Patents by Inventor Raphael Koch

Raphael Koch 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: 20190283183
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method wherein an object is manufactured by powder being applied layer-by-layer by an application device onto a base along a buildup surface and being bonded in regions to form a matrix. To provide an efficient additive powder bed method, a position of the base is checked by at least one measurement with a sensor device and the position of the base is automatically corrected at least in relation to the application device based on the at least one measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael Koch, Lars Bognar
  • Patent number: 10343523
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an operating unit for an in-vehicle system to control an operation of at least one in-vehicle electric device of a vehicle. The operating unit includes at least one touch screen, at least one rotary knob that is arranged on the touchscreen and at least one shaft that extends through the touchscreen and is connected in a non-rotatable manner to the rotary knob. In order to simplify operation of the operating unit via haptic feedback from the operating unit, the operating unit comprises at least one electromagnetic latching arrangement that is connected to the shaft and renders it possible to latch different rotary positions of the rotary knob in a non-contact manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael Koch, Stefan Wolter
  • Publication number: 20190202041
    Abstract: A production aid for positioning at least one component relative to a further component includes a monolithic positioning main body configured such that, given its prescriptively correct arrangement on the further component, it predefines a prescriptively correct positioning of the component relative to the further component. The positioning main body includes at least one opening, into which a spacer bushing is positively fitted. The spacer bushing has a through hole through which a positioning pin is guided, or a positioning pivot, which is configured monolithically with the spacer bushing. The positioning main body, via the positioning pin or the positioning pivot, makes contact with the further component, and a longitudinal center axis of the through hole is arranged parallelly offset from a longitudinal center axis of the positioning pin or pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael Koch, Lars Bognar
  • Publication number: 20190202114
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method includes manufacturing a workpiece in a manufacturing area by applying metallic powder with a first application device, layer by layer, to a base body. The metallic powder is melted in first regions by a laser beam and solidified. In order to improve the efficiency of selective laser melting, support structures that connect the workpiece to the base body are produced by applying a binder to the powder in second regions with a second application device and solidifying the second regions to produce a powder-binding binder matrix. The support structures are removed from the workpiece after completion thereof by breaking up the binder matrix by degradation with respect to which the workpiece is stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael Koch, Lars Bognar, Bruno Alves
  • Publication number: 20190113065
    Abstract: A system for connecting a wheel rim to a hub flange of a motor vehicle, having a fastener such a threaded nut or bolt, and a tool which engages the fastener in a positive-locking manner in order to tighten or release the fastener. To provide improved protection against theft of wheel rims and tires, the fastener has an annular groove extending axially from an end surface of the fastener, the groove having an annular base and inner and outer sidewalls shaped to form an undercut wider than an opening of the groove, a recess extending axially below the base for receiving a projection of a complementally-shaped key on the tool to allow rotation of the fastener. The undercut prevents an unauthorized person using a mold-making material, from being able to make an imprint of the groove and producing a tool therefrom to release the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael KOCH, Lars BOGNAR
  • Publication number: 20190084111
    Abstract: A production device having wear and/or manipulation identification is provided. The production device is produced at least for the most part by additive production methods and has a surface. The production device may be constructed as an assembly device, in particular workpiece coordination device, shaping tool or auxiliary technical production device. According to the present disclosure there is provided at least in a region of the surface at least one signal layer which, in an initial state of the production device, is arranged at a predetermined depth below a surface termination layer of the surface and is covered externally by the surface termination layer of the surface. In this instance, the signal layer differs in a visually perceptible manner from the surface termination layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael Koch, Lars Bognar
  • Publication number: 20180354036
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a production method for a shaping tool component of a press hardening tool that includes producing a preform by an additive production method from metal material. The preform having an outer wall, which at least partially corresponds to a shaping operating face of the tool component. The preform further includes at least one channel wall of a cooling channel adjacent to the outer wall and at least one recess which is at least for the most part further away from the outer wall than the channel wall. After the preform is produced, the at least one recess is filled with liquid metal, which subsequently hardens and forms a portion of the tool component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael Koch, Lars Bognar
  • Patent number: 10137941
    Abstract: A vehicle body component includes a basic element reinforced with a reinforcing element of fiber-reinforced plastics material. The basic element reinforced with the reinforcing element is a basic element of a pillar of a vehicle body or a roof element. The reinforcing element has a constant thickness or a variable thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Selahattin Türel Memili, Raphael Koch, Igor Licko
  • Publication number: 20180283451
    Abstract: An air bearing for movably bearing at least two elements includes a bearing main body with a first air outflow channel and a second air outflow channel. The first air outflow channel is supplied with air via at least one first air delivery device. The second air outflow channel is supplied with air via at least one second air delivery device. A sensor detects at least one of a bearing stroke, a bearing pressure, and a bearing throughflow, and a controller adjusts the supply of the air to at least one of the first air outflow channel and the second air outflow channel in accordance with the at least one of the bearing stroke, the bearing pressure, and the bearing throughflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Malte Langmack, Steffen Strauss, Wolfgang Strauss, Raphael Koch, Christof Poglitsch, Holger Hofmann, Nikolai Zeller
