Patents by Inventor Bernd Gentner

Bernd Gentner 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: 11135995
    Abstract: A force-limiting device, especially for a seat belt system (10) in a vehicle, has a force transducer (20) interacting with webbing (14) for which a normal webbing path is provided. The force transducer (20) includes a webbing track (30) that in a non-force-limiting position extends in parallel to the normal webbing path and in a force-limiting position extends inclined relative to the normal webbing path so that the force transducer (20) in the force-limiting position sets a predetermined extension force (F) required to move the webbing (14) vis-à-vis the force transducer (20) in a direction of belt extension (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Swen Schaub, Christian Muecke, Simon Gargallo, Günter Burkhardtsmaier, Bernd Gentner, Oliver Gross, Simon Kramer, Andreas Pregitzer, Marco Wahl, Malke Seiler, Nizam Bedak
  • 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: 20190381970
    Abstract: A force-limiting device, especially for a seat belt system (10) in a vehicle, has a force transducer (20) interacting with webbing (14) for which a normal webbing path is provided. The force transducer (20) includes a webbing track (30) that in a non-force-limiting position extends in parallel to the normal webbing path and in a force-limiting position extends inclined relative to the normal webbing path so that the force transducer (20) in the force-limiting position sets a predetermined extension force (F) required to move the webbing (14) vis-à-vis the force transducer (20) in a direction of belt extension (R).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Swen Schaub, Christian Muecke, Simon Gargallo, Günter Burkhardtsmaier, Bernd Gentner, Oliver Gross, Simon Kramer, Andreas Pregitzer, Marco Wahl, Malke Seiler, Nizam Bedak
  • Patent number: 10059303
    Abstract: In a belt tensioner (10) for a seat belt comprising an elongate pressure reservoir (12), a piston (18) movably supported in the pressure reservoir (12) in the longitudinal direction to which piston pressurized fluid can be applied and which in this way can be moved in a tensioning direction (S), a mechanical thrust means (20) interacting with the piston, the thrust means interacting with a gearwheel (22) and driving the same in the case of restraint, and comprising a stop (24) on which the piston (18) abuts in the tensioning direction in a final position, it is provided that between the piston (18) and the thrust means (20) a spacer (30) in the form of a separate member is provided which is dimensioned such that in the final position of the piston (18) the thrust means (20) is urged past the stop (24) by said spacer. Furthermore there is provided a method of mounting a belt tensioner of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Moedinger, Martin Nuding, Andreas Pregitzer, Bernd Gentner
  • Patent number: 10029647
    Abstract: A belt retractor includes a retractor frame (10) having first and second end faces (10a, 10b) between which a belt reel (12) is pivoted. The belt retractor further includes a belt tensioner and a spring cassette (30) having a helical spring (26) coupled to the belt reel (12). The spring cassette (30) is arranged between the first end face (10a) of the retractor frame (10) and at least one component of the belt tensioner. A method of fitting such belt retractor includes mounting the spring cassette (30) on a component of the belt tensioner, especially on an inside of a tensioner casing (22) and mounting the belt tensioner including the spring cassette (30) on the retractor frame (10), especially on an end wall (10a) of the retractor frame (10). An alternative fitting method includes mounting the spring cassette (30) on an end wall (10a) of the retractor frame (10) and attaching the belt tensioner to the spring cassette (30) mounted on the end wall (10a) of the retractor frame (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
  • Patent number: 9908505
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for a belt retractor having a load limiter includes a pivoted pinion (14) coupled to a belt reel, a drive unit and a load transmission element (20) moved by the drive unit. The load transmission element (20) engages in the pinion (14) so as to rotate the pinion in a tensioning direction A. The load transmission element (20) is designed so that in the rotational position adopted by the pinion (14) after being rotated by the load transmission element (20) a part (20b) of the load transmission element (20) engages in the pinion (14). A method of tensioning a seat belt by means of a belt tensioner and subsequent load limitation by means of a load limiter includes moving a load transmission element (20) by a drive unit in a first direction so that the load transmission element (20) engages in a pinion (14) coupled to a belt reel (12). The rotating the pinion (14) is rotated by the moved load transmission element (20) in a tensioning direction A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
  • 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: 20170182974
    Abstract: In a belt tensioner (10) for a seat belt comprising an elongate pressure reservoir (12), a piston (18) movably supported in the pressure reservoir (12) in the longitudinal direction to which piston pressurized fluid can be applied and which in this way can be moved in a tensioning direction (S), a mechanical thrust means (20) interacting with the piston, the thrust means interacting with a gearwheel (22) and driving the same in the case of restraint, and comprising a stop (24) on which the piston (18) abuts in the tensioning direction in a final position, it is provided that between the piston (18) and the thrust means (20) a spacer (30) in the form of a separate member is provided which is dimensioned such that in the final position of the piston (18) the thrust means (20) is urged past the stop (24) by said spacer. Furthermore there is provided a method of mounting a belt tensioner of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Moedinger, Martin Nuding, Andreas Pregitzer, Bernd Gentner
  • Patent number: 9555767
    Abstract: A drive wheel for a belt tensioner is adapted to be coupled to a belt reel and includes an external tooth system including plural teeth distributed along the circumference. The teeth are inclined in a first circumferential direction and/or the teeth have at least one end face facing away from the central axis of the drive wheel and being inclined in a first circumferential direction and/or the clearances between neighboring teeth are not symmetrical with respect to planes defined by radial and axial directions. The teeth have no symmetry with respect to planes extending tangentially relative to the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
  • 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: 9327680
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) comprises a frame (12), a belt reel (14) which is rotatably mounted in the frame (12), and a blocking pawl (22) which is provided at the belt reel (14) and is capable of engaging with a blocking teeth system (20). The blocking teeth system (20) is provided at a blocking ring (18) which is mounted at the frame (14) in a rotationally limited manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Oliver Gross, Juergen Rink
  • Patent number: 9010672
    Abstract: A belt retractor has a frame (10), a belt spool (12) that is rotatably mounted in the frame (10), and a force limiter (22) that is adapted to reach a force limiting position. A guide-in mechanism (26) is provided which causes the force limiter (22) to reach the force limiting position as a function of the length of belt webbing withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Nizam Bedak, Oliver Gross, Joachim Biller, Bernd Gentner, Andreas Henning
  • Publication number: 20140145020
    Abstract: A drive wheel (14) for a belt tensioner is adapted to be coupled to a belt reel and includes an external tooth system including plural teeth (30) distributed along the circumference. The teeth (30) are inclined in a first circumferential direction B and/or the teeth (30) have at least one end face (36) facing away from the central axis A of the drive wheel (14) and being inclined in a first circumferential direction B and/or the clearances (42) between neighboring teeth (30) are not symmetrical with respect to planes defined by radial and axial directions. Moreover, the teeth (30) have no symmetry with respect to planes E extending tangentially relative to the circumferential direction. A belt tensioner for a seatbelt system includes a force transmission element (20) and means for driving the force transmission element (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
  • Publication number: 20140014758
    Abstract: In a belt retractor (10) having a belt tensioner (16) and a force-limiting device, the belt tensioner (16) includes a pivoted pinion gear (24) associated with a belt reel (14), a drive unit (18) and an oblong force-transmitting element (22) movable by the drive unit (18) supported at least partly in a tubular portion (21) and adapted to be engaged in the pinion gear (24) so as to rotate the pinion gear (24) in a tensioning direction (A). The force-transmitting element (22) includes a bending portion (30) which is provided at the rear end of the force-transmitting element (22) viewed in the tensioning direction and which is designed to be pressure-resistant in the longitudinal direction (L) of the force-transmitting element (22) but to be flexible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Andreas Pregitzer, Thomas Moedinger, Scott M. Franz
  • Publication number: 20130327873
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for a belt retractor having a load limiter includes a pivoted pinion (14) coupled to a belt reel, a drive unit and a load transmission element (20) moved by the drive unit. The load transmission element (20) engages in the pinion (14) so as to rotate the pinion in a tensioning direction A. The load transmission element (20) is designed so that in the rotational position adopted by the pinion (14) after being rotated by the load transmission element (20) a part (20b) of the load transmission element (20) engages in the pinion (14). A method of tensioning a seat belt by means of a belt tensioner and subsequent load limitation by means of a load limiter includes moving a load transmission element (20) by a drive unit in a first direction so that the load transmission element (20) engages in a pinion (14) coupled to a belt reel (12). The rotating the pinion (14) is rotated by the moved load transmission element (20) in a tensioning direction A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
  • Publication number: 20120104136
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) comprises a frame (12), a belt reel (14) which is rotatably mounted in the frame (12), and a blocking pawl (22) which is provided at the belt reel (14) and is capable of engaging with a blocking teeth system (20). The blocking teeth system (20) is provided at a blocking ring (18) which is mounted at the frame (14) in a rotationally limited manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Oliver Gross, Juergen Rink
  • Patent number: 8146852
    Abstract: A rotation damper, particularly for damping the rotary movement of a belt retractor shaft of a vehicle safety belt, has a housing which delimits a working space filled with a damping medium, and an element which is rotatable relative to the housing. Several pins serving as resistance elements, which extend into the working space, are provided on the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Oliver Gross, Bernd Gentner
  • Patent number: 7963474
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt has a frame, a belt spool for the safety belt which is rotatably arranged in the frame, a locking disc which is arranged on the belt spool and is connected therewith through an energy absorption element, and a blocking mechanism which allows to block the locking disc against a rotation in the unwinding direction of the safety belt in the frame. A detent is provided which is movably arranged in the belt spool and can prevent a rotation of the locking disc relative to the belt spool as a function of its position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Blum, Bernd Gentner, Thomas Kielwein
  • Publication number: 20110121123
    Abstract: A rotation damper, particularly for damping the rotary movement of a belt retractor shaft of a vehicle safety belt, has a housing which delimits a working space filled with a damping medium, and an element which is rotatable relative to the housing. Several pins serving as resistance elements, which extend into the working space, are provided on the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Oliver Gross, Bernd Gentner