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).

  • Patent number: 11766992
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Mödinger, Bernd Gentner, Martin Nuding
  • Patent number: 11628802
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Mödinger, Milos Cekic, Andreas Pregitzer
  • Publication number: 20210206341
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Mödinger, Milos Cekic, Andreas Pregitzer
  • Patent number: 11014531
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Mödinger, Bruno Arbter, Steffen Seiffert
  • Publication number: 20210114551
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Modinger, Bernd Gentner, Martin Nuding
  • Publication number: 20190210557
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Mödinger, Bruno Arbter, Steffen Seiffert
  • Patent number: 9707924
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Modinger, Martin Nuding, Andreas Pregitzer, Bernd Gentner
  • Publication number: 20170001596
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas MODINGER, Martin NUDING, Andreas PREGITZER, Bernd GENTNER
  • Patent number: 7887095
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Bieg, Michael Vogeltanz, Wolf-Dieter Hönl, Thomas Mödinger, Tanja Rau
  • Publication number: 20090261567
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Wilfried Bieg, Michael Vogeltanz, Wolf-Dieter Honl, Thomas Modinger, Tanja Rau
  • Patent number: 6976707
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Mödinger, Joachim Biller
  • Patent number: 6935241
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Hudelmaier, Wolfgang Gabriel, Thomas Mödinger
  • Patent number: 6840474
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Hönl, Thomas Modinger
  • Publication number: 20030227166
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Modinger, Joachim Biller
  • Publication number: 20030217663
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Hudelmaier, Wolfgang Gabriel, Thomas Modinger
  • Publication number: 20030052209
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Honl, Thomas Modinger
  • Publication number: 20010000862
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gabriel, Karl Hudelmaier, Thomas Modinger
  • Patent number: 6227478
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Hudelmaier, Thomas Mödinger, Johannes Schmid
  • Patent number: 5641131
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Schmid, Thomas Modinger
  • Patent number: 5624083
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Modinger, Johannes Schmid