Patents by Inventor Tobias DUFFE
Tobias DUFFE 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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Publication number: 20230364983Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly for a motor vehicle includes a heat exchanger formed by additive manufacturing. The heat exchanger includes two end tanks and a plurality of exchanger tubes. The plurality of exchanger tubes extend in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and connects the two end tanks to each other such that fluid is allowed to flow between the two end tanks by the plurality of exchanger tubes. The heat exchanger has a recess formed therein. A first exchanger tube of the plurality of exchanger tubes has at least one change of direction such that the first exchanger tube bypasses the recess at an angle to the transverse direction and runs along a side of the recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tobias Duffe, Maximilian Klein, Christian Jolk, Morten Pyroth, Thomas Nitsche
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Publication number: 20230366631Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly for a motor vehicle includes a heat exchanger having at least one inlet tank, at least one outlet tank, and a plurality of exchanger tubes of an exchanger core. The exchanger tubes connect the inlet tank and the outlet tank and extend along a transverse axis that extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. Each exchanger tube defines a fluid passage path for fluid. A first pair of adjacent exchanger tubes form a first air passage path therebetween for ambient air and a second pair of adjacent exchanger tubes form a second air passage path therebetween for ambient air. The first air passage path has an air flow resistance that is different from an air flow resistance of the second air passage path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tobias Duffe, Morten Pyroth, Christian Jolk, Maximilian Klein, Thomas Nitsche
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Patent number: 10807559Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for a motor vehicle front end has a leg-contacting segment which, in a pre-impact position, is arranged completely above an approach plane of the vehicle (which is defined by way of a front approach angle of the motor vehicle), and can be adjusted into a post-impact position by means of a force deflecting apparatus by way of at least proportionally vertical deflection of an impact force which acts along the longitudinal direction. In a post-impact position, the contact segment is arranged at least partially below the approach plane and lower than a bumper crossmember.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Antje Sipido, Monika Teodorescu, Susanne Spaetgens, Joergen Hilmann, Tobias Duffe
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Patent number: 10150437Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper unit for a motor vehicle, having a crumple element attached to a bumper and a connecting plate that is adapted to be connected to a vehicle structure. The connecting plate is connected to the crumple element by at least one primary weld seam. At least one reinforcing element is connected to the crumple element in a connecting region that adjoins a primary weld seam and extends away from the primary weld seam.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Tobias Duffe
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Patent number: 10086784Abstract: The invention concerns a bumper unit for a motor vehicle, with a bumper cross-member which is connected to a vehicle structure via a crumple element. To provide a bumper unit which has optimal crash behavior on frontal impacts both with small overlap and with larger overlap, according to the invention it is provided that a deformation element is arranged on the bumper cross-member outside of the crumple element with a deformation portion running obliquely relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis X, towards and spaced from the vehicle structure. It is proposed that the deformation element has a rearward running connecting portion which is connected to the bumper cross-member and a center portion running towards the outside from the connecting portion and adjoining the deformation portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Tobias Duffe
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Publication number: 20180272986Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for a motor vehicle front end has a leg-contacting segment which, in a pre-impact position, is arranged completely above an approach plane of the vehicle (which is defined by way of a front approach angle of the motor vehicle), and can be adjusted into a post-impact position by means of a force deflecting apparatus by way of at least proportionally vertical deflection of an impact force which acts along the longitudinal direction. In a post-impact position, the contact segment is arranged at least partially below the approach plane and lower than a bumper crossmember.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Antje SIPIDO, Monika TEODORESCU, Susanne SPAETGENS, Joergen HILMANN, Tobias DUFFE
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Publication number: 20170210316Abstract: The invention concerns a bumper unit for a motor vehicle, with a bumper cross-member which is connected to a vehicle structure via a crumple element. To provide a bumper unit which has optimal crash behavior on frontal impacts both with small overlap and with larger overlap, according to the invention it is provided that a deformation element is arranged on the bumper cross-member outside of the crumple element with a deformation portion running obliquely relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis X, towards and spaced from the vehicle structure. It is proposed that the deformation element has a rearward running connecting portion which is connected to the bumper cross-member and a center portion running towards the outside from the connecting portion and adjoining the deformation portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Tobias DUFFE
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Publication number: 20170151920Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper unit for a motor vehicle, having a crumple element attached to a bumper and a connecting plate that is adapted to be connected to a vehicle structure. The connecting plate is connected to the crumple element by at least one primary weld seam. At least one reinforcing element is connected to the crumple element in a connecting region that adjoins a primary weld seam and extends away from the primary weld seam.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2016Publication date: June 1, 2017Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Tobias DUFFE
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Patent number: 9586517Abstract: An exterior mirror for a motor vehicle that has a filling funnel for filling at least one liquid container arranged in the motor vehicle. The exterior mirror may have an optical fluid level display. The exterior mirror also includes a flap that is opened to provide access to the filling funnel. The flap may comprise a portion of the outer surface of a housing portion of the exterior mirror.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Tobias Duffe
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Publication number: 20140211494Abstract: An exterior mirror for a motor vehicle that has a filling funnel for filling at least one liquid container arranged in the motor vehicle. The exterior mirror may have an optical fluid level display. The exterior mirror also includes a flap that is opened to provide access to the filling funnel. The flap may comprise a portion of the outer surface of a housing portion of the exterior mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Tobias DUFFE