Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Holbein

Wolfgang Holbein 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: 20230158996
    Abstract: A seat belt system (10) has a control unit (14) and a seat belt (16) which includes a webbing (18) and a belt retractor (20). The belt retractor (20) comprises a belt reel (28) for the webbing (18), a rotation angle sensor (30) with a sensor unit and a rotatable measuring element, and a gear unit coupling the belt reel (28) to the measuring element. The belt reel (28) has a fully extended position and a ghost position. Furthermore, the gear unit is designed so that the gear unit reduces the rotation of the belt reel (28), when the belt reel (28) is adjusted from the ghost position to the fully extended position, to a maximum of 1.0 revolutions of the measuring element. In addition, a method for determining the extension length of a webbing (18) of a seat belt system (10) wound on a rotatable belt reel (28) is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Wolfgang HOLBEIN, Frederic MICHEL, Patrizia LANG
  • Publication number: 20220314926
    Abstract: A belt retractor device for a vehicle comprises a first device component (12), a second device component (14) and a detent mechanism (16) including a first detent element (26) and a second detent element (28). The first detent element (26) has at least two stops (58) which are offset from each other in the radial direction and in the axial direction relative to a mounting axis (20). The second detent element (28) includes a detent edge (40) configured to engage in one of the stops (58) of the first detent element (12) and to prevent the first device component (12) and the second device component (14) from moving relative to each other against the mounting direction of the mounting axis (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Balakoteswararo Guggilam
  • Publication number: 20210122328
    Abstract: A seatbelt system for a vehicle comprises a webbing (28), a belt retractor, a belt reel (16) and a belt reel angle sensor (22) having a first gearwheel assembly (32) and a second gearwheel assembly (36). The belt reel angle sensor (22) includes a multi-stage gearing (58) having a first gear stage with a first reduction ratio and a second gear stage with a second reduction ratio. The belt reel angle sensor (22) further comprises a rotation angle sensor (64) and a rotation angle transmitter (34) associated with the rotation angle sensor (64) as well as a reference signal sensor (68) and a reference signal transmitter (38) associated with the reference signal sensor (68). The rotation angle transmitter (34) is associated with the first gearwheel assembly (32) and the reference signal transmitter (38) is associated with the second gearwheel assembly (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, David Reich
  • Patent number: 10518743
    Abstract: In a coupling (18) for a belt tensioner (10) in a vehicle comprising an input element (26), an output element (34), a coupling element (28) which is movably supported between an initial position and an activated position and in the activated position couples the input element (26) to the output element (34), and a control element (36) which upon movement of the input element (26) relative to the control element (36) moves the coupling element (28) between the initial position and the activated position, the control element (36) is coupled to an inertia mass (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Bernd Greiner
  • Patent number: 10427641
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt retractor comprising a signal transmitter ring (6) for a magnetic sensor (34), comprising a hub (14) which is connected to the belt reel in a rotationally fixed manner and comprising a signal transmitter portion (20) exhibiting periodically varying material properties when viewed in the circumferential direction, wherein the signal transmitter portion includes a stop (30) by which it abuts against a contact surface (32) associated therewith, and comprising a spring portion (18) acting on the signal transmitter portion relative to the hub so that the stop abuts against the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Holbein
  • Publication number: 20180334133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt retractor comprising a signal transmitter ring (6) for a magnetic sensor (34). comprising a hub (14) which is connected to the belt reel in a rotationally fixed manner and comprising a signal transmitter portion (20) exhibiting periodically varying material properties when viewed in the circumferential direction, wherein the signal transmitter portion includes a stop (30) by which it abuts against a contact surface (32) associated therewith, and comprising a spring portion (18) acting on the signal transmitter portion relative to the hub so that the stop abuts against the contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventor: Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 9937892
    Abstract: A belt retractor (10) is provided with a retractor shaft (12) and a device (26) for determining the rotational speed and/or the angle of rotation of the retractor shaft (12), with a rotating magnetic element (18), a stationary magnetic field sensor (24) and a stationary element guiding the magnetic flux (20) arranged between the rotating magnetic element (18) and the magnetic field sensor (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Holbein
  • Publication number: 20170136987
    Abstract: In a coupling (18) for a belt tensioner (10) in a vehicle comprising an input element (26), an output element (34), a coupling element (28) which is movably supported between an initial position and an activated position and in the activated position couples the input element (26) to the output element (34), and a control element (36) which upon movement of the input element (26) relative to the control element (36) moves the coupling element (28) between the initial position and the activated position, the control element (36) is coupled to an inertia mass (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Wolfgang HOLBEIN, Bernd GREINER
  • Patent number: 9630587
    Abstract: A belt buckle feeder (10) comprises a belt buckle (18), a stationary base member (12) to be mounted fixedly on the vehicle and a motor-driven slide (16) movably supported on the base member (12) to which the belt buckle (18) is coupled, wherein the slide (16) encloses the base member (12) at least in portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Jens Klaassen
  • Patent number: 9611902
    Abstract: A controllable clutch (18) for a belt tensioner (16) comprises a drive member (32), a driven element (24) and a clutch pawl (40) that is movably supported on the input side (30) between a home position and an engaged position and in the engaged position couples the drive member (32) to the driven element (24), wherein the clutch pawl (40) is tension-loaded in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Nuding, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 9559618
    Abstract: A control (18) for a seat belt positioning device (10) includes a motor (12) for positioning a seat belt component (16). A locking tongue sensor (20) generates a locking tongue signal (S) depending on whether a locking tongue is inserted in a belt buckle (16). A trigger circuit (22) connected to the locking tongue sensor (20) generates a trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM) in response to the locking tongue signal (S) A timer (32) or a motor load circuit (33) connected to the trigger circuit (22) generates a motor signal (M) having a predetermined period or depending on a motor load in response to the trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM). A motor control circuit (34) connected to the timer (32) and the trigger circuit (22) turns the motor on and off in response to the motor signal (M). The direction of motion of the motor (12) is selected depending on the trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Prokscha, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Publication number: 20160280180
    Abstract: A belt retractor (10) is provided with a retractor shaft (12) and a device (26) for determining the rotational speed and/or the angle of rotation of the retractor shaft (12), with a rotating magnetic element (18), a stationary magnetic field sensor (24) and a stationary element guiding the magnetic flux (20) arranged between the rotating magnetic element (18) and the magnetic field sensor (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Wolfgang Holbein
  • Publication number: 20160121844
    Abstract: A belt buckle feeder (10) comprises a belt buckle (18), a stationary base member (12) to be mounted fixedly on the vehicle and a motor-driven slide (16) movably supported on the base member (12) to which the belt buckle (18) is coupled, wherein the slide (16) encloses the base member (12) at least in portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Jens Klaassen
  • Patent number: 9238447
    Abstract: A belt buckle feeder for a vehicle seat belt system includes a spindle drive and a belt buckle (12) mounted on a spindle (14) of the spindle drive, the belt buckle being movable in height via a spindle nut (26) located on the spindle (14). A safety mechanism comprising at least one locking element (44) is provided which is configured so that the locking element (44) enters into force fit and/or form fit with the spindle (14), when a predetermined force threshold is exceeded, and introduces force acting on the belt buckle (12) in the extending direction (R) of the spindle (14) into a mounting point fixed to the vehicle white bypassing the spindle drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Hoika, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 9193329
    Abstract: A positioning device (12), especially for a vehicle seat belt feeder, comprises a flexible load-bearing element (16) and a molded part (18) comprising a plurality of molded elements (20) each of which annularly surrounds the elastic load-bearing element (16) and includes axial bearing surfaces. The axial bearing surfaces of the molded elements (20) include a surface structure which is configured so that two neighboring molded elements (20) loaded against each other contact each other with their axial bearing surfaces, are in positive engagement and are orientated in the radial direction at a defined position relative to each other, A belt buckle device (10) comprises an afore-described positioning device (12) as well as a belt buckle (14) that is fastened to the load-bearing element (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein
  • Publication number: 20150203069
    Abstract: A belt buckle feeder for a vehicle seat belt system includes a spindle drive and a belt buckle (12) mounted on a spindle (14) of the spindle drive, the belt buckle being movable in height via a spindle nut (28) located on the spindle (14). A safety mechanism comprising at least one locking element (44) is provided which is configured so that the locking element (44) enters into force fit and/or form fit with the spindle (14), when a predetermined force threshold is exceeded, and introduces force acting on the belt buckle (12) in the extending direction (R) of the spindle (14) into a mounting point fixed to the vehicle white bypassing the spindle drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Christian Hoika, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Publication number: 20140375042
    Abstract: A positioning device (12), especially for a vehicle seat belt feeder, comprises a flexible load-bearing element (16) and a molded part (18) comprising a plurality of molded elements (20) each of which annularly surrounds the elastic load-bearing element (16) and includes axial bearing surfaces. The axial bearing surfaces of the molded elements (20) include a surface structure which is configured so that two neighboring molded elements (20) loaded against each other contact each other with their axial bearing surfaces, are in positive engagement and are orientated in the radial direction at a defined position relative to each other, A belt buckle device (10) comprises an afore-described positioning device (12) as well as a belt buckle (14) that is fastened to the load-bearing element (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein
  • Publication number: 20140318915
    Abstract: A controllable clutch (18) for a belt tensioner (16) comprises a drive member (32), a driven element (24) and a clutch pawl (40) that is movably supported on the input side (30) between a home position and an engaged position and in the engaged position couples the drive member (32) to the driven element (24), wherein the clutch pawl (40) is tension-loaded in the engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Componets GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Nuding, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 8814074
    Abstract: A belt retractor (10) comprising a frame, a belt reel, a first force limiting means (30) coupled to the belt reel and a second force limiting means (32), wherein the second force limiting means (32) can be locked and the first force limiting means (30) is arranged functionally in series with the second force limiting means (32), is characterized in that the second force limiting means (32) includes a deformation element (52) and at least one deforming member (26, 54) fixed to the frame, the deformation element (52) being adapted to be rotated relative to the deforming member (26, 54) when the second force limiting means (32) is activated, whereby the deformation element (52) is deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Moedinger, Martin Roehrle, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 8777268
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reversible belt tensioner (10) comprising a drive motor (12), a spindle (14) connected to the drive motor (12), a spindle nut (16) adapted to be displaced in axial direction (18) on the spindle (14), a catch (20) the one end of which is connected to the spindle nut (16) and a belt buckle (22) connected to the other end of the catch (20), wherein at least one of the following features prevents the spindle nut (16) from jamming during travel against block: a cylindrical guiding portion (50) inside the spindle nut (16) interacting with the outer geometry of the spindle (14); a freewheel mechanism (48) between the drive motor (12) and the spindle (14); a compression spring (70) between the belt buckle (22) and a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Nathalie Kramer, Martin Prokscha, Stefano Roehm