Patents Assigned to KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • Patent number: 11975763
    Abstract: A dashboard support for a motor vehicle to be installed between and connected to two pillars located on opposite vehicle sides. The dashboard support has a support structure provided by a hollow profile, which support structure has at least one support portion having a curvature. A planar reinforcement part spanning this curved support portion on the inside of the curvature is arranged on the outside of the support structure. The planar extension of the reinforcement part faces toward the curvature and the ends of the reinforcement part facing in the spanning direction are connected to the outer surface of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Aydogan Gündogan
  • Patent number: 11969825
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for laser welding the end faces of the joints (5, 6) of two connecting flanges (3, 4), which are held in an adjoining manner, of two connecting partners (1, 2) made of a steel material. According to the method, in addition to being moved in the advancement direction, which follows the longitudinal extension of the joints (5, 6), the welding laser beam (8) is moved back and forth in an oscillating manner transversely to the advancement direction. At least one of the two connecting partners (1, 2) to be welded at the connecting flange (3, 4) joints (5, 6) is equipped with a metal coating at least in the region of the respective connecting flange (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Jan Stuhrmann
  • Patent number: 11912218
    Abstract: A bumper crossmember comprising a wave structure oriented in the vertical direction (z direction), wherein the wave structure comprises at least three apex structures which extend in the bumper crossmember longitudinal direction and are adjacent in the vertical direction. This crossmember comprises a first length section that follows its longitudinal extent, at least one second length section that follows its longitudinal extent, and at least one transition section that is arranged respectively between these length sections. In the second length section, the wave structure is inverted with respect to the first length section, in that the opening direction of the apex structures switches in the transition section. In the transition section, there is at least one additional apex-forming structure, the apex of which is offset in the frontal direction (x direction) with respect to a frontal plane (yz-plane) in which at least two apex structures that are adjacent in the longitudinal sections lie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Patrick Tlauka, Cristina Matthey, Ralf Stegmeyer, Rolf Peter Röttger, Marco Töller, Rolf Schwarzer, Stephan Lagin, Maria Schmitt, Lena Kremer
  • Patent number: 11909056
    Abstract: A battery housing for a vehicle comprising a trough with a base and with side walls connected to the base, and comprising a frame structure. In its edge area, the base has at least one embossment, which is offset into the trough interior and follows the course of the adjacent side wall, with a connection section, which is offset with respect to the base and to which the frame structure is connected, and with a transition section arranged between the connection section and the base. The transition section has an offset amount with respect to the base that corresponds at least to the material thickness of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Günther
  • Patent number: 11858557
    Abstract: A support structure for a motor vehicle instrument panel support having a support part, which follows the longitudinal extension of the instrument panel support, and a metal connector for connecting the support part to another structure. The support part is made of a different material than the metal connector. The metal connector has a multi-part construction including a base part and a bracket part. The base part has a support part connection surface supported on the lateral surface of the support part. The bracket part encloses the support part opposite to the support part connection surface to provide a support part enclosure together with the support part connection surface of the base part. The metal connector is connected in a materially bonded manner to the support part in the area of its support part enclosure. The bracket part is connected to the base part via a joining process using heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Günther, Phil Grüssing, Dominik Tentscher
  • Patent number: 11851109
    Abstract: A dashboard carrier for a motor vehicle with a first hollow carrier profile and a second hollow carrier profile. The two carrier profiles are aligned in the longitudinal extension of the dashboard carrier, arranged at a distance from one another, and connected to one another by a carrier connector spanning the distance between the two carrier profiles. The carrier connector connects the two carrier profiles to one another eccentrically and asymmetrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the carrier profiles. The carrier connector has an attachment portion on each end side thereof and a carrier portion which connects the attachment portions. The carrier connector is connected, with its attachment portions, to a respective circumferential portion of the lateral surface of the two carrier profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Weige, Antonio Turco, Andreas Bender
  • Patent number: 11819944
