Patents by Inventor Edmund Halfmann

Edmund Halfmann 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: 10023019
    Abstract: A suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include a balancer system extending between first and second trailing arms. The suspension system may further include a rotary device acting between the trailing arms. One of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to provide a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle and the other of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to suppress resonant vertical motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards, Rainer Souschek, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Martin Saeger
  • Patent number: 9925843
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include first and second trailing arms. The rear suspension system may further include first and second balancer systems acting between the first and second trailing arms. The first balancer system may create a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use. The second balancer system may suppress a resonant vertical motion of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards, Rainer Souschek, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Martin Saeger
  • Publication number: 20160244094
    Abstract: A suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include a balancer system extending between first and second trailing arms. The suspension system may further include a rotary device acting between the trailing arms. One of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to provide a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle and the other of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to suppress resonant vertical motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Marc SIMON, Edmund HALFMANN, Thomas GERHARDS, Rainer SOUSCHEK, Ralf HINTZEN, Daniel MAINZ, Martin SAEGER
  • Publication number: 20160243918
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include first and second trailing arms. The rear suspension system may further include first and second balancer systems acting between the first and second trailing arms. The first balancer system may create a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use. The second balancer system may suppress a resonant vertical motion of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Marc SIMON, Edmund HALFMANN, Thomas GERHARDS, Rainer SOUSCHEK, Ralf HINTZEN, Daniel MAINZ, Martin SAEGER
  • Patent number: 9302706
    Abstract: An articulated connection can be used to transfer a steering movement to a vehicle wheel. The articulated connection can include an axle journal and a steering arm. The axle journal can be configured to be coupled to the wheel. The steering arm can be configured to receive and transfer the steering movement to the axle journal. The steering arm can be bendable so as to elastically deflect with respect to the axle journal. The steering arm can be curved along a portion of its length and/or the articulated connection can include a limiting device. The limiting device can be configured to limit an amount of deflection of the steering arm in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pim van der Jagt, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards
  • Patent number: 9283989
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first wheel control part suspends the first wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body and a second wheel control part suspends the second wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. The first wheel control part is coupled to the second wheel control part via a double lever rotatably mounted on the vehicle body. At least two pivot points for the double lever can be defined on the vehicle body, the pivot points being spaced apart in a direction of a longitudinal extent of the double lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Edmund Halfmann, Torsten Gerhardt, Marc Simon
  • Patent number: 9248857
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels, first and second wheels of the three wheels being assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. The vehicle includes at least one wheel control part suspending each of the first and second wheels of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. At least one resilient element supports each wheel control part on the vehicle body. The resilient element has a non-linear spring characteristic with a spring rate which increases in a compression direction and decreases in a rebound direction. The vehicle may be a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Edmund Halfmann, Torsten Gerhardt, Marc Simon
  • Patent number: 9145168
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels. The first and the second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. Each wheel of the wheel pair is rotatably mounted on a wheel support. The wheel supports of the wheel pair are connected to one another in an articulated manner via a double lever which is mounted rotatably at a first pivot point on the vehicle body. The wheel supports of the wheel pair also are connected to one another in an articulated manner via a parallel trailing arm, which runs parallel to the double lever and is configured to transmit lateral tilting of one wheel support to the other wheel support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Edmund Halfmann, Torsten Gerhardt, Marc Simon
  • Patent number: 9090281
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels, with two of the wheels being assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first wheel control part suspends the first wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body and a second wheel control part suspends the second wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. The first wheel control part is configured to be coupled to the second wheel control part via a first gearwheel mechanism, and the second wheel control part is configured to be coupled to the first wheel control part via a second gearwheel mechanism. The first and second gearwheel mechanisms each have a negative transmission ratio between a drive shaft and an output shaft. The laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may be a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Edmund Halfmann, Torsten Gerhardt, Marc Simon
  • Patent number: 9045015
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first cylinder unit supports the first wheel of the wheel pair on the vehicle body and a second cylinder unit supports the second wheel of the wheel pair on the vehicle body. Each cylinder unit includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder connected in series. Each first cylinder has a first diameter and each second cylinder has a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The first and second cylinder units are fluidly connected to each other. Fluid is transferable between cylinder units between a first cylinder of the one cylinder unit and a second cylinder of the other cylinder unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Edmund Halfmann, Torsten Gerhardt, Marc Simon
  • Publication number: 20140306412
