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).
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Publication number: 20230150448Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2021Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Kalus BERNHARD, Marc ELSTNER, Werner FREISLER, Nico MAIER
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Patent number: 11618408Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system (10) comprises a front airbag (12) and an auxiliary airbag (30) both of which are assigned to a joint vehicle seat (22), wherein, prior to its deployment, the auxiliary airbag (30) is arranged in a roof region of the vehicle and, in the filled state, as a further front airbag extends ahead of a vehicle occupant (24) and between the front airbag (12) and the vehicle occupant (24) in the assigned vehicle seat (22) and bears against the front airbag (12).Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Werner Freisler, Benjamin Weimer
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Patent number: 11603064Abstract: 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: November 28, 2018Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Werner Freisler, Erik Hanle
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Publication number: 20230062639Abstract: An airbag for an airbag arrangement of a vehicle seat of vehicle includes an inflatable cover. The inflatable cover includes an upper part facing a seat surface, a lower part facing a vehicle floor, and a casing part interconnecting the upper part and the lower part. The inflatable cover folds during a standby state and inflates during an operational state. During the inflation process, the upper part of the inflatable cover applies a force against the thighs or the pelvic region of an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat to lift these the thighs or the pelvic region of the occupant. The inflatable cover includes at least one cutout to guide an air current through the airbag. The casing part is shaped during the inflation process to define a support surface for engaging the thighs or the pelvic region of the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicants: Audi AG, ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Bernd JAKOBS, Franz FÜRST, Walter KRÖNES, Christoph GRUNDHEBER, Niko EDELMANN, Werner FREISLER, Benjamin WEIMER
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Patent number: 11505151Abstract: A knee airbag unit (10) of a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle is described. The knee airbag unit (10) comprises an airbag module (12), which has a module holder (14), a gas generator (16) and a flexible, non-inherently rigid module housing (18) that at least partially surrounds the gas generator (16) and the airbag in the untriggered state, wherein the gas generator (16), the airbag and the flexible module housing (18) are fastened to the module holder (14). Also provided is a cover (20) forming a module covering and defining an outer side in the installed state of the knee airbag unit (10), which is connected to the airbag module (12). Furthermore, there is an edge-side means (26) securing the cover (20) against lowering, originating from the module holder (14).Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Werner Freisler, Daniel Elija
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Publication number: 20220355758Abstract: 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: June 15, 2020Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Werner FREISLER, Theresa BETZ, Frederic MYERS
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Patent number: 11491939Abstract: The invention describes a vehicle occupant restraint system (2) comprising a control unit and at least two restraint elements (8, 10) for the protection of lower extremities (6, 6?, 7, 7?) in the area of a footwell (4) of a vehicle of a vehicle occupant seated in a particular vehicle seat of the vehicle, wherein a first restraint element (8) is configured as a knee airbag module (12), wherein a second restraint element (10) is provided for mounting into the footwell (4) of the vehicle, especially in an area of the footwell (4) of the vehicle arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) ahead of the knee airbag module (12), wherein, in a situation of restraint, the control unit can differentiate between different given situations, wherein the given situation can be determined via a vehicle seat position and parameters relating to vehicle occupants, wherein, in the situation of restraint, when a situation is given in which the vehicle seat (5) is in a position shifted backwards, especially in a position sType: GrantFiled: August 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventor: Werner Freisler
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Patent number: 11485312Abstract: The invention describes a vehicle occupant restraint system (2) comprising a control unit and at least two restraint elements (8, 10) for the protection of lower extremities (6, 6?, 7, 7?) in the area of a footwell (4) of a vehicle of a vehicle occupant seated in a particular vehicle seat of the vehicle, wherein a first restraint element (8) is configured as a knee airbag module (12), wherein a second restraint element (10) is provided for mounting into the footwell (4) of the vehicle, especially in an area of the footwell (4) of the vehicle arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) ahead of the knee airbag module (12), wherein, in a situation of restraint, the control unit can differentiate between different situations, wherein the control unit, in the situation of restraint, activates at least the first restraint element (8) and, depending on the given situation, additionally activates the second restraint element (10) and/or a partial element of the first restraint element (8) and/or a partial eleType: GrantFiled: August 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventor: Werner Freisler
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Publication number: 20220250575Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2020Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Werner FREISLER, Markus SCHLIPF
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Patent number: 11351949Abstract: A restraint system (10) for helping to protect an occupant (60) of a vehicle (20) having a seat (50) for the occupant (60) includes a primary airbag (70) having a stored condition within a roof (32) and being inflatable to a deployed condition aligned with the seat (50). A support airbag (76) has a stored condition within the roof (32) and is inflatable to a deployed condition engaging the primary airbag (70).Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Alexandra E. Smith, Werner Freisler, Douglas M. Gould, Tobias Klenk, Hylus Ranjit Raj Jayakar
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Publication number: 20210347322Abstract: The invention describes a vehicle occupant restraint system (2) comprising a control unit and at least two restraint elements (8, 10) for the protection of lower extremities (6, 6?, 7, 7?) in the area of a footwell (4) of a vehicle of a vehicle occupant seated in a particular vehicle seat of the vehicle, wherein a first restraint element (8) is configured as a knee airbag module (12), wherein a second restraint element (10) is provided for mounting into the footwell (4) of the vehicle, especially in an area of the footwell (4) of the vehicle arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) ahead of the knee airbag module (12), wherein, in a situation of restraint, the control unit can differentiate between different given situations, wherein the given situation can be determined via a vehicle seat position and parameters relating to vehicle occupants, wherein, in the situation of restraint, when a situation is given in which the vehicle seat (5) is in a position shifted backwards, especially in a position sType: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2019Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventor: Werner FREISLER