Patents by Inventor Michael Bleckmann

Michael Bleckmann 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: 11747221
    Abstract: An electrical multidirectional force sensor includes a sensor element having a sensor pin and a sensor plate and a circuit board. The sensor pin is movable in at least two actuation directions. The sensor plate is integrally connected to multiple strip-shaped support elements. Each strip-shaped support element has an end portion with an opening. The sensor plate and the strip-shaped support elements are cut free in one piece from a metal plate. The sensor plate is connected to the sensor pin to move relative to the circuit board in correspondence with movement of the sensor pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Fehling, Matthias Seifert, Alexander Kaul, Michael Bleckmann, Kai Brensel, Guido Huperz
  • Patent number: 11349477
    Abstract: A control element for roof or window adjustment in a motor vehicle includes a surface and a sensor. The surface has an introduced recess and a surface portion. The surface portion is connected to the surface in a gap-free manner above the recess. The surface portion only partially covers the recess. The sensor is formed within the surface portion or is arranged onto the bottom side thereof to detect deformations of the surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Borgmann, Michael Bleckmann
  • Publication number: 20210364373
    Abstract: An electrical multidirectional force sensor includes a sensor element having a sensor pin and a sensor plate and a circuit board. The sensor pin is movable in at least two actuation directions. The sensor plate is integrally connected to multiple strip-shaped support elements. Each strip-shaped support element has an end portion with an opening. The sensor plate and the strip-shaped support elements are cut free in one piece from a metal plate. The sensor plate is connected to the sensor pin to move relative to the circuit board in correspondence with movement of the sensor pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Fehling, Matthias Seifert, Alexander Kaul, Michael Bleckmann, Kai Brensel, Guido Huperz
  • Patent number: 11180030
    Abstract: A switching device for actuating drive elements includes first switching elements situated on a housing surface to be actuatable by fingers of a person and a second switching element situated on a housing surface to be actuatable by a palm, a palm heel, or a thumb of the person. The first and second switching elements are formed by touch surface sensors without switching contacts. In one variation, actuation of one of the first switching elements causes actuation of a corresponding one of the drive elements only when the second switching element is actuated during the actuation of the one of the first switching elements. In another variation, simultaneous actuation of one of the first switching elements and the second switching element causes a drive element corresponding to the one of the first switching elements to be actuated according to a function corresponding to the second switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Uwe Borgmann
  • Patent number: 11112870
    Abstract: An electromagnetic feedback actuator for an operating element includes an electromagnet, a magnet armature, and a metal body. The electromagnet includes a magnetic coil and a magnetic core. The magnet armature is moveable relative to the electromagnet. The operating element includes an actuating element (e.g., touch surface, sensor surface). The magnet armature is mechanically coupled to the operating element to provide a force pulse to the operating element in response to contact with, or pressure actuation on, an actuating element of the operating element. The electromagnet is arranged in the metal body. The metal body, in integral fashion, forms the magnet armature, a magnet yoke for the magnetic core of the electromagnet, and a holder for the electromagnet. An arrangement includes at least one such electromagnetic feedback actuator coupled to an operating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: KOSTAL Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Daniel Klagges, Carl Christian Lexow, Kai Brensel
  • Publication number: 20200086742
    Abstract: A switching device for actuating drive elements includes first switching elements situated on a housing surface to be actuatable by fingers of a person and a second switching element situated on a housing surface to be actuatable by a palm, a palm heel, or a thumb of the person. The first and second switching elements are formed by touch surface sensors without switching contacts. In one variation, actuation of one of the first switching elements causes actuation of a corresponding one of the drive elements only when the second switching element is actuated during the actuation of the one of the first switching elements. In another variation, simultaneous actuation of one of the first switching elements and the second switching element causes a drive element corresponding to the one of the first switching elements to be actuated according to a function corresponding to the second switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Uwe Borgmann
  • Publication number: 20190386660
    Abstract: A control element for roof or window adjustment in a motor vehicle includes a surface and a sensor. The surface has an introduced recess and a surface portion. The surface portion is connected to the surface in a gap-free manner above the recess. The surface portion only partially covers the recess. The sensor is formed within the surface portion or is arranged onto the bottom side thereof to detect deformations of the surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Borgmann, Michael Bleckmann
  • Patent number: 10340102
    Abstract: A device for controlling multiple functions includes a switch panel. The switch panel includes control panels extending along a longitudinal extension of the switch panel. The switch panel is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation parallel with the longitudinal extension to pivot about the axis of rotation in response to manual actuation of the switch panel by manual actuation of the control panels. The switch panel is movable with respect to the longitudinal extension of the switch panel and is fixed with respect to a transverse extension of the switch panel perpendicular to the longitudinal extension. Force sensors respectively associated with the control panels are distributed along the longitudinal extension of the switch panel. Actuation of the switch panel by actuating one of the control panels triggers a function depending on which one control panel is actuated and the force sensors detect which control panel is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Uwe Borgmann
  • Publication number: 20190079585
    Abstract: An electromagnetic feedback actuator for an operating element includes an electromagnet, a magnet armature, and a metal body. The electromagnet includes a magnetic coil and a magnetic core. The magnet armature is moveable relative to the electromagnet. The operating element includes an actuating element (e.g., touch surface, sensor surface). The magnet armature is mechanically coupled to the operating element to provide a force pulse to the operating element in response to contact with, or pressure actuation on, an actuating element of the operating element. The electromagnet is arranged in the metal body. The metal body, in integral fashion, forms the magnet armature, a magnet yoke for the magnetic core of the electromagnet, and a holder for the electromagnet. An arrangement includes at least one such electromagnetic feedback actuator coupled to an operating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Daniel Klagges, Carl Christian Lexow, Kai Brensel
  • Publication number: 20190009692
    Abstract: An operating device for an actuator-adjustable motor vehicle seat includes a control element and multiple force sensors. The control element has a contour which simulates the outline shape of the motor vehicle seat. Pressing actuations directed to various locations on the contour of the control element trigger different adjustment movements of the vehicle seat. The pressing actuations are detected by the force sensors which can measure horizontal and vertical forces. The actuation position and the actuation direction of a finger on the control element may be detected from the reaction forces of the force sensors. The force sensors are designed as three force sensors that measure in one dimension; two of the force sensors are situated in parallel to one another; and a third force sensor is situated perpendicularly with respect to the other two force sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Philipp Ciolek, Andre Fehling, Alexander Kaul
  • Patent number: 10109433
    Abstract: An electric pushbutton switch includes a pushbutton, a rocker, and a housing. The pushbutton has a substantially rectangular actuating surface. The pushbutton is received within the housing and is displaceable connected to the housing. The pushbutton displaces with respect to the housing by way of a pressure actuation onto the actuating surface, thus triggering an electrical switching element. The rocker is box-shaped and is arranged within the housing beneath the pushbutton body and is at least partially encompassed by the pushbutton. The rocker is mounted on an inner longitudinally extending wall of the housing by a pivot bearing. By actuating the actuating surface, the rocker pivots about the pivot bearing while supporting the pushbutton along the longitudinal extension of the pushbutton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Tobias Hafner
  • Patent number: 9919601
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a conductive foil, an elastomer body, and a strip composed of a non-elastomeric plastic. The conductive foil is electrically connected to the housing and has a functional section situated outside of the housing. The functional section of the conductive foil has a front side bearing sensors and/or display elements and is installable to a control panel. The elastomer body and the strip are positioned between an outer side of the housing and a back side of the functional section of the conductive foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Molkow, Karl Wilhelm Tenbrueggen, Markus Brendel, Guido Huperz, Michael Bleckmann, Florian Miedl, Thomas Tille
  • Patent number: 9704659
    Abstract: A device for operating multiple functions includes an operating element and a base. The base has side bearings and pins. The operating element has rotational axle end sections mounted in guide slots of the side bearings, respectively, to pivotably be mounted to the base about an axis of rotation to thereby be movable between at least two positions. At least one of the positions is assigned to a switching function. The operating element is further mounted to the base on a centered bearing between the side bearings of the base, and the operating element is supported on the pins of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Corinna Machatzke
  • Patent number: 9672994
