Patents by Inventor Andreas WOELLNER

Andreas WOELLNER 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: 11458789
    Abstract: A fork leg for rotating a wheel of a motor vehicle is provided with a fastening flange for the coaxial, torque-proof fastening of a steering rod, an extension region protruding from the fastening flange substantially perpendicularly to the steering axis for bridging a lateral distance to the wheel, a coupling point for the articulated connection of a rocker which is connected to the wheel and a connection piece which is connected integrally to the extension region and to the coupling point, wherein the connection piece is shaped to accommodate a large steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Wuebbolt-Gorbatenko, Simon Mersmann, Christian Harkort, Andreas Wöllner, Axel Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20210380166
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (10), in particular an autonomous motor vehicle, includes a steering system (38, 30), a plurality of wheels (18, 20) that can be steered by means of the steering system (28, 30), and wheel housings (24, 26) for said wheels (18, 20). The steering system (28, 30) is designed such that the steering system steers the steerable wheels (18, 20) of a wheel pair in question in the same direction, in the case of joint steering to the left or right at a steering angle a up to a limit angle ag defined by the shape of the corresponding wheel housings (24, 26), and in opposite directions, in the case of steering to the left or right at a steering angle a exceeding the limit angle ?g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Wuebbolt-Gorbatenko, Manfred Kraus, Andreas Wöllner, Christian Harkort, Simon Mersmann
  • Publication number: 20210252928
    Abstract: A fork leg for rotating a wheel of a motor vehicle is provided with a fastening flange for the coaxial, torque-proof fastening of a steering rod, an extension region protruding from the fastening flange substantially perpendicularly to the steering axis for bridging a lateral distance to the wheel, a coupling point for the articulated connection of a rocker which is connected to the wheel and a connection piece which is connected integrally to the extension region and to the coupling point, wherein the connection piece is shaped to accommodate a large steering angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Wuebbolt-Gorbatenko, Simon Mersmann, Christian Harkort, Andreas Wöllner, Axel Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20210122410
    Abstract: A steering head bearing arrangement for mounting a wheel module for a motor vehicle is provided with a steering rod connectable to a steering actuator and a wishbone, and a bearing flange connectable with a support frame of the motor vehicle, first and second roller bearings arranged in the bearing flange for mounting the steering rod, and a retaining ring screwed onto the steering rod for biasing the second roller bearing against the first roller bearing. By biasing the substantially spaced apart roller bearings against each other by means of the screwed-on retaining ring, radial and axial play of the steering rod in the bearing flange can be largely eliminated, thereby allowing to avoid wear-intensive peak stresses and allowing robust mounting of a steering rod of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Wöllner, Benjamin Wuebbolt-Gorbatenko, Simon Mersmann, Christian Harkort, Manfred Kraus
  • Publication number: 20210023899
    Abstract: A wheel module for a motor vehicle is provided with a wheel, a steering rod which can be rotatably mounted on a supporting frame of the motor vehicle for transmitting a steering motion to the wheel, a wishbone connected to the steering rod for forming an articulation point radially offset relative to the wheel, a rocker articulated to the articulation point of the wishbone and to the wheel, and a shock absorber connected to the rocker and the wishbone for damping vibration of a relative movement of the wheel. The shock absorber, in particular including a chassis spring, is arranged to be axially offset in the axial direction of the wheel relative to the wheel. With the shock absorber connected to the wheel and the wishbone and arranged next to the wheel, a large steering angle for a motor vehicle is possible with a small installation space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Wuebbolt-Gorbatenko, Simon Mersmann, Andreas Wöllner, Axel Hoffmann, Christian Harkort, Manfred Kraus
  • Publication number: 20180335089
    Abstract: A strut bearing, including: an axis of rotation; cap; a body portion; and a bearing fixed to the strut bearing cap and to the body portion. The cap includes: a first radial surface facing in a first axial direction; a plurality of ribs; a plurality of spaces, each space circumferentially disposed between a respective pair of ribs; and a plurality of radial recess surfaces. Each rib includes: a radial rib surface extending radially outwardly from the first radial surface; and a slant surface extending from the radial rib surface partly radially outwardly and partly in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction. Each radial recess surface: faces in the first axial direction; is circumferentially disposed between two respective ribs; and is off-set, in the second axial direction, from the first radial surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Shakeel Shaikh, Alaa Makke, Andreas Woellner, Gerhard Meyer
  • Publication number: 20180236837
    Abstract: A suspension strut bearing having a cap and a guide ring mounted such that it is rotatable in relation to the cap about an axis of rotation, a plain bearing or rolling bearing provided between the cap and the guide ring and a supporting ring provided for a bump stop, which supporting ring extends radially internally around the guide ring, and the supporting ring is connected to the guide ring with material fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Lutz, Andreas Wöllner, Arno Wolf, Gerhard Meyer
  • Patent number: 8992094
    Abstract: A suspension strut bearing including a guide ring arranged along a suspension strut axis, and a cap. The guide ring is configured for mounting a coil spring, and the cap is configured for supporting the suspension strut bearing on an undercarriage of an automotive vehicle. The guide ring includes a radial flange and further includes a guide nozzle adjoining the radial flange, the guide nozzle serving to guide said coil spring, the suspension strut bearing further including a thrust bearing arranged between the radial flange of the guide ring and the cap. The guide ring includes a reinforcement ring spray coated with a plastic, which reinforcement ring further includes a bushing section for reinforcing the guide nozzle and an integrally formed adjoining radial collar for reinforcing the radial flange, wherein the reinforcement ring is configured as a bearing part of the thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Stautner, Andreas Woellner, Rainer Lutz
  • Patent number: 8894295
    Abstract: A suspension strut bearing includes a guide ring, a cap, and a thrust bearing for an axial mounting of the guide ring on the cap. The plastic guide ring is reinforced with a reinforcement ring including a radial flange, an axial guide nozzle adjoining the radial flange, a bushing section for reinforcing the guide nozzle and an integrally formed radial collar adjoining the guide nozzle for reinforcing the radial flange. A sliding seal is made out of a softer plastic and sprayed onto the radial flange of the guide ring, a sealing lip of the sliding seal being arranged around the guide ring and bearing against a peripheral surface of the cap, the radial collar of the reinforcement ring forming an integrally configured raceway of the thrust bearing. The radial collar includes recesses arranged spaced along a periphery of the radial collar, through which recesses the softer plastic penetrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Stautner, Andreas Woellner, Rainer Lutz
  • Patent number: 8876399
    Abstract: A suspension strut bearing including a cap (2) and a guide ring (3) mounted for rotation relative to the cap (2) about an axis of rotation (D) and further including at least one seal (10), a thrust bearing (4) being arranged between the cap (2) and the guide ring (3). The cap (2) includes respective centering elements (15, 16) on an inner diameter and on an outer diameter, which centering elements (15, 16) enable an introduction of force into the cap (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Lutz, Ralf Stautner, Andreas Woellner
  • Publication number: 20140023308
    Abstract: A suspension strut bearing includes a guide ring, a cap, and a thrust bearing for an axial mounting of the guide ring on the cap. The plastic guide ring is reinforced with a reinforcement ring including a radial flange, an axial guide nozzle adjoining the radial flange, a bushing section for reinforcing the guide nozzle and an integrally formed radial collar adjoining the guide nozzle for reinforcing the radial flange. A sliding seal is made out of a softer plastic and sprayed onto the radial flange of the guide ring, a sealing lip of the sliding seal being arranged around the guide ring and bearing against a peripheral surface of the cap, the radial collar of the reinforcement ring forming an integrally configured raceway of the thrust bearing. The radial collar includes recesses arranged spaced along a periphery of the radial collar, through which recesses the softer plastic penetrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Ralf Stautner, Andreas Woellner, Rainer Lutz
  • Publication number: 20140023307
    Abstract: A suspension strut bearing including a guide ring arranged along a suspension strut axis, and a cap. The guide ring is configured for mounting a coil spring, and the cap is configured for supporting the suspension strut bearing on an undercarriage of an automotive vehicle. The guide ring includes a radial flange and further includes a guide nozzle adjoining the radial flange, the guide nozzle serving to guide said coil spring, the suspension strut bearing further including a thrust bearing arranged between the radial flange of the guide ring and the cap. The guide ring includes a reinforcement ring spray coated with a plastic, which reinforcement ring further includes a bushing section for reinforcing the guide nozzle and an integrally formed adjoining radial collar for reinforcing the radial flange, wherein the reinforcement ring is configured as a bearing part of the thrust bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Ralf Stautner, Andreas Woellner, Rainer Lutz
  • Publication number: 20140010491
    Abstract: A suspension strut bearing including a cap (2) and a guide ring (3) mounted for rotation relative to the cap (2) about an axis of rotation (D) and further including at least one seal (10), a thrust bearing (4) being arranged between the cap (2) and the guide ring (3). The cap (2) includes respective centering elements (15, 16) on an inner diameter and on an outer diameter, which centering elements (15, 16) enable an introduction of force into the cap (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Rainer Lutz, Ralf Stautner, Andreas Woellner
  • Patent number: 8506171
    Abstract: Spring strut bearing, which has an antifriction bearing that is arranged axially between an upper carrier part and a lower carrier part and a sealing ring. The upper carrier part has two upper rims, and the lower carrier part has two lower rims. The upper rims and the lower rims engage into one another with the result that a combined labyrinth and slip-ring seal is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Stautner, Andreas Woellner, Gerhard Meyer, Alexander Zernickel, Rainer Lutz
  • Publication number: 20120213464
    Abstract: Spring strut bearing, which has an antifriction bearing that is arranged axially between an upper carrier part and a lower carrier part and a sealing ring. The upper carrier part has two upper rims, and the lower carrier part has two lower rims. The upper rims and the lower rims engage into one another with the result that a combined labyrinth and slip-ring seal is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ralf STAUTNER, Andreas WOELLNER, Gerhard MEYER, Alexander ZERNICKEL, Rainer LUTZ
  • Publication number: 20110221158
    Abstract: A suspension strut support bearing with a spring retainer on a housing part made from plastic and a cup-shaped retainer for a limit bumper is provided. The cup-shaped retainer fits at least partially into the housing part in the axial direction and is held on the housing part guided in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Stautner, Andreas Wöllner