Patents by Inventor Christian Plankl

Christian Plankl 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: 9194413
    Abstract: A fixing device (200) for fixing in an opening in a wall of a vehicle includes a support element (210) with at least one support lug (220). The fixing device (200) also includes a retaining element (230) with at least one retaining arm (240) for fixing the fixing device (200) to the wall. To fix the fixing device (200) in relation to the support element (210), the retaining element (230) runs through the support element (210) and can rotate, the support lug (220) being designed to block the rotation of the support element (210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Michael Kaupp, Roland Seitz, Richard Baur, Georg Mascha, Markus Breitenberger, Dag-Olof Kardell, Boris Adam, Thomas Klierl, Rolf Bechtle, Frank Ocker, Adam Balogh, Christian Plankl, Werner Menzel
  • Patent number: 9103702
    Abstract: A fastening device for fastening an assembly in an opening of a wall of a vehicle includes a supporting element to be placed on the vehicle wall and a retaining element having at least one retaining wing that fastens the device in the vehicle wall opening. The retaining element is rotatable relative to the supporting element between fastened and unfastened positions. For a tool-free mounting and fastening, the retaining element further includes a graspable rotating wing that has a grasping surface which is inclined at an angle in the direction of rotation, whereby the manual grasping force applied by the installer exerts a force component in a rotational direction to rotate the retaining element, and a force component in an axial direction to press the fastening device against the vehicle wall. Preferably the wing includes a wing wall and reinforcing webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Plankl, Michael Weinacht
  • Patent number: 8885353
    Abstract: An electrical assembly for a motor vehicle is configured to contact a connector. Contact surfaces are provided on a circuit board of the assembly. The connector has contact elements for contacting the contact surfaces. A housing of the assembly has an inner chamber and a contacting chamber directed toward the connector area, with the inner wall therebetween to separate the chambers. The circuit board including the electrical components is arranged in the inner chamber and only a contacting area with the contact surfaces protrudes through the inner wall into the contacting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl, Engelbert Woerle, Joachim Baumgartner
  • Publication number: 20130100620
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical assembly for a motor vehicle, suitable for contacting with a connector, and to a method for making electrical contact between an electrical assembly for a motor vehicle and at least one connector, wherein the first contact elements on the assembly are designed as contact surfaces (3.1.1) in a contact area (3.1) of the circuit board and conducting tracks to said contact surfaces (3.1.1) are provided on the circuit board and the connector (4) has corresponding contact elements (4.2) for contacting the contact surfaces (3.1.1). The housing of the assembly has an inner chamber (1.5) and a contacting chamber (1.3) that is directed toward the connector area, wherein at least one inner wall (1.2, 2.1) is provided between the inner chamber (1.5) and the contacting chamber (1.3) in order to separate said chambers and the circuit board (3) including the electrical components (3.2) is arranged in the inner chamber (1.5) and only the contacting area (3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl, Engelbert Woerle, Joachim Baumgartner
  • Publication number: 20130039697
    Abstract: A fastening device for fastening an assembly in an opening of a wall of a vehicle is described. The fastening device has a supporting element (2) to be placed on the wall (1) and a retaining element (3) having at least one retaining wing (3.1) for fastening the fastening device in the opening (1.1) of the wall, wherein the retaining element (3) for fastening the fastening device is rotatably arranged relative to the supporting element (2), i.e., the retaining element (3) allows a quarter-turn fastener solution. In order to be able to mount without tools, at least one rotating wing (3.2) is arranged on the retaining element (3) and has a grasping surface (AF) in the direction of rotation for fastening the fastening device, said grasping surface being inclined at an angle (?) at least in the direction of rotation toward the direction of rotation and toward the wall. However, increased effort is usually required to remove inclined surfaces from injection molds. Therefore, the rotating wing (3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Plankl, Michael Weinacht
  • Patent number: 8210037
    Abstract: A sensor module has a housing that may be mounted about a through opening of an assembly surface. The housing extends at least partly through the through opening when the housing is disposed on the assembly surface. The sensor module further has a sealing body, between the outer surface of the housing and the through opening of the assembly surface and an attachment device, by way of which the housing is fixed to the assembly surface. The attachment device lies on the through opening in order to bring about a mechanical fixation of the housing to the assembly surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl
  • Publication number: 20120000291
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing device (200) for fixing in an opening in a wall of a vehicle, said fixing device (200) having a support element (210) with at least one support lug (220). The fixing device (200) also comprises a retaining element (230) with at least one retaining arm (240) for fixing the fixing device (200) to the wall. To fix the fixing device (200) in relation to the support element (210), the retaining element (230) runs through the support element (210) and can rotate it the latter, the support lug (220) being designed to block the rotation of the support element (210).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Michael Kaupp, Roland Seitz, Richard Baur, Gerog Mascha, Markus Breitenberger, Dag-Olof Kardell, Boris Adam, Thomas Klierl, Rolf Bechtle, Frank Ocker, Adam Balogh, Christian Plankl, Werner Menzel
  • Publication number: 20100244411
    Abstract: An airbag satellite is latched and/or suspended in a wall opening. The airbag satellite has a blockage element, which blocks a plug and which is implemented such that it allows the correct installation of the airbag satellite to be checked. The blockage of the plug by the blockage element is cancelled if the check shows that the airbag satellite is installed correctly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl
  • Patent number: 7727030
