Patents by Inventor Andreas RUDOLF

Andreas RUDOLF 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: 20240116433
    Abstract: An illumination module for highlighting a region of a vehicle component, such as a charging or tank recess or a handle assembly, includes a light source support having at least one light source and a housing, in which the light source support with the at least one light source is received. The housing includes a light outlet region, via which light can be decoupled from the housing. The illumination module further includes a light diffuser optically coupled to the light outlet region of the housing, which diffuser includes a first light outlet region, via which light can be decoupled for direct illumination or highlighting of the region of the vehicle component and which includes a second light outlet region, which is spatially separated from the first light outlet region via which signal light can be decoupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Roland OCH, Joachim OBERST, Andreas RUDOLF, Matthias HEGWEIN, Matthias GANS
  • Publication number: 20240093537
    Abstract: Described is a vehicle door actuating apparatus (100). The vehicle door actuating apparatus (100) includes an actuating surface (106), a sensor (140), such as an inductive sensor or switch, and a mechanism for transmitting a compressive force applied by a user to the actuating surface (106) into a movement that is detectable by the sensor. The mechanism includes a first component (111) or a first component group on which the switch (140) is at least partially fixed and a transmission element (120) that is pivotally arranged on the first component (111) or the first component group. The transmission element (120) is pivotable between a home position in which the sensor (140) is not triggered by the transmission element (120) and an actuating position in which the sensor (140) is triggered by the transmission element (120). The transmission element (120) is movable relative to the actuating apparatus (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF, Fritz GÖBEL, Martin WEID
  • Publication number: 20240084836
    Abstract: An assembly for providing a fastening possibility for a vehicle component to a body component is configured as a torsion clip and includes a connecting element and a retaining element. The assembly is transferable from a pre-assembly or delivery state into a prefixation state, wherein, in order to transfer the assembly from its pre-assembly or delivery state into its pre-fixation state, a torque is exerted on the retaining element in such a way that the retaining element is twisted relative to the connecting element in order to enable passage of a retaining region of the retaining element through a fastening opening of the body component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Marek KUKUCZKA, Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF
  • Publication number: 20240062973
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle door switch actuating apparatus (100). The apparatus includes an actuating element (104) having an actuating surface (110), a mechanical switch (112), and a mechanism for transferring a compressive force applied by a user to the actuating surface (110) onto the mechanical switch (112) in order to flip the mechanical switch (112). The mechanism includes: a first component (102) on which the mechanical switch (112) is fixed at least in the switching direction; and a lever (120) pivotally supported about a pivot axis (124) relative to the first component (102) or the first component group and connected to the actuating element (104) via a first bearing on a first side (111) of the actuating surface (110). The actuating element (104) is supported on the first component (102) or the first component group via a second bearing on a second side (113) of the actuating surface (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas RUDOLF, Zsolt WILKE
  • Publication number: 20240025325
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an assembly (1) for providing a fastening possibility for a vehicle component (2), in particular an interior component, on a body component, wherein the assembly includes a connecting element (3), a retaining element (4) and a locking and/or blocking element (13). The locking and/or blocking element (13) includes a land region (31) extending in the insertion direction, wherein the land region (31) preferably includes two opposing finger and/or wing elements (32) that are radially projecting from the land region (31). A base body (5) of the retaining element (4) includes a passage (16) extending in the longitudinal direction of the base body (5), wherein the land region (31) of the locking and/or blocking element (13) is receivable with the finger or wing elements (32) projecting from the land region (31), at least partially or some areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas RUDOLF, Zsolt WILKE
  • Patent number: 11878626
    Abstract: An illumination module (1) for highlighting a region of a vehicle component, such as a charging or tank recess (20) or a handle assembly, includes a light source support (2) having at least one light source (3) and a housing (4), in which the light source support with the at least one light source is received. The housing includes a light outlet region (5), via which light can be decoupled from the housing (4). The illumination module (1) further includes a light diffuser (6) optically coupled to the light outlet region of the housing, which diffuser includes a first light outlet region (7), via which light can be decoupled for direct illumination or highlighting of the region of the vehicle component and which includes a second light outlet region (8), which is spatially separated from the first light outlet region (7) via which signal light can be decoupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Roland Och, Joachim Oberst, Andreas Rudolf, Matthias Hegwein, Matthias Gans
  • Publication number: 20230417087
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a module (100) for generating signals, in particular signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps. The module (100) includes: a housing (102) having a switch region (104); a switch (108), in particular a microswitch, which is connected, in particular releasably connected, to the switch region of the housing (102); and an actuating flap (120), which is pivotally connected to the housing (102). The actuating flap (120) is configured to be pivoted by a movement of an operating element, such as a door lever, between a first position and a second position in which the switch (108) is activated by the actuating flap (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Joachim OBERST, Zsolt WILKE, Erik DILJE, Andreas RUDOLF
  • Publication number: 20230420201
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a module (100) for generating signals, in particular signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps. The module (100) includes: a one-piece housing (102) having a plug region (106) and a switch region (104); at least one switch, in particular a microswitch (108), which is connected releasably to the switch region (104) of the housing; and electrical contacts (110, 112), which are releasably connectable to the at least one switch and extend from the switch region (104) at least partially into the plug region (106). The electrical contacts are configured in order to produce an electrical contact with an on-board plug for transmitting an electrical signal, wherein the housing (102) is preferably releasably connectable to a vehicle component, preferably an operator element housing, and particularly preferably a door lever housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Joachim OBERST, Zsolt WILKE, Erik DILJE, Andreas RUDOLF
  • Publication number: 20230420200
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a module (100) for generating signals, in particular signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps. The module (100) includes a housing (102) having a plug-in region (106) and a switch region (104); at least one switch (108), in particular a microswitch, which is connected releasably to the switch region (104) of the housing (102); and electrical contacts (110, 112), which are releasably connectable to the at least one switch (108) and extend from the switch region (104) at least partially into the plug-in region (106). The electrical contacts (110, 112) are configured so as to make electrical contact with an on-board plug for transmitting an electrical signal, wherein the electrical contacts (110, 112) each comprise a first end (116, 118) which, in the installed state, is biased against one of the contacts (126, 128) of the at least one switch (108).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Joachim OBERST, Zsolt WILKE, Erik DILJE, Andreas RUDOLF
  • Publication number: 20230340812
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) for moving covers (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702), in particular flush covers, for vehicles, wherein the cover (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702) is reversibly movable, and in particular pivotable, between a closed position and an open position in which the cover is arranged behind an outer skin of the vehicle, wherein the actuating apparatus (100) comprises the following: a kinematics for reversibly moving, in particular pivoting, the cover (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702) between the open position and the closed position; and a first sensor apparatus (112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712) for detecting the open position and/or the closed position of the cover (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Andreas RUDOLF, Fritz GÖBEL
  • Publication number: 20230340811
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus (100) for aligning covers (102) for vehicles, in particular covers for flush door handles, wherein the cover (102) is reversibly movable, and in particular pivotable, between a closed position in which the cover (102) covers a door handle recess (106) and an open position in which the cover releases a door handle recess (106), and wherein the apparatus (100) comprises the following: a kinematics (108) configured so as to reversibly move, and in particular pivot, the cover (102) between the closed position and the open position; and a support assembly (200) configured so as to connect the cover (102) to the kinematics (108) in such a way that the cover (102), in its closed position, is arranged flush with an outer skin (104) of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF, Joachim OBERST
  • Publication number: 20230340810
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuating mechanism (100) for actuating covers (102) for vehicles, in particular covers for flush door handles, wherein the cover (102) is reversibly movable, and in particular pivotable, between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the actuating mechanism (100) comprises the following: a drive (108), in particular in the form of an electric motor, having a drive shaft; and a kinematics associated with the drive, which kinematics is configured so as to tap a rotational movement from the drive shaft (160) when the drive is actuated and convert it into a movement, in particular a pivoting, of the cover (102), wherein the kinematics is associated with a coupling (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventor: Andreas RUDOLF
  • Publication number: 20230313571
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuating mechanism for actuating, in particular opening, vehicle doors, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises the following: a housing having a pivot axis; an actuating element, which is transferable from a home position into an actuating position in order to generate an electrical actuation signal and into an emergency release position for manual unlocking of the vehicle door, wherein the actuating element comprises a curved region, which is pivotally connected to the pivot axis, and wherein the curved region is arranged in the home position of the actuating element in the housing and protrudes from the housing in the emergency release position of the actuating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Andreas Rudolf
  • Publication number: 20230313584
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuating mechanism for actuating, in particular opening, vehicle doors, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises the following: an actuating element, which is transfer-able from a home position into an actuating position in order to generate an electrical actuation signal and into a second actuating position for manual actuation of the vehicle doors; a first flat spring, which is connected to the actuating element in such a way that the first flat spring generates haptic and/or acoustic feedback when the actuating element is transferred into the first actuating position and that the first flat spring preferably biases the actuating element into the home position; and a second spring, in particular a second flat spring, which is connected to the actuating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Andreas Rudolf
  • Publication number: 20230151651
    Abstract: A locking device enables locking a charging, fueling, or service flap on a compartment. The flap is reversibly movable between a closed position and an open position. The locking device includes a flap lock for locking the flap in its closed position. The flap lock has a locking position, in which the flap lock locks the flap, and a release position in which the flap is moveable in relation to the flap lock. A first transfer shaft is connected to the flap lock such that the flap lock is moveable by a movement of the first transfer shaft between the locking position and the release position. A pushing element is connected to the first transfer shaft and configured so as to push the flap out of its closed position away from the charging compartment after the flap lock is transferred into its release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Matthias HEGWEIN, Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF, Roland OCH, Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK, Matthias KAPAUN
  • Patent number: 11634025
    Abstract: A mechanism (1) for pivoting a charging or tank flap (2) on a charging or filler neck housing (3), which is accommodated or can be accommodated in a body component of a motor vehicle, wherein the mechanism (1) is configured, by superposing at least two at least temporarily simultaneous circular rotational movements having different rotation radii or at least one at least temporarily simultaneous circular rotational movement and at least one linear movement, to pivot the charging or tank flap (2) reversibly between a first orientation, in particular a closed position of the charging or tank flap (2), and a second orientation, in particular an open position of the charging or tank flap (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Rudolf, Zsolt Wilke, Matthias Hegwein
  • Patent number: 11572909
    Abstract: A tolerance compensation fastening apparatus (1) for fastening a first vehicle component (200) to a second vehicle component (300) by way of a bolt (100), the fastening apparatus being set up to compensate for a tolerance within a tolerance compensation range. A fastening system including such a fastening apparatus, as well as to a method for fastening a first vehicle component to a second vehicle component by way of a bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Roland Och, Matthias Seubert, Johannes Karlein, Andreas Rudolf
  • Patent number: 11560739
    Abstract: A door handle arrangement for a vehicle, includes a housing and a handle lever which is mounted on the housing such that it can be moved between a rest position and an actuating position for unlocking and/or opening a vehicle door, it being possible for the housing to be oriented on a vehicle body outer part which forms a part of the outer surface of a vehicle body and has a handle cut-out for the handle lever, first positioning projections being provided on the housing, which first positioning projections are configured to bear against an angled-over edge of the vehicle body outer part, which angled-over edge delimits the handle cut-out of the vehicle body outer part at least in regions, and, as a result, to position the handle lever with the housing in at least one spatial direction in relation to the handle cut-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Roland Och, Zsolt Wilke, Andreas Rudolf
  • Publication number: 20220268077
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for a flap which is mounted on a component for movement has a first actuating element, fastenable fixedly to the flap so as to rotate with it, and a second actuating element, fastenable to the component, and rotatable about a first rotational axis, the second actuating element has a first end and a second end, the first end configured to interact with a drive, the second end has a first locking or release geometry, the first actuating element has a second locking or release geometry, the second actuating element can be rotated between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the first and second locking or release geometry are configured to interact such that, in the first orientation, the first actuating element is locked to the second actuating element and, in the second orientation, the first actuating element is released from the second actuating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Andreas RUDOLF, Roland OCH
  • Publication number: 20220268066
    Abstract: A device for switching and actuating multiple functions of a charging and/or filler-neck compartment system having a charging and/or filler-neck compartment and a cover which is movable relative to the charging and/or filler-neck compartment. The device has a drive element with a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is operatively connected to the cover such that, when the drive shaft rotates, the cover is movable relative to the charging and/or filler-neck compartment. The device furthermore has a mechanical control or switching mechanism, in particular in the form of or with a gearing mechanism, wherein the mechanical control or switching mechanism is designed such that, when the drive shaft rotates, a rotational movement of the drive shaft can be picked off by the mechanical control or switching mechanism for the purposes of manipulating at least one functional component of the charging and/or filler-neck compartment system as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Roland OCH, Matthias HEGWEIN, Andreas RUDOLF