shut-off element and with an SMA element composed of a shape memory alloy. The SMA element is mechanically coupled to the movable shut-off element, wherein, for the activation of the actuator, electrical heating power is fed to the SMA element, after which the SMA element deforms and brings about a predefined movement of the shut-off element for opening or closing the air connection. The actuator includes a detection unit to detect the arrival at and departure from an end position of the shut-off element when the actuator is activated. The actuator includes a control device which is configured such that, when the actuator is activated, the control device detects the current cycle time between a departure from and the next arrival at the end position by the shut-off element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 10808853
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve, includes an air chamber, a connector for supplying compressed air to the air chamber and one or more connectors for discharging compressed air from the air chamber. The valve includes an actuator with a mobile closure element which, when the actuator is activated, blocks the supply of compressed air via the supply connector, and when the actuator is deactivated, is arranged to permit the supply of compressed air via the supply connector. The actuator is configured such that the closure element, on deactivation of the actuator, is moved by a restoring force into the free position. A check valve with a spring is arranged at the supply connector. The elastic force of the spring in the free position of the closure element prevents back-flow of compressed air from the air chamber into the supply connector when there is no supply of compressed air at the supply connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer, Markus Ziegelmeier
  • Patent number: 10753494
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve, includes an air chamber with a supply port to supply compressed air into the air chamber and one or more discharge ports for discharging compressed air from the air chamber. An actuator with a movable closing element and a shape memory alloy SMA element are provided in the valve. The SMA element deforms in response to a supply of electrical heating current and effects an activation of the actuator by movement of the closing element. When the actuator is in an activated state, the closing element blocks the supply of compressed air via the supply port is blocked. When the actuator is in a deactivated state, the closing element enables the supply of compressed air via the supply port. Upon deactivation of the actuator, the closing element is moved by a restoring force into the free setting. The valve includes a check valve with an elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer, Norbert Seltner, Alexander Kerler
  • Patent number: 10711911
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a pressure distributor for a motor vehicle, in particular for pneumatic actuators in seats, wherein a pressure generator and a plurality of pneumatic actuators can be connected to the pressure distributor, wherein each actuator is assigned at least one electrically controllable valve which forwards a pressure which is generated by the pressure generator in a targeted manner via a respective outlet to the actuator which is assigned to it, wherein the plurality of valves are supplied with compressed air by the pressure generator during operation of the pressure distributor via a respective inlet of a common air inlet line. The common air inlet line is connected as a separate component via a releasable connection to the plurality of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Gerhard Berghoff, Alexander Kerler
  • Publication number: 20200103047
    Abstract: A fluid bladder valve for a pneumatic vehicle seat adjustment device is disclosed. The valve comprises a first chamber configured to be connected to a fluid source, a second chamber configured to be connected to the fluid bladder, a third chamber configured to be connected to an environment, a fourth chamber connected to the first chamber via a first fluid passage, connected to the second chamber via a second fluid passage, and connected to the third chamber via a third fluid passage; and an actuator comprising a membrane disposed in the fourth chamber and an actuator element disposed in the third chamber and coupled to the membrane and configured to move the membrane between a first position wherein the first fluid passage is opened and the third fluid passage is closed, and a second position wherein the first fluid passage is closed and the third fluid passage is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Johann Steinberger, Norbert Seltner