Patents by Inventor Jochen Bals

Jochen Bals 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: 20260160102
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a pivotable vehicle flap includes a housing which includes a first housing part and a second housing part, and a pretensioning part arranged in the housing and extending along a longitudinal axis for pretensioning the first housing part relative to the second housing part. The adjustment device also includes a first connection element arranged at a first end of the housing for connecting to one of the vehicle body and the vehicle flap, and a second connection element arranged at a second end of the housing for connecting to the other of the vehicle body and the vehicle flap. A first securing element axially secures the first connection element to the housing, and the first securing element has a securing portion which is coupled to the housing. The securing portion includes a first securing collar which is connected to an inner side of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Inventors: Jorg DORNEN, Peter Mrowka, Jochen Bals, Ervin Jahic
  • Patent number: 12523082
    Abstract: A drive device, in particular a spindle drive for a vehicle panel, including a housing, a drive element which extends along a drive axis, an output element which extends along an output axis, and a coupling device which is arranged between the drive element and the output element which has at least one first coupling element for coupling the drive element and the output element. The coupling device can be moved from a decoupling position into a coupling position, which couples the drive element and the output element together, by actuating the drive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignees: Edscha Engineering GmbH, BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jörg Dornen, Jochen Bals, Enrico Horn
  • Patent number: 12497814
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a support device, in particular for a vehicle flap, comprising a housing (2) which can be connected between the vehicle flap and the vehicle body and which comprises at least one first housing part (3) and a second housing part (4) said the first housing part (3) and second housing part (4) are movable relative to each other in a telescopically guided manner. The support device also includes a spindle drive (8) which is coupled to the housing (2). The spindle drive (8) comprises a spindle rod (9) and a spindle nut (10) which is in thread engagement with the spindle rod (9), and one of the aforementioned components, i.e. the spindle rod (9) and the spindle nut (10), is rotatably arranged in the housing (2) about a spindle axis (S) and the respective other component is rotationally fixed in the housing (2). The support device also includes a first brake device (16) which is coupled to one of the aforementioned components in order to brake the rotation of the said component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Edscha Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Bartschies, Jochen Bals, Marek Bady
  • Patent number: 12259026
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control drive, in particular a spindle drive for adjusting a swivelable vehicle flap, comprising a housing (2), a spindle rod (3) that is rotatably mounted in the housing (2), a first coupling element (5) for driving a rotational movement of the spindle rod (3), and a torque-limiting device (6) arranged between the first coupling element (5) and the spindle rod (3) for limiting the torque transmitted from the first coupling element (5) to the spindle rod (3), comprising an adapter sleeve (8) arranged at a first end (3a) of the spindle rod (3) in a rotationally fixed manner, and a first tolerance element (13) arranged between the spindle rod (3) and the first coupling element (5). According to the invention, a control drive is provided, which is designed such that it is compact and can be economically produced, in such a way that the first tolerance element (13) is rotationally fixed to one of the first coupling element (5) and the adapter sleeve (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Edscha Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Dörnen, Christian Bartschies, Christoph Schmidt, Jochen Bals
  • Publication number: 20250067109
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a support device, in particular for a vehicle flap, comprising a housing (2) which can be connected between the vehicle flap and the vehicle body and which comprises at least one first housing part (3) and a second housing part (4) said the first housing part (3) and second housing part (4) are movable relative to each other in a telescopically guided manner. The support device also includes a spindle drive (8) which is coupled to the housing (2). The spindle drive (8) comprises a spindle rod (9) and a spindle nut (10) which is in thread engagement with the spindle rod (9), and one of the aforementioned components, i.e. the spindle rod (9) and the spindle nut (10), is rotatably arranged in the housing (2) about a spindle axis(S) and the respective other component is rotationally fixed in the housing (2). The support device also includes a first brake device (16) which is coupled to one of the aforementioned components in order to brake the rotation of the said component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Christian BARTSCHIES, Jochen BALS, Marek BADY
  • Patent number: 12203317
    Abstract: A brake arrangement for a drive apparatus, in particular for a drive apparatus for adjusting a vehicle flap, includes a brake housing (2), wherein the brake housing (2) comprises a first brake housing part (3) and a second brake housing part (7), a first brake element (13) which is arranged non-rotatably in the brake housing (2), a second brake element (15) which is arranged rotatably in the brake housing (2), and a preload means (19) for preloading one of the first brake element (13) and second brake element (15) toward the other of the first brake element (13) and second brake element (15) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the brake housing (2). The brake housing (2) has a connecting section (11) for connecting the first brake housing part (3) and the second brake housing part (7), and in that the first brake housing part (3) and the second brake housing part (7) are welded to one another in the connecting section (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Edscha Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Dörnen, Christian Bartschies, Jochen Bals, Peter Mrowka
  • Publication number: 20250012331
    Abstract: A braking device for a driveable part includes a driveable loading device which can be brought into radial contact with the driveable part having a first holding position and a second releasing position. At least one breaking member of the holding position bears frictionally against a radial circumference of the driveable part and secures the driveable part against rotation with a pre-settable force. The releasing position of the braking member permits a freewheeling of the driveable part. The loading device is adjustable between the holding position and the releasing position. The driveable part is coupled to an at least one permanent brake. A braking torque of the holding position of the permanent brake acts on the driveable part. The releasing position of the driveable part is freely rotatable with the permanent brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Jose-Manuel Gutierrez-Fernandez, Jochen BALS, Matthias Obrig
  • Patent number: 12084626
    Abstract: A spring part, in particular for a driving device, includes a spring body extending around a central axis. The spring body comprises several spring windings which run radially around a spring axis and are made of at least a base material. The base material is surrounded at least by a first protective layer, and the spring body is at least partially covered on the outside by a lubricant. A method for manufacturing a spring part includes the steps of providing a spring body with several spring windings made of a base material and coating the base material at least with a first protective layer. The method includes the step of applying a lubricant formed as a silicone-based lubricant to the outside of the coated spring body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: EDSCHA ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Mrowka, Christian Bartschies, Gerhard Bauer, Jochen Bals
  • Patent number: 12078005
    Abstract: A brake device for a drivable part, in particular for use for a vehicle flap, in particular in an automobile, includes a drivable load device (11) which can be radially brought into contact with a disc (90) of the drivable part, with a first holding position and a second release position. At least one brake element rests against the periphery (92) of the disc (90) in a frictional manner in the holding position and secures the disc (90) from rotating using a specifiable force. In the release position, the at least one brake element is arranged at a distance from the periphery of the disc (90) and allows a free run of the disc (90), and the load device (11) can be adjusted between the holding position and the release position, preferably by a motor (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: EDSCHA ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Christiaan Blokpoel, Jose-Manuel Gutierrez-Fernandez, Jochen Bals, Matthias Obrig
  • Publication number: 20240200386
    Abstract: A drive device, in particular a spindle drive for a vehicle panel, including a housing, a drive element which extends along a drive axis, an output element which extends along an output axis, and a coupling device which is arranged between the drive element and the output element which has at least one first coupling element for coupling the drive element and the output element. The coupling device can be moved from a decoupling position into a coupling position, which couples the drive element and the output element together, by actuating the drive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Jörg DORNEN, Jochen BALS, Enrico HORN
  • Patent number: 11971074
    Abstract: A brake arrangement for a drive apparatus includes a brake case (15), a first brake element (17), a second brake element (19), and a preload (21) for preloading one of first brake element (17) and second brake element (19) onto the other of first brake element (17) and second brake element (19). A brake arrangement for a drive apparatus, which brake arrangement exhibits a substantially temperature-dependent and consistent braking action, is realized in that an intermediate element (20) is arranged between the first brake element (17) and the second brake element (19), and the first brake element (17) and the second brake element (19) are spaced apart from one another by the intermediate element (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: EDSCHA ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Bals, Jörg Dörnen
  • Patent number: 11913526
    Abstract: A spindle rod for a spindle device includes a threaded rod (2) with a threaded portion (3) extending along a spindle axis (S) and a coupling part (7) for coupling the threaded rod (2) to a drive or a gear of a drive device. The coupling part (7) is integrally connected to a first end (2a) of the threaded rod (2). The coupling part (7) has a connecting portion (7a) provided for connecting the threaded rod (2) at a first end (2a) facing the threaded rod. The connecting portion (7a) has a bead-shaped thickening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: EDSCHA ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Jorg Dornen, Peter Mrowka, Christian Bartschies, Jochen Bals
  • Publication number: 20240060528
    Abstract: A drive device includes a housing having a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part is axially movable in relation to the second housing part along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The drive device includes a preloading means located in the housing for axially preloading the first housing part with respect to the second housing part; a spindle rod coupled to one of the first housing part and the second housing part; and a spindle nut. The spindle nut is in threaded engagement with the spindle rod and is coupled to the other one of the first housing part and the second housing part. A stop part is at least indirectly connected to the first housing part, and a first end of the preloading means rests against the stop part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventor: Jochen BALS
  • Publication number: 20230126471
    Abstract: A brake arrangement for a drive apparatus, in particular for a drive apparatus for adjusting a vehicle flap, includes a brake housing (2), wherein the brake housing (2) comprises a first brake housing part (3) and a second brake housing part (7), a first brake element (13) which is arranged non-rotatably in the brake housing (2), a second brake element (15) which is arranged rotatably in the brake housing (2), and a preload means (19) for preloading one of the first brake element (13) and second brake element (15) toward the other of the first brake element (13) and second brake element (15) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the brake housing (2). The brake housing (2) has a connecting section (11) for connecting the first brake housing part (3) and the second brake housing part (7), and in that the first brake housing part (3) and the second brake housing part (7) are welded to one another in the connecting section (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Jörg Dörnen, Christian Bartschies, Jochen Bals, Peter Mrowka
  • Publication number: 20230108973
    Abstract: A spring part, in particular for a driving device, includes a spring body extending around a central axis. The spring body comprises several spring windings which run radially around a spring axis and are made of at least a base material. The base material is surrounded at least by a first protective layer, and the spring body is at least partially covered on the outside by a lubricant. A method for manufacturing a spring part includes the steps of providing a spring body with several spring windings made of a base material and coating the base material at least with a first protective layer. The method includes the step of applying a lubricant formed as a silicone-based lubricant to the outside of the coated spring body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Mrowka, Christian Bartschies, Gerhard Bauer, Jochen Bals
  • Publication number: 20230090696
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control drive, in particular a spindle drive for adjusting a swivellable vehicle flap, comprising a housing (2), a spindle rod (3) that is rotatably mounted in the housing (2), a first coupling element (5) for driving a rotational movement of the spindle rod (3), and a torque-limiting device (6) arranged between the first coupling element (5) and the spindle rod (3) for limiting the torque transmitted from the first coupling element (5) to the spindle rod (3), comprising an adapter sleeve (8) arranged at a first end (3a) of the spindle rod (3) in a rotationally fixed manner, and a first tolerance element (13) arranged between the spindle rod (3) and the first coupling element (5). According to the invention, a control drive is provided, which is designed such that it is compact and can be economically produced, in such a way that the first tolerance element (13) is rotationally fixed to one of the first coupling element (5) and the adapter sleeve (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jörg Dörnen, Christian Bartschies, Christoph Schmidt, Jochen BALS
  • Publication number: 20220196125
    Abstract: A spindle rod for a spindle device includes a threaded rod (2) with a threaded portion (3) extending along a spindle axis (S) and a coupling part (7) for coupling the threaded rod (2) to a drive or a gear of a drive device. The coupling part (7) is integrally connected to a first end (2a) of the threaded rod (2). The coupling part (7) has a connecting portion (7a) provided for connecting the threaded rod (2) at a first end (2a) facing the threaded rod. The connecting portion (7a) has a bead-shaped thickening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Jorg DORNEN, Peter MROWKA, Christian BARTSCHIES, Jochen BALS
  • Patent number: 11339599
    Abstract: A drive device for a pivoting vehicle flap, includes a first housing part (3), a second housing part (4), wherein the first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4) are designed to be movable toward each other in the direction of the axial extension (x) of the drive device (1), a spindle rod (12) rotatably arranged on one of the first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4) and a spindle nut (13) arranged in a rotatably fixed manner on the other of the first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4), a braking device (19), comprising a first brake element, which is connected to the spindle rod (12) in a rotatably fixed manner, a second brake element, which is connected to one of the first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4) in a rotatably fixed manner, wherein the first brake element can interact with the second brake element in order to generate a brake force, and a magnet arrangement for generating a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: EDSCHA ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Andre Wirth, Jochen Bals
  • Publication number: 20220098914
    Abstract: A brake device for a drivable part, in particular for use for a vehicle flap, in particular in an automobile, includes a drivable load device (11) which can be radially brought into contact with a disc (90) of the drivable part, with a first holding position and a second release position. At least one brake element rests against the periphery (92) of the disc (90) in a frictional manner in the holding position and secures the disc (90) from rotating using a specifiable force. In the release position, the at least one brake element is arranged at a distance from the periphery of the disc (90) and allows a free run of the disc (90), and the load device (11) can be adjusted between the holding position and the release position, preferably by a motor (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Christiaan Blokpoel, Jose-Manuel Gutierrez-Fernandez, Jochen Bals, Matthias Obrig
  • Patent number: 11199039
    Abstract: A drive device for a vehicle flap includes an electric motor (2) for driving the vehicle flap, and a supply switching circuit (3). The supply switching circuit (3) includes a first voltage source (9) for supplying current to the electric motor (2), a first electrical supply line (4) and a second electrical supply line (5). The first voltage source (9) is arranged between the first electrical supply line (4) and the second electrical supply line (5). The drive device also includes a control switching circuit (12) including a second voltage source (14) and a switching control device (13). The drive device includes a switching element (10) and a diode (11) connected between the first electrical supply line (4) and the second electrical supply line (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: EDSCHA ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Marc Zander, Jochen Bals