Patents by Inventor Thomas Bethge

Thomas Bethge 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: 7746011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle, and equipped with a central control unit, motors, peripheral motor control devices each associated to one motor and connected to the central control unit. To allow rapid and accurate adjustments while providing versatility, the invention provides that each motor and its associated motor control device shall constitute a closed regulation loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Gerding, Thomas Bethge
  • Patent number: 7479749
    Abstract: Vehicle seat arrangement includes an electric adjustment mechanism, a direct current motor for adjusting a vehicle seat component, with direct current terminals configured to receive a motor current. a control device for controlling or regulating direct current motor, which applies direct current to the direct current terminals based upon adjustment speed to be set. upon receiving a comfort adjustment signal control device actuates direct current motor for a gradual comfort adjustment of vehicle seat component, upon receiving a pre-crash signal control device actuates direct current motor for a rapid pre-crash adjustment of vehicle component from a current initial position to a safe pre-crash position. Adjustment data for safe pre-crash position and initial position are stored in a memory device prior to pre-crash adjustment, and rapid pre-crash adjustment is implemented at a load and acceleration that are the maximum permissible for direct current motor at the respective operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Gerding, Thomas Bethge
  • Patent number: 7387184
    Abstract: An adjusting arrangement for pre-crash adjustment of at least one vehicle component, in particular of a vehicle seat, is disclosed, having an adjusting device with two entry connections, and a control device for receiving an entry signal and output of a control signal to the adjusting device for adjusting the vehicle component in a crash—secure position. The switching device can be adjusted between a normal operating position and a quick adjustment position. The control device emits, upon recognizing a pre-crash situation, a switching signal for adjusting the switching device into the quick adjustment position, and a second voltage is applied at the entry connections of the adjusting device in the quick adjusting position, which is greater than a first voltage applied in the normal operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Bethge, Rainer Gerding
  • Publication number: 20070096668
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle, and equipped with a central control unit, motors, peripheral motor control devices each associated to one motor and connected to the central control unit. To allow rapid and accurate adjustments while providing versatility, the invention provides that each motor and its associated motor control device shall constitute a closed regulation loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Rainer Gerding, Thomas Bethge
  • Publication number: 20070080657
    Abstract: Vehicle seat arrangement includes an electric adjustment mechanism, a direct current motor for adjusting a vehicle seat component, with direct current terminals configured to receive a motor current. a control device for controlling or regulating direct current motor, which applies direct current to the direct current terminals based upon adjustment speed to be set. upon receiving a comfort adjustment signal control device actuates direct current motor for a gradual comfort adjustment of vehicle seat component, upon receiving a pre-crash signal control device actuates direct current motor for a rapid pre-crash adjustment of vehicle component from a current initial position to a safe pre-crash position. Adjustment data for safe pre-crash position and initial position are stored in a memory device prior to pre-crash adjustment, and rapid pre-crash adjustment is implemented at a load and acceleration that are the maximum permissible for direct current motor at the respective operating point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Rainer Gerding, Thomas Bethge
  • Publication number: 20040212226
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting arrangement for pre-crash adjustment of at least one vehicle component, in particular of a vehicle seat, having an adjusting device (11) with two entry connections (B1, B2), and a control device (12) for receiving an entry signal (S1) and output of a control signal (S2) to the adjusting device (11) for adjusting the vehicle component in a crash—secure position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Bethge, Rainer Gerding
  • Publication number: 20040075404
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle, and equipped with a central control unit, motors, peripheral motor control devices each associated to one motor and connected to the central control unit. To allow rapid and accurate adjustments while providing versatility, the invention provides that each motor and its associated motor control device shall constitute a closed regulation loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Rainer Gerding, Thomas Bethge
  • Publication number: 20030111875
    Abstract: A control circuit within a control housing that is powered by means of a pluggable plug device may be plugged into an adjusting motor including a motor housing. The control housing may be affixed to the motor housing using a form or friction fit. The motor housing includes a plug device for optional connection with a matching plug device to supply power via a cable or from the output of the control circuit, whereby the control circuit includes a plug device matching the plug device on the motor housing and the plug device forming the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Bethge, Rainer Gerding