    Abstract: A device for operating multiple functions includes an operating element and a base. The base has side bearings with guide slots, hinge joints with pivot pins, and an actuator. The operating element is mounted in the guide slots to pivotably be mounted to the side bearings about an axis of rotation to thereby be movable between positions. At least one of the positions is assigned to a switching function. The operating element is mounted to the base on a centered bearing between the side bearings. The operating element is supported on the pivot pins. Upon the operating element being actuated to trigger a switching function, the actuator produces a haptic feedback by generating an actuating force on the operating element which causes the pivot pins to pivot in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation thereby causing the operating element to axially displace along this same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Corinna Machatzke
  • Publication number: 20170133177
    Abstract: A device for controlling multiple functions includes a switch panel. The switch panel includes control panels extending along a longitudinal extension of the switch panel. The switch panel is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation parallel with the longitudinal extension to pivot about the axis of rotation in response to manual actuation of the switch panel by manual actuation of the control panels. The switch panel is movable with respect to the longitudinal extension of the switch panel and is fixed with respect to a transverse extension of the switch panel perpendicular to the longitudinal extension. Force sensors respectively associated with the control panels are distributed along the longitudinal extension of the switch panel. Actuation of the switch panel by actuating one of the control panels triggers a function depending on which one control panel is actuated and the force sensors detect which control panel is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Uwe Borgmann
  • Publication number: 20170004932
    Abstract: An electric pushbutton switch includes a pushbutton, a rocker, and a housing. The pushbutton has a substantially rectangular actuating surface. The pushbutton is received within the housing and is displaceable connected to the housing. The pushbutton displaces with respect to the housing by way of a pressure actuation onto the actuating surface, thus triggering an electrical switching element. The rocker is box-shaped and is arranged within the housing beneath the pushbutton body and is at least partially encompassed by the pushbutton. The rocker is mounted on an inner longitudinally extending wall of the housing by a pivot bearing. By actuating the actuating surface, the rocker pivots about the pivot bearing while supporting the pushbutton along the longitudinal extension of the pushbutton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Tobias Hafner
  • Publication number: 20160375772
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a conductive foil, an elastomer body, and a strip composed of a non-elastomeric plastic. The conductive foil is electrically connected to the housing and has a functional section situated outside of the housing. The functional section of the conductive foil has a front side bearing sensors and/or display elements and is installable to a control panel. The elastomer body and the strip are positioned between an outer side of the housing and a back side of the functional section of the conductive foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Molkow, Karl Wilhelm Tenbrueggen, Markus Brendel, Guido Huperz, Michael Bleckmann, Florian Miedl, Thomas Tille
  • Publication number: 20160035503
    Abstract: A device for operating multiple functions includes an operating element and a base. The base has side bearings and pins. The operating element has rotational axle end sections mounted in guide slots of the side bearings, respectively, to pivotably be mounted to the base about an axis of rotation to thereby be movable between at least two positions. At least one of the positions is assigned to a switching function. The operating element is further mounted to the base on a centered bearing between the side bearings of the base, and the operating element is supported on the pins of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Corinna Machatzke
  • Publication number: 20160035504
    Abstract: A device for operating multiple functions includes an operating element and a base. The base has side bearings with guide slots, hinge joints with pivot pins, and an actuator. The operating element is mounted in the guide slots to pivotably be mounted to the side bearings about an axis of rotation to thereby be movable between positions. At least one of the positions is assigned to a switching function. The operating element is mounted to the base on a centered bearing between the side bearings. The operating element is supported on the pivot pins. Upon the operating element being actuated to trigger a switching function, the actuator produces a haptic feedback by generating an actuating force on the operating element which causes the pivot pins to pivot in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation thereby causing the operating element to axially displace along this same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Corinna Machatzke
  • Patent number: 9175983
    Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a stator on which a sensor surface is arranged and a rotor configured to rotate about the stator. The rotor forms an actuating surface for the sensor surface. An interval fixing device such as a rotationally fixed sliding disk is arranged between the actuating surface and the sensor surface. A spring is configured to press the sensor surface towards the actuating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Uwe Borgmann