Patents by Inventor Holger Zang

Holger Zang 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: 11414038
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes a steering wheel body and a base. The base carrying an inflator and an airbag package, such that the base, the inflator and the airbag package form a first sub-assembly. The base is connected to the steering wheel body at least indirectly via at least one elastic element, such that the sub-assembly can move relative to the steering wheel body in at least one direction so that the whole sub-assembly serves as a vibration damping mass. The steering wheel also includes a cover element with a roof extending over the airbag package, and at least one horn sensor generating a signal when a pressing force exceeding a predefined value is applied to the roof. The cover element is not rigidly connected to the base, such that the sub-assembly can move relative to the steering wheel body under deformation of the elastic element while the cover element does not move relative to the steering wheel body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Knut Schmeier, Tomasz Skoneczny, Dominik Zelmanski, Felix Pollatschek, Klaus Massanetz, Marcus Weber, Holger Zang, Sven Hoffmann, Thomas Reiter, Wolfram Engelhardt, Alexander Feicht, Michael Gruhne
  • Publication number: 20200130630
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes a steering wheel body and a base. The base carrying an inflator and an airbag package, such that the base, the inflator and the airbag package form a first sub-assembly. The base is connected to the steering wheel body at least indirectly via at least one elastic element, such that the sub-assembly can move relative to the steering wheel body in at least one direction so that the whole sub-assembly serves as a vibration damping mass. The steering wheel also includes a cover element with a roof extending over the airbag package, and at least one horn sensor generating a signal when a pressing force exceeding a predefined value is applied to the roof. The cover element is not rigidly connected to the base, such that the sub-assembly can move relative to the steering wheel body under deformation of the elastic element while the cover element does not move relative to the steering wheel body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Knut SCHMEIER, Tomasz SKONECZNY, Dominik ZELMANSKI, Felix POLLATSCHEK, Klaus MASSANETZ, Marcus WEBER, Holger ZANG, Sven HOFFMANN, Thomas REITER, Wolfram ENGELHARDT, Alexander FEICHT, Michael GRUHNE
  • Patent number: 8955877
    Abstract: The invention relates to a knee airbag module having a housing, an airbag accommodated in the housing and a substantially cylindrical gas generator (50) accommodated in the housing for filling the airbag, wherein the housing has an upper wall (12) and a peripheral side wall having a front section, a rear section (24) and two side sections. In this connection, at least one side section has, adjacent to the front (22) section, an opening (30) through which one end (54) of the gas generator (50) passes at least in part through the side wall. From each of the two side sections a respective fastening flange (40) extends with a respective fastening section (40a) having a fastening surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Marco Broussard, Konrad Gottschalk, Holger Zang
  • Publication number: 20140021701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a knee airbag module having a housing, an airbag accommodated in the housing and a substantially cylindrical gas generator (50) accommodated in the housing for filling the airbag, wherein the housing has an upper wall (12) and a peripheral side wall having a front section, a rear section (24) and two side sections. In this connection, at least one side section has, adjacent to the front (22) section, an opening (30) through which one end (54) of the gas generator (50) passes at least in part through the side wall. From each of the two side sections a respective fastening flange (40) extends with a respective fastening section (40a) having a fastening surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Marco Broussard, Konrad Gottschalk, Holger Zang
  • Patent number: 7267214
    Abstract: An electromagnetic frictionally engaged clutch for arranging inside a drive train connecting a drive motor and a vehicle door or flap. The arrangement ensures that the vehicle door is securely held in each intermediate position, when the clutch is in an idle state, while maintaining the possibility of a manual emergency actuation of the vehicle door. The rotor includes at least one permanent magnet in addition to the electric coil, such that when a current does not pass through the coil, the armature disk is pressed against the friction lining of the rotor, with a force which is strong enough for the vehicle door or vehicle flap to securely remain in position occupied when the clutch is an idle state, and for the friction engagement between the armature disk and the friction lining to be overcome when the vehicle door or vehicle flap is subsequently manually actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Sicherheitssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Bittner, Thomas Humez, Stephan Schachtl, Holger Zang, Alexander De Jong
  • Patent number: 7147267
    Abstract: A device having a drive (6) for pivoting a vehicle door or vehicle lid rotationally connected to a hinge bow (1) around a hinge axle (3). In order to build the device (5) in a compact manner, wherein no special reinforcement of the hinges of the vehicle door or vehicle lid is required for utilization of the device (5) in compliance with regulations, a drive (6) is provided with a drive shaft (7) that is arranged in an extension of the hinge axle, the drive shaft (7) being connected to a bow-shaped drive lever (9) that is arranged parallel to the hinge bow (1) and that can be fixed to the hinge bow (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Sicherheitssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Bittner, Thomas Humez, Stephan Schachtl, Holger Zang
  • Publication number: 20050173219
    Abstract: An electromagnetic frictionally engaged clutch for arranging inside a drive train connecting a drive motor and a vehicle door or flap. The arrangement ensures that the vehicle door is securely held in each intermediate position, when the clutch is in an idle state, while maintaining the possibility of a manual emergency actuation of the vehicle door. The rotor includes at least one permanent magnet in addition to the electric coil, such that when a current does not pass through the coil, the armature disk is pressed against the friction lining of the rotor, with a force which is strong enough for the vehicle door or vehicle flap to securely remain in position occupied when the clutch is an idle state, and for the friction engagement between the armature disk and the friction lining to be overcome when the vehicle door or vehicle flap is subsequently manually actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Eric Bittner, Thomas Humez, Stephan Schachtl, Holger Zang, Alexander De Jong
  • Publication number: 20050150078
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device having a drive (6) for pivoting a vehicle door or vehicle lid rotationally connected to a hinge bow (1) around a hinge axle (3). In order to build said device (5) in a compact manner, wherein no special reinforcement of the hinges of the vehicle door or vehicle lid is required for utilization of said device in compliance with regulations, a drive (6) is provided with a drive shaft (7) that is arranged in an extension of the hinge axle, said drive shaft being connected to a bow-shaped drive lever (9) that is arranged parallel to the hinge bow (1) and that can be fixed to said hinge bow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Eric Bittner, Thomas Humez, Stephan Schachtl, Holger Zang