  • Publication number: 20180209498
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hybrid lightweight brake disk and a method for producing the hybrid lightweight brake disk. The hybrid lightweight brake disk includes a brake chamber and a friction ring with at least one circular, outer friction surface. The method provides a brake chamber that includes a material containing an aluminum-forged alloy and a friction ring having a rapidly solidified aluminum alloy built up on an edge region of the brake chamber by using a laser deposition welding process or a 3D-printing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zandbergen Zandbergen, Maik Broda, Raphael Koch, Clemens Verpoort
  • Publication number: 20180193923
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing method. The method includes applying metallic powder in layers to a base surface. The base surface is formed in part by a base plate and in part by at least one insert arranged in a through opening in the base plate. The metallic powder layers are bonded in some region or regions by heating, whereby an object having connecting structures that are connected to the at least one insert is manufactured. After manufacture is finished, each insert is adjusted within a through opening relative to the base plate, thereby separating at least parts of the connecting structures from the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael KOCH, Clemens VERPOORT, Bruno ALVES
  • Publication number: 20180194065
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for removing industrial powder from a shaped body manufactured generatively using the industrial powder. The apparatus includes at least one container for holding the shaped body having a vertically adjustable construction platform, a vibrating screen, a tilting device for tilting the container, and at least one catching unit adjoining a transfer end of the vibrating screen for catching the shaped body. In one form, the vibrating screen, tilting device, and catching unit are arranged within a housing. In another form, the vibrating screen and catching unit are arranged within the housing and the tilting device is at least partially arranged in the housing. At least one opening in the housing is closed in an airtight manner by a glove such that a user can use the glove to grasp the shaped body caught by the catching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael KOCH, Bruno ALVES
  • Publication number: 20180194230
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an operating unit for an in-vehicle system to control an operation of at least one in-vehicle electric device of a vehicle. The operating unit includes at least one touch screen, at least one rotary knob that is arranged on the touchscreen and at least one shaft that extends through the touchscreen and is connected in a non-rotatable manner to the rotary knob. In order to simplify operation of the operating unit via haptic feedback from the operating unit, the operating unit comprises at least one electromagnetic latching arrangement that is connected to the shaft and renders it possible to latch different rotary positions of the rotary knob in a non-contact manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael KOCH, Stefan WOLTER
  • Publication number: 20180154720
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transverse link for a wheel suspension of a vehicle that includes at least one wheel-side attachment structure and at least one structure-side attachment structure. The wheel-side and structure-side structures are connected to each other by a connection structure which extends therebetween. The connection structure and/or at least one of the attachment structures is/are produced by a generative production method. At least one of the attachment structures is constructed as a generatively produced bushing which has an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve. The sleeves are connected to each other by a fold-like structure. The present disclosure further provides a method for producing such a transverse link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer SOUSCHEK, Raphael KOCH, Daniel MAINZ, Theo KUEPPERS
  • Publication number: 20180093350
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an additive production method of producing an object by metal powder being applied in a production region in layers by an application device. The metal powder is applied to a base member along a construction face and is partially molten by a laser beam and solidified. A continuous conveyor transports the base member with the object in a transport direction away from the construction face. The continuous conveyor further transports the base member with the completed object to a removal region where the object is removed from the continuous conveyor. Support structures are produced on the object and are connected to the base member. The support structures are removed after the removal region has been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael Koch, Bruno Alves
  • Publication number: 20170313000
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a structural component for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle body component, which has a main body made of a metal material. The main body is provided at least partially with a reinforcing element made of a fiber-composite plastic. The method includes the steps of providing the main body, providing the reinforcing element, joining the main body and the reinforcing element together, and simultaneously heating the main body and the reinforcing element to a temperature and for a period of time which are chosen to be sufficiently high in order to harden both the metal material of the main body and also the fiber-composite plastic of the reinforcing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Igor Licko, Raphael Koch, Selahattin Türel Memili
  • Publication number: 20170246673
    Abstract: A method for producing a forming tool having a forming punch and a mating die corresponding to the forming tool for forming a substrate is provided, which includes the steps of preparing at least the forming punch of the forming tool from a light metal and forming a protective coating on at least one region on a surface of at least the forming punch of the forming tool. The protective coating is applied to a region that is configured to contact the substrate, and in one form, the light metal is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A forming tool having a forming part and a mating die is also provided, in which at least the forming tool is made from a light metal and includes the protective coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maik Broda, Raymund Eugen Pflitsch, Clemens Maria Verpoort, Raphael Koch, Michael Brose
  • Publication number: 20170166261
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body component, which comprises a basic element reinforced with a reinforcing element of fiber-reinforced plastics material. It is proposed that the basic element reinforced with the reinforcing element is a basic element of a pillar of a vehicle body or a roof element, the reinforcing element having a constant thickness or a variable thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Selahattin Türel Memili, Raphael Koch, Igor Licko