Patents by Inventor Ingolf Müller

Ingolf Müller 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: 12285902
    Abstract: A method for producing a structural component part (1) from a fiber-reinforced plastic according to a three-dimensional winding process. Threadlike or strand-shaped fiber material (12) supplied on at least one bobbin (18) is wound around at least one filament carrier (11) in at least one winding pattern by at least one computer-controlled winding device (10). The fiber material (12) is laid down on the filament carrier (11) with a filament tensile force (FZN) that is preadjusted by a control device (14). The filament tensile force (FZist) is controlled depending on location and/or depending on path in order to take into account specific lay-down locations (29) on the filament carrier (11) in which a lay-down path (28) predefined by the winding pattern is departed from owing to the local geometry at preadjusted filament tensile force (FZN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ingolf Müller, Erik Grabowski, Andre Stieglitz
  • Publication number: 20240408810
    Abstract: A method for producing a structural component part (1) from a fiber-reinforced plastic according to a three-dimensional winding process. Threadlike or strand-shaped fiber material (12) supplied on at least one bobbin (18) is wound around at least one filament carrier (11) in at least one winding pattern by at least one computer-controlled winding device (10). The fiber material (12) is laid down on the filament carrier (11) with a filament tensile force (FZN) that is preadjusted by a control device (14). The filament tensile force (FZist) is controlled depending on location and/or depending on path in order to take into account specific lay-down locations (29) on the filament carrier (11) in which a lay-down path (28) predefined by the winding pattern is departed from owing to the local geometry at preadjusted filament tensile force (FZN).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Ingolf MÜLLER, Erik GRABOWSKI, Andre STIEGLITZ
  • Patent number: 12157344
    Abstract: A load introduction element (3) for a chassis component (1) of a chassis, having a receiving opening (5) for receiving a joint arrangement (6) and a spline (8) with teeth (9A, 9B) extending substantially axially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the load introduction element (3), The load introduction element (3) is made from a fiber-reinforced plastic semifinished product, and has flat blanks (13, 14, 15) of the plastic semifinished product which are arranged one above the other in layers in an assembly direction (AR) and form a base body (11) of the load introduction element (3), wherein the blanks (13, 14, 15) of the base body (11) have at least two different geometries with different preferential fiber directions (20, 21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andre Stieglitz, Ingolf Müller, Eva Sophie Jurgeleit, Paul Niemöller
  • Patent number: 12138983
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a multipoint link (1) for an undercarriage of a vehicle, comprising a core element (5) formed from a foamed material and at least one roving (10) of bundled continuous filaments wound around the core element (5), wherein the at least one roving (10) winding around the core element (5) in at least one layer forms an outer layer of the multipoint link (5), wherein the core element (5) is constructed as a hollow body which comprises at least two shell elements (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ingolf Müller, Jens Heimann, Andre Stieglitz, Carsten Sohl, Valentin Hörtdörfer
  • Publication number: 20240123783
    Abstract: A load introduction element (3) for a chassis component (1) of a chassis, having a receiving opening (5) for receiving a joint arrangement (6) and a spline (8) with teeth (9A, 9B) extending substantially axially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the load introduction element (3), The load introduction element (3) is made from a fiber-reinforced plastic semifinished product, and has flat blanks (13, 14, 15) of the plastic semifinished product which are arranged one above the other in layers in an assembly direction (AR) and form a base body (11) of the load introduction element (3), wherein the blanks (13, 14, 15) of the base body (11) have at least two different geometries with different preferential fiber directions (20, 21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andre STIEGLITZ, Ingolf MÜLLER, Eva Sophie JURGELEIT, Paul NIEMÖLLER
  • Publication number: 20240100765
    Abstract: A method for producing a structural component part (1, 33) from a fiber-reinforced plastic according to a three-dimensional winding process. A threadlike fiber material (12) is supplied on at least one bobbin (18) and constructed as a towpreg semifinished product is wound around at least one filament carrier (11) in a winding pattern by a computer-controlled winding device. The towpreg semifinished product is a mixture (30) of a thermoset resin, a hardener, an accelerator and plastic fibers (29) embedded in the mixture (30). The fiber material (12) is guided on the filament carrier (11) by a guide element (24) having a circular outlet cross section and arranged at a fiber guide device (25), the fiber material (12) deflected by the guide element (24) when the winding pattern is formed. The fiber material (12) is brought in contact with the guide element (24) during a deflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Ingolf MÜLLER, Holger BUBLIES, Andre STIEGLITZ
  • Patent number: 11878563
    Abstract: A multipoint link for an undercarriage of a vehicle, having a core element formed from a foamed material and at least one roving of bundled continuous filaments wound around the core element, the at least one roving winding around the core element in at least one layer forming an outer layer of the multipoint link. The recesses serving to guide the at least one roving to be laid by winding are incorporated in the surface of the core element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ingolf Müller, Jens Heimann, Andre Stieglitz, Carsten Sohl, Valentin Hörtdörfer
  • Publication number: 20230347598
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus (10) for manufacturing fiber-reinforced component parts (1) according to a three-dimensional winding method, comprising at least one computer-controlled winding machine for winding filiform continuous fiber strands (12) provided on at least one spool (18) around at least one fiber carrier (11) arranged on a pivot pin (16) with at least one winding pattern. The at least one winding machine is constructed as a robot arm (13) which has a plurality of rotational axes and which lays down at least two fiber strands (12) simultaneously. The at least one robot arm (13) is adapted to simultaneously lay down the at least two fiber strands (12) so as to be distributed to at least two fiber carriers (11) arranged, respectively, on a separate pivot pin (16) and/or to simultaneously lay down the at least two fiber strands (12) on only one fiber carrier (1) arranged on a separate pivot pin (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Ingolf MÜLLER, Andre STIEGLITZ
  • Patent number: 11642927
    Abstract: A chassis link for a motor vehicle having load introduction elements connected by a straight profile portion of fiber-reinforced plastic. The profile portion and load introduction elements are connected via an adhesive connection in a common connection portion in which an end portion of the load introduction element and an end portion engage another in positive engagement. On both sides of a profile portion neutral fiber plane, the adhesive connection has longitudinal adhesive layers extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile portion and parallel to one another in a vertical. In vertical direction of the profile portion the longitudinal adhesive layers have a cross-sectional area becoming larger with increasing distance from the neutral fiber plane so that a relief is brought about in regions of the adhesive connection which have a relatively large distance from the neutral fiber plane in vertical direction of the profile portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andre Stieglitz, Manfred Bürgmann, Ingolf Müller
  • Patent number: 11485185
    Abstract: A multi-point link for a chassis of a motor vehicle. The multi-point link has at least one hollow profile portion including fiber-reinforced plastic and at least one load introduction element including a metallic material. The hollow profile portion, when viewed in cross section, has at least one hollow space formed as a circumferentially closed chamber. The hollow profile portion and the load introduction element are connected to one another in a common connection portion via a nondetachable glued plug-in connection. At least one stiffening element, which is fixedly connected to the hollow profile portion, is arranged in the chamber to increase the stiffness of the multi-point link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andre Stieglitz, Ingolf Müller
  • Patent number: 11485184
    Abstract: A three-point suspension link for a chassis of a vehicle has two arms and a central bearing area. Each arm has a bearing area. The three-point suspension link comprises two load-introducing elements, a central load-introducing element, a stabilization layer, a core element and a supporting winding. The stabilization layer and the supporting winding are formed from a fiber reinforced plastic composite material. A load-introducing element is arranged at every bearing area. The central load-introducing element is arranged at the central bearing area. The core element is surrounded by the stabilization layer in a subarea. The supporting winding surrounds the load-introducing elements, the central load-introducing element, the stabilization layer and the core element in a subarea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andre Stieglitz, Ingolf Müller, Philipp Bauer
  • Patent number: 11440363
    Abstract: A three-point suspension link for a chassis of a vehicle comprises two load-introducing elements, a central load-introducing element, two core profiles and a supporting winding. The three-point suspension link has two arms and a central bearing area. Each arm is connected to the central bearing area. Each arm has one of the load-introducing elements which is arranged at an end of the corresponding arm opposite the central bearing area. Each arm has a core profile which is spatially arranged between the load-introducing element and the central load-introducing element. The supporting winding surrounds the core profiles and the central load-introducing element in a subarea and is operatively connected to the core profiles, the load-introducing elements and the central load-introducing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andre Stieglitz, Ingolf Müller, Philipp Bauer
  • Patent number: 11440364
    Abstract: A method for producing a component by a 3D winding method, a filament or a plurality of parallel filaments having a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material is or are laid down on a core in a combination of a plurality of different winding patterns. Every filament is preimpregnated. Every winding pattern influences at least one mechanical characteristic of the component. The mechanical characteristics of the component are selectively adjusted by the sequence, repetition, mixing, and material selection of the individual winding patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ingolf Müller, Manfred Bürgmann, Jens Heimann, Andre Stieglitz, Carsten Sohl, Valentin Hörtdörfer
  • Publication number: 20220212511
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a multipoint link (1) for an undercarriage of a vehicle, comprising a core element (5) formed from a foamed material and at least one roving (10) of bundled continuous filaments wound around the core element (5), wherein the at least one roving (10) winding around the core element (5) in at least one layer forms an outer layer of the multipoint link (5), wherein the core element (5) is constructed as a hollow body which comprises at least two shell elements (11, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Ingolf MÜLLER, Jens HEIMANN, Andre STIEGLITZ, Carsten SOHL, Valentin HÖRTDÖRFER
  • Publication number: 20220212510
    Abstract: A multipoint link for an undercarriage of a vehicle, having a core element formed from a foamed material and at least one roving of bundled continuous filaments wound around the core element, the at least one roving winding around the core element in at least one layer forming an outer layer of the multipoint link. The recesses serving to guide the at least one roving to be laid by winding are incorporated in the surface of the core element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Ingolf MÜLLER, Jens HEIMANN, Andre STIEGLITZ, Carsten SOHL, Valentin HÖRTDÖRFER
  • Patent number: 11298997
    Abstract: A multi-point link for a chassis of a motor vehicle. The multi-point link has at least one profile portion with two bearing areas arranged at opposite ends of the profile portion, the two bearing areas are connected to one another by the profile portion. An outer circumferential surface of the profile portion is provided with at least one stiffening element to increase the stiffness of the multi-point link, and the stiffening element is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the profile portion by material bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andre Stieglitz, Ingolf Müller
  • Patent number: 11279190
    Abstract: An axle strut for a vehicle having a shaft and two bearing regions. The axle strut has a supporting profile and two load-introducing elements. The supporting profile is formed from fiber reinforced plastics composite material. A first load-introducing element and a second load-introducing element are arranged at respective bearing region, and the supporting profile is arranged spatially between the two bearing regions. The supporting profile has a first connection area facing the first bearing region and a second connection area facing the second bearing region. Every load-introducing element has a receptacle. The supporting profile is connected by its first connection area and by the receptacle of the first load-introducing element to the first load-introducing element by an adhesive connection, and the supporting profile is connected by its second connection area and by the receptacle of the second load-introducing element to the second load-introducing element by a further adhesive connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rupflin, Thomas Schwarz, Andre Stieglitz, Philipp Bauer, Ingolf Müller, Manfred Bürgmann
  • Publication number: 20220048349
    Abstract: A chassis link for a motor vehicle having load introduction elements connected by a straight profile portion of fiber-reinforced plastic. The profile portion and load introduction elements are connected via an adhesive connection in a common connection portion in which an end portion of the load introduction element and an end portion engage another in positive engagement. On both sides of a profile portion neutral fiber plane, the adhesive connection has longitudinal adhesive layers extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile portion and parallel to one another in a vertical. In vertical direction of the profile portion the longitudinal adhesive layers have a cross-sectional area becoming larger with increasing distance from the neutral fiber plane so that a relief is brought about in regions of the adhesive connection which have a relatively large distance from the neutral fiber plane in vertical direction of the profile portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Andre STIEGLITZ, Manfred BÜRGMANN, Ingolf MÜLLER
  • Patent number: 11173763
    Abstract: A component part for a motor vehicle having a hollow profile portion of a fiber-reinforced plastic and a load introduction element of a metal material. The hollow profile portion and the load introduction element are connected in a common connection portion via a nondetachable, glued plug-in connection in which an end portion of the load introduction element and an end portion of the hollow profile portion engage in one another by positive engagement. The end portion of the load introduction element has a spline with teeth extending in longitudinal direction of the common connection portion so that the stiffness of the end portion of the load introduction element reduced in longitudinal direction of the common connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andre Stieglitz, Thomas Schwarz, Ingolf Müller
  • Publication number: 20210316584
    Abstract: A multi-point link for a chassis of a motor vehicle. The multi-point link has at least one hollow profile portion including fiber-reinforced plastic and at least one load introduction element including a metallic material. The hollow profile portion, when viewed in cross section, has at least one hollow space formed as a circumferentially closed chamber. The hollow profile portion and the load introduction element are connected to one another in a common connection portion via a nondetachable glued plug-in connection. At least one stiffening element, which is fixedly connected to the hollow profile portion, is arranged in the chamber to increase the stiffness of the multi-point link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Andre STIEGLITZ, Ingolf MULLER