Patents by Inventor Ekkehart Fröhlich

Ekkehart Fröhlich 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: 11940298
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnet assembly (10) for a sensor device for detecting a measurement variable characterizing a rotation state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, to a sensor device and to a motor vehicle, wherein the magnet assembly (10) has a sleeve (11) and a magnetic element (12), which is connected in a form-fitting manner to the sleeve (11), wherein the sleeve (11) is designed for connecting the magnet assembly (10) to a first part of the steering shaft and has at least one stop flange (11C), which extends outwards in the radial direction in a radial plane, for axially securing the magnetic element (12) in a first axial direction (A1), wherein the magnetic element (12) is arranged concentrically with respect to the sleeve (11) and, with its first end side (S1), is at least partially supported axially on the stop flange (11C) and is thereby secured in the first axial direction (A1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Ekkehart Froehlich, David Nemere
  • Patent number: 11860053
    Abstract: A torque sensor device for detecting a torque applied to a shaft, includes a magnetic arrangement, a stator arrangement and a magnetic sensor arrangement. The magnetic arrangement is configured for generating at least one magnetic field. A magnetic flux can be generated in the stator arrangement. The magnetic arrangement and the stator arrangement are movable relative to each other in the circumferential direction. The magnetic arrangement and the stator arrangement are arranged relative to each other so that, by a relative movement between the magnetic arrangement and the stator arrangement in the circumferential direction about a center axis of the torque sensor device, a first magnetic flux with a first magnetic flux direction and a second magnetic flux with a second flux direction opposite to the first flux direction can be generated in the stator arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventor: Ekkehart Fröhlich
  • Publication number: 20230341243
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor assembly (10) for detecting rotation of a shaft about an axis of rotation (12), said sensor assembly having a housing (24) in which at least one magnetic field sensor (14) is arranged. The at least one magnetic field sensor (14) is designed to acquire a variation in a magnetic field generated by a magnet device (16) in the sensor assembly (10), which variation is associated with the rotation of the shaft about the axis of rotation (12). A shield device (30) arranged on the housing (24) is provided to shield the at least one magnetic field sensor (14) from the surroundings (28) of the sensor assembly (10). The shield device (30) can be removed from the housing (24), with the shield device (30) being retained on the housing (24) by means of a latching connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Sageesh Pachakkil, Ekkehart Fröhlich, Dirk Rachui
  • Publication number: 20230314250
    Abstract: A torque sensor device for detecting a torque applied to a shaft is disclosed. The torque sensor device has a magnetic arrangement, a stator arrangement and a flux guide arrangement, wherein the flux guide arrangement has a first flux guide and a second flux guide, and the first flux guide and the second flux guide each have a first collection surface and each have at least one transmission surface. The second flux guide has a second collection surface which is magnetically conductively coupled to the at least one transmission surface of the second flux guide. The first flux guide and the second flux guide are arranged relative to one another such that, if the torque sensor device is surrounded by a magnetic interference field, a first interference flux component a second interference flux component at least partially cancel one another out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Ekkehart Fröhlich, Jens Thom, Sageesh Pachakkil
  • Publication number: 20210302246
    Abstract: A torque sensor device (10) for detecting a torque applied to a shaft, and a method for determining a torque applied to a shaft by means of a torque sensor device (10), to a stator and to a stator arrangement (11) for a torque sensor device (10) are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventor: Ekkehart Fröhlich
  • Publication number: 20210131826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnet assembly (10) for a sensor device for detecting a measurement variable characterizing a rotation state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, to a sensor device and to a motor vehicle, wherein the magnet assembly (10) has a sleeve (11) and a magnetic element (12), which is connected in a form-fitting manner to the sleeve (11), wherein the sleeve (11) is designed for connecting the magnet assembly (10) to a first part of the steering shaft and has at least one stop flange (11C), which extends outwards in the radial direction in a radial plane, for axially securing the magnetic element (12) in a first axial direction (A1), wherein the magnetic element (12) is arranged concentrically with respect to the sleeve (11) and, with its first end side (S1), is at least partially supported axially on the stop flange (11C) and is thereby secured in the first axial direction (A1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Ekkehart Froehlich, David Nemere
  • Patent number: 10871411
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stator holder (11) for a torque sensor device for sensing a torque applied to a shaft, in particular for sensing a torque applied to a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, and to a stator assembly (20) with such a stator holder (11), a method for assembling such a stator assembly (20), a torque sensor device with such a stator holder (11) and a motor vehicle with such a torque sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Rachui, Ekkehart Fröhlich, Jens Thom
  • Patent number: 10641670
    Abstract: A magnet unit for a sensor device for acquiring a measured variable that characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, to a sensor device and to a motor vehicle, the magnet unit comprises: a sleeve and a magnet element that is connected in a positive-locking manner to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Griet Smolders, Frank Jerems, Dirk Rachui, Ekkehart Fröehlich
  • Patent number: 10466076
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device (100) having an incremental sensor unit (40, 40?, 40?) for a shaft rotatable about a rotational axis, in particular for a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, wherein the incremental sensor unit (40, 40?, 40?) is designed to acquire at least one defined rotational angle position of the shaft. The incremental sensor unit (40, 40?, 40?) comprises a transmitting element (41, 41?) and a housing-fixed receiving element (42), wherein a signal (MInk_planar) emitted by the transmitting element (41, 41?) and transmitted along a signal path is receivable by the receiving element (42) and it is recognizable on the basis of the signal (MInk_planar) received by the receiving element (42) whether the shaft is located in the defined rotational angle position (?def) or not. If the shaft reaches the defined rotational angle position (?def), a signal pulse can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Schoepe, Hans-Jörg Liebfried, Ekkehart Fröhlich
  • Patent number: 10444039
    Abstract: A method for producing a magnet unit for a sensor device for detecting a measurement variable which is characteristic of a state of rotation of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle provides a ring-shaped magnet element composed of a plastics-bonded magnet material and a carrier sleeve for the connection of the magnet unit to a shaft part of the steering shaft and connects the magnet element to the carrier sleeve, in particular axially adjacent to one another by way of respective axial face sides. A plastics element is provided on the carrier sleeve, and the connecting includes the plastics element and the magnet element being cohesively connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Rachui, Jens Thom, Ekkehart Froehlich
  • Publication number: 20190195714
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnet unit (10) for a sensor device for acquiring a measured variable that characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, to a sensor device and to a motor vehicle, wherein the magnet unit (10) comprises a sleeve (11) and a magnet element (12) that is connected in a positive-locking manner to the sleeve (11), wherein the sleeve comprises a connecting flange (11B) that extends outwards in the radial direction and comprises at least one cut-out (11C) having a radial outer face (14) for connecting to the magnet element (12) and the magnet element (12) comprises a connecting element (12B) that extends in the axial direction and comprises a radial inner face (13) for connecting to the sleeve (11), wherein the connecting element (12B) extends through the cut-out (11C) in the connecting flange (11B) and is configured in such a manner that the connecting element (12B) forms a positive-locking connection in the tangential direction and in the axial direction with t
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Griet Smolders, Frank Jerems, Dirk Rachui, Ekkehart Fröehlich
  • Publication number: 20190072445
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stator holder (11) for a torque sensor device for sensing a torque applied to a shaft, in particular for sensing a torque applied to a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, and to a stator assembly (20) with such a stator holder (11), a method for assembling such a stator assembly (20), a torque sensor device with such a stator holder (11) and a motor vehicle with such a torque sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Rachui, Ekkehart Fröhlich, Jens Thom
  • Publication number: 20180023980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device (100) having an incremental sensor unit (40, 40?, 40?) for a shaft rotatable about a rotational axis, in particular for a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, wherein the incremental sensor unit (40, 40?, 40?) is designed to acquire at least one defined rotational angle position of the shaft. The incremental sensor unit (40, 40?, 40?) comprises a transmitting element (41, 41?) and a housing-fixed receiving element (42), wherein a signal (MInk_planar) emitted by the transmitting element (41, 41?) and transmitted along a signal path is receivable by the receiving element (42) and it is recognizable on the basis of the signal (MInk_planar) received by the receiving element (42) whether the shaft is located in the defined rotational angle position (?def) or not. If the shaft reaches the defined rotational angle position (?def), a signal pulse can be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Schoepe, Hans-Jörg Liebfried, Ekkehart Fröhlich
  • Patent number: 9821846
    Abstract: A device for a motor vehicle having a torque sensor device for detecting a torque applied to a steering shaft of the motor vehicle and with a steering angle sensor device for detecting a current steering angle of the steering shaft is disclosed. The torque sensor device has a magnetic stator designed to conduct magnetic flux from a magnet to at least one flux conductor and through the same to at least one magnetic sensor of the torque sensor device, and two stator parts that are disposed so as to be displaced in the axial direction relative to each other, each of which comprises an annular edge element extending in the radial direction. The steering angle sensor device includes at least one rotation transmission element with a permanent magnet and a magnetic field detector for detecting a rotary motion of the rotation transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Schoepe, Jens Thom, Ekkehart Froehlich, Dirk Rachui, Katalin Hadobas-Roessel
  • Patent number: 9702776
    Abstract: A sensor device for measuring a measurement variable characterizing a rotation state of a shaft portion of a motor vehicle, in particular a steering axle of the motor vehicle, is disclosed. The sensor device includes a holder which can be connected to the shaft portion of the motor vehicle, a magnetic stator portion which is arranged on the holder and which is constructed for conducting magnetic flux from a magnet towards a magnetic sensor and which has an annular radial base element, which is axially supported with the axial front side thereof on the holder, and a fixing element for fixing the stator portion at least in an axial direction to the holder from the axial rear side thereof which is opposite the front side, wherein the holder has at least one welding rib, via which the holder is connected to the fixing element by friction welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Schoepe, Dirk Rachui, Ekkehart Froehlich, Jens Thom
  • Publication number: 20160379754
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a ferromagnetic component (17, 33) for a torque sensor for detecting a torque applied to a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, by providing a sheet-metal element composed of a ferromagnetic material, and by deforming the sheet-metal element to form the ferromagnetic component (17, 33), wherein an electric sheet steel is used as the ferromagnetic material for the sheet-metal element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Rachui, Ekkehart Froehlich
  • Patent number: 9518880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a magnet unit (1) for a sensor device for detecting a measured variable which characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, by way of provision of an annular magnet element (3), provision of a sleeve (2) for connecting the magnet unit (1) to a shaft part of the steering shaft, and connection of the magnet element (3) to the sleeve (2), the sleeve (2) being configured with a main body (6) and a multiplicity of tabs (7) which protrude from the main body (6), and the connection comprising the tabs (7) being embedded into respective cut-outs (5) of the magnet element (3) with heating of the magnet element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Schoepe, Ekkehart Froehlich
  • Publication number: 20160223361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a magnet unit (1) for a sensor device for detecting a measurement variable which is characteristic of a state of rotation of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, by providing a ring-shaped magnet element (3) composed of a plastics-bonded magnet material, by providing a carrier sleeve (2) for the connection of the magnet unit (1) to a shaft part of the steering shaft, and by connecting the magnet element (3) to the carrier sleeve (2), in particular axially adjacent to one another by way of respective axial face sides (5, 7), wherein a plastics element (8) is provided on the carrier sleeve (2), and the connecting comprises the plastics element (8) and the magnet element (3) being cohesively connected to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Rachui, Jens Thom, Ekkehart Froehlich
  • Publication number: 20160214648
    Abstract: A device for a motor vehicle having a torque sensor device for detecting a torque applied to a steering shaft of the motor vehicle and with a steering angle sensor device for detecting a current steering angle of the steering shaft is disclosed. The torque sensor device has a magnetic stator designed to conduct magnetic flux from a magnet to at least one flux conductor and through the same to at least one magnetic sensor of the torque sensor device, and two stator parts that are disposed so as to be displaced in the axial direction relative to each other, each of which comprises an annular edge element extending in the radial direction. The steering angle sensor device includes at least one rotation transmission element with a permanent magnet and a magnetic field detector for detecting a rotary motion of the rotation transmission element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Roman Schoepe, Jens Thom, Ekkehart Froehlich, Dirk Rachui, Katalin Hadobas-Roessel
  • Publication number: 20160054187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a magnet unit (1) for a sensor device for detecting a measured variable which characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, by way of provision of an annular magnet element (3), provision of a sleeve (2) for connecting the magnet unit (1) to a shaft part of the steering shaft, and connection of the magnet element (3) to the sleeve (2), the sleeve (2) being configured with a main body (6) and a multiplicity of tabs (7) which protrude from the main body (6), and the connection comprising the tabs (7) being embedded into respective cut-outs (5) of the magnet element (3) with heating of the magnet element (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Roman Schoepe, Ekkehart Froehlich