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).
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Patent number: 11766992Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Thomas Mödinger, Bernd Gentner, Martin Nuding
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Patent number: 11135995Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Swen Schaub, Christian Muecke, Simon Gargallo, Günter Burkhardtsmaier, Bernd Gentner, Oliver Gross, Simon Kramer, Andreas Pregitzer, Marco Wahl, Malke Seiler, Nizam Bedak
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Publication number: 20210114551Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Thomas Modinger, Bernd Gentner, Martin Nuding
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Publication number: 20190381970Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2017Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Swen Schaub, Christian Muecke, Simon Gargallo, Günter Burkhardtsmaier, Bernd Gentner, Oliver Gross, Simon Kramer, Andreas Pregitzer, Marco Wahl, Malke Seiler, Nizam Bedak
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Patent number: 10059303Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Thomas Moedinger, Martin Nuding, Andreas Pregitzer, Bernd Gentner
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Patent number: 10029647Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GmbHInventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
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Patent number: 9908505Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
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Patent number: 9707924Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Thomas Modinger, Martin Nuding, Andreas Pregitzer, Bernd Gentner
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Publication number: 20170182974Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2015Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Thomas Moedinger, Martin Nuding, Andreas Pregitzer, Bernd Gentner
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Patent number: 9555767Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
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Publication number: 20170001596Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2014Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Thomas MODINGER, Martin NUDING, Andreas PREGITZER, Bernd GENTNER
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Patent number: 9327680Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Oliver Gross, Juergen Rink
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Patent number: 9010672Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Nizam Bedak, Oliver Gross, Joachim Biller, Bernd Gentner, Andreas Henning
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Publication number: 20140145020Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2011Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
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Publication number: 20140014758Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Andreas Pregitzer, Thomas Moedinger, Scott M. Franz
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Publication number: 20130327873Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2011Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
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Publication number: 20120104136Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Oliver Gross, Juergen Rink
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Patent number: 8146852Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Joachim Biller, Oliver Gross, Bernd Gentner
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Patent number: 7963474Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Herbert Blum, Bernd Gentner, Thomas Kielwein
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Publication number: 20110121123Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Joachim Biller, Oliver Gross, Bernd Gentner