Patents Assigned to Stabilus GmbH
  • Piston-cylinder unit
    Publication number: 20090020005
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a piston-cylinder unit for a hinged lid, especially a motor vehicle hinged lid, with a closed first end, a cylinder, a piston installed in the cylinder with freedom to slide back and forth, the piston dividing the cylinder into a working chamber remote from the first end and a second working near the first end; and a piston rod, which is attached to one side of the piston, projects through the first working chamber, and passes out of the cylinder concentrically to the central longitudinal axis of the cylinder through a guide and sealing device at the second end opposite the first end, where a first locking element is provided on the piston rod, and a second locking element is provided on the cylinder to establish a mechanical interlock, and where one of the locking elements comprises a sleeve, which cooperates with the other locking element to establish an interlock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Rainer Massmann, Mihai Augustin Vidrean
  • Adjusting Element
    Publication number: 20090007626
    Abstract: An adjusting element with a cylinder which is closed at one end and filled with a fluid under pressure, wherein a piston which is displaceable axially in the cylinder divides the cylinder into a first work space and a second work space, and a piston rod is arranged at one side of the piston and guided out of the other end of the cylinder through the first work space in a sealed manner by a sealing and guiding device. The adjusting element has a measuring device for detecting the piston rod position and the length of extension of the adjusting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Thomas Ehre, Rolf Mintgen
  • Spindle drive
    Publication number: 20090011894
    Abstract: A spindle drive for a movable component includes a threaded spindle, which can be driven in rotation about a rotational axis by a reversible drive. A spindle nut is mounted nonrotatably on the spindle. By means of the spindle nut, a transmission element connected to the movable component can be driven axially with respect to the spindle axis. The spindle nut can be connected to and disconnected from the transmission element by a connecting device. A nut position sensor detects the position of the spindle nut and a component sensor detects the axial position of the transmission element. If it is concluded that there is plausibility between the signals of the nut position sensor and the component sensor, the spindle nut can be connected to the transmission element by the connecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
  • Drive Device
    Publication number: 20090000201
    Abstract: A drive device for a hatch of a vehicle, wherein the device includes a first housing part which can be connected to a stationary component or to a movable component, a second housing part, a third housing part which is telescopically guided in the second housing part with an axial freedom of movement and which can be connected to the other of the movable component or the stationary component. A spindle drive comprising a threaded spindle and a spindle nut is mounted on the threaded spindle, by which the third housing part can be driven by a rotary drive and, thus, moved axially with respect to the second housing part. The drive device also includes a brake device, where the brake device comprises a centrifugal force brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Fahl
  • Gas spring
    Publication number: 20080315470
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas spring which uses a compensating medium acting on a compensating piston in order to compensate the dependence on temperature of its characteristic. According to a first aspect of the invention, a compensating medium (16M) is selected whereof the critical temperature (TK) is between the lower limit temperature (Tlower) and a temperature exceeding the upper limit temperature (Tupper) Of the range of operating temperatures of the gas spring (50) by up to 100° C., and the gas spring (50) is designed such that, at an operating temperature (TB) of the gas spring (50) not exceeding the critical temperature (TK) of the compensating medium (16M), the point indicating the state of the compensating medium (16M) lies on or above the vapor pressure curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Holger ANSEL, Meik Broeder, Stefan Bonnekessel, Stephan Enders, Alexander Koehl, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen, Marc Nadler, Willi Nieratschker, Rainer Sauer
  • Piston-cylinder unit and process for producing a piston-cylinder unit
    Patent number: 7445096
    Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit, in particular gas spring, has a cylindrical pressure tube which has a surface protection on its outer surface. The piston-cylinder unit further has a piston, which is axially displaceable within the pressure tube and has a piston rod. The piston rod is led out of the pressure tube in a sealed manner through an end side opening at a piston-rod-exit end side of the pressure tube. To improve the corrosion prevention properties and the durability of the surface protection, an end region of the pressure tube which starts from the piston-rod-exit end side is excluded from the surface protection. A process for producing such a piston-cylinder unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Mauer
  • Hinge device with a piston/cylinder unit
    Patent number: 7445267
    Abstract: A hinge device for a flap of a motor vehicle includes a piston/cylinder unit arranged between a fixed structural part and a first flap which is pivotable about an axis of rotation. A second flap is likewise pivotable about the axis of rotation and can be connected releasably to the first flap. The piston/cylinder unit is arranged between a first leg, firmly connectable to the fixed structural part, and a second leg carrying the first flap, of a hinge 6. A third leg carries the second flap, wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg 9 are pivotably arranged on a common hinge axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Noél Charon, Rolf Mintgen
  • Object-support column
    Publication number: 20080258021
    Abstract: A support column with a vertical tube has a coaxially installed gas spring including a cylinder divided by a piston into first and second working chambers. A piston rod passes through the second working chamber in a sealed manner to the outside, where it is attached to a bottom support piece of the vertical tube. The cylinder projects out of the vertical tube and is guided with freedom to slide back and forth in a guide sleeve installed in the end of the vertical tube opposite the bottom support piece. A connection between the first and second working chambers can be blocked by a manually actuatable valve. A second valve between the chambers, which is closed when the gas spring is under load, can be switched to the open position after the load on the gas spring has been absent for a certain period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Etzkorn, Manfred Metzdorf, Thomas Muller
  • Piston/cylinder unit with solenoid valve in piston
    Publication number: 20080245631
    Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit includes a closed cylinder filled with a fluid under pressure, a piston dividing the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber, and a piston rod extending through the second working chamber. A passage through the piston connects the first working chamber to the second working chamber, and a valve closing member is movable between an open position and a closed position wherein the member closes the passage. A solenoid includes a coil, a coil core, and an armature in the piston, the armature driving the valve closing member between the closed position and the open position in response to a magnetic field produced by a current applied to the coil, the cylinder forming a magnetic field guide tube. The coil is supplied with current by a power line in the piston rod, and may be grounded to the piston rod or the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Thomas Ehre, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen
  • Gas spring
    Patent number: 7431134
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas spring which uses a compensating medium acting on a compensating piston in order to compensate the dependence on temperature of its characteristic. According to a first aspect of the invention, a compensating medium (16M) is selected whereof the critical temperature (TK) is between the lower limit temperature (Tlower) and a temperature exceeding the upper limit temperature (Tupper) of the range of operating temperatures of the gas spring (50) by up to 100° C., and the gas spring (50) is designed such that, at an operating temperature (TB) of the gas spring (50) not exceeding the critical temperature (TK) of the compensating medium (16M), the point indicating the state of the compensating medium (16M) lies on or above the vapor pressure curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: STABILUS GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Ansel, Meik Broeder, Stefan Bonnekessel, Stephan Enders, Alexander Koehl, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen, Marc Nadler, Willi Nieratschker, Rainer Sauer
  • Gas spring with end position damping
    Patent number: 7428953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas spring with end position damping having a piston-cylinder unit which is provided with two identically configured pistons arranged in a mirror-like image. Each piston has two axially extending parts defining an annular groove therebetween. The groove is configured to receive an annular sealing ring operative to axially move within the groove. The groove, the pistons and cylinder are configured with an arrangement of flow passages providing damping at the end of the push-in and push-out strokes of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Kneip, Mark Rössner
  • Drive device
    Publication number: 20080216409
    Abstract: A drive device for a motor vehicle, including a first fastening element connectable to one of a stationary component and a movable component of the motor vehicle; a housing tube comprising a first end facing away from the first fastening element, and a second fastening element on the first end, the second fastening element being connectable to the other of a stationary component and a movable component of the motor vehicle; a spindle drive comprising a threaded spindle; and a spindle nut mounted on the threaded spindle; and an electric motor for driving the threaded spindle in rotation. The spindle drive is configured to move the first fastening element and the housing tube away from each other in an axial movement. When energized the electric motor drives the threaded spindle in rotation with a torque which decreases over the course of the axial movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Rolf Mintgen, Christian Schindlatz
  • Force supporting device
    Publication number: 20080180006
    Abstract: A force supporting device for assisting a force required to move a flap of an overhead baggage compartment from an open position to a closed position includes a blockable piston cylinder unit attached to the flap for assisting the force required to move the flap, and a triggering device for blocking and releasing the blockable piston cylinder unit as a function of loading of the flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Jorg Hillen, Peter Kohns, Thorsten Muller, Michael Rudesheim, Dieter Wendling
  • Joining element for connecting components
    Publication number: 20080175654
    Abstract: A joining element for connecting a first component to a second component, wherein the joining element includes a connection member for the pivotable mounting of the first component, and part of the connection member is receivable in at least one aperture of the second component in a predetermined orientation. A fixing mechanism is provided for directly fixing the connection member to the second component when the part of the connection member received in the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Arnold Schilz, Richard Strupp, Reiner Weber
  • Ball joint arrangement
    Publication number: 20080138151
    Abstract: Socket housing has a hemispherical ball socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced retaining tongues which extend toward an insertion opening, the tongues being radially pivotable to engage over the equator of a ball head. An outer part has an insertion region and a receiving opening into which the socket housing can be inserted in an insertion direction via the insertion region, the insertion region having an inside surface defining an opening with a cross-sectional area which is larger than a cross-sectional area defined by an inside surface of the receiving opening. The retaining tongues are in contact with the inside surface of the receiving opening when the socket housing is in the installed position. A locking device prevents movement of the socket housing counter to the insertion direction When the socket housing is in the installed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Arnold Schilz, Richard Strupp, Reiner Weber
  • Ball-and-socket joint connection
    Patent number: 7384209
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint connection has a retaining part which has a fastening point for fixedly mounting the retaining part to a structure, and a rod part which is arranged pivotably in a pivoting-angle region in a pivoting plane via a ball-and-socket joint on the retaining part. The fastening point and the ball-and-socket joint are situated approximately in the pivoting plane and the rod part protrudes from the ball-like component out of a journal slot which extends radially to the ball seat in a sector-like or sectional manner at least corresponding to the pivoting angle and has a width at least corresponding to the thickness of the rod part to reduce a bending moment and loading on the retaining part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Muders, Frank Born, Wilhelm Schwab, Andre Stein, Rolf Mintgen
  • Drive for pivoting a flap arranged on a body of a vehicle about a pivot axis
    Patent number: 7357751
    Abstract: A drive for pivoting a flap on a body of a vehicle about a pivot axis, with a drive motor, by means of which an output driving the flap pivotably can be driven rotatably via a drive train having an epicyclic gear. The epicyclic gear has a sun gear, an internally toothed rim, a planet gear which is in engagement with the sun gear and the internally toothed rim, and a planet carrier which carries the planet gear and which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to a shaft coaxial with respect to the axis of rotation of the planet carrier. The rotational movement of a component of the epicyclic gear can be braked by a brake. In particular, the brake can stop the rotational movement of the internally toothed rim, the sun gear can be driven rotatably by the drive motor, and the shaft of the planet carrier can form the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
  • Adjustment element with a cylinder
    Publication number: 20080083324
    Abstract: An adjustment element includes a cylinder; a piston axially movable in the cylinder and having a piston rod; an elastic annular seal between the piston and the one end of the cylinder, the annual seal including inner and outer radially circumferences which sealingly bear against the piston rod and the cylinder, respectively; a ring-shaped supporting element which is between the one end of the cylinder and the annular seal and axially supported by the cylinder, there being at least one of a first annular gap between the supporting element and the piston rod and a second annular gap between the supporting element and the cylinder; and a safety element which fills in the at least one of the first and second annular gaps. The safety element is made of a material with low melting temperature. The annular seal is axially supported by the supporting element and the safety element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Ackermann, Arnold Schilz, Stefan Burg
  • Drive device
    Publication number: 20080061643
    Abstract: A drive device for a hatch of a motor vehicle, wherein a spindle drive is provided with a threaded spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the threaded spindle, by which drive the first fastening element and the housing tube can be driven axially relative to each other. The spindle drive can be rotatably driven by an electric motor, where the output shaft of the motor can rotate the threaded spindle or a connecting component of a clutch. The spindle drive can be rotatably driven by two or more series-connected electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Rolf Mintgen, Christian Schindlatz, Oliver Schuttler
  • Drive device
    Publication number: 20080060273
    Abstract: A drive device for a hatch of a motor vehicle, wherein a spindle drive is provided with a threaded spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the threaded spindle, by which drive the first fastening element and the housing tube can be driven axially relative to each other. The spindle drive can be rotatably driven by an electric motor, where the output shaft of the motor can rotate the threaded spindle or a connecting component of a clutch. The electric motor is located in the housing tube. On the inside wall of the housing tube, two or more radially oriented field magnets, which are distributed uniformly around the circumference, are provided to form a stator, where these magnets surround a coaxial, rotatably supported rotor shaft, on which coils are provided to form a rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Rolf Mintgen, Christian Schindlatz