    Abstract: An articulated connection can be used to transfer a steering movement to a vehicle wheel. The articulated connection can include an axle journal and a steering arm. The axle journal can be configured to be coupled to the wheel. The steering arm can be configured to receive and transfer the steering movement to the axle journal. The steering arm can be bendable so as to elastically deflect with respect to the axle journal. The steering arm can be curved along a portion of its length and/or the articulated connection can include a limiting device. The limiting device can be configured to limit an amount of deflection of the steering arm in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pim van der Jagt, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards
  • Publication number: 20140252732
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels. The first and the second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. Each wheel of the wheel pair is rotatably mounted on a wheel support. The wheel supports of the wheel pair are connected to one another in an articulated manner via a double lever which is mounted rotatably at a first pivot point on the vehicle body. The wheel supports of the wheel pair also are connected to one another in an articulated manner via a parallel trailing arm, which runs parallel to the double lever and is configured to transmit lateral tilting of one wheel support to the other wheel support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Edmund HALFMANN, Torsten GERHARDT, Marc SIMON
  • Publication number: 20140252730
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels, with two of the wheels being assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first wheel control part suspends the first wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body and a second wheel control part suspends the second wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. The first wheel control part is configured to be coupled to the second wheel control part via a first gearwheel mechanism, and the second wheel control part is configured to be coupled to the first wheel control part via a second gearwheel mechanism. The first and second gearwheel mechanisms each have a negative transmission ratio between a drive shaft and an output shaft. The laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may be a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Edmund HALFMANN, Torsten GERHARDT, Marc SIMON
  • Publication number: 20140252733
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first wheel control part suspends the first wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body and a second wheel control part suspends the second wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. The first wheel control part is coupled to the second wheel control part via a double lever rotatably mounted on the vehicle body. At least two pivot points for the double lever can be defined on the vehicle body, the pivot points being spaced apart in a direction of a longitudinal extent of the double lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Edmund HALFMANN, Torsten GERHARDT, Marc SIMON
  • Publication number: 20140252731
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels, first and second wheels of the three wheels being assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. The vehicle includes at least one wheel control part suspending each of the first and second wheels of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. At least one resilient element supports each wheel control part on the vehicle body. The resilient element has a non-linear spring characteristic with a spring rate which increases in a compression direction and decreases in a rebound direction. The vehicle may be a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Edmund HALFMANN, Torsten GERHARDT, Marc SIMON
  • Publication number: 20140252734
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first cylinder unit supports the first wheel of the wheel pair on the vehicle body and a second cylinder unit supports the second wheel of the wheel pair on the vehicle body. Each cylinder unit includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder connected in series. Each first cylinder has a first diameter and each second cylinder has a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The first and second cylinder units are fluidly connected to each other. Fluid is transferable between cylinder units between a first cylinder of the one cylinder unit and a second cylinder of the other cylinder unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Edmund HALFMANN, Torsten GERHARDT, Marc SIMON
  • Patent number: 8474845
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension having a shock absorber (1) with a piston rod (2) and a spring element (7), the spring element (7) being mounted between a lower spring retaining plate (4) and an upper spring retaining plate (6) and the head of the shock absorber (1) being fastened to a vehicle body (8). An intermediate element system (9, 11, 12; 9, 26) is arranged and embodied between the upper spring retaining plate (6) and the vehicle body (8) in such a manner that a compensating moment (23) is generated during final installation of the shock absorber (1) on the vehicle body (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Souschek, Wolfgang David, Michael Johannes Frantzen, Edmund Halfmann, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
  • Publication number: 20110127747
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension having a shock absorber (1) with a piston rod (2) and a spring element (7), the spring element (7) being mounted between a lower spring retaining plate (4) and an upper spring retaining plate (6) and the head of the shock absorber (1) being fastened to a vehicle body (8). An intermediate element system (9, 11, 12; 9, 26) is arranged and embodied between the upper spring retaining plate (6) and the vehicle body (8) in such a manner that a compensating moment (23) is generated during final installation of the shock absorber (1) on the vehicle body (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Rainer Souschek, Wolfgang David, Michael Johannes Frantzen, Edmund Halfmann, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
  • Patent number: 7699327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension, which has at least one transverse link and one wheel carrier. The wheel carrier has a connecting element, through which a bolt extends, for connecting to the transverse link. The connecting element has a stop on a limb which is assigned to a bolt head, with the bolt head having a counterstop which corresponds to the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edmund Halfmann, Jorg Weshendorff
  • Publication number: 20080122194
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension, which has at least one transverse link and one wheel carrier. The wheel carrier has a connecting element, through which a bolt extends, for connecting to the transverse link. The connecting element has a stop on a limb which is assigned to a bolt head, with the bolt head having a counterstop which corresponds to the stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Edmund Halfmann, Jorg Weshendorff