Patents by Inventor Axel Grüneklee

Axel Grüneklee 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: 7455340
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforced section for a vehicle supporting frame, said section connecting two pillars (8) of the vehicle supporting frame, in particular the C-pillars or D-pillars at their bases in the form of a transversal wall, whose ends, which are configured as pillar connection zones (6a, 7a), extend onto the pillars (8) by means of rounded corner reinforcements (6, 7). The invention is characterised in that the reinforced section and the corner reinforcements (6, 7) are configured as a one-piece double shell consisting of two blanks (10) produced in an internal high-pressure forming process and welded together around their periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
    Inventors: Axel Grüneklee, Lothar Patberg, Ernst Weckenmann
  • Patent number: 7273247
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support structure for vehicles, made from a longitudinal member (1) comprising at least two interconnected hollow sections (10, 11). One of the hollow sections continues in the direction of the bumper (5). In the case of a crash with low-speed impact, there is a targeted deformation of the single hollow section (10c), which makes it possible to carry out repairs economically. In the case of a higher-speed impact, the more rigid support structure of the double hollow section for protecting passengers comes into play. Since in this design the impact absorber, which is usually arranged between the longitudinal member and the bumper, can be done without, there is also a reduction in the number of components required, and thus in the overall weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG
    Inventors: Axel Grueneklee, Lothar Patberg, Dariush Philipp
  • Publication number: 20060249969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforced section for a vehicle supporting frame, said section connecting two pillars (8) of the vehicle supporting frame, in particular the C-pillars or D-pillars at their bases in the form of a transversal wall, whose ends, which are configured as pillar connection zones (6a, 7a), extend onto the pillars (8) by means of rounded corner reinforcements (6, 7). The invention is characterised in that the reinforced section and the corner reinforcements (6, 7) are configured as a one-piece double shell consisting of two blanks (10) produced in an internal high-pressure forming process and welded together around their periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Axel Grüneklee, Lothar Patberg, Ernst Weckenmann
  • Publication number: 20050258667
    Abstract: In order to achieve a rigid connecting node of profiles (1, 2) comprising steel plate, especially a frame structure of a vehicle body from the point of view of lightweight construction, one profile (2) consisting of two parallel belts (2a, 2b) and at least one connecting cross-piece (2c, 2d) grips with its two ends (2a*, 2b*), which project compared with the connecting cross-piece (2c, 2d), the other profile (1) having two parallel wall sections (1a, 1b), wherein the belt ends (2a*, 2b*) which abut flat against the wall sections (1a, 1b) are fixedly connected to the wall sections (1a, 1b), for example, by means of a welded joint (4a, 4b, 4c). Such a connecting node offers multiple compensation for tolerances and imparts the frame structure a high stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Axel Grueneklee, Timo Faath
  • Publication number: 20050151394
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support structure for vehicles, made from a longitudinal member (1) comprising at least two interconnected hollow sections (10, 11). One of the hollow sections continues in the direction of the bumper (5). In the case of a crash with low-speed impact, there is a targeted deformation of the single hollow section (10c) which makes it possible to carry out repairs economically. In the case of a higher-speed impact, the more rigid support structure of the double hollow section for protecting passengers comes into play. Since in this design the impact absorber, which is usually arranged between the longitudinal member and the bumper, can be done without, there is also a reduction in the number of components required, and thus in the overall weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Axel Grueneklee, Lothar Patberg, Dariush Philipp