Patents by Inventor Guido Steinbach

Guido Steinbach 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: 7331434
    Abstract: An impact absorber is provided for absorbing impact forces especially in case of a collision of a motor vehicle. The impact absorber includes an inner tube (1), which can be pushed into an outer tube (2) in a telescopic manner and which is closed with a bottom plate (3) at its free end projecting from the outer tube (2). Starting from the bottom plate (3) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (4) of the impact absorber, a gas space (5) filled with pressurized gas and a first, a fluid-filled liquid space (7), which is separated from the gas space (5) by a wall (6) displaceable in the inner tube (1), are arranged in the interior of the inner tube (1). The liquid space (7) is in connection through a throttle element with a second, fluid-filled liquid space (13), which adjoins the first liquid space (7) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (4) and is closed by a piston (9) fixed in the outer tube (2) towards the free end of the outer tube (2) in a liquid-tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Guido Steinbach
  • Patent number: 7290810
    Abstract: A device for absorption of impact energy on an automobile is provided, with at least one energy absorber arranged between a bumper and the vehicle chassis, which has a deformation element which deforms in the event of a collision. The device adapts to different driving and risk situations and which has a simple design and can be manufactured cost-effectively. The absorption characteristic of the energy absorber is implemented to adapt to the driving situation. This is achieved by transferring the impact energy to the deformation element inside the energy absorber via at least one force introduction element which, depending on the respective driving situation, either transfers the impact energy directly to the deformation element for conversion into deformation work, or initially performs an excursion-limited motion inside the energy absorber and only thereafter transfers the impact energy to the deformation element for conversion into deformation work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Guido Steinbach, Stefan Worms
  • Publication number: 20070138717
    Abstract: An impact absorber is provided for absorbing impact forces especially in case of a collision of a motor vehicle. The impact absorber includes an inner tube (1), which can be pushed into an outer tube (2) in a telescopic manner and which is closed with a bottom plate (3) at its free end projecting from the outer tube (2). Starting from the bottom plate (3) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (4) of the impact absorber, a gas space (5) filled with pressurized gas and a first, a fluid-filled liquid space (7), which is separated from the gas space (5) by a wall (6) displaceable in the inner tube (1), are arranged in the interior of the inner tube (1). The liquid space (7) is in connection through a throttle element with a second, fluid-filled liquid space (13), which adjoins the first liquid space (7) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (4) and is closed by a piston (9) fixed in the outer tube (2) towards the free end of the outer tube (2) in a liquid-tight manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventor: Guido STEINBACH
  • Publication number: 20060012194
    Abstract: A device for absorption of impact energy on an automobile is provided, with at least one energy absorber arranged between a bumper and the vehicle chassis, which has a deformation element which deforms in the event of a collision. The device adapts to different driving and risk situations and which has a simple design and can be manufactured cost-effectively. The absorption characteristic of the energy absorber is implemented to adapt to the driving situation. This is achieved by transferring the impact energy to the deformation element inside the energy absorber via at least one force introduction element which, depending on the respective driving situation, either transfers the impact energy directly to the deformation element for conversion into deformation work, or initially performs an excursion-limited motion inside the energy absorber and only thereafter transfers the impact energy to the deformation element for conversion into deformation work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Guido Steinbach, Stefan Worms