Patents by Inventor Dirk Ehrlich

Dirk Ehrlich 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: 8985628
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a steering column of a motor vehicle for axial and/or vertical positioning of a steering wheel connected to the steering column is provided. The adjusting device comprises a locking device and an electric switch configured to actuate the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Ehrlich, Thomas Degenstein
  • Patent number: 8936265
    Abstract: A rear axle is provided for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, with two independent wheel suspensions, each of which include, but is not limited to a wheel carrier and a three-link arrangement connected therewith in an articulated manner with a longitudinal link and two transverse links. The two transverse links are each arranged in vehicle longitudinal direction next to each other, and with a transverse leaf spring arrangement, which is connected to the two independent wheel suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Ehrlich, Michael Harder
  • Patent number: 8777247
    Abstract: A wheel suspension device for a motor vehicle is provided. The wheel suspension device includes a wheel guiding device which is provided for connection to the motor vehicle and to a wheel. The wheel suspension device has a spring device, in one example, a leaf spring device, which at a first coupling point is connected to a coupling device in an articulated manner. The coupling device is connected to the wheel guiding device at a second coupling point in an articulated manner, and a coupling device axis is defined by a straight line through the first and through the second coupling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Ehrlich, Hartmut Hoelzel
  • Patent number: 8632078
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as a passenger car, is provided with a vehicle frame having a leaf spring element for the spring suspension of the vehicle, which is mounted on the vehicle frame with two bearing points, which are designed in a manner to adjustably set a spring rate and/or a standing height of the leaf spring element. The leaf spring element is mounted on a frame of the vehicle with the two bearing points and the bearing points are designed adjustable for setting a spring rate and/or a standing height of the leaf spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Ehrlich, Richard Starck, Veit Held
  • Publication number: 20130341882
    Abstract: A rear axle is provided for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, with two independent wheel suspensions, each of which include, but is not limited to a wheel carrier and a three-link arrangement connected therewith in an articulated manner with a longitudinal link and two transverse links. The two transverse links are each arranged in vehicle longitudinal direction next to each other, and with a transverse leaf spring arrangement, which is connected to the two independent wheel suspensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Dirk EHRLICH, Michael HARDER
  • Patent number: 8590911
    Abstract: A suspension is provided for a vehicle axle, with a twist-beam axle having two trailing arms interconnected via a cross brace, of which each trailing arm comprises a mounting device for the rotatable fastening of the twist-beam axle to a vehicle body, which includes, but is not limited to a bushing and a connecting element, which is formed on the trailing arm and in which the bushing is received such that the twist-beam axle can be pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the bushing. The bushing is fastened to a holder, which can be connected to the vehicle body, and the bushing with its longitudinal axis is arranged in a horizontal vehicle plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventors: Dirk Ehrlich, Oleg Mazur, Juergen Siebeneick
  • Patent number: 8528967
    Abstract: A rear floor structure for a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to two longitudinal girders extending between rear wheel houses. A downwardly open pocket for receiving a shock absorber is formed in each of the longitudinal girders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Martin Schwarz, Juergen Hulbert, Stephan Rosenplaenter, Joerg Fritzinger, Andreas Stern, Juergen Siebeneick, Michael Harder, Dirk Ehrlich, Waldemar Solnica, Oleg Mazur, Gunther Heim, Sven Ohligschlaeger
  • Patent number: 8414001
    Abstract: A suspension of a vehicle axle is provided having a twist-beam axle that includes, but is not limited to two trailing arms, each of which have a wheel suspension and are interconnected via a cross brace with a torsion profile, which is designed stiff to bending and torsionally soft. The twist-beam axle connects to a Watt linkage of arrowed design, which articulates on the trailing arms laterally offset to an axis through a wheel center of the wheel suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Ehrlich, Werner Brinker
  • Publication number: 20130042717
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a steering column of a motor vehicle for axial and/or vertical positioning of a steering wheel connected to the steering column is provided. The adjusting device comprises a locking device and an electric switch configured to actuate the locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dirk EHRLICH, Thomas DEGENSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20120217716
    Abstract: A suspension of a vehicle axle is provided having a twist-beam axle that includes, but is not limited to two trailing arms, each of which have a wheel suspension and are interconnected via a cross brace with a torsion profile, which is designed stiff to bending and torsionally soft. The twist-beam axle connects to a Watt linkage of arrowed design, which articulates on the trailing arms laterally offset to an axis through a wheel center of the wheel suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dirk EHRLICH, Werner BRINKER
  • Publication number: 20120217715
    Abstract: A suspension is provided for a vehicle axle, with a twist-beam axle having two trailing arms interconnected via a cross brace, of which each trailing arm comprises a mounting device for the rotatable fastening of the twist-beam axle to a vehicle body, which includes, but is not limited to a bushing and a connecting element, which is formed on the trailing arm and in which the bushing is received such that the twist-beam axle can be pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the bushing. The bushing is fastened to a holder, which can be connected to the vehicle body, and the bushing with its longitudinal axis is arranged in a horizontal vehicle plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dirk EHRLICH, Oleg MAZUR, Juergen SIEBENEICK
  • Publication number: 20120161411
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as a passenger car, is provided with a vehicle frame having a leaf spring element for the spring suspension of the vehicle, which is mounted on the vehicle frame with two bearing points, which are designed in a manner to adjustably set a spring rate and/or a standing height of the leaf spring element. The leaf spring element is mounted on a frame of the vehicle with the two bearing points and the bearing points are designed adjustable for setting a spring rate and/or a standing height of the leaf spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dirk EHRLICH, Richard STARCK, Veit HELD
  • Patent number: 8177245
    Abstract: A suspension is provided for non-steered wheels on a motor vehicle body. The suspension includes, but is not limited to a twist-beam rear axle with a Watt linkage. A top rocker arm of the Watt linkage is mounted on the motor vehicle body. The Watt linkage prevents the motor vehicle from oversteering during cornering. The damping bushes can be disconnected in part from wheel-guiding functions as the Watt linkage performs a major part of the wheel guiding functions, which leaves some freedom for designing the characteristics so as to significantly increase motoring comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gerd Bitz, Werner Brinker, Dirk Ehrlich, Michael Harder, Matthew S. Purdy, Wolfgang Stoff
  • Publication number: 20120091759
    Abstract: A rear floor structure for a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to two longitudinal girders extending between rear wheel houses. A downwardly open pocket for receiving a shock absorber is formed in each of the longitudinal girders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Martin Schwarz, Juergen Hulbert, Stephan Rosenplaenter, Joerg Fritzinger, Andreas Stern, Juergen Siebeneick, Michael Harder, Dirk Ehrlich, Waldemar Solnica, Oleg Mazur, Gunther Heim, Sven Ohligschlaeger
  • Publication number: 20110127744
    Abstract: A damping bushing is provided for an axle bearing of a trailing arm of a torsion-beam rear axle for a motor vehicle, in particular for an automobile, which includes, but is not limited to a bushing outer sleeve, a bushing inner sleeve, and a damping body. The interposed damping body is disposed coaxially to the bushing outer sleeve and to the bushing inner sleeve between these two elements. The bushing inner sleeve forms a radially outwardly extending spherical surface and the damping bushing has at least one further element that abuts extensively against the spherical surface formed by the bushing inner sleeve. Furthermore, a torsion-beam axle is provided that is fitted with these bushings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Juergen SIEBENEICK, Michael HARDER, Gerd BITZ, Oleg MAZUR, Dirk EHRLICH
  • Publication number: 20110084547
    Abstract: Introduced is a compound crank axle having a flexurally stiff and torsionally soft cross member, on whose ends two trailing links are arranged. The respective ends of the cross member are joined with the trailing links through friction welding in an angularly stiff manner. Here, the trailing links joined with the cross member are held together at a common transition region which is created in that both trailing links are joined together simultaneously and evenly with the cross member in a materially connected manner through friction welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Dirk EHRLICH, Gerd BITZ
  • Publication number: 20110031712
    Abstract: A twist beam axle is provided for a motor vehicle, with two rigid trailing arms for the mounting of wheel carriers, each of which can be articulated on a vehicle body through a bearing bush. The trailing arms are connected with each other through a flexurally rigid, but at least in sections, torsionally elastic, antiroll bar and through a Watt's linkage. In the twist beam axle, center axes of the bearing bushes are each arranged parallel to the vehicle vertical axis. In addition, the invention extends to a motor vehicle equipped with such a rear axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gerd BITZ, Michael HARDER, Dirk EHRLICH, Jüergen SIEBENEICK
  • Publication number: 20100052281
    Abstract: A suspension is provided for non-steered wheels on a motor vehicle body. The suspension includes, but is not limited to a twist-beam rear axle with a Watt linkage. A top rocker arm of the Watt linkage is mounted on the motor vehicle body. The Watt linkage prevents the motor vehicle from oversteering during cornering. The damping bushes can be disconnected in part from wheel-guiding functions as the Watt linkage performs a major part of the wheel guiding functions, which leaves some freedom for designing the characteristics so as to significantly increase motoring comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gerd Bitz, Werner Brinker, Dirk Ehrlich, Michael Harder, Matthew S. Purdy, Wolfgang Stoff
  • Publication number: 20090033142
    Abstract: A powered motor vehicle rear axle 10 is provided that can be coupled with a motor vehicle drive train. The powered motor vehicle rear axle is configured as twist-beam rear axle with two wheel carrying resistant trailing arms that are elastically linked to the motor vehicle structure and a bending resistant, but torsion flexible cross member. Here each of the trailing arms swings around at least one swivel axle. Over its entire length the cross member has a one-piece pipe profile or an open profile. Here it is separate from the swivel axles as well as from the wheel centers when viewed lengthwise from of the motor vehicle. In the area of its both ends the cross member is welded to the trailing arms 12. The cross member is, in particular, generally bent upwards to make space for the installation of at least one module allocated for the drive train, for example for the installation of a drive shaft and a rear axle differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gerd BITZ, Dirk EHRLICH
  • Publication number: 20090033141
    Abstract: A powered motor vehicle rear axle is provided can be coupled with a motor vehicle drive train. The rear axle is configured as twist-beam rear axle with two wheel carrying resistant trailing arms that are elastically linked to the motor vehicle structure and a bending resistant, but torsion flexible cross member. Here each trailing arm swings around at least one swivel axle. In the area of its both ends the cross member is welded to the trailing arms 12. The cross member is bent upwards to make space for the installation of at least one module allocated for the drive train, for example for the installation of a drive shaft and a rear axle differential. The cross member at least in the middle thereof is provided with an open profile that includes, but is not limited to a first profile leg and a second profile leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gerd BITZ, Dirk EHRLICH