Patents by Inventor Holger Lettmann

Holger Lettmann 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: 7950690
    Abstract: A steering wheel (13) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel module (1) supporting electrical/electronic subassemblies (18). The steering wheel module is inserted from a front side of the steering wheel into a center of the steering wheel in order to be attached to the steering wheel. A lower end of the steering wheel module forms a torsion module (8) of a torque detection device for a steering power-assist system. The torsion module is operable to receive and be attached to a steering spindle (14) of a steering column on the back side of the steering wheel in order to attach the steering wheel to the steering spindle when the steering wheel module is attached to the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Martin Deitmerg, Ralf Böbel, Klaus Nieding, Frank Bläsing, Holger Lettmann, Rüdiger Menz
  • Patent number: 7018223
    Abstract: A connecting device includes first and second housing parts which are rotatable relative to one another and are coupled together to define a space therebetween. At least one flexible cable is provided in the space defined by the housing parts. Each cable includes first and second end sections which are configured to be rolled and unrolled in a spiral or helix on associated contact surfaces of the housing parts, respectively. The end sections normally extend in opposite directions from each other circumferentially around the housing parts so that a U-shaped turning area at which cable movement reverses is formed in the space defined by the housing parts. Magnetic areas are arranged on at least one of each cable, the first housing part, and the second housing part to cause the end sections of each cable to removably adhere to the respective contact surfaces of the housing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Kober, Ralf Heinrich, Friedel Brink-Spalink, Holger Lettmann, Maik Frenzel, Norbert Andresen, Achim Gruber, Jürgen Henke
  • Publication number: 20050204857
    Abstract: A steering wheel (13) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel module (1) supporting electrical/electronic subassemblies (18). The steering wheel module is inserted from a front side of the steering wheel into a center of the steering wheel in order to be attached to the steering wheel. A lower end of the steering wheel module forms a torsion module (8) of a torque detection device for a steering power-assist system. The torsion module is operable to receive and be attached to a steering spindle (14) of a steering column on the back side of the steering wheel in order to attach the steering wheel to the steering spindle when the steering wheel module is attached to the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Martin Deitmerg, Ralf Bobel, Klaus Nieding, Frank Blasing, Holger Lettmann, Rudiger Menz
  • Publication number: 20050164524
    Abstract: A connecting device includes first and second housing parts which are rotatable relative to one another and are coupled together to define a space therebetween. At least one flexible cable is provided in the space defined by the housing parts. Each cable includes first and second end sections which are configured to be rolled and unrolled in a spiral or helix on associated contact surfaces of the housing parts, respectively. The end sections normally extend in opposite directions from each other circumferentially around the housing parts so that a U-shaped turning area at which cable movement reverses is formed in the space defined by the housing parts. Magnetic areas are arranged on at least one of each cable, the first housing part, and the second housing part to cause the end sections of each cable to removably adhere to the respective contact surfaces of the housing parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Kober, Ralf Heinrich, Friedel Brink-Spalink, Holger Lettmann, Maik Frenzel, Norbert Andresen, Achim Gruber, Jurgen Henke
  • Patent number: 6892602
    Abstract: A device for fastening a casing tube switch module to a casing tube of a steering wheel shaft when a steering wheel is mounted on the steering shaft. The device including a clamping element and a bearing. The clamping element is arranged coaxially between the casing tube and the switch module. The clamping element exerts a clamping force in a direction extending radially out from the steering shaft. The bearing rotationally decouples the steering wheel from the switch module. The bearing has a stator operable for transferring an axial motion of the steering wheel as the steering wheel is mounted on the steering shaft to the switch module such that the switch module moves axially with respect to the casing tube toward the clamping element and tensions the clamping element to apply the clamping force to fasten the switch module to the casing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Holger Lettmann, Christoph Oster, Dietmar Kritzler
  • Publication number: 20040055408
    Abstract: A device for fastening a casing tube switch module to a casing tube of a steering wheel shaft when a steering wheel is mounted on the steering shaft. The device including a clamping element and a bearing. The clamping element is arranged coaxially between the casing tube and the switch module. The clamping element exerts a clamping force in a direction extending radially out from the steering shaft. The bearing rotationally decouples the steering wheel from the switch module. The bearing has a stator operable for transferring an axial motion of the steering wheel as the steering wheel is mounted on the steering shaft to the switch module such that the switch module moves axially with respect to the casing tube toward the clamping element and tensions the clamping element to apply the clamping force to fasten the switch module to the casing tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Holger Lettmann, Christoph Oster, Dietmar Kritzler
  • Patent number: 6700219
    Abstract: A steering column module for a motor vehicle includes functional units such as steering angle sensors and torque sensors adjacently arranged on a steering column. The functional units deliver respective output signals and requiring respective control signals. An electronics unit is connected with an onboard power supply of a motor vehicle for receiving power. The electronics unit is operable for processing the output signals of the functional units and operable for generating control signals for the functional units. A first one of the functional units is connected to the electronics unit via electrical plug-in connector parts with correspondingly arranged counter electrical plug-in connector parts situated on the electronics unit. A second one of the functional units is combined with the electronics unit to form an inseparable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Holger Lettmann, Markus Adam
  • Publication number: 20040031619
    Abstract: A flexible ribbon cable includes two opposed cover sheet insulators. Each cover sheet insulator has inner and outer surfaces. Electrical conductors are arranged in parallel to one other between the inner surfaces of the cover sheet insulators. The cover sheet insulators and the electrical conductors insulated therein form a flexible ribbon cable segment. A reinforcing sheet is arranged on the outer surface of at least one of the cover sheets of at least one section of the flexible ribbon cable segment such that the at least one section of the flexible ribbon cable segment having the reinforcing sheet is relatively more protected and perhaps relatively more stiffened than remaining sections of the flexible ribbon cable segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Holger Lettmann, Dean Kaminski
  • Publication number: 20030045133
    Abstract: A steering column module for a motor vehicle includes functional units such as steering angle sensors and torque sensors adjacently arranged on a steering column. The functional units deliver respective output signals and requiring respective control signals. An electronics unit is connected with an onboard power supply of a motor vehicle for receiving power. The electronics unit is operable for processing the output signals of the functional units and operable for generating control signals for the functional units. A first one of the functional units is connected to the electronics unit via electrical plug-in connector parts with correspondingly arranged counter electrical plug-in connector parts situated on the electronics unit. A second one of the functional units is combined with the electronics unit to form an inseparable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Holger Lettmann, Markus Adam