Patents by Inventor Jens Hafermalz

Jens Hafermalz 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: 10315687
    Abstract: A steering gear having a gearwheel (2), a pinion shaft (3) which meshes with the former and is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis which lies transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis (6) of the pinion shaft (3), wherein the pinion shaft (3) is loaded against the gearwheel (2) by means of a spring element which is integrated into a locating bearing (5) for the pinion shaft (3), which locating bearing (5) forms the pivot axis (7), and wherein the pinion shaft (3) is mounted in a floating bearing (8) such that is spaced apart axially from the pivot axis, which floating bearing (8) ensures mobility of the pinion shaft (3) which makes pivoting of the pinion shaft (3) about the pivot axis possible, wherein the floating bearing (8) comprises an outer part and an inner part which is arranged movably in a radial direction with respect to the outer part, is characterized by a stop element (24) which limits the radial mobility of the inner part and can be positioned differently with regard t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Ekkehard Kneer, Jens Hafermalz, Marco Grau
  • Patent number: 9962875
    Abstract: A method and a system for producing a plastic housing are presented. In a first step, a base body and at least one closure element are produced, and in a second step an elastomer layer is applied by way of at least one gate point using a gating process, the layer joining the base body and the at least one closure element to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Jens Hafermalz
  • Patent number: 9915340
    Abstract: A housing for a steering gear and a plastic housing, wherein the plastic housing comprises a base body made of a plastic material, and elastomer layer and at least one closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Jens Hafermalz
  • Publication number: 20170096162
    Abstract: A steering gear having a gearwheel (2), a pinion shaft (3) which meshes with the former and is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis which lies transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis (6) of the pinion shaft (3), wherein the pinion shaft (3) is loaded against the gearwheel (2) by means of a spring element which is integrated into a locating bearing (5) for the pinion shaft (3), which locating bearing (5) forms the pivot axis (7), and wherein the pinion shaft (3) is mounted in a floating bearing (8) such that is spaced apart axially from the pivot axis, which floating bearing (8) ensures mobility of the pinion shaft (3) which makes pivoting of the pinion shaft (3) about the pivot axis possible, wherein the floating bearing (8) comprises an outer part and an inner part which is arranged movably in a radial direction with respect to the outer part, is characterized by a stop element (24) which limits the radial mobility of the inner part and can be positioned differently with regard t
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Ekkehard Kneer, Jens Hafermalz, Marco Grau
  • Patent number: 9534630
    Abstract: A fixed bearing for a steering gear having a rotary bearing which comprises an inner bearing shell which is provided for receiving a pinion shaft of the steering gear, and an outer bearing shell which is accommodated in a bearing bushing, and having a pivoting ring which has an outer ring and an inner ring which are pivotably connected via one or more torsion webs, wherein the outer ring is provided for supporting the fixed bearing in a housing of the steering gear, wherein the inner ring of the pivoting ring is mounted and axially secured on the outside of the bearing bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Hafermalz, Dennis Fuechsel
  • Patent number: 9488219
    Abstract: A floating bearing for a steering gear, having an inner ring for receiving a pinion shaft of the steering gear and having an outer ring which surrounds the inner ring and which serves for the mounting of the floating bearing in a housing of the steering gear, wherein the outer ring and the inner ring form an annular gap between them and wherein the outer ring and the inner ring are connected to one another by means of at least one flexible connecting part such that said outer ring and inner ring are movable relative to one another in at least one radial direction, is characterized in that the outer ring and/or the inner ring form, within the connecting part, at least one projection which projects into the annular gap such that the spacing between the outer ring and inner ring is smaller in the region of the projection than in the remaining section of the annular gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Jens Hafermalz
  • Publication number: 20160097424
    Abstract: A fixed bearing for a steering gear having a rotary bearing which comprises an inner bearing shell which is provided for receiving a pinion shaft of the steering gear, and an outer bearing shell which is accommodated in a bearing bushing, and having a pivoting ring which has an outer ring and an inner ring which are pivotably connected via one or more torsion webs, wherein the outer ring is provided for supporting the fixed bearing in a housing of the steering gear, wherein the inner ring of the pivoting ring is mounted and axially secured on the outside of the bearing bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GMBH
    Inventors: Jens HAFERMALZ, Dennis FUECHSEL
  • Patent number: 9216760
    Abstract: A steering gear having a gearwheel, having a pinion which meshes with said gearwheel and having a pinion shaft which comprises the pinion and winch is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pinion shaft wherein the radial spacing between the pivot axis and the location of toothed engagement between the gearwheel and pinion is smaller than the core radius of the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Hafermalz, Dennis Fuechsel
  • Publication number: 20150273748
    Abstract: A method and a system for producing a plastic housing are presented. In a first step, a base body and at least one closure element are produced, and in a second step an elastomer layer is applied by way of at least one gate point using a gating process, the layer joining the base body and the at least one closure element to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE STEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Jens Hafermalz
  • Publication number: 20150252888
    Abstract: A housing for a steering gear and a plastic housing, wherein the plastic housing comprises a base body made of a plastic material, and elastomer layer and at least one closure element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Jens Hafermalz
  • Patent number: 9080646
    Abstract: A helical gear mechanism for a steering system in a motor vehicle comprises a helical pinion which engages with a helical gear and a bearing bushing which accommodates a bearing of the helical pinion. An inner ring of the bearing bushing is connected to an outer ring via a pivot bearing so that a pivoting motion of the helical pinion relative to the helical gear is possible. A pressure piece is disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring of the bearing bushing. The pressure piece is movable in a spring-loaded manner in a section of an annular gap between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner ring and/or the outer ring are designed in the section so that the annular gap between the inner ring and the outer ring is tapered in the direction in which the pressure piece can be moved in a spring-loaded manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Ekkehard Kneer, Jens Hafermalz, Arne Kuhlen, Marco Grau
  • Publication number: 20150053034
    Abstract: A floating bearing for a steering gear, having an inner ring for receiving a pinion shaft of the steering gear and having an outer ring which surrounds the inner ring and which serves for the mounting of the floating bearing in a housing of the steering gear, wherein the outer ring and the inner ring form an annular gap between them and wherein the outer ring and the inner ring are connected to one another by means of at least one flexible connecting part such that said outer ring and inner ring are movable relative to one another in at least one radial direction, is characterized in that the outer ring and/or the inner ring form, within the connecting part, at least one projection which projects into the annular gap such that the spacing between the outer ring and inner ring is smaller in the region of the projection than in the remaining section of the annular gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Jens Hafermalz
  • Publication number: 20150040699
    Abstract: A steering gear having a gearwheel, having a pinion which meshes with said gearwheel and having a pinion shaft which comprises the pinion and winch is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pinion shaft wherein the radial spacing between the pivot axis and the location of toothed engagement between the gearwheel and pinion is smaller than the core radius of the pinion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jens Hafermalz, Dennis Fuechsel
  • Patent number: 8667858
    Abstract: A steering gear comprises a shaft bearing configuration which comprises a mounting which is installed in a housing section of the steering gear and has openings that enable a pivoting movement by an annular section of the mounting which is assembled with a first rolling bearing, and the mounting comprises a disk-shaped section, which is provided with the openings and relative to which the annular section can be pivoted, wherein the annular section is either assembled with the outer ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the housing section, or the annular section is assembled with the inner ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Jens Hafermalz
  • Patent number: 8646351
    Abstract: An electric power-assisted steering system of a motor vehicle comprises a helical pinion which engages into a helical gear. A reloading device comprises a reloaded pressure piece which presses the helical pinion into the toothing of the helical gear. The requirements of assembly are reduced and the elastically urging of the helical pinion or the worm need not be adjusted during assembly since the necessary elastically urging is automatically adjusted such that friction in the gearing is minimized, improved efficiency is achieved and the spring force can be held as constant as possible throughout the service life and unwanted noise development in the gearing can be largely reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Ekkehard Kneer, Jens Hafermalz, Arne Kuhlen, Marco Grau
  • Publication number: 20130239726
    Abstract: A helical gear mechanism for a steering system in a motor vehicle comprises a helical pinion which engages with a helical gear and a bearing bushing which accommodates a bearing of the helical pinion. An inner ring of the bearing bushing is connected to an outer ring via a pivot bearing so that a pivoting motion of the helical pinion relative to the helical gear is possible. A pressure piece is disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring of the bearing bushing. The pressure piece is movable in a spring-loaded manner in a section of an annular gap between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner ring and/or the outer ring are designed in the section so that the annular gap between the inner ring and the outer ring is tapered in the direction in which the pressure piece can be moved in a spring-loaded manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Dennis FUECHSEL, Ekkehard KNEER, Jens HAFERMALZ, Arne KUHLEN, Marco GRAU
  • Publication number: 20130206497
    Abstract: Helical gearing for a steering system of a motor vehicle comprises a helical pinion which engages a helical gear. Minimization of friction in the gearing and increased efficiency since continuous elastically urging with an approximately consistent spring force during the entire service life is attained. It is not necessary for a very large spring force to be applied. By way of the continuous elastically urging with an approximately consistent spring force, clattering noises or disturbing noises are prevented or largely reduced throughout the entire service life. Due to the simple design the requirements on assembly are reduced. It is advantageous that the elastically urging of the helical pinion or the worm need not be adjusted during assembly since the necessary elastically urging is automatically adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Dennis FUECHSEL, Ekkehard KNEER, Jens HAFERMALZ, Arne KUHLEN, Marco GRAU
  • Publication number: 20120272765
    Abstract: A steering gear comprises a shaft bearing configuration which comprises a mounting which is installed in a housing section of the steering gear and has openings that enable a pivoting movement by an annular section of the mounting which is assembled with a first rolling bearing, and the mounting comprises a disk-shaped section, which is provided with the openings and relative to which the annular section can be pivoted, wherein the annular section is either assembled with the outer ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the housing section, or the annular section is assembled with the inner ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Dennis FUECHSEL, Jens Hafermalz
  • Patent number: 7232006
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system has a steering wheel actuator and a braking device that acts on the steering column. The braking device is activated when the vehicle steering wheel is to be blocked or at least sharply braked, such as when the steering stop is reached or a wheel goes over the edge of a curb. The braking device functions like a switchable freewheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Dominke, Chi-Thuan Cao, Wolfgang Pfeiffer, Klaus-Dieter Leimbach, Werner Harter, Jens Hafermalz, Helmut Knoedler, Wilfried Leutner, Juergen Schuele, Herbert Lohner
  • Patent number: 7140465
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system is proposed, having a steering wheel actuator and a braking device that acts on the steering column (3). The braking device is activated when the vehicle steering wheel is to be blocked or at least sharply braked, such as when the steering stop is reached or a wheel goes over the edge of a curb. The braking device functions like a switchable freewheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Dominke, Chi-Thuan Cao, Wolfgang Pfeiffer, Klaus-Dieter Leimbach, Werner Harter, Jens Hafermalz, Helmut Knoedler, Wilfried Leutner, Juergen Schuele, Herbert Lohner