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).

  • Patent number: 10948941
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Dohmen, Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
  • Patent number: 10889226
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Henry Dean, Gregory Pfirman, John Q. White, Pablo Isaac Villalva Sanchez, Steffen Schoenfuss, Richard Alan Kreder
  • Publication number: 20210004040
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Dohmen, Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
  • Patent number: 10533910
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Anel Podinovic, Reiner Schmid
  • Publication number: 20190113409
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steffen SCHOENFUSS, Anel PODINOVIC, Reiner SCHMID
  • Patent number: 9850961
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
  • Publication number: 20170351291
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steffen SCHOENFUSS, Christina KALLAS
  • Publication number: 20160061276
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steffen SCHOENFUSS, Christina KALLAS
  • Patent number: 9261059
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
  • Patent number: 8602003
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steffen Schoenfuss
  • Publication number: 20130319549
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
  • Patent number: 8511503
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas
  • Publication number: 20110127284
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Steffen Schoenfuss
  • Publication number: 20100276431
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas