Patents by Inventor Manfred Heidemann

Manfred Heidemann 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: 11815128
    Abstract: A ball joint, in particular a chassis joint, which has a housing and a ball socket that comprises a ball bearing section for receiving a joint ball. An anti-rotation member prevents movement of the ball socket within the housing. To improve operational performance of the ball joint, the anti-rotation member is formed by a connecting element of the housing and a mating connecting element of the ball socket. The connecting elements have corresponding holding profiles so that, in an assembled condition, the connecting elements form a shape-enclosing plug-in connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Hahn, Wolfgang Eulerich, Manfred Heidemann
  • Publication number: 20220003266
    Abstract: A ball joint, in particular a chassis joint, which has a housing and a ball socket that comprises a ball bearing section for receiving a joint ball. An anti-rotation member prevents movement of the ball socket within the housing. To improve operational performance of the ball joint, the anti-rotation member is formed by a connecting element of the housing and a mating connecting element of the ball socket. The connecting elements have corresponding holding profiles so that, in an assembled condition, the connecting elements form a shape-enclosing plug-in connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Michael HAHN, Wolfgang EULERICH, Manfred HEIDEMANN
  • Patent number: 9175720
    Abstract: A ball joint with a ball pin and a steel ball pin with a joint ball. The ball joint and ball pin are suitable for use when, for example, solid-on-solid friction predominates under high static pre-loading or high operational loads and with small joint movements. A portion of the surface of the ball pin has surface layer hardening in order to increase a fatigue strength of the ball pin. The ball pin and the ball joint, on portion of the ball pin without the any surface layer hardened, includes a nitrided layer as wear protection. The ball pin and the ball joint provide an advantageous combination of high fatigue strength, good corrosion protection and high wear-resistance. The nitrided layer of ball joints, previously only regarded as improving corrosion protection, also functions as a wear protection. Thus, these ball pins overcome the mutual exclusion between surface layer hardening and nitriding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Dirk Adamczyk, Wolfgang Kleiner, Klaus Pape, Wolfgang Eulerich, Martin Rechtien, Thomas Wiegmann, Manfred Heidemann, Jochen Kruse, Johannes Tabor, Rainer Jasper, Ulrich Schefzyk
  • Publication number: 20130071175
    Abstract: A ball joint with a ball pin and a steel ball pin with a joint ball. The ball joint and ball pin are suitable for use when, for example, solid-on-solid friction predominates under high static pre-loading or high operational loads and with small joint movements. A portion of the surface of the ball pin has surface layer hardening in order to increase a fatigue strength of the ball pin. The ball pin and the ball joint, on portion of the ball pin without the any surface layer hardened, includes a nitrided layer as wear protection. The ball pin and the ball joint provide an advantageous combination of high fatigue strength, good corrosion protection and high wear-resistance. The nitrided layer of ball joints, previously only regarded as improving corrosion protection, also functions as a wear protection. Thus, these ball pins overcome the mutual exclusion between surface layer hardening and nitriding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Dirk Adamczyk, Wolfgang Kleiner, Klaus Pape, Wolfgang Eulerich, Martin Rechtien, Thomas Wiegmann, Manfred Heidemann, Jochen Kruse, Johannes Tabor, Rainer Jasper, Ulrich Schefzyk
  • Patent number: 8137021
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle is provided with a ball pivot (1), which is accommodated rotatably and pivotably in a one-part or multipart bearing shell (4) fixed by a closing ring (2) in a housing (3). A metallic deformation element (5), which assumes a sealing function in the assembled state of the ball and socket joint, is arranged between the closing ring (2) and the housing (3). The deformation element (5) is elastically deformed during the assembly of the ball and socket joint and is arranged at the housing (3) and/or at the closing ring (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Manfred Heidemann, Hans Prins
  • Publication number: 20100054851
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket or a bushing joint for a motor vehicle. The ball-and-socket joint has an essentially annular joint housing with an essentially cylindrical interior space in which a ball socket is arranged. The ball socket is fixed within the joint housing by a sealing ring and a ball, of a ball pin, is held within the ball socket. A surface of the sealing ring facing the ball socket has a radially outer portion that is smooth and a radially inner portion in contact with the ball socket that is serrated secures the ball socket from rotating within the joint housing. The ball-and-socket joint offers advantage with regard to the reduction in size, weight and manufacturing costs and the shorter tolerances in the area of the housing cover simplify production of the components and proportionally reduce manufacturing rejects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Manfred Heidemann
  • Publication number: 20100008714
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle is provided with a ball pivot (1), which is accommodated rotatably and pivotably in a one-part or multipart bearing shell (4) fixed by a closing ring (2) in a housing (3). A metallic deformation element (5), which assumes a sealing function in the assembled state of the ball and socket joint, is arranged between the closing ring (2) and the housing (3). The deformation element (5) is elastically deformed during the assembly of the ball and socket joint and is arranged at the housing (3) and/or at the closing ring (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Manfred Heidemann, Hans Prins
  • Patent number: 7441979
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint is provided, preferably for use in vehicles, especially in the area of the chassis of motor vehicles. The ball and socket joint includes a ball and socket joint housing having a joint opening, with a ball pivot, which is arranged in the ball and socket joint housing, extends through the joint opening and with which a shaft is made integral. A support ring is arranged on the shaft of the ball pivot. A sealing element is arranged between the support ring and a connection component surrounding the shaft of the ball pivot. The function of the sealing element is preserved over comparatively long periods of time without being adversely affected by corrosion phenomena in the area of the ball pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Heidemann, Helmut Noe, Anja Wehrsse
