Patents by Inventor Bernd Koppitz

Bernd Koppitz 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: 11926219
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a motor vehicle includes a housing and an input shaft, which is provided to introduce torsional moments, which can be provided by an internal combustion engine, into the hybrid drive system, and which is rotatably mounted around a rotational axis. The system also includes an output shaft arranged coaxially in relation to the input shaft, an electric motor having a stator and a rotor, and a rotor support, which is non-rotationally connected to the rotor. The rotor support has a support hub, a support wall, and a support cylinder. The system also includes a separating clutch having a first inner disc carrier and a first outer disc carrier. A first bearing is arranged between the support hub and the housing. A second bearing is arranged between the support hub and the input shaft. The support wall and the support cylinder are a one-piece sheet metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lechthaler, Jan Velthaus, Lukas Rube, Bernhard Ziegler, Bernd Koppitz, Kai Heukelbach
  • Patent number: 11628716
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft, which introduces torques from an internal combustion engine into the hybrid drive system and which is mounted rotatably around an axis of rotation. An output shaft is arranged coaxially to the input shaft. The system also includes an electric machine having a stator and a rotor, and a hub non-rotatably connected to the rotor. The system further includes a wet clutch which has a first actuating piston. The hub is formed as a one-piece forged part and has a first running surface for the first actuating piston. The wet clutch is provided to non-rotatably connect the hub to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lechthaler, Jan Velthaus, Lukas Rube, Bernhard Ziegler, Bernd Koppitz, Kai Heukelbach
  • Patent number: 11628717
    Abstract: A hybrid drive train for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, a first clutch, which is provided for coupling a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine to the rotor, and a second further clutch, which is designed as a wet clutch and which has a clutch cover. A screw connection is provided for non-rotatably connecting the rotor to the clutch cover, which screw connection includes a screw, which is substantially arranged in an axial direction and which at least partially penetrates a connecting piece non-rotatably fastened to the clutch cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventors: Jan Velthaus, Kai Heukelbach, Thomas Lechthaler, Lukas Rube, Bernhard Ziegler, Bernd Koppitz, Axel Lange, Alexander Baier, Daniel Hopp
  • Publication number: 20220176799
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a motor vehicle includes a housing and an input shaft, which is provided to introduce torsional moments, which can be provided by an internal combustion engine, into the hybrid drive system, and which is rotatably mounted around a rotational axis. The system also includes an output shaft arranged coaxially in relation to the input shaft, an electric motor having a stator and a rotor, and a rotor support, which is non-rotationally connected to the rotor. The rotor support has a support hub, a support wall, and a support cylinder. The system also includes a separating clutch having a first inner disc carrier and a first outer disc carrier. A first bearing is arranged between the support hub and the housing. A second bearing is arranged between the support hub and the input shaft. The support wall and the support cylinder are a one-piece sheet metal part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas LECHTHALER, Jan VELTHAUS, Lukas RUBE, Bernhard ZIEGLER, Bernd KOPPITZ, Kai HEUKELBACH
  • Publication number: 20220153121
    Abstract: A hybrid drive train for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, a first clutch, which is provided for coupling a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine to the rotor, and a second further clutch, which is designed as a wet clutch and which has a clutch cover. A screw connection is provided for non-rotatably connecting the rotor to the clutch cover, which screw connection includes a screw, which is substantially arranged in an axial direction and which at least partially penetrates a connecting piece non-rotatably fastened to the clutch cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Jan VELTHAUS, Kai HEUKELBACH, Thomas LECHTHALER, Lukas RUBE, Bernhard ZIEGLER, Bernd KOPPITZ, Axel LANGE, Alexander BAIER, Daniel HOPP
  • Publication number: 20220144070
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft, which introduces torques from an internal combustion engine into the hybrid drive system and which is mounted rotatably around an axis of rotation. An output shaft is arranged coaxially to the input shaft. The system also includes an electric machine having a stator and a rotor, and a hub non-rotatably connected to the rotor. The system further includes a wet clutch which has a first actuating piston. The hub is formed as a one-piece forged part and has a first running surface for the first actuating piston. The wet clutch is provided to non-rotatably connect the hub to the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Thomas LECHTHALER, Jan VELTHAUS, Lukas RUBE, Bernhard ZIEGLER, Bernd KOPPITZ, Kai HEUKELBACH
  • Patent number: 11035449
    Abstract: A torque converter device for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle includes a converter cover having a cover shell and a hub rigidly connected to the cover shell. The torque converter device also includes at least one multidisk clutch, which includes at least one inner disk-centering member. The hub integrally forms the inner disk-centering member of the multidisk clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Jan Velthaus, Bernhard Ziegler, Tobias Schuster, Lukas Rube, Kai Heukelbach, Bernd Koppitz, Felix Zehren
  • Publication number: 20200208723
    Abstract: A torque converter device for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle includes a converter cover having a cover shell and a hub rigidly connected to the cover shell. The torque converter device also includes at least one multidisk clutch, which includes at least one inner disk-centering member. The hub integrally forms the inner disk-centering member of the multidisk clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Jan VELTHAUS, Bernhard ZIEGLER, Tobias SCHUSTER, Lukas RUBE, Kai HEUKELBACH, Bernd KOPPITZ, Felix ZEHREN
  • Patent number: 9902020
    Abstract: A drive train device for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The drive train device has a first component, a second component which is connected to the first component so as to transmit torque and consists at least substantially of a material formed from lightweight metal, and at least one element which is at least partially enclosed in the second component and which consists at least substantially of a predominantly iron-containing material. The enclosed element is a connecting element which is connected to the first component by substance-to-substance bonding in order to produce the torque-transmitting connection. The first component and/or the second component at least partially form a housing. The enclosed element projects axially on both sides out of the material of the second component and at least one side of the enclosed element which projects axially has at least one balancing element and/or at least one balancing recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Hans-Josef Bietenbeck, Kai Heukelbach, Bernd Koppitz, Thomas Lechthaler, Tobias Schuster, Bernhard Ziegler
  • Patent number: 9890842
    Abstract: A drive train device for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The drive train device has at least one component which is included for the purpose of transmitting a torque, and at least one cast-in element which is partially cast into the component, which is included for the purpose of transmitting the torque, where the component and the cast-in element are made of different materials. The drive train device has a sealing device which is included for the purpose of sealing a junction between the component and the cast-in element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Kai Heukelbach, Bernd Koppitz, Thomas Lechthaler, Lukas Rube, Tobias Schuster, Bernhard Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20170009864
    Abstract: A drive train device for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The drive train device has at least one component which is included for the purpose of transmitting a torque, and at least one cast-in element which is partially cast into the component, which is included for the purpose of transmitting the torque, where the component and the cast-in element are made of different materials. The drive train device has a sealing device which is included for the purpose of sealing a junction between the component and the cast-in element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Kai HEUKELBACH, Bernd KOPPITZ, Thomas LECHTHALER, Likas RUBE, Tobias SCHUSTER, Bernhard ZIEGLER
  • Publication number: 20150328720
    Abstract: A drive train device for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The drive train device has a first component, a second component which is connected to the first component so as to transmit torque and consists at least substantially of a material formed from lightweight metal, and at least one element which is at least partially enclosed in the second component and which consists at least substantially of a predominantly iron-containing material. The enclosed element is a connecting element which is connected to the first component by substance-to-substance bonding in order to produce the torque-transmitting connection. The first component and/or the second component at least partially form a housing. The enclosed element projects axially on both sides out of the material of the second component and at least one side of the enclosed element which projects axially has at least one balancing element and/or at least one balancing recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Hans-Josef Bietenbeck, Kai Heukelbach, Bernd Koppitz, Thomas Lechthaler, Tobias Schuster, Bemhard Ziegler
  • Patent number: 9067276
    Abstract: A method for non-releasable fixing of at least one component to a further component is provided in which a hot rivet is introduced into an opening of the at least one first component and an end face of a shank of the hot rivet is welded to a surface of the further component. Subsequently, with plastic deformation of the hot rivet, the shank of the hot rivet is compressed until a head of the hot rivet lies with a pre-stressing force at least in areas on a surface of the at least one component. The pre-stressing force, with which the head of the hot rivet lies at least in areas on the surface of the at least one component, is adjusted to a predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Bernd Koppitz, Rudolf Reinhardt, Tobias Schuster, Heiko Steinmetz, Bernhard Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8595914
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the unreleasable fastening of at least one component to a basic component with the aid of a bolt projecting through a bore in the component or components, first the bolt being welded electrically with one end face on the surface of the basic component and subsequently being deformed plastically. So that components consisting of any desired materials can be used, it is proposed, according to the invention, that the shank of the bolt, which has a head, be upset, until the underside of the head lies in regions on the surface of the component. Furthermore, an unreleasable connection of one or more components to a basic component is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Bernd Koppitz, Rudolf Reinhardt, Heinz Schultz, Bernhard Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20120328360
    Abstract: A method for non-releasable fixing of at least one component to a further component is provided in which a hot rivet is introduced into an opening of the at least one first component and an end face of a shank of the hot rivet is welded to a surface of the further component. Subsequently, with plastic deformation of the hot rivet, the shank of the hot rivet is compressed until a head of the hot rivet lies with a pre-stressing force at least in areas on a surface of the at least one component. The pre-stressing force, with which the head of the hot rivet lies at least in areas on the surface of the at least one component, is adjusted to a predefined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Bernd Koppitz, Rudolf Reinhardt, Tobias Schuster, Heiko Steinmetz, Bernard Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20090139821
    Abstract: In a hydrodynamic torque converter having a turbine shell and a torsion damper spring carrier jointly mounted to a carrier part by way of rivets extending through aligned openings in the turbine shell and the spring carrier, rivets with rivet shanks and a rivet heads are inserted through the aligned openings and welded to the carrier part by pairs of electrodes by which the rivets are pressed into contact with the carrier part while a welding current is generated from one to the other of the pair of welding electrodes through the respective rivets and the carrier part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Bernd Koppitz, Rudolf Reinhardt, Heinz Schultz, Bernhard Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20080308374
    Abstract: In a hydrodynamic torque converter having a long-life torque converter lock-up or bypass clutch with an axial piston structure for engaging the clutch plates of the clutch and fluid flow control structures are provided for supplying a controlled flow of lubricant to the clutch plates via the axial piston cylinder structure for lubricating and cooling the clutch plates and a torsion damper is provided adjacent the clutch and effective to reduce the transmission of torque oscillations to the vehicle transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Kai Heukelbach, Bernd Koppitz, Heinz Schultz, Bernhard Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20080229570
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the unreleasable fastening of at least one component to a basic component with the aid of a bolt projecting through a bore in the component or components, first the bolt being welded electrically with one end face on the surface of the basic component and subsequently being deformed plastically. So that components consisting of any desired materials can be used, it is proposed, according to the invention, that the shank of the bolt, which has a head, be upset, until the underside of the head lies in regions on the surface of the component. Furthermore, an unreleasable connection of one or more components to a basic component is proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Bernd Koppitz, Rudolf Reinhardt, Heinz Schultz, Bernhard Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20070068759
    Abstract: In a hydrodynamic torque converter including a working fluid for the transmission of a torque from an engine to an output shaft, a pump impeller, a stator with guide vanes, a turbine wheel connected to the output shaft via a hub-like support, a converter lock-up clutch for locking the pump impeller to the turbine wheel and a torsional vibration damper connected between the turbine wheel and the output shaft and including disk-shaped support elements, annular axially and radially extending gap seals are provided between two adjacent disk-shaped support elements of the vibration damper so as to form a labyrinth seal structure for controlling the flow of fluid through the converter lock-up clutch for cooling the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Bernd Koppitz, Heinz Schultz