Patents by Inventor Michael Kleinmann

Michael Kleinmann 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: 8430446
    Abstract: A spindle drive for a movable component includes a threaded spindle, which can be driven in rotation about a rotational axis by a reversible drive. A spindle nut is mounted nonrotatably on the spindle. By means of the spindle nut, a transmission element connected to the movable component can be driven axially with respect to the spindle axis. The spindle nut can be connected to and disconnected from the transmission element by a connecting device. A nut position sensor detects the position of the spindle nut and a component sensor detects the axial position of the transmission element. If it is concluded that there is plausibility between the signals of the nut position sensor and the component sensor, the spindle nut can be connected to the transmission element by the connecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
  • Patent number: 7980624
    Abstract: The device for actuating a pivoting movement of a vehicle flap about a pivot axis includes a gas spring having a cylinder and a piston rod protruding from the cylinder. Either the cylinder or the piston rod is coupled to a fixed component of the vehicle body, and the other one of cylinder and piston rod is coupled to the flap at a distance from the pivot axis. A flexurally rigid guide extends parallel adjacent to the gas spring and is fixedly connected to the cylinder of the gas spring. One region of a flexible tension and compression element is guided in the guide and operatively connected to the flap, and a second region is guided in a flexible casing and operatively connected to a reversible drive, so that the flexible tension and compression element can be motor-driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Hillen, Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
  • Patent number: 7798556
    Abstract: An opening device for a flap of a vehicle, in particular for a rear flap, pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis on the upper edge of an opening in the vehicle body from a closed position into an open position having a gas-filled spring coupled to the body by the free end of its piston rod at a distance from the pivot axis and coupled to the flap by its pressure tube at a distance from the pivot axis. The gas-filled spring in the exload direction applies a force to the flap in the opening direction. Furthermore, an actuator can act on the flap in the opening direction. The actuator is an energy accumulator which, applies a force to the flap during its opening stroke from the closed position until a relaxed position of the energy accumulator is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Arenz, Michael Kleinmann, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen, Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken
  • Publication number: 20100181800
    Abstract: The device for actuating a pivoting movement of a vehicle flap about a pivot axis includes a gas spring having a cylinder and a piston rod protruding from the cylinder. Either the cylinder or the piston rod is coupled to a fixed component of the vehicle body, and the other one of cylinder and piston rod is coupled to the flap at a distance from the pivot axis. A flexurally rigid guide extends parallel adjacent to the gas spring and is fixedly connected to the cylinder of the gas spring. One region of a flexible tension and compression element is guided in the guide and operatively connected to the flap, and a second region is guided in a flexible casing and operatively connected to a reversible drive, so that the flexible tension and compression element can be motor driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Jörg Hillen, Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
  • Patent number: 7634951
    Abstract: A spindle drive for a movable component includes a threaded spindle which is rotatable about a spindle axis; a spindle nut which engages the threaded spindle; and a transmission element which can be connected to the movable component, the transmission element being fixed against rotation about the spindle axis and being axially drivable by rotation of the spindle nut. An intermediate element, which is fixed against rotation relative to the spindle nut, extends axially with respect to the threaded spindle and is rotatable relative to the threaded spindle. A drive is connected to rotate one of the intermediate element and the threaded spindle; and the other of the intermediate element and the threaded spindle can be fixed against rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
  • Patent number: 7506556
    Abstract: Apparatus for the motorized opening and closing of a motor vehicle body part which can be pivoted with respect to a vehicle body about a hinged lid axis includes a guide cylinder having a first end and a second end which can be coupled to the body at a pivot axis which is parallel to the hinged lid axis, a piston guided displaceably in the cylinder, and a piston rod having one end attached to the piston and an opposite end which protrudes from the first end of the cylinder and can be coupled to the pivotable body part at a distance from the hinged lid axis. A drive device drives first and second Bowden cables, which extend in parallel from the second end of the cylinder, to displace the piston in the cylinder. The first Bowden cable includes a sheath which is supported on the piston and a core which is fixed to the first end of the cylinder. The second Bowden cable includes a sheath which is supported on the second end of the cylinder and a core which is fixed to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken, Michael Kleinmann, Karl-Heinz Darscheid, Michael Hewel
  • Publication number: 20090011894
    Abstract: A spindle drive for a movable component includes a threaded spindle, which can be driven in rotation about a rotational axis by a reversible drive. A spindle nut is mounted nonrotatably on the spindle. By means of the spindle nut, a transmission element connected to the movable component can be driven axially with respect to the spindle axis. The spindle nut can be connected to and disconnected from the transmission element by a connecting device. A nut position sensor detects the position of the spindle nut and a component sensor detects the axial position of the transmission element. If it is concluded that there is plausibility between the signals of the nut position sensor and the component sensor, the spindle nut can be connected to the transmission element by the connecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
  • Patent number: 7357751
    Abstract: A drive for pivoting a flap on a body of a vehicle about a pivot axis, with a drive motor, by means of which an output driving the flap pivotably can be driven rotatably via a drive train having an epicyclic gear. The epicyclic gear has a sun gear, an internally toothed rim, a planet gear which is in engagement with the sun gear and the internally toothed rim, and a planet carrier which carries the planet gear and which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to a shaft coaxial with respect to the axis of rotation of the planet carrier. The rotational movement of a component of the epicyclic gear can be braked by a brake. In particular, the brake can stop the rotational movement of the internally toothed rim, the sun gear can be driven rotatably by the drive motor, and the shaft of the planet carrier can form the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
  • Publication number: 20080020893
    Abstract: A spindle drive for a movable component includes a threaded spindle which is rotatable about a spindle axis; a spindle nut which engages the threaded spindle; and a transmission element which can be connected to the movable component, the transmission element being fixed against rotation about the spindle axis and being axially drivable by rotation of the spindle nut. An intermediate element, which is fixed against rotation relative to the spindle nut, extends axially with respect to the threaded spindle and is rotatable relative to the threaded spindle. A drive is connected to rotate one of the intermediate element and the threaded spindle; and the other of the intermediate element and the threaded spindle can be fixed against rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
  • Patent number: 7290823
    Abstract: A closing unit for a flap of a motor vehicle includes at least two hinges which can pivot about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position; a single drive including a motor, a clutch, and a gear mechanism; and at least two transmission elements extending between the single drive and respective the hinges for pivoting the hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken
  • Publication number: 20070018039
    Abstract: The device for actuating a pivoting movement of a vehicle flap about a pivot axis includes a gas spring having a cylinder and a piston rod protruding from the cylinder. Either the cylinder or the piston rod is coupled to a fixed component of the vehicle body, and the other one of cylinder and piston rod is coupled to the flap at a distance from the pivot axis. A flexurally rigid guide extends parallel adjacent to the gas spring and is fixedly connected to the cylinder of the gas spring. One region of a flexible tension and compression element is guided in the guide and operatively connected to the flap, and a second region is guided in a flexible casing and operatively connected to a reversible drive, so that the flexible tension and compression element can be motor-driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Jorg Hillen, Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
  • Publication number: 20070007796
    Abstract: The invention relates to an opening device for a flap of a vehicle, in particular for a rear flap, which can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis on the upper edge of an opening in the vehicle body from a downwardly directed closed position into an upwardly directed open position. It has a gas-filled spring coupled to the body by the free end of its piston rod at a distance from the pivot axis and coupled to the flap by its pressure tube at a distance from the pivot axis. In this case, the gas-filled spring in the extension direction applies a force to the flap in the opening direction. Furthermore, there is an actuator by means of which a torque can act on the flap in the opening direction. The actuator is an energy accumulator which, from its tensioned position, applies a force to the flap during its opening stroke from the closed position until a relaxed position of the energy accumulator is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Arenz, Michael Kleinmann, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen, Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken
  • Patent number: 7143548
