Patents by Inventor Steffen Schoenfuss
Steffen Schoenfuss 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: 10948941Abstract: A pedal unit for a motor vehicle may include a multiplicity of cylinder elements which are guided one inside the other in a telescopic fashion along a movement axis, a pedal face for a user, one or more spring elements, and a sensor unit. The pedal face may be coupled to one of the cylinder elements. Each of the spring elements is configured to interact with two cylinder elements assigned thereto, as a result of which, when the pedal face is activated an opposing force can be generated at the pedal face, the opposing force depending progressively on movement travel of the pedal face. The sensor unit may be configured to generate an output signal that is dependent on activation of the pedal face.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Dohmen, Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
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Patent number: 10889226Abstract: An assembly includes a floor, a vehicle pedal disposed above the floor, and a cover. The cover is rotatably connected to the floor. The cover is rotatable relative to the floor from a closed position in which the cover is disposed above the vehicle pedal to an open position in which the vehicle pedal is disposed above the cover.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William Henry Dean, Gregory Pfirman, John Q. White, Pablo Isaac Villalva Sanchez, Steffen Schoenfuss, Richard Alan Kreder
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Publication number: 20210004040Abstract: A pedal unit for a motor vehicle may include a multiplicity of cylinder elements which are guided one inside the other in a telescopic fashion along a movement axis, a pedal face for a user, one or more spring elements, and a sensor unit. The pedal face may be coupled to one of the cylinder elements. Each of the spring elements is configured to interact with two cylinder elements assigned thereto, as a result of which, when the pedal face is activated an opposing force can be generated at the pedal face, the opposing force depending progressively on movement travel of the pedal face. The sensor unit may be configured to generate an output signal that is dependent on activation of the pedal face.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Thomas Dohmen, Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
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Patent number: 10533910Abstract: Apparatus for measuring an amount of force required to apply a mechanical parking brake of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a body adapted for mounting to a parking brake lever of the type which is manually pivotable about an axis to apply a parking brake. First and second force sensors are disposed on the body at different distances from a pivot axis of the lever when the body is mounted to the lever. The force sensors measure force applied to a lower surface of the lever to cause the lever to pivot when the lever is pulled upward to apply the parking brake. An angle sensor is disposed on the body and measures an actuation angle through which the lever pivots about the pivot axis during application of the parking brake. An electronic unit reads respective first and second forces applied to the force sensors during pivoting of the lever, calculating therefrom an effective actuation force applied at a reference point on the lever, and associates the effective actuation force with the actuation angle.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Anel Podinovic, Reiner Schmid
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Publication number: 20190113409Abstract: Apparatus for measuring an amount of force required to apply a mechanical parking brake of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a body adapted for mounting to a parking brake lever of the type which is manually pivotable about an axis to apply a parking brake. First and second force sensors are disposed on the body at different distances from a pivot axis of the lever when the body is mounted to the lever. The force sensors measure force applied to a lower surface of the lever to cause the lever to pivot when the lever is pulled upward to apply the parking brake. An angle sensor is disposed on the body and measures an actuation angle through which the lever pivots about the pivot axis during application of the parking brake. An electronic unit reads respective first and second forces applied to the force sensors during pivoting of the lever, calculating therefrom an effective actuation force applied at a reference point on the lever, and associates the effective actuation force with the actuation angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steffen SCHOENFUSS, Anel PODINOVIC, Reiner SCHMID
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Patent number: 9850961Abstract: The clutch pedal system for a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, is disclosed. The clutch pedal system includes a pedal carrier having a fastening region configured to be associated with an aperture in a bulkhead and/or a dashboard carrier of the vehicle. A clutch pedal is pivotably mounted on the pedal carrier. A master cylinder is supported on an adapter region of the pedal carrier and is connected to the clutch pedal. The master cylinder is positioned such that at least a portion of the master cylinder extends through the aperture, wherein the pedal carrier is configured to position the master cylinder in a predetermined position relative to the bulkhead and/or of the dashboard carrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
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Publication number: 20170351291Abstract: A clutch pedal for an electrically operated clutch system simulates the pedal forces of a hydraulically actuated clutch. An operating element is pivotably supported on a mounting so as to move along an operating path between a non-operating position and an operating position. A restoring spring applies a force towards the non-operating position. At least one friction element rubs against a curved friction surface when the operating element is pivoting along the operating path. The friction element is spring-loaded against the friction surface. During operation between the operating position and the non-operating position, the friction element moves over a cam lobe of the friction surface. The friction element is elastically movable radially in relation to the curved friction surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steffen SCHOENFUSS, Christina KALLAS
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Publication number: 20160061276Abstract: The clutch pedal system for a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, is disclosed. The clutch pedal system includes a pedal carrier having a fastening region configured to be associated with an aperture in a bulkhead and/or a dashboard carrier of the vehicle. A clutch pedal is pivotably mounted on the pedal carrier. A master cylinder is supported on an adapter region of the pedal carrier and is connected to the clutch pedal. The master cylinder is positioned such that at least a portion of the master cylinder extends through the aperture, wherein the pedal carrier is configured to position the master cylinder in a predetermined position relative to the bulkhead and/or of the dashboard carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLGIES, LLCInventors: Steffen SCHOENFUSS, Christina KALLAS
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Patent number: 9261059Abstract: A vehicle fuel delivery apparatus, having: a surge chamber configured to store fuel; a fuel filter distally positioned with respect to and connected to the chamber; and a fuel level sender positioned between the filter and surge chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
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Patent number: 8602003Abstract: The present application relates to a fuel tank, which has a vent line from a fresh air filter to a hydrocarbon filter element. It is proposed that a diagnostic valve be permanently arranged between the fresh air filter and the hydrocarbon filter element, the diagnostic valve comprising an operating port, which in an operating position forms a passage for operating gases, and a diagnostic port, which in a diagnostic position can be connected to an external pressure-generating device, and which in the diagnostic position forms a diagnostic passage to the hydrocarbon filter element.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Steffen Schoenfuss
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Publication number: 20130319549Abstract: A vehicle fuel delivery apparatus, having: a surge chamber configured to store fuel; a fuel filter distally positioned with respect to and connected to the chamber; and a fuel level sender positioned between the filter and surge chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
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Patent number: 8511503Abstract: A liquid container (1) for holding a liquid (2) of a motor vehicle, having a front wall (4) arranged in the direction of travel of the vehicle and a rear wall (6) opposed thereto and an upper wall (8). To reduce sloshing noises generated by having a wave forming in the liquid container (1) due to acceleration, at least one compensating tube (24) is provided, having a first opening (27), a connecting portion (26) and a second opening (28). The first opening (27) arranged proximate the front wall (4), and the second opening (28) arranged proximate the rear wall (6). The connecting portion (26) fluidly couples the first and second openings (27 and 28).Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
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Publication number: 20110127284Abstract: The present application relates to a fuel tank, which has a vent line from a fresh air filter to a hydrocarbon filter element. It is proposed that a diagnostic valve be permanently arranged between the fresh air filter and the hydrocarbon filter element, the diagnostic valve comprising an operating port, which in an operating position forms a passage for operating gases, and a diagnostic port, which in a diagnostic position can be connected to an external pressure-generating device, and which in the diagnostic position forms a diagnostic passage to the hydrocarbon filter element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Steffen Schoenfuss
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Publication number: 20100276431Abstract: The disclosure relates to a liquid container (1) for holding a liquid (2) of a motor vehicle, having a front wall (4) arranged in the direction of travel of the vehicle and a rear wall (6) opposed thereto and an upper wall (8). To reduce sloshing noises generated by having a wave forming in the liquid container (1) due to acceleration, at least one compensating tube (24) is provided, having a first opening (27), a connecting portion (26) and a second opening (28). The first opening (27) arranged proximate the front wall (4), and the second opening (28) arranged proximate the rear wall (6). The connecting portion (26) fluidly couples the first and second openings (27 and 28).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas