Patents by Inventor Ralph Frisch

Ralph Frisch 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: 9365177
    Abstract: A method for series production of a vehicle assembly, especially an interior assembly, including a vehicle-side support, especially a vehicle steering wheel (12), and a component to be fastened at the support, especially a horn module (14), wherein a module-side bearing unit (22) consisting of at least two bearing members (46, 50) is assigned to the component and/or a support-side bearing unit (24) consisting of at least two bearing members (26, 28) is assigned to the support, and wherein one of the bearing members (28, 50) of the respective bearing unit (22, 24) has a contact surface (34, 58) and the other one of the bearing members (26, 46) has at least one bearing surface (38, 54) includes the step of individually orientating the two bearing members (26, 28, 46, 50) of at least one bearing unit (22, 24) relative to each other as a function of the actual dimensions of the support installed and/or the component installed, fastening the two bearing members (26, 28, 46, 50) orientated relative to each other, a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Bachmann, Ralph Frisch, Markus Haas, Matthias Helmstetter, Robert Mazuch, Erich Syndikus, Peter Schmid, Dominik Schutz, Rainer Winsel
  • Publication number: 20140203539
    Abstract: A method for series production of a vehicle assembly, especially an interior assembly, including a vehicle-side support, especially a vehicle steering wheel (12), and a component to be fastened at the support, especially a horn module (14), wherein a module-side bearing unit (22) consisting of at least two bearing members (46, 50) is assigned to the component and/or a support-side bearing unit (24) consisting of at least two bearing members (26, 28) is assigned to the support, and wherein one of the bearing members (28, 50) of the respective bearing unit (22, 24) has a contact surface (34, 58) and the other one of the bearing members (26, 46) has at least one bearing surface (38, 54) includes the step of individually orientating the two bearing members (26, 28, 46, 50) of at least one bearing unit (22, 24) relative to each other as a function of the actual dimensions of the support installed and/or the component installed, fastening the two bearing members (26, 28, 46, 50) orientated relative to each other, a
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Bachmann, Ralph Frisch, Markus Haas, Matthias Helmstetter, Robert Mazuch, Erich Syndikus, Peter Schmid, Dominik Schutz, Rainer Winsel
  • Patent number: 8382152
    Abstract: A horn module (12) in a vehicle steering wheel has at least one electronic horn sensor (20) including a trigger component (22) deflectable upon application of a horn operating force (F). At the trigger component (22) at least one strain gauge (24) is arranged by deflection of which a signal is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Radde, Ralph Frisch
  • Publication number: 20110181029
    Abstract: A horn module (12) in a vehicle steering wheel has at least one electronic horn sensor (20) including a trigger component (22) deflectable upon application of a horn operating force (F). At the trigger component (22) at least one strain gauge (24) is arranged by deflection of which a signal is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Werner Radde, Ralph Frisch
  • Patent number: 7784825
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel includes a gas bag module (16) and an immovably fastened component (18), in particular a shield, adjacent to the gas bag module (16). The vehicle steering wheel further includes at least one separate elastic positioning element (22) which establishes the position of the gas bag module (16) relative to the adjacent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Ralph Frisch
  • Patent number: 7661708
    Abstract: A gas bag module has a gas bag whose wall, in a first state of the gas bag, has at least one pleat that is formed in that opposite sections of the wall lie against each other. The gas bag module further has a holder that holds the opposite sections together and affixes the pleat. The holder can be actively released in response to a signal, as a result of which the gas bag reaches a second state in which the pleat is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Szidzek, Michael Schneider, Marcus Magoley, Ralph Frisch
  • Patent number: 7357409
    Abstract: A gas bag module (10) includes a gas bag (20) having a front wall. A center portion (24) of the front wall is fastened to the gas bag module (10) and prevented from a free movement in the case of deployment of the gas bag (20). The gas bag module further includes a covering cap (28) having a central portion (34), which is fastened by at least one fastening means to the gas bag module (10) so that the central portion (34) is prevented from a free movement upon deployment of the gas bag (20). The gas bag module (10) further includes at least first and second horn contacts (46, 48). The fastening means are designed so that the central portion (34) of the covering cap (28) can be moved by a predetermined first path (d1) in a first direction (A1) into the interior of the gas bag module (10), in order to form a contact between the first and second horn contacts (46, 48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Ralph Frisch
  • Publication number: 20070262573
    Abstract: A steering device (10) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel (12) and a gas bag (20) accommodated in the steering wheel (12). The steering wheel (12) is connected with a steering column (16) via a hub (14). The steering device (10) further includes a gas generator (22) which is able to be activated to fill the gas bag (20). The gas generator (22) is arranged on a side of the hub (14) facing away from the steering wheel (12) outside the steering column (16). The steering column (16) forms a part of a flow connection between the gas generator (22) and the gas bag (20) when the gas generator (22) is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Stefan Faeth, Matthias Helmstetter, Ralph Frisch, Toralf Mueller
  • Patent number: 7290789
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device includes a steering wheel part coupled non-rotatably to a steering column and a central part which is stationary with regard to a rotation of the steering wheel part. The steering device further includes a gas bag module including a gas generator unit. The gas generator unit in the installed state of the gas bag module is a component of the steering wheel part. Another vehicle steering device also includes a steering wheel part coupled non-rotatably to a steering column and a central part which is stationary with respect to a rotation of the steering part. A gas bag module including a gas generator unit is housed in the stationary central part. The gas generator unit is connected electrically via a supply line with a control unit arranged outside the steering device. The supply line is guided from a first clock spring arranged in a stationary section of the steering device via a second clock spring arranged in the rotatable steering wheel part to the gas generator unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Ralph Frisch, René Neumann, Stefan Faeth, Heinz-Joerg Lefringhausen
  • Publication number: 20070057497
