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).
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Patent number: 8430446Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
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Patent number: 7980624Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Jörg Hillen, Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
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Patent number: 7798556Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Bernd Arenz, Michael Kleinmann, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen, Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken
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Publication number: 20100181800Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventors: Jörg Hillen, Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
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Patent number: 7634951Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
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Patent number: 7506556Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken, Michael Kleinmann, Karl-Heinz Darscheid, Michael Hewel
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Publication number: 20090011894Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
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Patent number: 7357751Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
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Publication number: 20080020893Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
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Patent number: 7290823Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken
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Publication number: 20070018039Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2006Publication date: January 25, 2007Inventors: Jorg Hillen, Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
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Publication number: 20070007796Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2006Publication date: January 11, 2007Applicant: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Bernd Arenz, Michael Kleinmann, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen, Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken
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Patent number: 7143548Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
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Publication number: 20060175172Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2006Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Timo Frieb-Preis, Michael Kleinmann
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Publication number: 20060112776Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2005Publication date: June 1, 2006Inventors: Jorg Hillen, Michael Kleinmann, Heiko Schilken
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Publication number: 20060094562Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2005Publication date: May 4, 2006Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
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Publication number: 20050179280Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Inventors: Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken, Michael Kleinmann, Karl-Heinz Darscheid, Michael Hewel
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Publication number: 20050160673Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
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Publication number: 20050121940Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2004Publication date: June 9, 2005Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken