Patents by Inventor Andreas Hitz

Andreas Hitz 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: 20170209909
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a lightweight sheet-metal component with varying wall thicknesses, characterized by the following method steps: —extruding a lightweight metal to form a profile with a non-planar profile cross section, wherein the wall thicknesses of the profile cross section differ from one another in at least two regions, —cutting the profile to length into profile pieces, —widening the profile pieces, —forming the flattened profile piece into a three-dimensional shaped sheet-metal component, wherein the sheet-metal component has at least two regions with wall thicknesses that are different from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Tobias Svantesson KAVIK, Amin Farjad BASTANI, Edwin List CLAUSEN, Andreas HITZ
  • Publication number: 20170210211
    Abstract: An impact beam and a method of producing the impact beam for a motor vehicle is disclosed. A light metal profile with an extrusion width is produced by flattening the light metal profile to a working width and cutting to length to form semi-finished products. The semi-finished products are subjected to further treatment by press-forming techniques to form the impact beam. The impact beam has a longitudinal length which extends transversely to the direction of extrusion of the light metal profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Edvin List CLAUSEN, Andreas HITZ, Tobias Svantesson KAVIK, Amin Farjad BASTANI
  • Patent number: 8925994
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument panel support assembly (1) in a motor vehicle, comprising a transverse tube (2) extending substantially between the A-columns of the motor vehicle and configured for receiving a steering column, air bags, a fuse box and/or an instrument panel, wherein the instrument panel support assembly (1) is characterized in that an extruded retainer profile made of a light metal alloy encloses the transverse tube (2) at least in sections, wherein the retaining profile extends in sections in the axial direction of the transverse tube (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Kegham Arzoumanian, Christian Fechtelpeter, Andreas Hitz, Marcus Pape
  • Publication number: 20140252793
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument panel support assembly (1) in a motor vehicle, comprising a transverse tube (2) extending substantially between the A-columns of the motor vehicle and configured for receiving a steering column, air bags, a fuse box and/or an instrument panel, wherein the instrument panel support assembly (1) is characterized in that an extruded retainer profile made of a light metal alloy encloses the transverse tube (2) at least in sections, wherein the retaining profile extends in sections in the axial direction of the transverse tube (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Kegham Arzoumanian, Christian Fechtelpeter, Andreas Hitz, Marcus Pape
  • Patent number: 8544905
    Abstract: A structural part for a motor vehicle includes an inner component having a generally rectangular cross section and configured in the form of a multichamber hollow section made of light metal, and an outer component having a generally rectangular cross section. The inner and outer components are movable in a telescoping manner relative to one another between an idle state and an activated state. A first locking mechanism is provided to lock the idle state and a second locking mechanism is provided to lock the activated state. The movement of the inner and outer components from the idle state to the activated state is hereby realized by an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Handing, Kegham Arzoumanian, Andreas Hitz, Otto Buschsieweke
  • Publication number: 20130127197
    Abstract: A motor vehicle sheet metal molding of the invention is produced by hot forming from a metal sheet composed of an aluminum alloy which cannot be precipitation hardened, which sheet is in the material state H12, H14, H16, H18, H19, H22, H24, H26, H28, H32, H34, H36 or H38 in accordance with the European standard EN515:1993 and contains at least magnesium and optionally manganese in addition to aluminum as alloy component. The motor vehicle sheet metal molding after forming has, at least locally, degrees of deformation which are above the forming limit curve of the aluminum alloy at room temperature. To produce the motor vehicle sheet metal molding, the metal sheet is heated at least locally to a temperature in the range from 200° C. to 400° C. over a period of from 1 to 60 seconds. The heated metal sheet is subsequently placed in a forming tool of a forming press and formed to produce the motor vehicle sheet metal molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Diersmann, Jochen Dörr, Jochem Grewe, Andreas Hitz
  • Patent number: 8312629
    Abstract: In a method of making a tubular support bar for a dashboard support, a sheet metal blank is placed in a first forming tool and pressed in a first shaping step by a ram into a U-shaped cavity of a first bottom die to form a U-shaped member. While remaining in the first bottom die, the U-shaped member is provided with connecting elements in the form of weld nuts by a automated placement device. Subsequently, the U-shaped member is transferred to a second forming tool and undergoes a second shaping step between a top die and a second bottom die to form a slotted tube. The longitudinal edges of the slotted tube are then joined together to form the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hitz, Hans-Jürgen Knaup
  • Patent number: 8267463
    Abstract: A door impact beam for a motor vehicle includes a formed metal sheet defined by a longitudinal axis and having a tubular cross section which has a closed circumference in a center portion of the metal sheet, and is configured with open circumference at both end portions of the metal sheet which adjoin the center portion in a direction of the longitudinal axis. Each end portion is defined by an opening angle which continuously increases from the center portion to respective ends of the end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Buschsieweke, Andreas Hitz, Mirko Paare
  • Patent number: 8256830
    Abstract: A dashboard support of a motor vehicle includes a cross member having at least two axial profile sections of different cross-sectional configuration. The profile sections are coupled to one another by a flange plate. Secured to the cross member are support arms which are made of profile elements, with one of the support arms being a transmission tunnel support arm arranged substantially in midsection on the cross member or the flange plate. The transmission tunnel support arm is made of two sections of U-shaped cross section, with one of the two sections being shorter than the other one of the two sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hitz, Kegham Arzoumanian
  • Publication number: 20120098280
    Abstract: A structural part for a motor vehicle includes an inner component having a generally rectangular cross section and configured in the form of a multichamber hollow section made of light metal, and an outer component having a generally rectangular cross section. The inner and outer components are movable in a telescoping manner relative to one another between an idle state and an activated state. A first locking mechanism is provided to lock the idle state and a second locking mechanism is provided to lock the activated state. The movement of the inner and outer components from the idle state to the activated state is hereby realized by an actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN HANDING, Kegham ARZOUMANIAN, Andreas HITZ, Otto BUSCHSIEWEKE
  • Patent number: 8146986
    Abstract: A dashboard support for a motor vehicle includes a tubular cross member for installation between A-pillars of a vehicle body, and a holder joined to the cross member for attachment of functional vehicle components. The cross member has at least one slot, oriented in a direction transversely to a longitudinal axis of the cross member, for receiving a limb of the holder such as to allow adjustment of a position of the holder in relation to the cross member by sliding and/or turning the limb before the holder is being joined to the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Bierkamp, Andreas Hitz, Stefan Hilgenberg
  • Publication number: 20110278876
    Abstract: A dashboard support of a motor vehicle includes a cross member having at least two axial profile sections of different cross-sectional configuration. The profile sections are coupled to one another by a flange plat. Secured to the cross member are support arms which are made of profile elements, with one of the support arms being a transmission tunnel support arm arranged substantially in midsection on the cross member or the flange plate. The transmission tunnel support arm is made of two sections of U-shaped cross section, with one of the two sections being shorter than the other one of the two sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: ANDREAS HITZ, Kegham Arzoumanian
  • Patent number: 8043681
    Abstract: In a method of making a hybrid structure, at least one support body is fixed in a tube component which is then placed in an injection molding tool. An injection-molded part is injection-molded to an outer surface of the tube component in an area of the support body. As a result, the tube component is inwardly deformed, when regions adjacent to the support body are exposed to an injection pressure, and forms indentations for engagement of the injection-molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Handing, Christian Hielscher, Andreas Hitz, Andreas Wille
  • Patent number: 7810873
    Abstract: A dashboard support extending between the A-pillars of a motor vehicle includes a passenger-side beam member constructed to suit a load exposure on a passenger side, a driver-side beam member which is constructed to suit a load exposure on a driver side and connected to the passenger-side beam member; and an air guiding channel which is made of plastic and arranged in the driver-side beam member. The air guiding channel is supported on the inside by the driver-side beam member so as to be aligned in its three rotary degrees of freedom and its translational degrees of freedom in travel direction and vertical direction. The air guiding channel has a sidewall which is formed, for securement in a direction transversely to the travel direction, with an outwardly directed protuberance for engagement in a receiving member in the driver-side beam member when the air guiding channel is displaced transversely to the travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hitz, Benjamin Viallard
  • Publication number: 20100230997
    Abstract: A door impact beam for a motor vehicle includes a formed metal sheet defined by a longitudinal axis and having a tubular cross section which has a closed circumference in a center portion of the metal sheet, and is configured with open circumference at both end portions of the metal sheet which adjoin the center portion in a direction of the longitudinal axis. Each end portion is defined by an opening angle which continuously increases from the center portion to respective ends of the end portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: OTTO BUSCHSIEWEKE, Andreas Hitz, Mirko Paare
  • Publication number: 20090302641
    Abstract: A dashboard support for a motor vehicle includes a tubular cross member for installation between A-pillars of a vehicle body, and a holder joined to the cross member for attachment of functional vehicle components. The cross member has at least one slot, oriented in a direction transversely to a longitudinal axis of the cross member, for receiving a limb of the holder such as to allow adjustment of a position of the holder in relation to the cross member by sliding and/or turning the limb before the holder is being joined to the cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: ROMAN BIERKAMP, Andreas Hitz, Stefan Hilgenberg
  • Publication number: 20090162688
    Abstract: In a method of making a hybrid structure, at least one support body is fixed in a tube component which is then placed in an injection molding tool. An injection-molded part is injection-molded to an outer surface of the tube component in an area of the support body. As a result, the tube component is inwardly deformed, when regions adjacent to the support body are exposed to an injection pressure, and forms indentations for engagement of the injection-molded part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN HANDING, CHRISTIAN HIELSCHER, ANDREAS HITZ, ANDREAS WILLE
  • Publication number: 20090140553
    Abstract: A dashboard support extending between the A-pillars of a motor vehicle includes a passenger-side beam member constructed to suit a load exposure on a passenger side, a driver-side beam member which is constructed to suit a load exposure on a driver side and connected to the passenger-side beam member; and an air guiding channel which is made of plastic and arranged in the driver-side beam member. The air guiding channel is supported on the inside by the driver-side beam member so as to be aligned in its three rotary degrees of freedom and its translational degrees of freedom in travel direction and vertical direction. The air guiding channel has a sidewall which is formed, for securement in a direction transversely to the travel direction, with an outwardly directed protuberance for engagement in a receiving member in the driver-side beam member when the air guiding channel is displaced transversely to the travel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hitz, Benjamin Viallard
  • Publication number: 20090038156
    Abstract: In a method of making a tubular support bar for a dashboard support, a sheet metal blank is placed in a first forming tool and pressed in a first shaping step by a ram into a U-shaped cavity of a first bottom die to form a U-shaped member. While remaining in the first bottom die, the U-shaped member is provided with connecting elements in the form of weld nuts by a automated placement device. Subsequently, the U-shaped member is transferred to a second forming tool and undergoes a second shaping step between a top die and a second bottom die to form a slotted tube. The longitudinal edges of the slotted tube are then joined together to form the support bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: ANDREAS HITZ, Hans-Jurgen Knaup
  • Publication number: 20070000709
    Abstract: A dashboard for a motor vehicle includes a support beam extending between windshield pillars of a motor vehicle body, and an active arrangement which interacts with the support beam for vibration damping. The active arrangement includes plural actuators which are disposed on the support beam and a controller which is operatively connected to the actuators. Further provided is an alert system for recognizing a fatigue state of a driver, with the actuators operatively connected to the alert system via the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: ELISABETH DANGER, Martin Pohl, Andreas Hitz, Andreas Wille