Patents by Inventor Jochen Rintelmann

Jochen Rintelmann 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).

  • Publication number: 20230400047
    Abstract: A functional component which is designed to be secured to a holding component by pressing a connecting element into a depression of the holding component. In a non-deformed state, the connecting element protrudes in a press-in direction from a base body of the functional component and is designed to be deformed by applying a force to the base body, so that the connecting element is widened in an end area and the end area is introduced into a wall of the depression. The base body includes a contact surface surrounding the connecting element which abuts a support surface of the holding component in a coupled state of the functional component. A functional module of the functional component is provided by a partial area of the base body facing away from the contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jan-Oliver BRASSEL, Jochen RINTELMANN, Jörg SPINDLER
  • Patent number: 10357849
    Abstract: A connecting seam is formed between two thin-walled sheet-metal parts as a laser weld seam or laser soldered seam as additional material is supplied, respectively. The sheet-metal parts have flange portions for formation of a connecting region. At least one flange portion includes in the region of a joining zone a bead which is at least partially surrounded or filled by solidified melt from seam material after the production of the connecting seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Frank Stohler, Gerhard Gaull, Jochen Rintelmann
  • Patent number: 10160074
    Abstract: In a method for joining a functional element with a metal sheet, with the functional element having an attachment part for attachment of a structure to the metal sheet, a cold forming process employed for the metal sheet is also used to mark the metal sheet with a sink mark by which a joining position of the metal sheet with the functional element is indicated. After the functional element is joined with the metal sheet at the joining position, the joining position is checked with respect to a position of the functional element inside of the sink mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jochen Rintelmann, Matthias Egner
  • Patent number: 10094412
    Abstract: In a method for connecting a press-in bolt with a metal sheet, the metal sheet is positioned upon a cover element of a joining tool. The press-in bolt is forced by the joining tool in a pilot hole of the metal sheet as the metal sheet is supported by the cover element in its capacity as a die, until a head portion of the press-in bolt rests upon one side of the metal sheet and the cover element is pressed upon a shaft portion of the press-in bolt and radially deformed to rest upon another opposite side of the metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Jochen Rintelmann, Patrick Feldhan, Benjamin Hans, Norbert Hornbostel
  • Patent number: 10047778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection comprising at least two components having the following features: a first component and a second component, of which at least the second component comprises reinforced plastic, a self-piercing connection element having a head and a shaft, the head thereof being supported on the first component and the shaft thereof running completely through the first and the second component, and a disc-shaped counter bearing to which the shaft is fastened such that the at least two components are fastened between the head and the counter bearing. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH, Audi AG
    Inventors: Jochen Rintelmann, Michael Stumpf, Carsten Bär, Torsten Draht, Marc Steinig
  • Patent number: 10005211
    Abstract: A moldable wire thread insert for reinforcing a screw-in opening of a component has the following characteristics: a cylindrical spiral made of a helically, wound wire, the neighboring coils of which are arranged such that a closed cylindrical spiral wall is present, while at least one end of the cylindrical spirals has a fastening flange, which extends radially outwards over the cylindrical spiral wall and with which the wire thread insert is anchorable in the component and/or one end of the cylindrical spiral is designed in a planar manner in order to form an even axial front surface of the cylindrical spiral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Friedrich Grubert, Michael Stumpf, Xavier Sutz, Jochen Rintelmann
  • Publication number: 20180031024
    Abstract: In a method for connecting a press-in bolt with a metal sheet, the metal sheet is positioned upon a cover element of a joining tool. The press-in bolt is forced by the joining tool in a pilot hole of the metal sheet as the metal sheet is supported by the cover element in its capacity as a die, until a head portion of the press-in bolt rests upon one side of the metal sheet and the cover element is pressed upon a shaft portion of the press-in bolt and radially deformed to rest upon another opposite side of the metal sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Jochen Rintelmann, Patrick Feldhan, Benjamin Hans, Norbert Hornbostel
  • Publication number: 20180023607
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection comprising at least two components having the following features: a first component and a second component, of which at least the second component comprises reinforced plastic, a self-piercing connection element having a head and a shaft, the head thereof being supported on the first component and the shaft thereof running completely through the first and the second component, and a disc-shaped counter bearing to which the shaft is fastened such that the at least two components are fastened between the head and the counter bearing. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Jochen Rintelmann, Michael Stumpf, Carsten Bär, Torsten Draht, Marc Steinig
  • Patent number: 9816548
    Abstract: In a method for connecting a press-in bolt with a metal sheet, the metal sheet is positioned upon a cover element of a joining tool. The press-in bolt is forced by the joining tool in a pilot hole of the metal sheet as the metal sheet is supported by the cover element in its capacity as a die, until a head portion of the press-in bolt rests upon one side of the metal sheet and the cover element is pressed upon a shaft portion of the press-in bolt and radially deformed to rest upon another opposite side of the metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Jochen Rintelmann, Patrick Feldhan, Benjamin Hans, Norbert Hornbostel
  • Patent number: 9797428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection comprising at least two components having the following features: a first component and a second component, of which at least the second component comprises reinforced plastic, a self-piercing connection element (30) having a head and a shaft, the head thereof being supported on the first component and the shaft thereof running completely through the first and the second component, and a disc-shaped counter bearing to which the shaft is fastened such that the at least two components are fastened between the head and the counter bearing. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignees: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH, Audi AG
    Inventors: Jochen Rintelmann, Michael Stumpf, Carsten Bär, Torsten Draht, Marc Steinig
  • Patent number: 9676128
    Abstract: A moldable wire thread insert for reinforcing a screw-in opening of a component has the following characteristics: a cylindrical spiral made of a helically, wound wire, the neighboring coils of which are arranged such that a closed cylindrical spiral wall is present, while at least one end of the cylindrical spirals has a fastening flange, which extends radially outwards over the cylindrical spiral wall and with which the wire thread insert is anchorable in the component and/or one end of the cylindrical spiral is designed in a planar manner in order to form an even axial front surface of the cylindrical spiral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Bollhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Friedrich Grubert, Michael Stumpf, Xavier Sutz, Jochen Rintelmann
  • Publication number: 20160325379
    Abstract: A connecting seam is formed between two thin-walled sheet-metal parts as a laser weld seam or laser soldered seam as additional material is supplied, respectively. The sheet-metal parts have flange portions for formation of a connecting region. At least one flange portion includes in the region of a joining zone a bead which is at least partially surrounded or filled by solidified melt from seam material after the production of the connecting seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: FRANK STOHLER, GERHARD GAULL, JOCHEN RINTELMANN
  • Publication number: 20150375350
    Abstract: In a method for joining a functional element with a metal sheet, with the functional element having an attachment part for attachment of a structure to the metal sheet, a cold forming process employed for the metal sheet is also used to mark the metal sheet with a sink mark by which a joining position of the metal sheet with the functional element is indicated. After the functional element is joined with the metal sheet at the joining position, the joining position is checked with respect to a position of the functional element inside of the sink mark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jochen Rintelmann, Matthias Egner
  • Publication number: 20150377271
    Abstract: In a method for connecting a press-in bolt with a metal sheet, the metal sheet is positioned upon a cover element of a joining tool. The press-in bolt is forced by the joining tool in a pilot hole of the metal sheet as the metal sheet is supported by the cover element in its capacity as a die, until a head portion of the press-in bolt rests upon one side of the metal sheet and the cover element is pressed upon a shaft portion of the press-in bolt and radially deformed to rest upon another opposite side of the metal sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Jochen Rintelmann, Patrick Feldhan, Benjamin Hans, Norbert Hornbostel
  • Publication number: 20150014884
    Abstract: A moldable wire thread insert for reinforcing a screw-in opening of a component has the following characteristics: a cylindrical spiral made of a helically, wound wire, the neighboring coils of which are arranged such that a closed cylindrical spiral wall is present, while at least one end of the cylindrical spirals has a fastening flange, which extends radially outwards over the cylindrical spiral wall and with which the wire thread insert is anchorable in the component and/or one end of the cylindrical spiral is designed in a planar manner in order to form an even axial front surface of the cylindrical spiral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Friedrich Grubert, Michael Stumpf, Xavier Sutz, Jochen Rintelmann
  • Publication number: 20150014466
    Abstract: A moldable wire thread insert for reinforcing a screw-in opening of a component has the following characteristics: a cylindrical spiral made of a helically, wound wire, the neighboring coils of which are arranged such that a closed cylindrical spiral wall is present, while at least one end of the cylindrical spirals has a fastening flange, which extends radially outwards over the cylindrical spiral wall and with which the wire thread insert is anchorable in the component and/or one end of the cylindrical spiral is designed in a planar manner in order to form an even axial front surface of the cylindrical spiral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Friedrich Grubert, Michael Stumpf, Xavier Sutz, Jochen Rintelmann
  • Patent number: 8931991
    Abstract: A moldable wire thread insert 1 for reinforcing a screw-in opening of a component has the following characteristics: a cylindrical spiral 20 made of a helically, wound wire 10, the neighboring coils 30 of which are arranged such that a closed cylindrical spiral wall 22, 24 is present, while at least one end of the cylindrical spirals 20 has a fastening flange 40, which extends radially outwards over the cylindrical spiral wall 22, 24 and with which the wire thread insert 1 is anchorable in the component and/or one end of the cylindrical spiral 20 is designed in a planar manner in order to form an even axial front surface of the cylindrical spiral 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Friedrich Grubert, Michael Stumpf, Xavier Sutz, Jochen Rintelmann
  • Publication number: 20130000101
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection comprising at least two components having the following features: a first component and a second component, of which at least the second component comprises reinforced plastic, a self-piercing connection element (30) having a head and a shaft, the head thereof being supported on the first component and the shaft thereof running completely through the first and the second component, and a disc-shaped counter bearing to which the shaft is fastened such that the at least two components are fastened between the head and the counter bearing. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Bollhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Rintelmann, Michael Stumpf, Carsten Bär, Torsten Draht
  • Publication number: 20120315107
    Abstract: A moldable wire thread insert 1 for reinforcing a screw-in opening of a component has the following characteristics: a cylindrical spiral 20 made of a helically, wound wire 10, the neighboring coils 30 of which are arranged such that a closed cylindrical spiral wall 22, 24 is present, while at least one end of the cylindrical spirals 20 has a fastening flange 40, which extends radially outwards over the cylindrical spiral wall 22, 24 and with which the wire thread insert 1 is anchorable in the component and/or one end of the cylindrical spiral 20 is designed in a planar manner in order to form an even axial front surface of the cylindrical spiral 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: BOLLHOFF VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Friedrich Grubert, MIchael Stumpf, Xavier Sutz, Jochen Rintelmann
  • Patent number: 7841816
    Abstract: Hybrid component for the fastening of functional elements, in particular in an automobile, which has the following characteristics: a component foot consisting of a blind rivet construction made of metal with which the hybrid component can be rigidly fastened to a structural component; a fastening appendage, which is connected with the component foot and comprises a fastening contour for a functional component, wherein the functional component is made of plastic and is connected with the fastening appendage so that a component can be coupled with the structural component via the functional component and the component foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Bollhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Jodeleit, Hans-Joachim Dembowsky, Jochen Rintelmann