    Abstract: A carrier component for a vehicle application, formed by two half-shells that are welded to one another at contact sides. When assembling the two half-shells for joining same at the contact sides, in a position in which the two half-shells are arranged above one another, the point of contact of the lower half-shell protrudes in relation to the external closed side of the other half-shell. The point of contact of one of the two half-shells protrudes inward in relation to the internal closed side of the other half-shell. A method for producing a carrier component from two half-shells is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Marco Töller, Michael Bauer, Christian Dahmen, Josef Bartzik
  • Patent number: 11731707
    Abstract: An instrument panel support for installation between the two A-pillars of a motor vehicle. The instrument panel support comprises a crossmember which extends between the A-pillars and has at least one connecting member at each end for connecting the instrument panel support to the vehicle via fasteners. The connecting members have a U-shaped main body connected to the crossmember, its longitudinal axis aligned in the z-direction, with at least one support insert extending between the two wings and penetrated by a fastener for connecting the instrument panel support on the vehicle side. The opening side of the main body points in the transverse direction to the longitudinal extension of the crossmember. The support insert and the spine of the main body have fastening apertures aligned with one another at least in regions for passing the shank of a fastener therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Dominik Tentscher, Alexander Günther
  • Patent number: 11708040
    Abstract: An energy absorption component for a motor vehicle, comprising a connection component and a crash box formed by a top chord, a bottom chord, and two side chords spaced apart from one another and connecting the top chord to the bottom chord. One end of the crash box is designed for connection to a bumper crossmember. The other end of the crash box rests against the connection component and is welded to it. The connection component has at least one flange portion which rests against a side chord of the crash box and is connected thereto by a welded joint, wherein this welded joint is spaced apart from adjacent welded joints, which connect the connection component to the top and bottom chords of the crash box, in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the crash box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Günther
  • Patent number: 11505146
    Abstract: A bumper cross member designed as a hollow chamber profile for a motor vehicle having an upper component and a lower component joined to the upper component. Both components are each designed as a half shell having two legs spaced apart from one another and a web connecting the legs. An insert plate is joined to the legs of the half shells. The insert plate is arranged between the joints of the legs of the half shells facing toward one another and bridges the joint spacing between the legs of the two half shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Weige
  • Patent number: 11358238
    Abstract: A method for laser welding the end faces of joints of two connecting flanges, which are held against each other, of two connecting partners made from a steel material, of which at least one is provided with a metallic coating with an evaporation temperature that is below the melting temperature of the steel material. The method is carried out such that, for the process of laser welding, the connecting flanges of the two connecting partners are held against each other enclosing an angle that opens pointing in a direction from the joint side on which the laser is applied, as a result of which a degassing gap, which increases in the direction of heat introduction, is provided between the connecting flanges, through which degassing gap evaporation products of the coating material resulting from the introduction of heat are carried off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Stuhrmann, Christian Dahmen
  • Patent number: 11292409
    Abstract: A bumper, which comprises a bumper crossmember having an outer shell and having at least one sensor holder arranged therein, and an outer cladding shell. The at least one sensor holder is implemented as an impressed pocket originating from the front-side termination of the outer shell and having an upper wall, a lower wall and a base connecting the two walls. On the side of the outer cladding shell pointing toward the bumper crossmember, in the region of a sensor holder, the outer cladding shell carries at least one sensor engaging in the sensor holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Marco Töller, Alexander Günther, Maria Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11235720
    Abstract: A bumper crossbeam comprises a beam profile and a closing plate. The beam profile extends in its longitudinal axis in the vehicle transverse direction (y direction) and is open in the travel direction (x direction). The beam profile comprises an upper leg, a lower leg and a web connecting the legs, and thus providing a chamber. The closing plate is attached to the upper and lower legs. At least one reinforcing element or a reinforcing element assembly comprising such a reinforcing element is installed in the profile chamber, wherein the reinforcing element comprises, on each of its ends facing in the profile longitudinal direction, a leg angled in the direction toward the web of the beam profile and ending with spacing to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Höning, Ulrich Wittkugel, Stephan Lagin
  • Patent number: 11205816
