Patents by Inventor Werner Freisler
Werner Freisler 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: 20260184280Abstract: A heel airbag for a motor vehicle is provided and may include a carrier element, an airbag module arranged on a front side of the carrier element, and a cover fastened to the carrier element and covering the airbag module. A rear side of the carrier element may have a three-dimensional form-fitting structure for connecting to a three-dimensional body structure of the motor vehicle in the mounted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2023Publication date: July 2, 2026Inventors: Bernd JAKOBS, Michael PICHLER, Michael GROSSHAUSER, Daniel ELIJA, Werner FREISLER
-
Patent number: 12409803Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system (10) comprises a vehicle seat (12) including a backrest (14) with a seat back surface (24), wherein the seat back surface (24) is provided for a vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat (12) to lean there against, and comprises an airbag module (16) integrated in the vehicle seat (12) which includes an airbag (18) being L-shaped in a horizontal section plane. The airbag (18) has a fillable cushioning portion (20) forming a first leg of the L which is positioned along a seat longitudinal direction (L) spaced from the seat back surface (24), and a fillable connecting portion (22) forming a second leg of the L which connects the cushioning portion (20) to the vehicle seat (12).Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2021Date of Patent: September 9, 2025Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Benjamin Weimer, Werner Freisler, Annabelle Munding
-
Patent number: 12311863Abstract: The invention describes an airbag module (10), specifically a knee airbag module, comprising at least a module housing (12), an airbag, specifically a knee airbag, and an inflator (16), as well as a holding element (14), the holding element (14) including a seat (18) for the inflator (16) and enclosing the inflator (16) at least partly, in particular in a cage-like manner, the holding element (14) including securing elements (20) at least for securing the holding element (14) and the airbag to the module housing (12), the holding element (14) and/or the module housing (12) comprising a fixing element (24) for fixing the inflator (16) in the holding element (14). The invention further describes a method for replacing an inflator (16) of an airbag module (10).Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2021Date of Patent: May 27, 2025Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Kalus Bernhard, Marc Elstner, Werner Freisler, Nico Maier
-
Patent number: 12296781Abstract: The invention describes a holding device (12) for holding and releasing a tensioning means (14) of a vehicle safety system. The holding device (12) includes a pyrotechnical actuator assembly (24) for holding and, in terms of signals, specifically releasing the tensioning means (14), wherein the actuator assembly (24) comprises a plastic base (26) in which a pyrotechnical unit (28) including a propelling charge and an igniter (30) is accommodated and held, wherein the pyrotechnical unit (28) has a rear side (36) and an opposite front side (38), and a tensioning means holder (40) which is adjacent to the front side (38) of the pyrotechnical unit (28) and covers the same and which is detachably supported on the plastic base (26).Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2022Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventor: Werner Freisler
-
Patent number: 12291158Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (10) of a vehicle occupant restraint system, specifically a knee airbag module, comprising a folded inflatable airbag (12) for restraining a vehicle occupant, a module housing (14) which includes a flexible airbag sheath (16) at least partially enclosing the folded airbag (12), and comprising a module cover (18) which includes fasteners (20) for fastening the module cover (18) to the module housing (14), wherein the flexible airbag sheath (16) of the module housing (14) is fixed directly to said fasteners (20), and wherein at least one flexible anchoring element (22, 22?) is provided which extends between the folded airbag (12) and the module cover (18) and limits or prevents expansion of the folded airbag (12) toward the module cover (18).Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Daniel Elija, Werner Freisler
-
Patent number: 12263802Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a vehicle seat (12) which includes a backrest (15) with a seat back surface (24), the seat back surface (24) being provided for a vehicle occupant (26) seated in the vehicle seat (12) to lean against the same, and comprising an airbag module (16) integrated in the vehicle seat (12) which includes an airbag (18) being U-shaped in a horizontal section plane, wherein the airbag (18) includes an L-shaped restraining portion (20) and an L-shaped supporting portion (22), wherein the L-shaped restraining portion (20) has a fillable cushioning portion (30) forming a first leg of the L which is positioned along a seat longitudinal direction (L) spaced apart from the seat back surface (24) and which includes a baffle (42) being directed toward the seat back surface (24) and being provided to cushion the vehicle occupant (26), if he/she is displaced forward along the seat longitudinal direction (L), and includes a fillable connecting portion (32) forming a second leg of theType: GrantFiled: July 5, 2021Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Benjamin Weimer, Marc Elstner, Werner Freisler
-
Patent number: 12240404Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a vehicle seat (12) including a backrest (14) having a seat back surface (30), and an airbag module (16) integrated in the vehicle seat (12) including an airbag (20) which is L-shaped in a horizontal section plane and includes a cushioning portion (28) positioned along a seat longitudinal direction (L) spaced apart from the seat back surface (30), as well as a connecting portion (26) connecting the cushioning portion (28) to the vehicle seat (12). A fillable head protection chamber (34) projecting from the cushioning portion (28) along a seat vertical direction (H) which includes a head cushioning surface (36) facing the seat back surface (30) is arranged on the cushioning portion (28).Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2021Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Benjamin Weimer, Werner Freisler
-
Patent number: 12115927Abstract: A folding table device (20) for a vehicle seat comprises a table top (22), an articulated arm (24), an articulation (26), an airbag (38) as well as an inflator (42) connected to the airbag (38) by means of which the airbag (38) is inflatable. The table top (22) can be adjusted via the articulation (26) including the articulated arm (24) about a pivot axis (S) from a rest position into a use position and from the use position into the rest position. Further, the airbag (38) and the inflator (42) are attached to the table top (22). Accordingly, the distance (a) of the center of gravity (54) of the inflator (42) from the pivot axis (S) is smaller than the distance (A) of the center of gravity (56) of the folded airbag (38) from the pivot axis (S). In addition, there is provided a vehicle comprising a vehicle seat and a folding table device (20) of this type.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2022Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Werner Freisler, Simon Schmid
-
Patent number: 12090943Abstract: The present disclosure describes a module base element for a vehicle occupant protection system comprising at least one module carrier for receiving at least one airbag module, wherein the airbag module comprises at least one airbag and the airbag is connected to a gas source, especially a gas generator, and comprising a hinged arm having at least one hinged element so that the module carrier can be moved from an idle position to an operating position and from an operating position to an idle position, and comprising a lap restraint element. The present disclosure further describes a vehicle occupant protection system for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat comprising at least one restraint element, wherein at least one restraint element of the vehicle occupant protection system is disposed in a module base element according to the present disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2023Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Werner Freisler, Erik Hanle
-
Publication number: 20240239291Abstract: A folding table device (20) for a vehicle seat comprises a table top (22), an articulated arm (24), an articulation (26), an airbag (38) as well as an inflator (42) connected to the airbag (38) by means of which the airbag (38) is inflatable. The table top (22) can be adjusted via the articulation (26) including the articulated arm (24) about a pivot axis (S) from a rest position into a use position and from the use position into the rest position. Further, the airbag (38) and the inflator (42) are attached to the table top (22). Accordingly, the distance (a) of the center of gravity (54) of the inflator (42) from the pivot axis (S) is smaller than the distance (A) of the center of gravity (56) of the folded airbag (38) from the pivot axis (S). In addition, there is provided a vehicle comprising a vehicle seat and a folding table device (20) of this type.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2022Publication date: July 18, 2024Inventors: Werner FREISLER, Simon SCHMID
-
Publication number: 20240239295Abstract: The invention describes a holding device (12) for holding and releasing a tensioning means (14) of a vehicle safety system. The holding device (12) includes a pyrotechnical actuator assembly (24) for holding and, in terms of signals, specifically releasing the tensioning means (14), wherein the actuator assembly (24) comprises a plastic base (26) in which a pyrotechnical unit (28) including a propelling charge and an igniter (30) is accommodated and held, wherein the pyrotechnical unit (28) has a rear side (36) and an opposite front side (38), and a tensioning means holder (40) which is adjacent to the front side (38) of the pyrotechnical unit (28) and covers the same and which is detachably supported on the plastic base (26).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2022Publication date: July 18, 2024Inventor: Werner FREISLER
-
Patent number: 11945393Abstract: A foot protection device for a driver (34) of a vehicle including pedals comprises an inflatable first airbag (40) located beneath at least one pedal (10, 12) which, in the inflated state, extends between a bulkhead (24) delimiting the footwell and the associated pedal (10, 12). The first airbag (40) in the inflated state and in a lateral view extends from the bulkhead (24) to the front side of the pedal (10, 12) and laterally encloses the pedal (10, 12) to prevent the foot from bending.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Werner Freisler, Markus Schlipf
-
Publication number: 20240083382Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (12) comprising a restraint airbag (30) which is inflated in a situation of restraint and, in an inflated state, has a restraining effect on an occupant (16), and at least one backup member (36, 36a, 36b) which, in a restraining state, is at least in portions in contact with the inflated restraint airbag (30) and is configured so that it backs the restraint airbag (30) and in particular absorbs a force (F) applied to the restraint airbag (30) by contacting a vehicle occupant (16), wherein, in the inflated state, the restraint airbag (30) is interposed between the backup member (36, 36a, 36b) and the vehicle occupant (16), wherein the backup member (36, 36a, 36b) is arranged, in an initial state, on or in the airbag module. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat and a vehicle comprising an airbag module according to the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Werner FREISLER, Theresa BETZ, Frederic MYERS
-
Publication number: 20230391285Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (10) of a vehicle occupant restraint system, specifically a knee airbag module, comprising a folded inflatable airbag (12) for restraining a vehicle occupant, a module housing (14) which includes a flexible airbag sheath (16) at least partially enclosing the folded airbag (12), and comprising a module cover (18) which includes fasteners (20) for fastening the module cover (18) to the module housing (14), wherein the flexible airbag sheath (16) of the module housing (14) is fixed directly to said fasteners (20), and wherein at least one flexible anchoring element (22, 22?) is provided which extends between the folded airbag (12) and the module cover (18) and limits or prevents expansion of the folded airbag (12) toward the module cover (18).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2021Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Daniel ELIJA, Werner FREISLER
-
Patent number: 11827173Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (12) comprising a restraint airbag (30) which is inflated in a situation of restraint and, in an inflated state, has a restraining effect on an occupant (16), and at least one backup member (36, 36a, 36b) which, in a restraining state, is at least in portions in contact with the inflated restraint airbag (30) and is configured so that it backs the restraint airbag (30) and in particular absorbs a force (F) applied to the restraint airbag (30) by contacting a vehicle occupant (16), wherein, in the inflated state, the restraint airbag (30) is interposed between the backup member (36, 36a, 36b) and the vehicle occupant (16), wherein the backup member (36, 36a, 36b) is arranged, in an initial state, on or in the airbag module. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat and a vehicle comprising an airbag module according to the invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Werner Freisler, Theresa Betz, Frederic Myers
-
Publication number: 20230286458Abstract: The present disclosure describes a module base element for a vehicle occupant protection system comprising at least one module carrier for receiving at least one airbag module, wherein the airbag module comprises at least one airbag and the airbag is connected to a gas source, especially a gas generator, and comprising a hinged arm having at least one hinged element so that the module carrier can be moved from an idle position to an operating position and from an operating position to an idle position, and comprising a lap restraint element. The present disclosure further describes a vehicle occupant protection system for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat comprising at least one restraint element, wherein at least one restraint element of the vehicle occupant protection system is disposed in a module base element according to the present disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Werner Freisler, Erik Hanle
-
Publication number: 20230256931Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a vehicle seat (12) including a backrest (14) having a seat back surface (30), and an airbag module (16) integrated in the vehicle seat (12) including an airbag (20) which is L-shaped in a horizontal section plane and includes a cushioning portion (28) positioned along a seat longitudinal direction (L) spaced apart from the seat back surface (30), as well as a connecting portion (26) connecting the cushioning portion (28) to the vehicle seat (12). A fillable head protection chamber (34) projecting from the cushioning portion (28) along a seat vertical direction (H) which includes a head cushioning surface (36) facing the seat back surface (30) is arranged on the cushioning portion (28).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2021Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Benjamin WEIMER, Werner FREISLER
-
Publication number: 20230256930Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system (10) comprises a vehicle seat (12) including a backrest (14) with a seat back surface (24), wherein the seat back surface (24) is provided for a vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat (12) to lean there against, and comprises an airbag module (16) integrated in the vehicle seat (12) which includes an airbag (18) being L-shaped in a horizontal section plane. The airbag (18) has a fillable cushioning portion (20) forming a first leg of the L which is positioned along a seat longitudinal direction (L) spaced from the seat back surface (24), and a fillable connecting portion (22) forming a second leg of the L which connects the cushioning portion (20) to the vehicle seat (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2021Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Benjamin WEIMER, Werner FREISLER, Annabelle MUNDING
-
Publication number: 20230249641Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a vehicle seat (12) which includes a backrest (15) with a seat back surface (24), the seat back surface (24) being provided for a vehicle occupant (26) seated in the vehicle seat (12) to lean against the same, and comprising an airbag module (16) integrated in the vehicle seat (12) which includes an airbag (18) being U-shaped in a horizontal section plane, wherein the airbag (18) includes an L-shaped restraining portion (20) and an L-shaped supporting portion (22), wherein the L-shaped restraining portion (20) has a fillable cushioning portion (30) forming a first leg of the L which is positioned along a seat longitudinal direction (L) spaced apart from the seat back surface (24) and which includes a baffle (42) being directed toward the seat back surface (24) and being provided to cushion the vehicle occupant (26), if he/she is displaced forward along the seat longitudinal direction (L), and includes a fillable connecting portion (32) forming a second leg of theType: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2021Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Benjamin WEIMER, Marc ELSTNER, Werner FREISLER
-
Patent number: 11679734Abstract: A frontal airbag for vehicle occupants comprises a contact panel (26) facing the vehicle occupant in the inflated state. Inside the airbag tension means (30, 30?) which restrain portions of the contact panel (26) in the inflated state of the frontal airbag (10) are arranged on the contact panel (26) so that, in the mounted and inflated state, the contact panel (26) forms plural indentations (32) extending vertically from the view of the associated occupant. The frontal airbag (10) optionally may take a first completely inflated state and a second completely inflated state with a larger airbag volume than in the first state, wherein a release device (40) is assigned to at least several of the tension means (30, 30?) and, when the release device is not activated, the frontal airbag (10) only reaches the first state and, when the release device (40) is activated, the contact panel (26) bulges in the area of the released tension means (30, 30?) further toward the occupant so as to enable the second state.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Werner Freisler, Simon Schmid