Patents by Inventor Michael Schoffmann

Michael Schoffmann 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: 11948549
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator, which is designed to be connected to a backside of a plate like structure and which comprises an annular coil arrangement and a magnet system being designed to generate a magnetic field transverse to the annular coil arrangement. The annular coil arrangement and the magnet system are connected to each other by a plurality of springs, which are arranged inside of the annular coil arrangement. Furthermore, the invention relates to an output device, comprising a plate like structure and an electromagnetic actuator of the above kind connected to a backside of the plate like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sound Solutions International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Friedrich Reining, Christoph Schmauder, Gustav Otto, Michael Schoffmann
  • Patent number: 11729555
    Abstract: An electrodynamic actuator (1a, 1b) is disclosed, which is designed to be connected to a plate like structure (2) and which comprises a coil arrangement (3a, 3b) with at least one voice coil (4a, 4b), a magnet system (5) with a movable magnetic circuit part (7, 7a . . . 7f) and a static magnetic circuit part (6a . . . 6F) and a spring arrangement (12) coupling the static magnetic circuit part (6a . . . 6F) to the movable magnetic circuit part (7, 7a . . . 7f) and allowing a relative movement between the same. Both the spring arrangement (12) and the magnet system (5) provide a total restoring force (FT) directed towards an idle position (P0) of the movable magnetic circuit part (7, 7a . . . 7f). A part of a total restoring force gradient (?FT/?z) caused by the magnet system (5) is at least 10% of the total restoring force gradient (?FT/?z) in said idle position (P0) of the movable magnetic circuit part (7, 7a . . . 7f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Sound Solutions International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Franz Heidinger, Manuel Mefleh, Gustav Otto, Friedrich Reining, Michael Schoffmann
  • Publication number: 20220232326
    Abstract: An electrodynamic actuator (1a, 1b) is disclosed, which is designed to be connected to a plate like structure (2) and which comprises a coil arrangement (3a, 3b) with at least one voice coil (4a, 4b), a magnet system (5) with a movable magnetic circuit part (7, 7a . . . 7f) and a static magnetic circuit part (6a . . . 6F) and a spring arrangement (12) coupling the static magnetic circuit part (6a . . . 6F) to the movable magnetic circuit part (7, 7a . . . 7f) and allowing a relative movement between the same. Both the spring arrangement (12) and the magnet system (5) provide a total restoring force (FT) directed towards an idle position (P0) of the movable magnetic circuit part (7, 7a . . . 7f). A part of a total restoring force gradient (?FT/?z) caused by the magnet system (5) is at least 10% of the total restoring force gradient (?FT/?z) in said idle position (P0) of the movable magnetic circuit part (7, 7a . . . 7f).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Franz Heidinger, Manuel Mefleh, Gustav Otto, Friedrich Reining, Michael Schoffmann
  • Patent number: 11341948
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator, which can be connected to a backside of a plate like structure and which comprises a voice coil, a magnet system and a spring arrangement connecting the voice coil and a movable part of the magnet system. The spring arrangement comprises at least two spiral springs each having at least three spring legs. The spring legs run in radial and tangential direction in a clockwise or counterclockwise winding direction and are rotational symmetric around the coil axis. The winding directions of the spiral springs are chosen in a way that rotations around the coil axis caused by a relative movement between the voice coil and the movable part of the magnet system in the excursion direction are oriented in opposite directions. The invention also relates to an output device with a plate like structure and an electromagnetic actuator connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Sound Solutions International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gustav Otto, Christoph Schmauder, Michael Schoffmann, Franz Heidinger
  • Patent number: 10935056
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve for a hydraulic system for an automatic transmission of a vehicle. An armature chamber is filled with hydraulic medium and fluidically connected to hydraulic lines of the hydraulic system. An armature is mounted in the armature chamber such that its stroke is adjustable. The armature includes a shut-off body and divides the armature chamber into an opening-side chamber facing the flow opening and into an inner chamber facing away from the flow opening. During a stroke of the armature, an oil exchange occurs, and a displacement volume of the hydraulic medium overflows from the opening-side chamber into the inner chamber. A hydraulic line leading to the opening-side chamber or to the inner chamber of the armature chamber includes a dirt collecting element that is designed as a permanent magnet and that retains contaminations in the hydraulic medium that flows through the hydraulic line during an oil exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: AUDI AG, VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dietmar Schuller, Andreas Deimel, Michael Schöffmann, Roland Meyer, Oliver Rang, Christian Corell
  • Publication number: 20210020153
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator, which is designed to be connected to a backside of a plate like structure and which comprises an annular coil arrangement and a magnet system being designed to generate a magnetic field transverse to the annular coil arrangement. The annular coil arrangement and the magnet system are connected to each other by a plurality of springs, which are arranged inside of the annular coil arrangement. Furthermore, the invention relates to an output device, comprising a plate like structure and an electromagnetic actuator of the above kind connected to a backside of the plate like structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Friedrich Reining, Christoph Schmauder, Gustav Otto, Michael Schoffmann
  • Publication number: 20210021933
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator, which can be connected to a backside of a plate like structure and which comprises a voice coil, a magnet system and a spring arrangement connecting the voice coil and a movable part of the magnet system. The spring arrangement comprises at least two spiral springs each having at least three spring legs. The spring legs run in radial and tangential direction in a clockwise or counterclockwise winding direction and are rotational symmetric around the coil axis. The winding directions of the spiral springs are chosen in a way that rotations around the coil axis caused by a relative movement between the voice coil and the movable part of the magnet system in the excursion direction are oriented in opposite directions. The invention also relates to an output device with a plate like structure and an electromagnetic actuator connected thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Gustav Otto, Christoph Schmauder, Michael Schoffmann, Franz Heidinger
