Patents by Inventor Joachim Spratte
Joachim Spratte 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).
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Publication number: 20080184577Abstract: A measuring device is provided for a motor vehicle, with a bracket (1), with a joint (8), which is connected to the bracket (1) and which has a joint housing (20) and a pivot pin (19) mounted movably in same. A component (2) is provided which is connected to the joint (8) and which is mounted pivotably on the bracket (1) via the joint (8). An angle measuring device (17, 18) is provided, by which the angle (?) of the component (2) in relation to the bracket (1) can be determined. An analyzer (23) is connected to the angle measuring device (17, 18) and has a double differentiator (24), which is connected to the angle measuring device (17, 18) and which is followed downstream by a summer or integrator (26) via the intermediary of a calculating unit (25).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2006Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Joachim Spratte, Michael Klank, Klaus Warnken, Alfons Noe, Gunter Godert
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Patent number: 7405557Abstract: A ball and socket joint with integrated angle sensor, especially for use as a vehicle level control in the chassis of a motor vehicle. The ball and socket joint has a ball and socket joint housing (1), a ball pivot (2) mounted in the ball and socket joint housing (1), a bipolar field transducer (4) arranged at the joint ball (3) of the ball pivot (2), and at least one magnetic field direction sensor (5), which is arranged at the ball and socket joint housing (1) and interacts with the magnetic field generated by the field transducer (4), wherein only one pole of the bipolar field transducer (4) is arranged on the surface of the ball.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Sensitec GmbHInventors: Joachim Spratte, Uwe Loreit
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Publication number: 20080124167Abstract: A ball pivot (3) of a ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle, with a pivot (2) and with a joint ball (1) connected thereto. A recess (12) with a magnet (13) arranged therein is provided in the ball pivot (13). An intermediate space (17), which is filled with a nonmagnetic material (16) for fixing the magnet (13), is formed between the jacket surface (14) of the magnet (13) and the inner wall (15) of the recess (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventors: Joachim SPRATTE, Michael KLANK
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Publication number: 20080099967Abstract: A device for measuring the spring compression position of a motor vehicle, with a number of axle components (3) and a chassis (2) includes spring elements (1) arranged between the axle components (3) and the chassis (2), as well as with at least one magnet array (7) and at least one magnetic field sensor (8). The magnetic field sensor (8) is displaced in relation to the magnet array (7) in the case of a change in the spring compression position of the motor vehicle. The magnet array (7) or the magnetic field sensor (8) is arranged at a point of the spring element (1) that moves in case of a change in the spring compression position in relation to both the chassis (2) and in relation to the axle component (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2005Publication date: May 1, 2008Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSCHAFEN AGInventors: Joachim Spratte, Metin Ersoy
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Patent number: 7305864Abstract: A ball joint for a motor vehicle includes a housing (6) having a cavity (5), and with a ball pivot (1), which has a pin (2) and a joint ball (3) and which, with its joint ball (3), is mounted in the cavity (5) of the housing (6) in a manner that permits it to rotate and pivot. The journal (2) extends through an opening (7) provided in the housing and out therefrom. The inventive ball joint also comprises sealing bellows (11), which are placed between the housing (6) and the journal (2). A multipart measuring arrangement is provided having at least one signal transmitter (17, 18) and at least one sensor (20, 21, 22). The measuring arrangement is placed between the pin-side end of the joint ball (3) and the pin-side end of the sealing bellows (11).Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Jürgen Gräber, Joachim Spratte
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Publication number: 20070253763Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle, with a housing (4) having a wall (7), a bottom (8) and an opening (9), with a ball pivot (3), which has a joint ball (1) and a pivot (2). The ball pivot is mounted with the joint ball (1) rotatably and pivotably in the housing (4) and the pivot extends out of the housing (4) through the opening (9). An electronic component (14) is arranged in the housing (4). An electrically conductive connection (17) is arranged in the housing (4) and is electrically connected to the component (14). The electrically conductive connection (17) extends out of the housing (4) from the component (14) in the area of the opening (9) or through the opening (9).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2005Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: Joachim Spratte, Metin Ersoy
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Publication number: 20070059091Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle has a ball pivot (3), which has a pin (2) and a joint ball (1). The ball pivot (3) is arranged with its joint ball (1) rotatably and pivotably in a recess (4) provided in a housing (5), and extends from this housing (5) through a pin opening (6), and with a sensor, which is a moisture sensor (12) and is in connection with the recess (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2004Publication date: March 15, 2007Inventors: Joachim Spratte, Michael Klank
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Publication number: 20070051171Abstract: A ball joint for a motor vehicle includes a housing (6) having a cavity (5), and with a ball pivot (1), which has a pin (2) and a joint ball (3) and which, with its joint ball (3), is mounted in the cavity (5) of the housing (6) in a manner that permits it to rotate and pivot. The journal (2) extends through an opening (7) provided in the housing and out therefrom. The inventive ball joint also comprises sealing bellows (11), which are placed between the housing (6) and the journal (2). A multipart measuring arrangement is provided having at least one signal transmitter (17, 18) and at least one sensor (20, 21, 22). The measuring arrangement is placed between the pin-side end of the joint ball (3) and the pin-side end of the sealing bellows (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2004Publication date: March 8, 2007Inventors: Jurgen Graber, Joachim Spratte
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Publication number: 20070040355Abstract: A ball and socket joint with integrated angle sensor, especially for use as a vehicle level control in the chassis of a motor vehicle. The ball and socket joint has a ball and socket joint housing (1), a ball pivot (2) mounted in the ball and socket joint housing (1), a bipolar field transducer (4) arranged at the joint ball (3) of the ball pivot (2), and at least one magnetic field direction sensor (5), which is arranged at the ball and socket joint housing (1) and interacts with the magnetic field generated by the field transducer (4), wherein only one pole of the bipolar field transducer (4) is arranged on the surface of the ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2004Publication date: February 22, 2007Inventors: Joachim Spratte, Uwe Loreit
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Patent number: 7170285Abstract: A ball and socket joint (1) is provided with a pivoting angle sensor (9) for detecting the relative angular position of the joint housing (4) and the ball pivot (3). The pivoting angle ? of the joint ball (2) is detected by a measuring means comprising a magnet (8) and a magnetic field sensor (9). The position and the size of the magnet (8) as well as the position and the size of the recess of the joint ball (2) are selected for each type of ball and socket joint from one series such that when the particular nominal pivoting angle ?m of the ball and socket joint (1) is reached, the angle ? of the magnetic field lines (12) passing through the magnetic field sensor (9) approximately equals a constant ?m, which applies to the entire series.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Joachim Spratte
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Patent number: 7171330Abstract: A rotation and/or tilt angle detection device for a ball and socket joint is provided wherein at least one magnet (2), especially a permanent magnet, is arranged in the joint ball (1a), wherein a display device (4) displays the magnetic field of the at least one magnet (2) by means of the magnetooptic effect. An image detection deice (10) detects the information displayed by the display device (4). A data processing unit (50) calculates the relative position of the joint ball (1a) and the ball socket (3) of the ball and socket joint on the basis of the information detected.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Jochen Kruse, Joachim Spratte, Michael Klank, Oliver Hagedorn, Horst Dötsch
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Patent number: 7159890Abstract: A trailer hitch for a motor vehicle includes a towbar (2) having an arm (1) and a ball cup (3) provided with an opening and with a ball pivot (6). The ball pivot (6) has a ball head (4) and a pivot (5) and is mounted with the ball head (4) rotatably and pivotably in the ball cup (3) and passes through an opening (7) and juts out of the ball cup (3). An angle-measuring device having a signal transmitter (17) and two sensors (40, 41) is arranged in the joint unit formed from the ball cup (3) and the ball head (4).Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Scott C. Craig, Joachim Spratte
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Publication number: 20060228167Abstract: A ball pivot (3) of a ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle, with a pivot (2) and with a joint ball (1) connected thereto. A recess (12) with a magnet (13) arranged therein is provided in the ball pivot (13). An intermediate space (17), which is filled with a nonmagnetic material (16) for fixing the magnet (13), is formed between the jacket surface (14) of the magnet (13) and the inner wall (15) of the recess (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2004Publication date: October 12, 2006Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Joachim Spratte, Michael Klank
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Patent number: 7083199Abstract: The present invention pertains to a chassis part for connection and force transmission between a vehicle chassis of at least one wheel, consisting of fiber-reinforced plastics or plastic composite systems, preferably for a passenger car or utility vehicle. The present invention is characterized in that at least one means for measuring forces acting on the chassis parts is integrated in the plastic portions of the chassis parts.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Jürgen Gräber, Jochen Kruse, Joachim Spratte, Stefan Schönhoff
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Patent number: 7063480Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for a motor vehicle, especially for the chassis of the motor vehicle, is provided, wherein the ball-and-socket joint has a ball-and-socket joint housing (4) provided with a joint opening (6) as well as a ball pivot (3). The ball pivot (3) includes a joint ball (1) and a pivot (2). The ball pivot (3) is mounted with its joint ball (1) rotatably and pivotably in the ball-and-socket joint housing (4) and protrudes with its pivot (2) from the ball-and-socket joint housing (4). A separate closing element (10), which closes a mounting opening (9) provided in the ball-and-socket joint housing at least partially, and at which at least one electronic component (11) is arranged, is fastened to the ball-and-socket joint housing (4).Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Metin Ersoy, Joachim Spratte, Armin Müller
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Patent number: 7045999Abstract: A bearing for a control arm of a wheel suspension of a vehicle has at least one sensor (18, 28, 38, 48, 58) arranged in or at the bearing (11, 21, 31, 41). The sensor determines the relative movement of the vehicle parts connected to each other by the bearing (11, 21, 31, 31, 41).Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Metin Ersoy, Joachim Spratte, Bernd Grannemann
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Patent number: 7044745Abstract: An electronic device has several superposed main printed circuit boards (2, 3, 4), of which one has e.g. the electronic components of a radio, another has the electronic components of a multimedia device and a third has the electronic components of a vehicle navigation device. On the front side of the electronic device, a connection printed circuit board (9) which is oriented crosswise to the main printed circuit boards (2, 3, 4) is provided with plug-in connecting parts (11, 13, 15) which engage on the front side of the main circuit boards (2, 3, 4).Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Siemens AktiengellschaftInventors: Jörg Reinhardt, Joachim Spratte
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Publication number: 20060078369Abstract: A ball and socket joint (1) is provided with a pivoting angle sensor (9) for detecting the relative angular position of the joint housing (4) and the ball pivot (3). The pivoting angle ? of the joint ball (2) is detected by a measuring means comprising a magnet (8) and a magnetic field sensor (9). The position and the size of the magnet (8) as well as the position and the size of the recess of the joint ball (2) are selected for each type of ball and socket joint from one series such that when the particular nominal pivoting angle ?m of the ball and socket joint (1) is reached, the angle ? of the magnetic field lines (12) passing through the magnetic field sensor (9) approximately equals a constant ?m, which applies to the entire series.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2005Publication date: April 13, 2006Inventor: Joachim Spratte
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Publication number: 20060071448Abstract: A trailer hitch for a motor vehicle includes a towbar (2) having an arm (1) and a ball cup (3) provided with an opening and with a ball pivot (6). The ball pivot (6) has a ball head (4) and a pivot (5) and is mounted with the ball head (4) rotatably and pivotably in the ball cup (3) and passes through an opening (7) and juts out of the ball cup (3). An angle-measuring device having a signal transmitter (17) and two sensors (40, 41) is arranged in the joint unit formed from the ball cup (3) and the ball head (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2004Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Scott Craig, Joachim Spratte
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Publication number: 20050007225Abstract: A rotation and/or tilt angle detection device for a ball and socket joint is provided wherein at least one magnet (2), especially a permanent magnet, is arranged in the joint ball (1a), wherein a display device (4) displays the magnetic field of the at least one magnet (2) by means of the magnetooptic effect. An image detection deice (10) detects the information displayed by the display device (4). A data processing unit (50) calculates the relative position of the joint ball (1a) and the ball socket (3) of the ball and socket joint on the basis of the information detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2004Publication date: January 13, 2005Inventors: Jochen Kruse, Joachim Spratte, Michael Klank, Oliver Hagedorn, Horst Dotsch