Patents by Inventor Dominik Schutz
Dominik Schutz 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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Publication number: 20230382341Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module assembly (14) for mounting on a steering wheel main part (12), having a driver's airbag module (16) which comprises a folded airbag (18), a gas generator (20) for inflating the folded airbag (18) and a module housing (22) for receiving the gas generator (20) and the folded airbag (18), and a vibration absorber unit (24) which comprises a steering wheel mounting plate (26) for fastening the airbag module assembly (14) on the steering wheel main part (12) and at least one resilient damping element (28), wherein the driver's airbag module (16) is screw-connected, riveted or welded to the steering wheel mounting plate (26) via the at least one resilient damping element (28) in a manner capable of vibrating. The invention furthermore also relates to a vehicle steering wheel (10) having such an airbag module assembly (14) and to a method for producing and quality-testing such an airbag module assembly (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2021Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventor: Dominik SCHÜTZ
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Publication number: 20230085537Abstract: The disclosure relates to a coupling device for securing an airbag module to a steering wheel main body of a vehicle steering wheel. The coupling device comprises: a securing body which has, relative to a steering wheel axis, an axial lower face that faces the steering wheel main body when the vehicle steering wheel is assembled, and an axial upper face that faces the airbag module when the vehicle steering wheel is assembled. An engagement element is disposed on the upper face of the securing body, for engaging with the airbag module. The engagement element is designed so that the airbag module can be coupled to the securing body by an engagement connection in such a manner that it cannot be substantially axially displaced or it can be limitedly axially displaced. An electronic control unit is provided and the securing body at least partly forms a housing of the electronic control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2021Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Stefan Bachmann, Dominik Schütz
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Patent number: 11548467Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant (12) in an automotive vehicle, comprising an inflatable cushion portion (20) for damping an occupant impact and two inflatable tube portions (22) laterally opposed in the mounted state of the airbag (10) which are arranged on the occupant side on the cushion portion (20), wherein the tube portions (22) are connected to each other by a slide layer (24) arranged on the occupant side on the cushion portion (20) and are laterally movable at least in portions relative to the cushion portion (20). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an airbag (10) as well as an airbag module (18) comprising said airbag (10).Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Dominik Schütz, Ohnishi Nobuyuki
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Patent number: 11529926Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag (14) for unfolding between a vehicle part (10) and a vehicle occupant (18), comprising an impact wall (20) which, in the installed and unfolded state of the airbag (14), faces a vehicle occupant (18) and a circumferential wall (22) which is connected to the impact wall (20) and, in the installed and unfolded state of the airbag (14), extends between the impact wall (20) and the vehicle part (10), wherein the circumferential wall (22) is made with multiple layers, at least in some sections, and forms at least one annular tube (23) which delimits an annular inflatable first airbag volume (V1), and wherein a radially inner layer (26) of the circumferential wall (22), together with the impact wall (20), delimits an inflatable second airbag volume (V2) that is separate from the first airbag volume (V1). The invention further relates to an airbag module (12) having such an airbag (14).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Stefan Sapountzis, Bartolomeu Franco, Tiago Cardoso, Dominik Schütz
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Patent number: 11498506Abstract: A coupling device (16) for mounting an airbag module (14) to be oscillating on a steering wheel structure (12) of a vehicle steering wheel (10) includes a mounting member (18) which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis, an axial bottom side (20) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the steering wheel structure (12) as well as an opposite axial top side (22) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the airbag module (14), a contact face (24) for a damping element (26) provided on the axial bottom side (20) for oscillating coupling of the mounting member (18) to the steering wheel structure (12), and comprising a locking element (28) disposed on the top side (22) of the mounting member (18) for locking with the prefabricated airbag module (14), wherein the locking element (28) is configured so that the airbag module (14) can be coupled to the mounting member (18) by a locking connection substantially in an axially fixed manner or in an axiallyType: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignees: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH, ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: AnnMarie McMillan, Jeffrey M. Ruprecht, James Steele, Dominik Schutz
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Patent number: 11440496Abstract: A description is given of a bearing unit of a vehicle subassembly, wherein the vehicle subassembly has a vehicle-mounted support, in particular a vehicle steering wheel (10), and a component which is to be fastened on the support, in particular an airbag module. The baring unit comprises at least one adjustable spacer element (14a, 14b, 14c) for orienting the position of the component on the support. Also provided are a bearing unit having a plurality of spacer elements (14a) which can be adjusted independently of one another and a steering wheel subassembly having a vehicle steering wheel (10) and an airbag module, wherein the vehicle steering wheel (10) and the airbag module are connected to each other by the bearing unit. The invention additionally relates to a method for producing a vehicle subassembly having a vehicle-mounted support, a component which is to be fastened on the support and at least one bearing unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBHInventor: Dominik Schütz
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Patent number: 11370377Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel (10) having a steering wheel axis (A) about which the vehicle steering wheel (10) can be rotated in the installed state, a steering wheel carcass (12) which has a hub section (14) in the region of the steering wheel axis (A), and a separate latching peg (18) for latching with an airbag module (20), which extends in the axial direction (22) and can be mounted on the steering wheel carcass (12), wherein the hub section (14) of the steering wheel carcass (12) has a rigid carcass hook (24) for latching with the airbag module (20), which extends in the axial direction (22), wherein the latching peg (18) adjoins the carcass hook (24) and partially surrounds same in the circumferential direction. The invention also relates to a steering wheel assembly having a vehicle steering wheel (10) of this kind.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Dominik Schütz, Stefan Bachmann
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Patent number: 11325644Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly (10) comprising a steering wheel skeleton (12), an attachment component (14), a connection component (20) for fastening the attachment component (14) to the steering wheel skeleton (12), and a first resilient damping element (16) which couples the connection component (20) to the attachment component (14) so as to be able to oscillate, a second resilient damping element (18) being provided which couples the connection component (20) to the steering wheel assembly (12) so as to be able to oscillate.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventor: Dominik Schütz
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Patent number: 11161472Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device (16) for mounting an airbag module (14) to be oscillating on a steering wheel structure (12) of a vehicle steering wheel (10), comprising a mounting member (18) which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis (A), an axial bottom side (20) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the steering wheel structure (12) as well as an opposite axial top side (22) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the airbag module (14), a contact face (24) for a damping element (26) provided on the axial bottom side (20) for oscillating coupling of the mounting member (18) to the steering wheel structure (12), and comprising a locking element (28) disposed on the top side (22) of the mounting member (18) for locking with the prefabricated airbag module (14), wherein the locking element (28) is configured so that the airbag module (14) can be coupled to the mounting member (18) by a locking connection substantially in an axialType: GrantFiled: August 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBHInventor: Dominik Schütz
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Patent number: 11130462Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for arranging on a steering wheel, a locking element and a contact element being arranged on the airbag module. The locking element can be moved and can adopt an unlocked state, a locked state and an intermediate state between the two, in relation to a catch element. In the intermediate state, in which there is mechanical contact between the locking element and the catch element, there is no electrical contact between the contact element and the locking element. In the locked state, in which the locking element is mechanically coupled to the catch element, there is electrical contact between the contact element and the locking element. In the locked state, when the catch element and the locking element are locked together, the contact element, the locking element and the catch element are electrically interconnected.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBHInventor: Dominik Schütz
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Publication number: 20210229618Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel (10) having a steering wheel axis (A) about which the vehicle steering wheel (10) can be rotated in the installed state, a steering wheel carcass (12) which has a hub section (14) in the region of the steering wheel axis (A), and a separate latching peg (18) for latching with an airbag module (20), which extends in the axial direction (22) and can be mounted on the steering wheel carcass (12), wherein the hub section (14) of the steering wheel carcass (12) has a rigid carcass hook (24) for latching with the airbag module (20), which extends in the axial direction (22), wherein the latching peg (18) adjoins the carcass hook (24) and partially surrounds same in the circumferential direction. The invention also relates to a steering wheel assembly having a vehicle steering wheel (10) of this kind.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2019Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Dominik Schutz, Stefan Bachmann
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Publication number: 20210206336Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant (12) in an automotive vehicle, comprising an inflatable cushion portion (20) for damping an occupant impact and two inflatable tube portions (22) laterally opposed in the mounted state of the airbag (10) which are arranged on the occupant side on the cushion portion (20), wherein the tube portions (22) are connected to each other by a slide layer (24) arranged on the occupant side on the cushion portion (20) and are laterally movable at least in portions relative to the cushion portion (20). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an airbag (10) as well as an airbag module (18) comprising said airbag (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Dominik Schutz, OHNISHI Nobuyuki
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Publication number: 20210053526Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag (14) for unfolding between a vehicle part (10) and a vehicle occupant (18), comprising an impact wall (20) which, in the installed and unfolded state of the airbag (14), faces a vehicle occupant (18) and a circumferential wall (22) which is connected to the impact wall (20) and, in the installed and unfolded state of the airbag (14), extends between the impact wall (20) and the vehicle part (10), wherein the circumferential wall (22) is made with multiple layers, at least in some sections, and forms at least one annular tube (23) which delimits an annular inflatable first airbag volume (V1), and wherein a radially inner layer (26) of the circumferential wall (22), together with the impact wall (20), delimits an inflatable second airbag volume (V2) that is separate from the first airbag volume (V1). The invention further relates to an airbag module (12) having such an airbag (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Stefan Sapountzis, Bartolomeu Franco, Tiago Cardoso, Dominik Schütz
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Publication number: 20210024128Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly (10) comprising a steering wheel skeleton (12), an attachment component (14), a connection component (20) for fastening the attachment component (14) to the steering wheel skeleton (12), and a first resilient damping element (16) which couples the connection component (20) to the attachment component (14) so as to be able to oscillate, a second resilient damping element (18) being provided which couples the connection component (20) to the steering wheel assembly (12) so as to be able to oscillate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2019Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventor: Dominik SCHÜTZ
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Publication number: 20200377139Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device (16) for mounting an airbag module (14) to be oscillating on a steering wheel structure (12) of a vehicle steering wheel (10), comprising a mounting member (18) which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis (A), an axial bottom side (20) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the steering wheel structure (12) as well as an opposite axial top side (22) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the airbag module (14), a contact face (24) for a damping element (26) provided on the axial bottom side (20) for oscillating coupling of the mounting member (18) to the steering wheel structure (12), and comprising a locking element (28) disposed on the top side (22) of the mounting member (18) for locking with the prefabricated airbag module (14), wherein the locking element (28) is configured so that the airbag module (14) can be coupled to the mounting member (18) by a locking connection substantially in an axialType: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2017Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventor: Dominik Schütz
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Publication number: 20200122671Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (111) for arranging on a steering wheel (112), a locking element (130) and a contact element (131) being arranged on the airbag module (111), the locking element (130) being designed to lock together with a catch element (120) arranged on the steering wheel (112) by means of which the airbag module (111) and the steering wheel (112) can be interconnected. The locking element (130) can be moved and can adopt an unlocked state, a locked state and an intermediate state between the two, in relation to the catch element (120), where, in the intermediate state in which there is mechanical contact between the locking element (130) and the catch element (120), there is no electrical contact between the contact element (131) and the locking element (130), whereas, in the locked state in which the locking element (130) is mechanically coupled to the catch element (120), there is electrical contact between the contact element (131) and the locking element (130).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventor: Dominik Schütz
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Publication number: 20200017056Abstract: A description is given of a bearing unit of a vehicle subassembly, wherein the vehicle subassembly has a vehicle-mounted support, in particular a vehicle steering wheel (10), and a component which is to be fastened on the support, in particular an airbag module. The baring unit comprises at least one adjustable spacer element (14a, 14b, 14c) for orienting the position of the component on the support. Also provided are a bearing unit having a plurality of spacer elements (14a) which can be adjusted independently of one another and a steering wheel subassembly having a vehicle steering wheel (10) and an airbag module, wherein the vehicle steering wheel (10) and the airbag module are connected to each other by the bearing unit. The invention additionally relates to a method for producing a vehicle subassembly having a vehicle-mounted support, a component which is to be fastened on the support and at least one bearing unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventor: Dominik Schütz
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Publication number: 20190217800Abstract: A coupling device (16) for mounting an airbag module (14) to be oscillating on a steering wheel structure (12) of a vehicle steering wheel (10) includes a mounting member (18) which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis, an axial bottom side (20) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the steering wheel structure (12) as well as an opposite axial top side (22) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the airbag module (14), a contact face (24) for a damping element (26) provided on the axial bottom side (20) for oscillating coupling of the mounting member (18) to the steering wheel structure (12), and comprising a locking element (28) disposed on the top side (22) of the mounting member (18) for locking with the prefabricated airbag module (14), wherein the locking element (28) is configured so that the airbag module (14) can be coupled to the mounting member (18) by a locking connection substantially in an axially fixed manner or in an axiallyType: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: AnnMarie McMillan, Jeffrey M. Ruprecht, James Steele, Dominik Schutz
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Patent number: D808359Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Kingston Digital, Inc.Inventors: Julia Meyer, Manuel Gattinger, Dominik Schütz, Christian Stapelbroek, Baron K. Lee, Guan-Hua Tzeng, Yu-kuo Huang, Peter Leekuo Chou
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Patent number: D811371Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Kingston Digital, Inc.Inventors: Julia Meyer, Manuel Gattinger, Dominik Schütz, Christian Stapelbroek, Baron K. Lee, Guan-Hua Tzeng, Yu-kuo Huang, Peter Leekuo Chou