  • Publication number: 20070092329
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint is provided, preferably for use in vehicles, especially in the area of the chassis of motor vehicles. The ball and socket joint includes a ball and socket joint housing having a joint opening, with a ball pivot, which is arranged in the ball and socket joint housing, extends through the joint opening and with which a shaft is made integral. A support ring is arranged on the shaft of the ball pivot. A sealing element is arranged between the support ring and a connection component surrounding the shaft of the ball pivot. The function of the sealing element is preserved over comparatively long periods of time without being adversely affected by corrosion phenomena in the area of the ball pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Manfred Heidemann, Helmut Noe, Anja Wehrsse
  • Patent number: 7090425
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint, especially for steering mechanisms and/or wheel suspensions of motor vehicles, with a ball pivot (1), which is accommodated rotatably and tiltably in a one-part or multipart bearing shell (4) within a joint housing (7), wherein the bearing shell (4) is fixed in the joint housing by a closing ring (9), wherein a metallic compressible element (18), which provides a sealing contact surface between the joint housing (7) and the closing ring (9) in the assembled state of the ball-and-socket joint, is arranged between the closing ring (9) and the joint housing (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Jürgen Gräber, Manfred Heidemann, Guido Remme, Hans Prins
  • Publication number: 20040057781
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint, especially for steering mechanisms and/or wheel suspensions of motor vehicles, with a ball pivot (1), which is accommodated rotatably and tiltably in a one-part or multipart bearing shell (4) within a joint housing (7), wherein the bearing shell (4) is fixed in the joint housing by a closing ring (9), wherein a metallic compressible element (18), which provides a sealing contact surface between the joint housing (7) and the closing ring (9) in the assembled state of the ball-and-socket joint, is arranged between the closing ring (9) and the joint housing (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Jurgen Graber, Manfred Heidemann, Guido Remme, Hans Prins
  • Patent number: 6688165
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint, preferably for vehicle suspensions or steering mechanisms of motor vehicles, has a joint housing and a pivot pin, which is mounted rotatably and deflectably in a spherical bearing surface via a one-part or multipart bearing shell. The bearing shell itself is fixed in the joint housing. The joint housing or the pivot pin is fixed against the vehicle suspension in an electrically insulated manner, in which the joint housing (1) and the pivot pin (2) are connected according to a potential difference-measuring unit (13) via electrical contacts (12, 14). The spherical bearing surface of the pivot pin (2) and its corresponding opposite surface in the joint housing (1) are electrically insulated against each other. The state of wear of a ball-and-socket joint can be determined and the user of the motor vehicle can obtain an indication of the end of the service life of the ball-and-socket joint and the necessary repair in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lemforder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Manfred Heidemann
  • Patent number: 6554525
    Abstract: A radial ball-and-socket joint is provided with a housing. A bearing shell (2) in the housing rotatably and tiltably accommodates a joint ball (4). The joint ball is part of a ball pivot (3). The ball pivot also has a shaft (5), which projects through a outlet opening (6) of the housing (1). The housing is closed with a cover (7) on the side opposite the outlet opening (6). The bearing shell (2), accommodated in the housing in a positioned manner, has an axially extending continuous slot (8). The cover (7), arranged between the cover and the bearing shell, has a geometry (9) impressed into a damping element (11) on its inner side facing the bearing shell. As a result of the construction the damping element (11) and the bearing shell are fixed in the housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Manfred Heidemann, Guido Schulte, Martin Rechtien, Olaf Abels, Frank Berstermann, Rainer Ungruh
  • Publication number: 20030070476
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint, preferably for vehicle suspensions or steering mechanisms of motor vehicles, with a joint housing and a pivot pin, which is mounted rotatably and deflectably in a spherical bearing surface by means of a one-part or multipart bearing shell, wherein the bearing shell itself is fixed in the joint housing and wherein the joint housing or the pivot pin is fixed against the vehicle suspension in an electrically insulated manner, in which the joint housing 1 and the pivot pin 2 are connected according to the present invention to a potential difference-measuring means 13 by means of electrical contacting 12, 14 and the spherical bearing surface of the pivot pin 2 and its corresponding opposite surface in the joint housing 1 are electrically insulated against each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Manfred Heidemann
  • Patent number: 6431782
    Abstract: A corrosion-protected modular unit is disclosed with two components, of which a first metallic component exhibits a socket opening, into which a second component is capable of being inserted at least partially, and the second component is endowed with a sealing element which interacts via an abutment face with the surface of the first component. An anticorrosive element (5) is applied in firmly adherent manner on the surface of the first component between the abutment face (1) of the sealing element (2) and the surface (3) of the first component (4). The process includes the application of a surface-protection layer on the first metallic component (4), machining of a surface region (3.1) of the surface (3) of the first component (4), insertion of a mounting pin (10) into the socket opening (6) of the first component (4), adhesive bonding of the anticorrosive element (5) onto the prepared surface region (3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Manfred Heidemann, Jürgen von Garrel