    Abstract: In a gas bag module with a gas bag, a diffusor cage which has outflow openings to the gas bag, a gas generator and a mounting part surrounding the gas generator are provided. The gas generator is arranged beneath the diffusor cage and held in the gas bag module by the mounting part. Permanently open discharge openings leading away from the gas bag are provided in the mounting part. The gas produced by the gas generator flows out of a space enclosed by the diffusor cage, the mounting part and the gas generator through the discharge openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Ralph Frisch, Klaus Freudenberger, Michael Schneider, Andreas Kienzner
  • Publication number: 20070045996
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel includes a gas bag module (16) and an immovably fastened component (18), in particular a shield, adjacent to the gas bag module (16). The vehicle steering wheel further includes at least one separate elastic positioning element (22) which establishes the position of the gas bag module (16) relative to the adjacent component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Ralph Frisch
  • Publication number: 20060267319
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel has a gas bag module (10). The gas bag module (10) includes a covering cap (20) and at least one horn contact (22). The covering cap (20) has a central section (36) and an outer rim section (38). The horn contact (22) has a contact element (46) arranged between the central section of the covering cap (36) and a stationary component of the gas bag module (10), such that the horn contact (22) is closed by a depressing of the central section of the covering cap (36) by a particular stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Ralph Frisch, Stefan Bohn
  • Publication number: 20060175815
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle steering wheel having a stationary central part includes a gas bag module (10). A clock spring (20) is arranged on the gas bag module (10). The clock spring (20) forms a pre-assembled installation unit together with the gas bag module (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Stefan Faeth, Andreas Kienzner, Ralph Frisch
  • Publication number: 20060163855
    Abstract: A gas bag module has a gas bag whose wall, in a first state of the gas bag, has at least one pleat that is formed in that opposite sections of the wall lie against each other. The gas bag module further has a holder that holds the opposite sections together and affixes the pleat. The holder can be actively released in response to a signal, as a result of which the gas bag reaches a second state in which the pleat is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Claudia Szidzek, Michael Schneider, Marcus Magoley, Ralph Frisch
  • Publication number: 20060125221
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a gas generator for inflating a gas bag, at least one discharge opening formed in a rigid component of the gas bag module, through which discharge opening gas generated by the gas generator and directed into the gas bag can be discharged, and at least one valve flap which in a closed position closes the discharge opening and in an open position exposes the discharge opening. The valve flap is in an initial closed position in the non-activated state of the module. At least one detent device is provided fixing the valve flap, which moves from the open position into a final closed position, in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Schneider, Ralph Frisch, Andreas Kienzner
  • Publication number: 20060097498
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a gas generator for inflating a gas bag, at least one discharge opening formed in a rigid component of the gas bag module, through which discharge opening gas generated by the gas generator and directed into the gas bag can be discharged, and at least one valve flap which in a closing position closes the discharge opening and in an opening position frees the discharge opening. At least one temperature-sensitive blocking element is provided which can block the valve flap in the closing position as a function of temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Schneider, Ralph Frisch, Andreas Kienzner
  • Publication number: 20060055155
    Abstract: A fastening device, in particular for occupant restraint systems of motor vehicles includes a first connecting element which has tongues (24) able to be twisted in a plastic manner, each tongue (24) having a rotary lug (27), and a second connecting element which has cut-outs (29) through which the rotary lugs (27) of the tongues (24) can be passed. The second connecting element has positioning means (28) in a region of the cut-outs (29), which hold the rotary lugs (27) of the first connecting element in a twisted position after the twisting of the tongues (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Ralph Frisch, Claudia Szidzek, Michael Schneider
  • Publication number: 20050161308
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel comprises a steering wheel skeleton, a longitudinal axis, at least two components movable relative to each other, and a horn contact switch, which has two electrical contact elements which are brought in contact with each other by means of a relative movement of the two components to each other for a horn actuation. The electrical contact elements are contact wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventor: Ralph Frisch
  • Publication number: 20050093274
    Abstract: A gas bag module (10) includes a gas bag (20) having a front wall. A center portion (24) of the front wall is fastened to the gas bag module (10) and prevented from a free movement in the case of deployment of the gas bag (20). The gas bag module further includes a covering cap (28) having a central portion (34), which is fastened by at least one fastening means to the gas bag module (10) so that the central portion (34) is prevented from a free movement upon deployment of the gas bag (20). The gas bag module (10) further includes at least first and second horn contacts (46, 48). The fastening means are designed so that the central portion (34) of the covering cap (28) can be moved by a predetermined first path (d1) in a first direction (A1) into the interior of the gas bag module (10), in order to form a contact between the first and second horn contacts (46, 48).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventor: Ralph Frisch
  • Publication number: 20050017482
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device includes a steering wheel part coupled non-rotatably to a steering column and a central part which is stationary with regard to a rotation of the steering wheel part. The steering device further includes a gas bag module including a gas generator unit. The gas generator unit in the installed state of the gas bag module is a component of the steering wheel part. Another vehicle steering device also includes a steering wheel part coupled non-rotatably to a steering column and a central part which is stationary with respect to a rotation of the steering part. A gas bag module including a gas generator unit is housed in the stationary central part. The gas generator unit is connected electrically via a supply line with a control unit arranged outside the steering device. The supply line is guided from a first clock spring arranged in a stationary section of the steering device via a second clock spring arranged in the rotatable steering wheel part to the gas generator unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Ralph Frisch, Rene Neumann, Stefan Faeth, Heinz-Joerg Lefringhausen