    Abstract: A housing for a device for mounting on an assembly surface, in particular a sensor module with a sensor for a motor vehicle, has a housing assembly surface, by way of which the housing may be brought into contact with the assembly surface and a contact socket with electrical contacts which may be electrically and mechanically connected with a complementary contact plug and running parallel to a housing plane in which the housing assembly surface is arranged. A locking device is provided with the following features: a detector for detecting a given position on the assembly surface when the housing is on contact with the assembly surface by way of the housing assembly surface, a blocking device for releasing or blocking the mechanical and/or electrical connection between the contact socket and the contact plug. The connection is released by the blocking device when the housing is in contact with the given position on the assembly surface by way of its housing assembly surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl
  • Publication number: 20090314081
    Abstract: A sensor module has a housing that may be mounted about a through opening of an assembly surface. The housing extends at least partly through the through opening when the housing is disposed on the assembly surface. The sensor module further has a sealing body, between the outer surface of the housing and the through opening of the assembly surface and an attachment device, by way of which the housing is fixed to the assembly surface. The attachment device lies on the through opening in order to bring about a mechanical fixation of the housing to the assembly surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl
  • Publication number: 20090197463
    Abstract: A housing for a device for mounting on an assembly surface, in particular a sensor module with a sensor for a motor vehicle, has a housing assembly surface, by way of which the housing may be brought into contact with the assembly surface and a contact socket with electrical contacts which may be electrically and mechanically connected with a complementary contact plug and running parallel to a housing plane in which the housing assembly surface is arranged. A locking device is provided with the following features: a detector for detecting a given position on the assembly surface when the housing is on contact with the assembly surface by way of the housing assembly surface, a blocking device for releasing or blocking the mechanical and/or electrical connection between the contact socket and the contact plug. The connection is released by the blocking device when the housing is in contact with the given position on the assembly surface by way of its housing assembly surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl
  • Publication number: 20080072670
    Abstract: An electrical device, especially a sensor for a motor vehicle, is adapted to be fastened on a mounting surface. The device includes a housing and a support plate. The support plate is rigidly linked with the housing through at least one connecting element. The support plate carries at least one electronic component that reacts to structure-borne noise and that is mounted in the immediate vicinity of the connecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl, Christian Wieand
  • Patent number: 7277022
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device containing a housing (1) and a spring element (9) comprising a guiding element (5) for displacing the sensor device over a mounting plate (7) in a guided manner. Said guiding element (5) co-operates with a guiding means (12) of the mounting plate (7). In a mounting position of the sensor device, said sensor device engages in the mounting plate (7) and is fixed to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl
  • Publication number: 20050078010
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device containing a housing (1) and a spring element (9) comprising a guiding element (5) for displacing the sensor device over a mounting plate (7) in a guided manner. Said guiding element (5) co-operates with a guiding means (12) of the mounting plate (7). In a mounting position of the sensor device, said sensor device engages in the mounting plate (7) and is fixed to the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl
  • Patent number: 6227115
    Abstract: A detonator device for tripping a passenger restraint device in a motor vehicle includes a detonator circuit on a holder. Firing pins for receiving a detonator element are an integral component of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Gruber, Christian Plankl, Markus Christoph, Josef Dirmeyer, Egbert Wagner, Heinrich Probst
  • Patent number: 6213495
    Abstract: An airbag control device comprises a housing with a cover that enclose a printed circuit board with an acceleration sensor and electronic components. The housing and the cover have a substantially central passage, from which the housing interior is closed off. The substantially central passage has, at least in one region thereof, an asymmetrical shape that enables the control device to be installed with a single bolt having a shape complementary to that of the substantially central passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Atkiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Plankl, Ludwig Riederer
  • Patent number: 6123565
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle control unit having an electrical circuit on a support, which may be a printed circuit board or metal plate with stamped conductors. The motor-vehicle control unit includes a plug-in body encasing components of the electrical circuit and is formed with at least two side surfaces. The plug-in body is received in a receptacle of a motor vehicle. The support protrudes beyond the at least two side faces of the plug-in body and engages groove shaped recesses in the receptacle for guidance of the unit into the receptacle. The plug-in body may be formed of curable foam and the flanges may be formed with recesses for engaging spring tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Bierek, Christian Plankl, Josef Dirmeyer
  • Patent number: 5831835
    Abstract: A device with an electric circuit configuration includes electrical components and a pressed grid stamped from a metal strip for electrically conductively connecting the electrical components to one another. The pressed grid has bent-over large-area peripheral regions and a plug part with connection pins stamped out of the metal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Dirmeyer, Christian Plankl, Marten Swart, Alfred Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 5814765
    Abstract: A waterproof housing with a plug-and-socket connection for protecting electronic circuits includes a hard plastic upper part and a hard plastic lower part. A soft plastic extruded seal is disposed between the upper part and the lower part. A plug part is constructed in one piece with the upper or lower part. The plug part has a hard plastic inner part containing contact pins and a soft plastic sealing collar surrounding the inner part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Bauer, Josef Dirmeyer, Christian Plankl, Rony Van Houdenhove
  • Patent number: 5706181
    Abstract: A sensor unit for controlling an occupant protection system has a sensor which is held in its position on a printed circuit board through the use of an elastic damping holder. The damping holder is soldered onto the printed circuit board together with the sensor. In addition, the damping holder protects the sensor during the production and mounting of the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Dirmeyer, Christian Plankl, Robert Gruber, Heinrich Probst