Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Thiel

Wolfgang Thiel 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: 10793041
    Abstract: A method for producing an adjusting device for a vehicle seat has the following steps. A flexible hollow body is molded from a thermoplastic plastic by injection molding, wherein the hollow body forms a pressure medium chamber and has an opening which is surrounded by a connecting portion. Furthermore, a first film is arranged at the opening. In particular, a pressure medium line is inserted between the connecting portion or the opening and the first film. Finally, the first film is connected to the hollow body at the connecting portion of the opening at the connecting seam in order to thereby close off the pressure medium chamber. Because the flexible hollow body is formed in one step, in particular by an injection molding process, the manufacturing complexity is minimized and the robustness of the hollow body is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Steinberger, Franz Stadler, Wolfgang Thiel, Markus Prexl
  • Patent number: 10752145
    Abstract: A pneumatic device for varying a contour of a seat bearing surface includes a carrier foil TF composed of a first and a second foil ply which are arranged adjacent to one another. The pneumatic device has a first bladder for varying the contour of the seat bearing surface, including a bladder chamber which can be filled with pressure medium (DM). The pneumatic device furthermore has a first pressure medium line connected to the first bladder and which is formed by connection of the first and second foil plies along a line-side connection seam to create a pressure medium connection to the bladder chamber of the first bladder. One foil ply has, in the region of the first bladder, an opening in order to form a pressure medium channel to a further bladder, which can be filled with pressure medium and is connected to one of the foil plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Steinberger, Wolfgang Thiel
  • Publication number: 20190308537
    Abstract: A pneumatic device for varying a contour of a seat bearing surface includes a carrier foil TF composed of a first and a second foil ply which are arranged adjacent to one another. The pneumatic device has a first bladder for varying the contour of the seat bearing surface, including a bladder chamber which can be filled with pressure medium (DM). The pneumatic device furthermore has a first pressure medium line connected to the first bladder and which is formed by connection of the first and second foil plies along a line-side connection seam to create a pressure medium connection to the bladder chamber of the first bladder. One foil ply has, in the region of the first bladder, an opening in order to form a pressure medium channel to a further bladder, which can be filled with pressure medium and is connected to one of the foil plies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Johann STEINBERGER, Wolfgang THIEL
  • Publication number: 20190255977
    Abstract: A method for producing an adjusting device for a vehicle seat has the following steps. A flexible hollow body is molded from a thermoplastic plastic by injection molding, wherein the hollow body forms a pressure medium chamber and has an opening which is surrounded by a connecting portion. Furthermore, a first film is arranged at the opening. In particular, a pressure medium line is inserted between the connecting portion or the opening and the first film. Finally, the first film is connected to the hollow body at the connecting portion of the opening at the connecting seam in order to thereby close off the pressure medium chamber. Because the flexible hollow body is formed in one step, in particular by an injection molding process, the manufacturing complexity is minimized and the robustness of the hollow body is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johann STEINBERGER, Franz STADLER, Wolfgang THIEL, Markus PREXL
  • Publication number: 20190225128
    Abstract: To produce a bladder which can be filled with pressure medium, a one-piece hose-like bladder body is provided with a casing surface which extends from a first end portion to a second end portion and encloses a bladder chamber. Furthermore, a pressure medium line is introduced into the bladder chamber in particular through the first or the second end portion. Finally, at least one joint connection is produced for closing the open end portions so as to form a bladder chamber sealed against pressure medium. By using a hose-like bladder body as the base body for the bladder, the manufacturing complexity for production is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Steinberger, Wolfgang Thiel, Thomas Schütze
  • Patent number: 10315548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the pneumatic adjustment of a seat in a means of transport, in particular in a motor vehicle, comprising one or more cushions (3) which can be filled with air and which are connected via one or more valves (1) to a compressed-air supply (2), and a control device for the actuation of the one or more valves (1) for the purposes of changing the filling state of the one or more cushions (3). The device according to the invention is characterized in that a respective valve (1) of at least some of the valves (1) comprises one or more actuation elements (4) composed of electroactive polymer, to which an electrical voltage can be applied. By application of the electrical voltage, a respective actuation element (4) is deformed, and in this way, one or more passage openings (6, 6?) via which an exchange of compressed air with at least one cushion (3) takes place is or are opened up or shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Kerler, Johann Steinberger, Wolfgang Thiel
  • Publication number: 20180222370
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the pneumatic adjustment of a seat in a means of transport, in particular in a motor vehicle, comprising one or more cushions (3) which can be filled with air and which are connected via one or more valves (1) to a compressed-air supply (2), and a control device for the actuation of the one or more valves (1) for the purposes of changing the filling state of the one or more cushions (3). The device according to the invention is characterized in that a respective valve (1) of at least some of the valves (1) comprises one or more actuation elements (4) composed of electroactive polymer, to which an electrical voltage can be applied. By application of the electrical voltage, a respective actuation element (4) is deformed, and in this way, one or more passage openings (6, 6?) via which an exchange of compressed air with at least one cushion (3) takes place is or are opened up or shut off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander KERLER, Johann STEINBERGER, Wolfgang THIEL
  • Patent number: 8002559
    Abstract: Disclosed is a contact element for pressing into a hole of a printed circuit board. The contact element has a rod-shaped press-fit zone having an insertion region and an adjacent deformable region. The width of the deformable region is larger than the diameter of the hole, and the width of the insertion region is smaller than the diameter of the hole. The deformable region has a front region and a rear region that both have a closed opening, the openings being separated by a crossbar extending transversally to the insertion direction of the contact element. The crossbar extends at least in one part at a pointed angle of between 5 and 85 degrees to the insertion direction, and is thus subjected to an elastic force when the limbs are pressed together, creating a steadily increasing compression force for pressing the limbs against the wall of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Thiel, Jörg Graubmann, Dirk Riese, Marc Bechtle, Günter Stumpp
  • Publication number: 20090145187
    Abstract: An electrical operating unit for a motor vehicle with a shaft for retaining an emergency key is described, wherein the emergency key is movably arranged in the shaft between a storage position and a usage position. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the emergency key and the movable battery compartment lid. As a locking mechanism, the battery compartment lid itself or a locking element which is mechanically connected to it is provided, and the battery compartment lid is movable into a position as a result of which the emergency key can be locked in the usage position and/or the storage position. The movement of the battery compartment lid is used to move the battery compartment lid or a locking element which is formed on it between the locking and unlocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Deppner, Wolfgang Thiel
  • Publication number: 20090023310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact element for pressing into a hole of a printed circuit board, said contact element comprising a rod-shaped press-fit zone comprising an insertion region and an adjacent deformable region. The width of the deformable region is larger than the diameter of the hole, and the width of the insertion region is smaller than the diameter of the hole. The deformable region comprises a front region and a rear region that both have a closed opening, said openings being separated by a crossbar extending transversally to the insertion direction of the contact element. Said crossbar extends at least in one part at a pointed angle of between 5 and 85 degrees to the insertion direction, and is thus subjected to an elastic force when the limbs are pressed together, creating a steadily increasing compression force for pressing the limbs against the wall of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRIC GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Thiel, Jorg Graubmann, Dirk Riese, Marc Bechtle, Gunter Stumpp
  • Patent number: 7345386
    Abstract: An electric drive unit includes an electric motor for driving a fan. The motor has an electronic control module. An impeller wheel for producing a working air flow is mounted by bearings on an axle of the electric motor. The hub of the impeller wheel has at least one preferably two walls enclosing a cooling space or cooling space portions. At least one cooling surface of a cooling body is in contact with components of the electronic control module and projects into the cooling space. A gap formed between the hub of the impeller wheel and a carrier section communicates with an inner hub space. Holes (43, 322) communicating with the hub inner space are provided in at least one component of the electric drive unit. When the impeller wheel rotes a convection cooling air flow is established between the gap and the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignees: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH, TEMIC Automotive Electric Motors GmbH
    Inventors: Viktor Dano, Hans-Joachim Fach, Ferdinand Friedrich, Matthias Gramann, Reinhard Orthmann, Hermann Pirner, Thomas Schencke, Thomas Susemihl, Wolfgang Thiel, Dietrich Von Knorre
  • Publication number: 20070167037
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric sub-assembly comprising conductor tracks on its upper and lower faces and non-plated holes (2), the hole (2) in the printed circuit board having predetermined dimensions (D2) and at least one sub-section of the contact pin (1) being oversized (D1.1>D2) in a defined manner in relation to the dimensions (D2) of the hole, in order to form a press connection. The length (l1) of the contact pin (1) that can be introduced is greater than the depth (l2) of the opening (2), so that the contact pin (1), once pressed into the hole, passes through the printed circuit board (2) and projects beyond the latter in the introduction direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Wolfgang Thiel, Dirk Riese, Jorg Graubmann
  • Patent number: 7133849
    Abstract: In an arrangement and method for entering postage the contents of a franking image into a postage meter machine, the franking image is initially incompletely pre-installed. The franking imprint data for a selection are ordered at least according to mail carrier and/or countries in a data bank of the manufacturer and can be allocated to the serial number of the machine. The postage meter machine serial number is entered in a step separate therefrom. As needed, data can be loaded or selected with a specific, country-specific and/or carrier-specific chip card in order to finally configure the postage meter machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Thiel
  • Publication number: 20060211337
    Abstract: In a machining apparatus to machine surfaces in recesses of workpieces, especially tools with flutes and cutting edges, such as twist drills, milling heads, reamers, and similar, the machining apparatus has a circular disk-shaped or frustum-shaped machining body with a symmetrical and rotational axis which is seated in a bearing in a rotatable manner and is connected with a machining drive to generate a rotational movement of the machining body about its rotational axis. The machining body has magnets acting outward in relation to the rotational axis to retain magnetic or magnetizable, abrasive machining powder on a circumferential surface of the machining body. A workpiece holder positionable relative to the machining body and moveably driven at least in an advancing or rotational direction or both is connected at least indirectly by means of a corresponding positioning medium and drives to the bearing of the machining body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventor: Wolfgang Thiel
  • Patent number: 6978255
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for protecting a device against operation with unallowed consumables whose authenticity is checked in a remote data center, at least one code word is generated, an allocation to a specific consumable is stored in the form of a dataset with a reference code word, the consumable is aggregated with the generated code word, which has a predetermined relationship to the reference code word or to a group of reference code words that are stored in the data center. An operation for the replacement of a consumable in a device remote from the data center is detected and a communication connection is set up between the device and the remote data center and the code word aggregated with the consumable is communicated to the data center. The communicated code word is received in the data center and the authenticity of the consumable on the basis of a stored reference code word is checked at the data center, which transmits a message to the device after checking the code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia AG & Co.
    Inventors: Dieter Pauschinger, Wolfgang Thiel, Olaf Turner, Harald Windel
  • Publication number: 20050116554
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric drive unit comprising an electronic control module and an electric motor. The cooling of the components of the electric drive unit should be effected in a simple manner. To this end, the hub of the impeller wheel, which is situated on the rotation axis of the electric motor and provided for producing a working air flow, has a two-walled design, whereby a hub inner space is formed between the outer wall and the inner wall of the hub of the impeller wheel. At least one cooling surface of the cooling body, said surface being in contact with components of the electronic control module, projects into the hub inner space. A gap communicating with the hub inner space, is formed between the hub of the impeller wheel and a carrier section which supports the electronic control module and the electric motor. In addition, through-holes communicating with the hub inner space are provided in at least one component of the electric drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Viktor Dano, Hans-Joachim Fach, Ferdinand Friedrich, Matthias Gramann, Reinhard Orthmann, Hermann Pirner, Thomas Schencke, Thomas Susemihl, Wolfgang Thiel, Dieter Von Knorre
  • Patent number: 6853990
    Abstract: A franking and prepayment machine, has a microprocessor that is connected to a display unit and to a keyboard, memory and interface components and digitally drives a printer module, and has an input unit that allows the input for the accounting mode. The microprocessor is programmed, given actuation or triggering of the input unit, changes the accounting mode at the user's option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Wolfgang Thiel
  • Patent number: 6829633
    Abstract: In an arrangement and method for offering a message when loading service data for a terminal device, a connector unit in a service center is connected to a server and is equipped with a number of modems that produce a connection to a communication system to which a number of clients are also connected. The server is operated in order to access a data bank, wherein the properties of the different clients are stored as to the information playback capabilities of the respective clients. The server selects an advertising message that is transmitted to the terminal device of one of the clients dependent on that client's playback capabilities. At least one data file of one of a number of advertising sources is through-connected by the connector unit to the terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: George G. Gelfer, Werner Kampert, Ralf Kubatzki, Wolfgang Thiel
  • Patent number: 6630632
    Abstract: In a dynamic scale, and a method for controlling a dynamic scale, an item to be weighed is transported by a transport device to a weighing cell. The transport device is operable in a number of different operating modes. At the weighing cell, a measured weight value is obtained, and this measured weight value is subsequently interpreted and, based on the interpretation of the measured weight value, the transport device is switched to a different operating mode, which may include reversing the direction of the transport device so as to permit the item to be re-weighed and subsequently discharged from the scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Huebler, Ralf Kubatzki, Wolfgang Thiel
  • Patent number: 6587843
    Abstract: In a method for improving the security of postage meter machines in credit transfers, having at least two modes, the presence of a security flag is necessary for operation of the machine. The security flag is erased in a step of the system routine if an unauthorized action occurs in an attempt to operate the postage meter machine, and the postage meter machine is switched into a first mode in order to effectively shut it down. Otherwise, a special mode for negative remote crediting is entered by setting a special flag when a predetermined operating action for lateral entry into the special mode is undertaken upon machine turn-on. The communication with the data center sequences under time and status (flag) monitoring by the control unit of the postage meter machine until the transaction is completed. The data center monitors the behavior of the postage meter machine user on the basis of data communicated during the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia AG & Co.
    Inventors: George G. Gelfer, Enno Bischoff, Wolfgang Thiel, Andreas Wagner