Patents by Inventor Thomas HERRLICH

Thomas HERRLICH 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: 12662183
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering unit for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle, having a steering shaft which can be rotated by a driver, and a spindle drive which interacts with the steering shaft to limit a steering angle of the steering shaft, wherein the spindle drive has a spindle and a spindle nut screwed onto the spindle, wherein the spindle nut is displaceable with a movement component in the axial direction relative to the spindle when the spindle is rotated, wherein the spindle nut has a first spindle stop for tangentially striking against a first end stop fixed to the spindle, wherein the first end stop is formed integrally with the spindle. The number of components is thus reduced, and the structure of the steering unit is simplified, as a result of which the effort for production and assembly is reduced, and cost-effective production of the steering unit is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignees: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG, WILLI ELBE GELENKWELLEN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Fabian Ruh, Ralf Sedlmeier, Jörg Hauhoff, Thomas Herrlich, Thomas Gerlach
  • Patent number: 12384443
    Abstract: An adjustment device for vehicle steering columns has a steering shaft to which a steering element can be attached, and a drive unit for adjusting a length of the steering shaft. The steering shaft has at least two tubes, which engage into each other in a telescoping manner, can be moved relative to each other, and can in each case be driven by a drive unit. The two drive units are arranged next to each other in the region below the adjustment device. If the two tubes are inserted into each other, the adjustment device only has a short length, which is measured in the displacement direction of the tubes. Conversely, if the tubes are extended in a telescoping manner, a very large length adjustment range can be achieved despite the short length in the starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignees: Willi Elbe Gelenkwellen GmbH & Co. KG, Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Hauhoff, Thomas Herrlich, Fabian Ruh, Philip Wurzberger, Simon Merz, Ralf Sedlmeier
  • Patent number: 12330707
    Abstract: A compact adjustment device for steering columns of vehicles has a length-adjustable steering shaft to which a steering element can be connected. It includes at least one drive unit for length adjustment of the steering shaft. The steering shaft has a guide tube which is non-displaceably connected to a holder and into which an axially displaceable inner tube projects. It is drive-connected to the drive unit and can be connected to the steering element. Only a single drive unit is required to adjust the length of the steering shaft. It is used to axially move the inner tube to change the length of the steering shaft. The steering element is attached to the inner tube and can then be adjusted to the most favorable driving position using the inner tube. Since only one drive unit is required for the length adjustment, the design effort of the adjustment device is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Willi Elbe Gelenkwellen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Sedlmeier, Jörg Hauhoff, Thomas Herrlich, Aleksandar Antonov
  • Publication number: 20250121873
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering unit for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle, having a steering shaft which can be rotated by a driver, and a spindle drive which interacts with the steering shaft to limit a steering angle of the steering shaft, wherein the spindle drive has a spindle and a spindle nut screwed onto the spindle, wherein the spindle nut is displaceable with a movement component in the axial direction relative to the spindle when the spindle is rotated, wherein the spindle nut has a first spindle stop for tangentially striking against a first end stop fixed to the spindle, wherein the first end stop is formed integrally with the spindle. The number of components is thus reduced, and the structure of the steering unit is simplified, as a result of which the effort for production and assembly is reduced, and cost-effective production of the steering unit is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Fabian RUH, Ralf SEDLMEIER, Jörg HAUHOFF, Thomas HERRLICH, Thomas GERLACH
  • Publication number: 20240336295
    Abstract: A compact adjustment device for steering columns of vehicles has a length-adjustable steering shaft to which a steering element can be connected. It includes at least one drive unit for length adjustment of the steering shaft. The steering shaft has a guide tube which is non-displaceably connected to a holder and into which an axially displaceable inner tube projects. It is drive-connected to the drive unit and can be connected to the steering element. Only a single drive unit is required to adjust the length of the steering shaft. It is used to axially move the inner tube to change the length of the steering shaft. The steering element is attached to the inner tube and can then be adjusted to the most favorable driving position using the inner tube. Since only one drive unit is required for the length adjustment, the design effort of the adjustment device is limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Willi Elbe Gelenkwellen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf SEDLMEIER, Jörg HAUHOFF, Thomas HERRLICH, Aleksandar ANTONOV
  • Publication number: 20240239399
    Abstract: An adjustment device for vehicle steering columns has a steering shaft to which a steering element can be attached, and a drive unit for adjusting a length of the steering shaft. The steering shaft has at least two tubes, which engage into each other in a telescoping manner, can be moved relative to each other, and can in each case be driven by a drive unit. The two drive units are arranged next to each other in the region below the adjustment device. If the two tubes are inserted into each other, the adjustment device only has a short length, which is measured in the displacement direction of the tubes. Conversely, if the tubes are extended in a telescoping manner, a very large length adjustment range can be achieved despite the short length in the starting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicants: Willi Elbe Gelenkwellen GmbH & Co. KG, Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg HAUHOFF, Thomas HERRLICH, Fabian RUH, Philip WURZBERGER, Simon MERZ, Ralf SEDLMEIER