Patents by Inventor Thorsten Bendel

Thorsten Bendel 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: 20210025203
    Abstract: A door handle module for a movable part of a vehicle, in particular for a side door, tailgate, bonnet or luggage compartment hatch, comprising a handle support that can be mounted on the outer skin of the movable part, a handle mounted movably on the handle support and having an operating mechanism that can be hidden at least in part by the outer skin, the operating mechanism being operatively connectable to a latch or a latch drive so that an, in particular mechanical, operation of the latch of the movable part can be performed, and further comprising a sensor unit having at least one sensor element in order to detect a user intention in an operating region of a door handle depression of the movable part so that the lock or the latch drive is electrically actuatable in the operating region in the event that a user intention is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Thorsten BENDEL, Marco EGGERT
  • Publication number: 20200300006
    Abstract: An emergency actuating device for a closing system of a movable part of a vehicle, in particular of a door, sliding door, flap or tailgate, having at least one energy store, a communication unit for wireless communication with an ID transponder, and an electronics unit for activating a lock of the movable part, whereby the lock of the movable part can be transferred from a locking position into an unlocking position or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Thorsten BENDEL, Marco EGGERT, Tobias KLOCKE, Daniel KOCH, Martin LINDMAYER
  • Publication number: 20200291694
    Abstract: A device for opening a door or flap on a motor vehicle, comprising a handle that a user can grip from outside the motor vehicle, a motor vehicle locking mechanism, and a means for actuating the locking mechanism using the handle, said actuating means being a cable that is placed between the handle and the motor vehicle locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventor: Thorsten Bendel
  • Patent number: 10745944
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock equipped with a locking mechanism, an actuation lever mechanism acting on said locking mechanism, and a locking element. The locking element disables the actuation lever mechanism when accelerating forces of a defined magnitude occur, for example in the event of an accident. According to the invention the locking element is a transmission lever which can be impinged upon by a locking unit and is located between the actuation lever mechanism and the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Michael Scholz
  • Patent number: 10597911
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle locking mechanism and to a motor vehicle locking mechanism, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a control unit, at least one electric drive that can be controlled by the control unit, and at least one illuminant that can be associated with the locking mechanism, the illuminant being controllable in accordance with a status of the locking mechanism and/or of a vehicle component accommodating the locking mechanism, said status being detectable by the control unit, the illuminant being integrated into a switching circuit of the electric drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Thorsten Nottebaum
  • Patent number: 10577841
    Abstract: The problem addressed by the invention is that of being to switch a motor vehicle lock from normal operation to emergency or disruption operation within an especially short time and/or with the least possible expenditure of electrical energy. This problem is solved in that a lock for a motor vehicle having a lock mechanism and an electric drive is provided such that the lock can be electrically opened in normal operation. The lock has an additional operating state, called disrupted operation. In disrupted operation, the lock can be opened mechanically, which is not possible in normal operation. The lock comprises a mechanical energy accumulator for switching the lock from normal operation to disrupted operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Michael Merget
  • Publication number: 20200040618
    Abstract: A lock for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking mechanism composed of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, an assisted closing device, an electric drive, and a torque converter, wherein a variable torque is adjustable in the assisted closing device by means of the torque converter, and wherein the assisted closing is achieved at least in some regions by means of a frictional connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventor: Thorsten Bendel
  • Publication number: 20190316388
    Abstract: A method for actuating a motor vehicle lock and a locking device for a motor vehicle includes an actuating lever, a lock and a Bowden cable arranged between the actuating lever and the lock, the lock can be actuated by means of the actuating lever and with the aid of the Bowden cable, and a functional unit arranged on the Bowden cable and comprising an electric drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Klaus Götzen, Christian Sturm, Claus Töpfer, Thorsten Bendel, Winfried Schlabs, Tim Sonnenschein
  • Patent number: 10407952
    Abstract: In order to minimize the sliding friction occurring between the locking parts, that is, between the pawl and the rotary latch of a motor vehicle lock, it is advantageous if, during the machining process, the different latch surfaces of both locking parts are provided with a punched contour and with a contour having a oblique machining groove. Machining grooves are formed, in particular on the latch surface thereof, after stamping the pawl. Defined shapes of oblique channels and/or machining grooves are produced, for example, by milling out the machining grooves. The oblique machining grooves are produced at a defined angle and guarantee that the straight channels on the rotary latch only have a few overlapping points with the oblique grooves, if both locking parts come into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Werner Pohle, Thomas Waldmann
  • Publication number: 20190153748
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock comprising a lock housing, an electric power supply and at least one illuminant which can be connected to the electric power supply, emits light into a light-guiding element and can be placed directly on a circuit board located inside the lock housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Werner Pohle, Thorsten Nottebaum
  • Publication number: 20190055757
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle locking mechanism and to a motor vehicle locking mechanism, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a control unit, at least one electric drive that can be controlled by the control unit, and at least one illuminant that can be associated with the locking mechanism, the illuminant being controllable in accordance with a status of the locking mechanism and/or of a vehicle component accommodating the locking mechanism, said status being detectable by the control unit, the illuminant being integrated into a switching circuit of the electric drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Thorsten Nottebaum
  • Patent number: 10138657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl, wherein, in the closed state of the locking mechanism, the pawl bears with the locking contour thereof against a latching contour of the rotary latch, wherein the locking contour is formed in two parts with a retaining contour and a rolling contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Armin Handke, Matthias Ochtrop, Michael Herrmann, Andreas Sohlbach
  • Patent number: 10132109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle with a locking mechanism comprising a catch (4), a first-position pawl (13), a primary-position pawl (6), a blocking lever for blocking the primary-position pawl, and a driver for the first-position pawl, wherein the driver is a lateral contour area of the first-position pawl (13) and functions to rotate the primary-position pawl out of its notched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Serkan Gülkan, Karsten Barth, Ulrich Weichsel
  • Patent number: 10119306
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device, in particular for a motor vehicle, having a catch mechanism and a coupling device for connecting to a motor drive. The coupling device comprises a coupling lever, which by virtue of a plurality of engagement lugs is able to pivot a coupling lever. The engagement lugs can be detected in succession by the coupling lever and are arranged in this respect one behind the other. The invention further relates to a plastics component for the locking device. An engagement lug is formed by an element protruding from a main face of the coupling lever in order to simplify production and to keep material costs and installation space to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Karsten Barth, Hans Deischl, Martin Lindmayer
  • Patent number: 10094148
    Abstract: A closure device comprises a locking mechanism, which has a rotary latch and a pawl, and an electrical drive for opening the locking mechanism. The closure device has an actuating apparatus for actuating the electrical drive, such that the locking mechanism can be opened exclusively electrically. Thus, there is no mechanical system for enabling the locking mechanism to be opened exclusively in a mechanical manner. In the non-actuated state, the electrical drive is completely disconnected from the current-carrying electrical conductors. Thus, there is then no voltage on the drive, which must be used to open the locking mechanism. The actuating apparatus includes one or more electrical contacts that are closed to contact the electrical drive to a current source and put the electrical drive into operation such that an associated door or flap can be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorsten Bendel
  • Publication number: 20180252008
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock holder (1, 23) for a motor vehicle lock, comprising a locking bolt (3, 25) and a mounting plate (2, 24), wherein the locking bolt (3, 25) can be fastened together with the mounting plate (2, 24) to a motor vehicle body, a cover cap (4, 5, 28, 29), wherein at least the mounting plate (2, 24) can be covered at least in areas by means of the covering cap (4, 5, 28, 29), and wherein the covering cap (4, 5, 28, 29) can be connected in such a way to the mounting plate that the cover cap forms at least in regions a surface area (18, 19) with the mounting plate (2, 24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventor: Thorsten Bendel
  • Publication number: 20180252007
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device (1) for a motor vehicle, said device having: a bonnet (2) with an open position and a closed position; and a bonnet lock (3) with a lock retainer (10; 71), the bonnet lock (3) having: a rotary latch (4) with a preliminary locking position and a main locking position, in which the bonnet (2) is locked and closed; and an electric drive (5), which shifts the rotary latch (4) from the main locking position into the preliminary locking position. The lock retainer (10; 71) has an actuator (41; 72), wherein in a first position of the actuator (41; 72) and in the preliminary locking position of the rotary latch (4) the lock retainer (10; 71) engages with the rotary latch (4) and the bonnet (2) is locked and in a second position of the actuator (41; 72) the lock retainer (10; 71) is released by the rotary latch (4) and the bonnet (2) is unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Karl Krause, Thorsten Nottebaum, Johannes Theodor Menke, Thorsten Bendel
  • Patent number: 10053892
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to be able, with little expenditure of electrical energy and within a short time, to change over a lock, which can be opened electrically, such that said lock can also be opened mechanically. To achieve this, a locking device with a lock, in particular for a motor vehicle, is provided with a locking mechanism, the rotary latch of which can be latched to at least one pawl in a main latching position and in a preliminary latching position. The locking device has an electric drive with which the lock can be opened electrically in normal operation. It furthermore has an actuating device with which the lock can be changed over from normal operation to emergency operation in the event of an emergency. During this changeover, the lock is adjusted from the main latching position into the preliminary latching position, and the lock can be opened mechanically in said preliminary latching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Merget, Thorsten Bendel
  • Publication number: 20180230718
    Abstract: The invention relates to a securing device (1), which has a front hood (2) and a hood lock (3) with a lock holder (10), for a motor vehicle. The hood lock (3) has a rotary latch (4) with a pre-latching position and a main latching position in which the front hood (2) is closed and locked, an electric drive (5) which switches the rotary latch (4) from the main latching position into the pre-latching position, and a bayonet-type closure system (13) with a closed position, a release position, and an intermediate position. In the closed position, the rotary latch (4) is located in the main latching position; in the intermediate position, the rotary latch (4) is located in the pre-latching position and the lock holder (10) is engaged with the rotary latch (4); and in the release position, the lock holder (10) is released by the rotary latch (4) and the front hood (2) is unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Johannes Theodor Menke, Thorsten Nottebaum, Thorsten Bendel, Karl Krause
  • Publication number: 20180106081
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism provided with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a rotary movement of the rotary latch can be blocked by means of the pawl, a drive device by means of which the pawl can be transferred from the locked position into a release position for the locking mechanism, and an adjusting device (9). A motor vehicle part (4) accommodating the vehicle lock can be moved from the closed position into an open position by means of the adjusting device (9). Said adjusting device (9) maintains the motor vehicle part (4) in the open position such that the motor vehicle part (4) can be prevented from opening automatically from the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventor: Thorsten Bendel