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).
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Patent number: 11815128Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Hahn, Wolfgang Eulerich, Manfred Heidemann
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Publication number: 20220003266Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Michael HAHN, Wolfgang EULERICH, Manfred HEIDEMANN
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Patent number: 9175720Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Dirk Adamczyk, Wolfgang Kleiner, Klaus Pape, Wolfgang Eulerich, Martin Rechtien, Thomas Wiegmann, Manfred Heidemann, Jochen Kruse, Johannes Tabor, Rainer Jasper, Ulrich Schefzyk
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Publication number: 20130071175Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Dirk Adamczyk, Wolfgang Kleiner, Klaus Pape, Wolfgang Eulerich, Martin Rechtien, Thomas Wiegmann, Manfred Heidemann, Jochen Kruse, Johannes Tabor, Rainer Jasper, Ulrich Schefzyk
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Patent number: 8137021Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Manfred Bohne, Manfred Heidemann, Hans Prins
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Publication number: 20100054851Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Manfred Bohne, Manfred Heidemann
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Publication number: 20100008714Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2007Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Manfred Heidemann, Hans Prins
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Patent number: 7441979Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Manfred Heidemann, Helmut Noe, Anja Wehrsse
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Publication number: 20070092329Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2005Publication date: April 26, 2007Inventors: Manfred Heidemann, Helmut Noe, Anja Wehrsse
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Patent number: 7090425Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Manfred Bohne, Jürgen Gräber, Manfred Heidemann, Guido Remme, Hans Prins
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Publication number: 20040057781Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Jurgen Graber, Manfred Heidemann, Guido Remme, Hans Prins
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Patent number: 6688165Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: ZF Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventor: Manfred Heidemann
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Patent number: 6554525Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Manfred Heidemann, Guido Schulte, Martin Rechtien, Olaf Abels, Frank Berstermann, Rainer Ungruh
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Publication number: 20030070476Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2001Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventor: Manfred Heidemann
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Patent number: 6431782Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Manfred Heidemann, Jürgen von Garrel