Patents by Inventor Thomas Modinger
Thomas Modinger 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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Patent number: 11766992Abstract: A belt retractor (10) of a seatbelt system comprises a belt tensioner (11) which is adapted to rotate a belt reel (14) of the belt retractor (10) accommodated in a belt retractor frame (12), wherein the belt retractor frame (12) is closed by a cover (16) on the tensioner side in the area of the spindle of the belt reel (14) and in the cover (16) a bearing for the belt reel (14) is provided. The cover (16) includes a first pot-shaped cover part (16a) which is mounted directly on the belt retractor frame (12) and has a side wall (24) merging into a flat portion (26). In the flat portion (26) an opening (32) is spared and a second cover part (16b) is provided which engages in the opening (32) in the first cover part (16a) and on which a bearing (40) is formed in which an end (42) of the spindle of the belt reel (14) is supported.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Thomas Mödinger, Bernd Gentner, Martin Nuding
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Patent number: 11628802Abstract: A subassembly includes a belt reel for a seat belt retractor and a drive wheel on which a belt tensioner can act to drive the belt reel in a winding direction of the seat belt, wherein between the drive wheel and the belt reel there is provided an overload clutch which includes plural shear elements, especially shear pins, each of which is inserted in an opening of the belt reel and/or of the drive wheel, the opening extending in the axial direction starting from a front side of the belt reel.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Thomas Mödinger, Milos Cekic, Andreas Pregitzer
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Publication number: 20210206341Abstract: A subassembly includes a belt reel for a seat belt retractor and a drive wheel on which a belt tensioner can act to drive the belt reel in a winding direction of the seat belt, wherein between the drive wheel and the belt reel there is provided an overload clutch which includes plural shear elements, especially shear pins, each of which is inserted in an opening of the belt reel and/or of the drive wheel, the opening extending in the axial direction starting from a front side of the belt reel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2018Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Thomas Mödinger, Milos Cekic, Andreas Pregitzer
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Patent number: 11014531Abstract: A belt tensioner (10) for a seatbelt system comprises a tensioner tube (20) having an open outlet end and a force transmission element (22) which is guided in the tensioner tube (20) and which leaves the tensioner tube (20) via the open outlet end, a gas generator (18) providing compressed gas for displacing the force transmission element (22) within the tensioner tube (20) as well as a drive wheel (16) rotated by the force transmission element (22) leaving the tensioner tube (20). There is provided a guiding component (24) surrounding the drive wheel (16) into which guiding component the force transmission element (22) enters upon leaving the tensioner tube (20). At the guiding component (24) an energy-dissipating structure (50) is provided which the force transmission element (22) contacts when it has at least substantially completely left the tensioner tube (20).Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Thomas Mödinger, Bruno Arbter, Steffen Seiffert
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Publication number: 20210114551Abstract: A belt retractor (10) of a seatbelt system comprises a belt tensioner (11) which is adapted to rotate a belt reel (14) of the belt retractor (10) accommodated in a belt retractor frame (12), wherein the belt retractor frame (12) is closed by a cover (16) on the tensioner side in the area of the spindle of the belt reel (14) and in the cover (16) a bearing for the belt reel (14) is provided. The cover (16) includes a first pot-shaped cover part (16a) which is mounted directly on the belt retractor frame (12) and has a side wall (24) merging into a flat portion (26). In the flat portion (26) an opening (32) is spared and a second cover part (16b) is provided which engages in the opening (32) in the first cover part (16a) and on which a bearing (40) is formed in which an end (42) of the spindle of the belt reel (14) is supported.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Thomas Modinger, Bernd Gentner, Martin Nuding
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Publication number: 20190210557Abstract: A belt tensioner (10) for a seatbelt system comprises a tensioner tube (20) having an open outlet end and a force transmission element (22) which is guided in the tensioner tube (20) and which leaves the tensioner tube (20) via the open outlet end, a gas generator (18) providing compressed gas for displacing the force transmission element (22) within the tensioner tube (20) as well as a drive wheel (16) rotated by the force transmission element (22) leaving the tensioner tube (20). There is provided a guiding component (24) surrounding the drive wheel (16) into which guiding component the force transmission element (22) enters upon leaving the tensioner tube (20). At the guiding component (24) an energy-dissipating structure (50) is provided which the force transmission element (22) contacts when it has at least substantially completely left the tensioner tube (20).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Thomas Mödinger, Bruno Arbter, Steffen Seiffert
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Patent number: 9707924Abstract: In the method for mounting an inflator (12) within a tube (14), especially of a belt tensioner, wherein an end portion (28) of the tube (14) is formed radially inwardly so that a first contact surface (30) directed to the interior of the tube (14) occurs, prior to forming an annular stabilizing disk (34) is arranged between the first contact surface (30) and a second contact surface (32) configured at the inflator (12).Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Thomas Modinger, Martin Nuding, Andreas Pregitzer, Bernd Gentner
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Publication number: 20170001596Abstract: In the method for mounting an inflator (12) within a tube (14), especially of a belt tensioner, wherein an end portion (28) of the tube (14) is formed radially inwardly so that a first contact surface (30) directed to the interior of the tube (14) occurs, prior to forming an annular stabilizing disk (34) is arranged between the first contact surface (30) and a second contact surface (32) configured at the inflator (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2014Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Thomas MODINGER, Martin NUDING, Andreas PREGITZER, Bernd GENTNER
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Patent number: 7887095Abstract: A belt tensioner for a safety belt system includes a pinion (16) rotatably mounted in a housing (12), a drive unit (26), and a toothed rack (18) whose toothing (20) is directly engaged or enters into direct engagement with the pinion (16) and which can be driven by means of the drive unit (26). The toothed rack (18) has the shape of a circular arc and moves on a circular path (K) upon activation of the drive unit (26).Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Wilfried Bieg, Michael Vogeltanz, Wolf-Dieter Hönl, Thomas Mödinger, Tanja Rau
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Publication number: 20090261567Abstract: A belt tensioner for a safety belt system includes a pinion (16) rotatably mounted in a housing (12), a drive unit (26), and a toothed rack (18) whose toothing (20) is directly engaged or enters into direct engagement with the pinion (16) and which can be driven by means of the drive unit (26). The toothed rack (18) has the shape of a circular arc and moves on a circular path (K) upon activation of the drive unit (26).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2006Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Wilfried Bieg, Michael Vogeltanz, Wolf-Dieter Honl, Thomas Modinger, Tanja Rau
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Patent number: 6976707Abstract: A device for tensioning a safety belt includes a motor and a traction transmission device having a first end and a second end. The second end of the traction transmission device is coupled to a belt buckle or an end fitting of the safety belt. The motor is constructed as a tensioner drive for an emergency tensioning. The traction transmission device is coupled to the motor such that a drive movement of the motor is converted into a longitudinal movement of the traction transmission device.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Thomas Mödinger, Joachim Biller
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Patent number: 6935241Abstract: A method of producing a device containing pyrotechnical material comprises the following steps: providing a tubular housing element with a base and metal ducts incorporated in the base, with the housing element and the base being integrally formed of glass and the housing element and the base defining a housing interior with a bottom adjoining the base, and the metal ducts extending through the bottom into the housing interior; applying a metal layer on the bottom by forming a heat-generating element integrally connected with the metal ducts and the bottom; introducing the pyrotechnical material into the housing element; and sealing the housing element by heating and melting off. The device obtainable in this way serves for use in vehicle occupant restraint systems, for instance as an igniter in gas generators and belt tensioners.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Karl Hudelmaier, Wolfgang Gabriel, Thomas Mödinger
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Patent number: 6840474Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt comprises a frame, a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame, a belt reel axle with an external toothing, and a pawl. The belt retractor has a sliding clutch by means of which the pawl can be brought to engage in the external toothing, in order to rotate the belt reel.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Wolf-Dieter Hönl, Thomas Modinger
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Publication number: 20030227166Abstract: A device for tensioning a safety belt includes a motor and a traction transmission means having a first end and a second end. The second end of the traction transmission means is coupled to a belt buckle or an end fitting of the safety belt. The motor is constructed as a tensioner drive for an emergency tensioning. The traction transmission is coupled to the motor such that a drive movement of the motor is converted into a longitudinal movement of the traction transmission means.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Thomas Modinger, Joachim Biller
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Publication number: 20030217663Abstract: A method of producing a device containing pyrotechnical material comprises the following steps: providing a tubular housing element with a base and metal ducts incorporated in the base, with the housing element and the base being integrally formed of glass and the housing element and the base defining a housing interior with a bottom adjoining the base, and the metal ducts extending through the bottom into the housing interior; applying a metal layer on the bottom by forming a heat-generating element integrally connected with the metal ducts and the bottom; introducing the pyrotechnical material into the housing element; and sealing the housing element by heating and melting off. The device obtainable in this way serves for use in vehicle occupant restraint systems, for instance as an igniter in gas generators and belt tensioners.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Karl Hudelmaier, Wolfgang Gabriel, Thomas Modinger
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Publication number: 20030052209Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt comprises a frame, a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame, a belt reel axle with an external toothing, and a pawl. The belt retractor has a sliding clutch by means of which the pawl can be brought to engage in the external toothing, in order to rotate the belt reel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co., KGInventors: Wolf-Dieter Honl, Thomas Modinger
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Publication number: 20010000862Abstract: The present invention relates to a device containing pyrotechnic material, having a housing surrounding the pyrotechnic material, the device being wherein the housing is formed entirely from glass and contains at least one metal duct having a spark gap or a heating wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2001Publication date: May 10, 2001Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Wolfgang Gabriel, Karl Hudelmaier, Thomas Modinger
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Patent number: 6227478Abstract: A linear drive (10) for a belt tensioner has a cylinder tube (20) comprising at one axial end a face wall (33) provided with an opening (34). A piston (22) is arranged shiftably in the cylinder tube. The piston has a hollow inner space (24). A pyrotechnical propellant charge (28) is provided which following its ignition acts upon the inner space (24) of the piston (22) with compressed gas. To provide a cooling and a filtering function, a pad (44) of a wire conglomerate is arranged within the cylinder tube adjacent the face wall (33) of the cylinder tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Karl Hudelmaier, Thomas Mödinger, Johannes Schmid
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Patent number: 5641131Abstract: In a belt tensioner for vehicular seat belt restraining systems the belt reel (16) of a belt retractor is caused to rotate by a linear drive unit via a step-up gear. The linear drive unit comprises a burstproof cylinder tube (42) closed off at both ends and a hollow piston (44) shiftable therein. Within said hollow piston a pyrotechnical propelling charge (50) with an igniter (52) is accommodated. The belt tensioner is distinguished by its compact configuration, low weight and low-cost production as well as by the linear drive unit being safe to handle.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1994Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Assignee: TRW Repa GmbHInventors: Johannes Schmid, Thomas Modinger
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Patent number: 5624083Abstract: The belt retractor with a belt pretensioner acting on the belt drum (12) has a pyrotechnical piston and cylinder linear drive (22). A rack (32) adapted to be subjected to thrust is connected with the piston (28) of such linear drive (22). The rack (32) is able to be drivingly coupled with the belt drum by the intermediary of a step-up gear wheel transmission (34, 36, 44). After tensioning of the belt, tensions in the safety belt system are limited by plastic deformation of a torsion rod (38), and peak strain values are decreased.The belt retractor is integrated with the belt pretensioner and the energy converter as a compact assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: TRW Repa GmbHInventors: Thomas Modinger, Johannes Schmid