    Abstract: A battery housing for a vehicle driven by electric motor has a first housing part and a second housing part connected to the first housing part. A battery chamber is enclosed by the housing parts. The housing parts have a connecting flange. The connecting flange of at least one of the two housing parts has at least one supporting projection, which extends in the direction of the connecting flange of the other housing part as support for the connecting flange of the other housing part. The two connecting flanges of the housing parts are connected to one another at a distance from the supporting projection and are put under tension. A plurality of supporting projections spaced a distance apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the connecting flange is arranged on the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Günther
  • Patent number: 11177526
    Abstract: A battery housing for a vehicle driven by an electric motor comprises a housing part and a cover part for closing the housing part. A trough-like structure of the housing part is formed by a peripheral wall and a base. A compartment structure, formed by at least one longitudinal strut and at least one transverse strut connected to the longitudinal strut, for holding battery modules is inserted into the trough-like structure. The compartment structure comprises tolerance-compensating elements for compensating tolerances of the struts and/or of the internal dimensions of the trough-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Günther
  • Patent number: 11148623
    Abstract: A bumper cross-member for a vehicle having an outer shell and an inner shell connected to the outer shell and having a cut-out section which comprises at least one cut-out passing through the bumper cross-member in the x-direction. The bumper cross-member is divided in the z-direction thereof into at least three sections, of which a first and a second hollow chamber section are separated by a cut-out section located between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Günther, Marco Töller, Maria Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11142248
    Abstract: A vehicle longitudinal member arrangement having two longitudinal members that are spaced apart from one another in the z direction and are designed to absorb energy in the case of an impact, and having a connection component which connects the longitudinal members to one another. The connection component has its main extension in one plane and has an upper attachment section and a lower attachment section. The connection component is arranged with its main extension plane parallel to the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal members connected by said component. Each of the two attachment sections has two attachment points arranged spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal members, at which points the connection component is connected to the respective longitudinal member, while the section of the connection component located between the attachment points is not connected to the respective longitudinal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Günther, Maria Schmitt, Marco Töller
  • Patent number: 11108112
    Abstract: A battery housing for an electric-motor-driven vehicle comprising a tub part. The tub part has a bottom, side walls formed thereon, and an assembly flange which protrudes outward from the side walls. The assembly flange of at least one side wall reaches the maximum width thereof only in some sections. In contrast, the assembly flange has only a reduced width in the other sections. In addition, the battery housing comprises at least two tub parts, which are brought into engagement by means of the assembly flanges thereof facing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Günther, Volker Tölle
  • Patent number: 11075416
    Abstract: A temperature control device for a battery housing of a vehicle driven by electric motor. The temperature control device is divided into a plurality of temperature control cells. Each cell has a heat exchanger surface for transmitting heat from a battery module to the temperature control device or vice versa, and at least one temperature control agent channel, which is fluidically connected on an inlet or outlet side to a first temperature control agent collector and on its other side to a second temperature control agent collector. The temperature control device has at least one first temperature control agent collector and at least one second temperature control agent collector, wherein each temperature control cell is connected to a first temperature control agent collector and a second temperature control agent collectors by its at least one temperature control agent channel, without connecting to the at least one temperature control agent channel of another temperature control cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Günther
  • Patent number: 10985422
    Abstract: A battery housing for a vehicle driven by an electric motor comprises a tray part with a bottom and side walls formed thereon, for receiving at least one battery module. The side walls of the tray part are respectively interconnected by a curved edge section. Said battery housing is characterized in that each curved edge section of the tray part is connected to at least one of the side walls connected thereby, with a connecting wall section curved in the opposite direction to the curved edge section being connected between the respective curved edge sections and side walls, and the side walls as well as each curved edge section and each curved connecting wall section are at a distance from the, or the plurality of, battery module(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Günther, Stefan Brandl