Patents by Inventor Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK

Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK 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).

  • Publication number: 20240110427
    Abstract: Described is an actuating mechanism for actuating a cover of a vehicle. The cover is reversibly movable between a closed position where the cover is arranged flush with a vehicle outer shell and an open position where the cover is arranged at least partially or regionally behind the vehicle outer shell. The actuating mechanism comprises a movement mechanism operatively connected to the rear side of the cover. In order to transition the cover from the closed position into the open position proceeding from the closed position of the cover, the movement mechanism moves the cover initially into an intermediate position in a rotational and translational movement in which intermediate position the cover is pivoted relative to the closed position of the cover about a first axis of rotation and is at least partially or regionally offset in comparison to the closed position backwards towards the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Tobias GÖPFERT, Matthias HEGWEIN, Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK, Joachim OBERST, Roland OCH
  • Publication number: 20240060343
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuating mechanism (100) for actuating covers (102) for vehicles. The actuation mechanism (110) includes: a drive having a drive shaft; and at least one lever arm (101), which is connectable to the cover (102) and is configured so as to tap a rotational movement from the drive shaft when the drive is actuated and convert it into a movement of the cover (102). The lever arm (101) includes a drive surface (111), which communicates with the drive shaft such that a rotation of the drive shaft via the drive surface (111) is transferred to the lever arm (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Tobias GÖPFERT, Matthias HEGWEIN, Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK, Joachim OBERST, Roland OCH
  • Publication number: 20230151651
    Abstract: A locking device enables locking a charging, fueling, or service flap on a compartment. The flap is reversibly movable between a closed position and an open position. The locking device includes a flap lock for locking the flap in its closed position. The flap lock has a locking position, in which the flap lock locks the flap, and a release position in which the flap is moveable in relation to the flap lock. A first transfer shaft is connected to the flap lock such that the flap lock is moveable by a movement of the first transfer shaft between the locking position and the release position. A pushing element is connected to the first transfer shaft and configured so as to push the flap out of its closed position away from the charging compartment after the flap lock is transferred into its release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Matthias HEGWEIN, Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF, Roland OCH, Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK, Matthias KAPAUN
  • Patent number: 11299039
    Abstract: A tank flap or charging flap arrangement, for a vehicle, includes a housing body and a tank flap or charging flap which is mounted on the housing body via a hinge arm so as to be pivotable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the hinge arm is received in a receiving space of the housing body and, in the open position, protrudes at least partially out of the receiving space. A cover is arranged on the housing body or the hinge arm and covers the receiving space when the tank or charging flap is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Schwab, Thomas Lechner-Watzlik, Julian Fischer, Andreas Stubenberger
  • Patent number: 11098506
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle, having push-push kinematics which interact with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Schwab, Thomas Lechner-Watzlik, Julian Fischer
  • Publication number: 20210040783
    Abstract: A system for a replenishment door of a vehicle includes a body having a port and defining a latch aperture, a door pivotably attached to the body with a hinge, a system controller, and a latch assembly. The door is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The latch assembly is configured for securing the door to the housing in the closed position. Further, the latch assembly includes a housing and a light source disposed within the housing, the light source being configured to project light through the housing, and the system controller being configured to control an intensity of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Constantin Mahler, Thomas Lechner-Watzlik
  • Publication number: 20200114756
    Abstract: A tank flap or charging flap arrangement, for a vehicle, includes a housing body and a tank flap or charging flap which is mounted on the housing body via a hinge arm so as to be pivotable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the hinge arm is received in a receiving space of the housing body and, in the open position, protrudes at least partially out of the receiving space. A cover is arranged on the housing body or the hinge arm and covers the receiving space when the tank or charging flap is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas SCHWAB, Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK, Julian FISCHER, Andreas STUBENBERGER
  • Publication number: 20190093392
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle, having push-push kinematics which interact with the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas SCHWAB, Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK, Julian FISCHER