  • Patent number: 10071624
    Abstract: A drive device for a motor vehicle includes a primary powertrain and a secondary powertrain, wherein the primary powertrain includes a combustion engine for generating a total torque; a torque distribution device coupled to the combustion engine and including a first and a second output, wherein the torque distribution device is designed to provide a first partial torque in mechanical form at its first output derived from the total torque, and to provide a second partial torque in electrical form at its second output derived from the total torque; and a transmission which is coupled to the first output of the torque distribution device; wherein the secondary powertrain includes an electric machine which is coupled to the second output of the torque distribution device; wherein the torque distribution device includes a torque limiting device which is designed to limit the first partial torque to a presettable threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Koch, Hans-Peter Fleischmann, Michael Schöffmann
  • Publication number: 20170174068
    Abstract: A drive device for a motor vehicle includes a primary powertrain and a secondary powertrain, wherein the primary powertrain includes a combustion engine for generating a total torque; a torque distribution device coupled to the combustion engine and including a first and a second output, wherein the torque distribution device is designed to provide a first partial torque in mechanical form at its first output derived from the total torque, and to provide a second partial torque in electrical form at its second output derived from the total torque; and a transmission which is coupled to the first output of the torque distribution device; wherein the secondary powertrain includes an electric machine which is coupled to the second output of the torque distribution device; wherein the torque distribution device includes a torque limiting device which is designed to limit the first partial torque to a presettable threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: WOLFGANG KOCH, HANS-PETER FLEISCHMANN, MICHAEL SCHÖFFMANN
  • Patent number: 9635455
    Abstract: An audio system that comprises an electro-acoustic transducer mounted onto a housing that forms a resonance volume which is at least partially filled with sound absorbing material, wherein the housing is realized with a deep-drawn foil at least partially filled with grains of the sound absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Sound Solutions International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Schöffmann, Helmut Wasinger, Josef Herold, Mark Hannah
  • Publication number: 20170089371
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve for a hydraulic system for an automatic transmission of a vehicle. An armature chamber is filled with hydraulic medium and fluidically connected to hydraulic lines of the hydraulic system. An armature is mounted in the armature chamber such that its stroke is adjustable. The armature includes a shut-off body and divides the armature chamber into an opening-side chamber facing the flow opening and into an inner chamber facing away from the flow opening. During a stroke of the armature, an oil exchange occurs, and a displacement volume of the hydraulic medium overflows from the opening-side chamber into the inner chamber. A hydraulic line leading to the opening-side chamber or to the inner chamber of the armature chamber includes a dirt collecting element that is designed as a permanent magnet and that retains contaminations in the hydraulic medium that flows through the hydraulic line during an oil exchange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicants: AUDI AG, VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dietmar SCHULLER, Andreas DEIMEL, Michael SCHÖFFMANN, Roland MEYER, Oliver RANG, Christian CORELL
  • Publication number: 20150110335
    Abstract: An open modular speaker assembly is configured to be inserted into a mobile wireless device and includes a frame, a magnetic assembly that is disposed within the frame and a membrane assembly disposed within the frame and in proximity to the magnetic assembly. Actuation of the magnetic assembly by an electric current causes a movement of the magnetic assembly causing a resultant movement of the membrane assembly. A first portion of the mobile wireless device and the membrane assembly form a front volume where the resultant movement of the membrane assembly produces sound in the front volume, and such that a second portion of the mobile wireless device and the membrane assembly form a back volume that is separated from the front volume by the membrane assembly. Air is displaced or exchanged between the front volume and the back volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Vladimir Telemaque, Michael Schoffmann
  • Publication number: 20150072723
    Abstract: An audio system that comprises an electro-acoustic transducer mounted onto a housing that forms a resonance volume which is at least partially filled with sound absorbing material, wherein the housing is realized with a deep-drawn foil at least partially filled with grains of the sound absorbing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Schöffmann, Helmut Wasinger, Josef Herold, Mark Hannah
  • Publication number: 20130279739
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer basket for receiving and electrically contacting an acoustic transducer. The basket includes a spring bracket formed as an integral part of the basket. First electrical contact areas are formed on this spring for electrically contacting the basket of the spring force of the spring. The basket has second electrical contact areas for electrically connecting the acoustic transducer, and there is an electrical connection between first electrical contact areas and second electrical contact areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Herbert Nemeth, Michael Schöffmann
  • Publication number: 20130279734
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer assembly with a basket for receiving and electrically contacting an acoustic transducer, the basket being configured to be mounted on, and electrically connected to, a platform, such as a printed circuit board, or a support or a housing. The basket may include electrical contact areas for electrically connecting the basket to the platform, and at least one mounting structure for cooperating with a platform-sided mounting structure to form a fixed mechanical connection with the platform. An electrical contact area of the basket may be integrally formed with the mounting structure of the basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics Asia PTE. Ltd.
    Inventors: Erich Klein, Thomas Pauser, Michael Schöffmann
  • Patent number: D578104
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Schöffmann, Thomas Walter