Patents by Inventor Joachim Biller

Joachim Biller 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).

  • Publication number: 20220230790
    Abstract: A control element comprises a magnetorheological elastomer or a magnetorheological fluid and at least one drive assembly for generating a variable magnetic field. A variable feel for the user can be generated by means of the drive assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Erwin BIEGGER, Fabian SCHRADER, Michael PANTKE, Georg TENCKHOFF, Joachim BILLER
  • Publication number: 20220223358
    Abstract: A control element comprises an electro-rheological material and at least one driver assembly for generating a variable magnetic field. A variable feel that can be registered by a user can be generated by means of the driver assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Erwin Biegger, Fabian Schrader, Georg Tenckhoff, Michael Pantke, Joachim Biller
  • Patent number: 10179565
    Abstract: In a load limiting device (10), especially for a seat belt in a vehicle, comprising a controllable braking device (16) which has a fluid-filled compartment (24) including a conduit (34) through which the fluid (23) can flow, an element to be decelerated (32) which is coupled to the seat belt, at least one sensor (18) for detecting vehicle operating data, especially an acceleration sensor, a sensor (20) for detecting the webbing extension, and a controller (22) for controlling the braking power of the braking device (16) as a function of the vehicle operating data measured and the webbing extension measured, the fluid (23) is a magnetorheological fluid and a control magnet is provided which is adapted to generate a variable magnetic field inside the conduit (34) and to vary the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid inside the conduit (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Hans-Peter Bausch
  • Patent number: 9566936
    Abstract: An actuator, especially for a vehicle protection system, comprises at least one wire (14) variable in shape depending on temperature made from a shape memory alloy and an elongate pyrotechnical element (12) connected to the shape-variable wire (14) so that upon ignition of the pyrotechnical element (12) the wire (14) is heated and experiences a change of length. The vehicle protection system is, for example, an airbag system comprising an airbag and a regulating mechanism for the internal airbag pressure, wherein the wire (14) of the actuator (10) is connected to the regulating mechanism so that a change of shape of the wire (14) exerts a force on the regulating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Silvia Feifel, Karl-Heinz Koeppel, Senra Oezkan
  • Publication number: 20150329076
    Abstract: In a load limiting device (10), especially for a seat belt in a vehicle, comprising a controllable braking device (18) which has a fluid-filled compartment (24) including a conduit (34) through which the fluid (23) can flow, an element to be decelerated (32) which is coupled to the seat belt, at least one sensor (18) for detecting vehicle operating data, especially an acceleration sensor, a sensor (20) for detecting the webbing extension, and a controller (22) for controlling the braking power of the braking device (16) as a function of the vehicle operating data measured and the webbing extension measured, the fluid (23) is a magnetorheological fluid and a control magnet is provided which is adapted to generate a variable magnetic field inside the conduit (34) and to vary the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid inside the conduit (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Hans-Peter Bausch
  • Patent number: 9174608
    Abstract: A belt retractor including a force limiter comprises a belt reel which is rotatably supported in a frame as well as a blocking unit counteracting a rotation of the belt reel and a force limiter between the belt reel and the blocking unit which permits a limited torsion of the belt reel against the blocking unit under load. The force limiter includes a damping element consisting of a cross-linked polymer which is sheared under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Nizam Bedak, Joachim Biller, Michael Folter, Helmut Schuster, Susanne Schuster
  • Publication number: 20150130173
    Abstract: An actuator, especially for a vehicle protection system, comprises at least one wire (14) variable in shape depending on temperature made from a shape memory alloy and an elongate pyrotechnical element (12) connected to the shape-variable wire (14) so that upon ignition of the pyrotechnical element (12) the wire (14) is heated and experiences a change of length. The vehicle protection system is, for example, an airbag system comprising an airbag and a regulating mechanism for the internal airbag pressure, wherein the wire (14) of the actuator (10) is connected to the regulating mechanism so that a change of shape of the wire (14) exerts a force on the regulating mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Silvia Feifel, Karl-Heinz Koeppel, Senra Oezkan
  • Patent number: 9010672
    Abstract: A belt retractor has a frame (10), a belt spool (12) that is rotatably mounted in the frame (10), and a force limiter (22) that is adapted to reach a force limiting position. A guide-in mechanism (26) is provided which causes the force limiter (22) to reach the force limiting position as a function of the length of belt webbing withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Nizam Bedak, Oliver Gross, Joachim Biller, Bernd Gentner, Andreas Henning
  • Publication number: 20120273601
    Abstract: A belt retractor including a force limiter comprises a belt reel which is rotatably supported in a frame as well as a blocking unit counteracting a rotation of the belt reel and a force limiter between the belt reel and the blocking unit which permits a limited torsion of the belt reel against the blocking unit under load. The force limiter includes a damping element consisting of a cross-linked polymer which is sheared under load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Nizam Bedak, Joachim Biller, Michael Folter, Helmut Schuster, Susanne Schuster
  • Patent number: 8146852
    Abstract: A rotation damper, particularly for damping the rotary movement of a belt retractor shaft of a vehicle safety belt, has a housing which delimits a working space filled with a damping medium, and an element which is rotatable relative to the housing. Several pins serving as resistance elements, which extend into the working space, are provided on the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Oliver Gross, Bernd Gentner
  • Publication number: 20110121123
    Abstract: A rotation damper, particularly for damping the rotary movement of a belt retractor shaft of a vehicle safety belt, has a housing which delimits a working space filled with a damping medium, and an element which is rotatable relative to the housing. Several pins serving as resistance elements, which extend into the working space, are provided on the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Oliver Gross, Bernd Gentner
  • Publication number: 20100243782
    Abstract: A belt retractor (10) comprises a belt reel (12), an adaptive belt limiter (20) and a belt tensioner (22). The force limiter (20) is arranged between the belt reel (12) and the belt tensioner (22) and is operated with a high characteristic during tensioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Nizam Bedak, Frank Hufschmied
  • Publication number: 20080185832
    Abstract: A seat belt system for a motor vehicle with a belt roller (14) and a belt strap (16) wound on the belt roller (14) further has a braking arrangement (17) that can be actuated by an actuator (32) for braking movement of the belt strap (16), the braking arrangement (17) being equipped with an arrangement (20, 38, 40) for automatically increasing an actuating force generated by the actuator (32), the actuator (32) being connected to an electronic control unit (35). The electronic control unit (35) controls the actuator (32) as a function of at least one occupant-specific and/or situation-specific parameter in order to effect braking of the movement of the belt strap (16) that is adapted thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Bernd Gombert
  • Publication number: 20080116310
    Abstract: A belt retractor has a frame (10), a belt spool (12) that is rotatably mounted in the frame (10), and a force limiter (22) that is adapted to reach a force limiting position. A guide-in mechanism (26) is provided which causes the force limiter (22) to reach the force limiting position as a function of the length of belt webbing withdrawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Nizam Bedak, Oliver Gross, Joachim Biller, Bernd Gentner, Andreas Henning
  • Publication number: 20070261930
    Abstract: A rotation damper, particularly for damping the rotary movement of a belt retractor shaft of a vehicle safety belt, has a housing which delimits a working space filled with a damping medium, and an element which is rotatable relative to the housing. Several pins serving as resistance elements, which extend into the working space, are provided on the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Oliver Gross, Bernd Gentner
  • Publication number: 20060226273
    Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle occupant restraint system is able to be transferred from a first state into a second state. An impulse-controlled actor is provided to transfer the safety device from the first state into the second state. The actor is preferably a linear adjustment drive with a bistable lifting magnet (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Prokscha, Joachim Biller, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Publication number: 20060091252
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt system has a frame, a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame, and a brake device. The brake device includes at least one first brake element and a brake disk rotatably disposed relative to the first brake element and has an adjusting disk rotatable with respect to the brake element. The brake device is designed such that a rotation of the adjusting disk causes a displacement of the first brake element, so that the brake element is caused to rest against the brake disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Wolf-Dieter Hoenl
  • Patent number: 6976707
    Abstract: A device for tensioning a safety belt includes a motor and a traction transmission device having a first end and a second end. The second end of the traction transmission device is coupled to a belt buckle or an end fitting of the safety belt. The motor is constructed as a tensioner drive for an emergency tensioning. The traction transmission device is coupled to the motor such that a drive movement of the motor is converted into a longitudinal movement of the traction transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Mödinger, Joachim Biller
  • Patent number: 6932324
    Abstract: A buckle tensioner for pre-tensioning a safety belt band comprises a traction transmission device engaging on a belt buckle, a motor and a pressure storing device which is able to be compressed by means of the motor. The traction transmission device is coupled in a force-fitting manner to the pressure storing device and the pressure storing device is arranged such that an expansion of the pressure storing device brings about a pulling away of the belt buckle for tensioning the safety belt band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Alexander Heilig
  • Publication number: 20040000783
    Abstract: A buckle tensioner for pre-tensioning a safety belt band comprises a traction transmission device engaging on a belt buckle, a motor and a pressure storing device which is able to be compressed by means of the motor. The traction transmission device is coupled in a force-fitting manner to the pressure storing device and the pressure storing device is arranged such that an expansion of the pressure storing device brings about a pulling away of the belt buckle for tensioning the safety belt band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Alexander Heilig