Patents by Inventor Rolf Verhoeven

Rolf Verhoeven 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: 11845374
    Abstract: A loading system laterally loads and unloads an upper body structure onto a vehicle platform of a motor vehicle. The system includes two loading arms pivotably mounted on lengthwise ends of the vehicle platform. The loading arms jointly swivel between upward and lateral orientations with respect to the vehicle platform and jointly extend and retract. Each loading arm has an engaging portion at a distal end of the respective loading arm to engage a corresponding support portion at a respective lengthwise end of the upper body structure. The loading arms engage and release the upper body structure by swiveling into the lateral orientation and extending and retracting within the lateral orientation. The loading arms mount the engaged upper body structure on top of the vehicle platform by swiveling with the engaged upper body structure into the upward orientation and retracting with the engaged upper body structure within the upward orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Bahman Moarefi, Andrew Vaughan, Vincent Laurent, Miroslav Kropac, Jelle Tjebbes, Sebastian Kluh, Ameya Karmarkar, Rolf Verhoeven, Kadir Oguzcan Ger
  • Publication number: 20230347794
    Abstract: Method and seat adjustment system for supporting relaxation of an occupant sitting on a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle. A method for supporting relaxation of an occupant, in particular a driver, sitting on a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle comprises receiving a request for relaxation from the vehicle occupant by a seat controller of the motor vehicle; and moving at least a sitting portion of the vehicle seat back and forth according to a movement sequence specified by the seat controller defining a rocking motion for the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat, wherein the movement sequence is actuated by the seat controller via at least one of: at least one seat motion actuator integrated in or attached to the vehicle seat or an active suspension system of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Rolf VERHOEVEN
  • Publication number: 20230009002
    Abstract: A loading system for laterally loading and unloading an upper body structure onto and from a vehicle platform includes loading gear rails mounted on respective lengthwise ends of the vehicle platform, the loading gear rails configured to jointly extend and retract from the vehicle platform by moving in a lateral direction of the vehicle platform, each loading gear rail having first gear teeth gear-engaging with a correspondingly formed platform gear wheel rotatably mounted on the vehicle platform and second gear teeth configured to engage a correspondingly formed upper body gear wheel at a respective lengthwise end of the upper body structure, wherein the platform gear wheel actuates lateral movement of the loading gear rails to engage the upper body structure with the loading gear rails at the upper body gear wheels and to load the engaged upper body structure onto the vehicle platform or to load and unload the engaged upper body structure from the vehicle platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Bahman MOAREFI, Andrew VAUGHN, Vincent LAURENT, Miroslav KROPAC, Jelle TJEBBES, Sebastian KLÜH, Ameya KARMARKAR, Rolf VERHOEVEN, Kadir OGUZCAN GER
  • Publication number: 20220306220
    Abstract: A loading system laterally loads and unloads an upper body structure onto a vehicle platform of a motor vehicle. The system includes two loading arms pivotably mounted on lengthwise ends of the vehicle platform. The loading arms jointly swivel between upward and lateral orientations with respect to the vehicle platform and jointly extend and retract. Each loading arm has an engaging portion at a distal end of the respective loading arm to engage a corresponding support portion at a respective lengthwise end of the upper body structure. The loading arms engage and release the upper body structure by swiveling into the lateral orientation and extending and retracting within the lateral orientation. The loading arms mount the engaged upper body structure on top of the vehicle platform by swiveling with the engaged upper body structure into the upward orientation and retracting with the engaged upper body structure within the upward orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Bahman Moarefi, Andrew Vaughan, Vincent Laurent, Miroslav Kropac, Jelle Tjebbes, Sebastian Kluh, Ameya Karmarkar, Rolf Verhoeven, Kadir Oguzcan Ger
  • Publication number: 20220297778
    Abstract: A vehicle platform for a vehicle is provided. The platform includes a platform base extending in a longitudinal direction, and a loading system for laterally loading and unloading an upper body structure onto the platform base. The loading system includes first and second fork arms supporting the upper body structure with respect to a vertical direction, and a lifting mechanism coupled to the platform base and the first and second fork arms. The lifting mechanism moves the first and second fork arms relative to the platform base along the vertical direction. The first and second fork arms are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and each are movable along a lateral direction between a retracted position, in which the fork arms completely overlap with the platform base, and an extended position, in which the fork arms protrude in the lateral direction from a lateral side of the platform base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Bahman Moarefi, Andrew Vaughan, Vincent Laurent, Miroslav Kropac, Jelle Tjebbes, Sebastian Kluh, Ameya Karmarkar, Rolf Verhoeven, Kadir Oguzcan Ger
  • Patent number: 9446793
    Abstract: An under-floor frame system is disclosed. In particular, a main frame made of carbon fiber composite materials forms a closed quadrangle. A center cross member made of carbon fiber composite materials runs along a width direction of a vehicle and connects middles of the both side members. Also, a front cross member and a rear cross member made of carbon fiber composite materials runs along a width direction of a vehicle and connects a front side member portion and a rear side member portion at both sides of the main frame, respectively. A center tunnel member made of carbon fiber composite materials and is extended in a width direction of a vehicle to traverse an upper space of the center cross member and connects the front cross member and the rear cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chi Hoon Choi, Young Ho Choi, Gi Hwan Kim, Jeong Min Cho, Hermann Hansen, Rolf Verhoeven, Pawel Kwasniak
  • Publication number: 20150251700
    Abstract: An under-floor frame system is disclosed. In particular, a main frame made of carbon fiber composite materials forms a closed quadrangle. A center cross member made of carbon fiber composite materials runs along a width direction of a vehicle and connects middles of the both side members. Also, a front cross member and a rear cross member made of carbon fiber composite materials runs along a width direction of a vehicle and connects a front side member portion and a rear side member portion at both sides of the main frame, respectively. A center tunnel member made of carbon fiber composite materials and is extended in a width direction of a vehicle to traverse an upper space of the center cross member and connects the front cross member and the rear cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Chi Hoon Choi, Young Ho Choi, Gi Hwan Kim, Jeong Min Cho, Hermann Hansen, Rolf Verhoeven, Pawel Kwasniak