    Abstract: A flap drive for a flap includes two identical lever joint arrangements which are arranged in pairs at a distance from one another. The flap can be moved out of its closing position into its opening position and back by the flap drive. In this case, the lever joint arrangements are articulated pivotably with one of their ends in each case on a side region of the flap and with their other ends at a fixed location on the motor vehicle. The mutually corresponding pivot axes of the articulation points extend coaxially to one another. Movement transmission devices for the pivotable drive of a driven lever of each lever joint arrangement are guided by a common motive drive unit, the driven levers being articulated at a fixed location on the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
  • Publication number: 20060175172
    Abstract: A drive system for swiveling a panel of a vehicle about a swivel axis includes a reversible drive motor, a rotor which can be driven to rotate about an axis of rotation by the drive motor, and a coil through which current can flow to produce an axial magnetic field, the coil being arranged coaxially to the axis of rotation. An armature arranged to move axially with respect to the rotor and the coil can be moved axially into contact with the rotor to produce an interlocking connection or a friction connection between the rotor and the armature. A drive wheel is arranged to rotate with the armature via a drive train, the drive wheel being arranged to swivel the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
  • Publication number: 20060112776
    Abstract: An actuating device for displacing a movable component having two articulation points includes a pivoting body and a traction member. The pivoting body can be rotated about an axis by a drive unit, the pivoting body having a pair of deflection elements on opposite sides of the axis. The traction member passes through the pivoting body and is displaceable between the deflection elements, the traction member being windable onto and unwindable from the pivoting body and having a pair of opposed ends which are fixed to respective articulation points of the moveable component. When the pivoting body is rotated, a uniform tensile force is exerted on the opposed ends of the traction member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Jorg Hillen, Michael Kleinmann, Heiko Schilken
  • Publication number: 20060094562
    Abstract: A drive for pivoting a flap on a body of a vehicle about a pivot axis, with a drive motor, by means of which an output driving the flap pivotably can be driven rotatably via a drive train having an epicyclic gear. The epicyclic gear has a sun gear, an internally toothed rim, a planet gear which is in engagement with the sun gear and the internally toothed rim, and a planet carrier which carries the planet gear and which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to a shaft coaxial with respect to the axis of rotation of the planet carrier. The rotational movement of a component of the epicyclic gear can be braked by a brake. In particular, the brake can stop the rotational movement of the internally toothed rim, the sun gear can be driven rotatably by the drive motor, and the shaft of the planet carrier can form the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
  • Publication number: 20050179280
    Abstract: Apparatus for the motorized opening and closing of a motor vehicle body part which can be pivoted with respect to a vehicle body about a hinged lid axis includes a guide cylinder having a first end and a second end which can be coupled to the body at a pivot axis which is parallel to the hinged lid axis, a piston guided displaceably in the cylinder, and a piston rod having one end attached to the piston and an opposite end which protrudes from the first end of the cylinder and can be coupled to the pivotable body part at a distance from the hinged lid axis. A drive device drives first and second Bowden cables, which extend in parallel from the second end of the cylinder, to displace the piston in the cylinder. The first Bowden cable includes a sheath which is supported on the piston and a core which is fixed to the first end of the cylinder. The second Bowden cable includes a sheath which is supported on the second end of the cylinder and a core which is fixed to the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken, Michael Kleinmann, Karl-Heinz Darscheid, Michael Hewel
  • Publication number: 20050160673
    Abstract: A flap drive for a flap includes two identical lever joint arrangements which are arranged in pairs at a distance from one another. The flap can be moved out of its closing position into its opening position and back by the flap drive. In this case, the lever joint arrangements are articulated pivotably with one of their ends in each case on a side region of the flap and with their other ends at a fixed location on the motor vehicle. The mutually corresponding pivot axes of the articulation points extend coaxially to one another. Movement transmission devices for the pivotable drive of a driven lever of each lever joint arrangement are guided by a common motive drive unit, the driven levers being articulated at a fixed location on the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
  • Publication number: 20050121940
    Abstract: A closing unit for a flap of a motor vehicle includes at least two hinges which can pivot about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position; a single drive including a motor, a clutch, and a gear mechanism; and at least two transmission elements extending between the single drive and respective the hinges for pivoting the hinges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken