Patents by Inventor Wilfried Michel
Wilfried Michel 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: 9371880Abstract: A shock absorber for a motor vehicle including an outer cylinder having upper and lower end walls, an inner cylinder disposed within and coaxially relative to the outer cylinder, connected to the upper end wall of the outer cylinder, providing an annular chamber with the outer cylinder and having a partition wall at a lower end thereof spaced from the lower end wall of the outer cylinder, and a piston having a head portion disposed in the inner cylinder and a rod portion extending through the partition wall of the inner cylinder and the lower end wall of the outer cylinder, wherein the annular chamber is filled with a gas, the inner cylinder is filled with a damping fluid and the piston head and the end wall of the inner cylinder are provided with one-way valves.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Wilfried Michel
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Patent number: 8894077Abstract: A device for adjusting the camber and/or the toe of a vehicle wheel of a motor vehicle includes a wheel carrier, which has a wheel-side carrier part and an axle-side guide part, between which rotary parts that can be rotated relative to each other are arranged, wherein at least one of the rotary parts can be adjusted in both rotational directions by means of a drive and a gear stage in order to adjust the toe and/or the camber. The gear stage for the rotary part is configured as harmonic drive gear train having a driving, elliptical drive disk, and a stationary, internally toothed ring gear.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8851493Abstract: An axle actuator for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle includes an output lever, a torsion bar spring acting on a wheel side upon the output lever, and a rotary actuator adapted to adjust a tension of the torsion bar spring. A coupler links the output lever to a wheel guide element of the wheel suspension and is configured as a spring with defined spring rate and connected by joints with the output lever and the wheel guide element.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Wilfried Michel
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Patent number: 8827287Abstract: An axle control element of a motor vehicle has a torsion spring system connected to a wheel control element via a rotary spring arm and fixedly supported on the vehicle body via a controllable actuator. The torsion spring system has a torsion spring rod nested inside a torsion spring tube. An actuator unit is spaced apart from the torsion spring system and is fixed on the vehicle body and a pivotally controllable drive lever is connected to the actuator unit. The drive lever is connected to a torsion spring tube, and an output lever is connected to a torsion spring rod and directly or indirectly via a coupling to the wheel control element. Alternatively, the drive lever is connected to a torsion spring rod, and the output lever is connected to a torsion spring tube and directly or indirectly via a coupling to the wheel control element.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Wilfried Michel
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Patent number: 8731780Abstract: A method for operating a mechatronic chassis device of a motor vehicle, wherein the mechatronic chassis device has an arrangement with two servomotors which, when activated, individually change both a toe angle (?) of a wheel and a camber angle (?) of the wheel. The servomotors are controlled on the basis of target values in a predetermined manner, wherein if a first servomotor cannot be placed into operation, an emergency program is started and the second servomotor is controlled in a manner different from the predetermined manner such that a lateral force on the wheel is adjusted to a predetermined desired value.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Hugo Müller, Christoph Kossira, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8597155Abstract: Planetary gearing, in particular multistage planetary gearing, is disclosed. The planetary gearing includes at least one drive shaft, an output shaft, a sun wheel, a ring gear, planet wheels assigned to the planetary gear train, a gear casing, in particular a multipart gear casing, a planetary gear train, in particular the second planetary gear train, comprising a planet wheel arm immovably arranged in a casing. The construction of such a planetary gearing is simplified compared to the prior art, thereby saving costs. This is achieved in that the planet wheel arm is integrally formed with a casing.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Klaus Noller, Gerhard Bauer, Thomas Matern, Wilfried Michel, Marco Lehmann
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Patent number: 8573573Abstract: The invention relates a spring strut arrangement for wheel suspensions of motor vehicles, which is formed from a telescoping shock absorber, a suspension spring element which is preferably made as a helical compression spring, and a preloaded spring element which is preferably made as a helical compression spring, the spring elements being supported by way of spring caps on the body of the motor vehicle and on a wheel suspension element and a third spring cap located in between being movably guided along the longitudinal axis of the shock absorber relative to the body by way of an electrically driven positioning drive which is located within the spring elements, the positioning drive having a positioning spindle which is pivoted around the shock absorber and an adjusting nut which is connected to the movable spring cap.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Wilfried Michel
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Patent number: 8562009Abstract: A suspension arrangement for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle includes an output lever hinged directly or indirectly to a wheel control element and configured as a flexible spring of defined spring rate. A transverse torsion-bar spring acts on the output lever, with an actuator adjusting a pretension of the torsion-bar spring.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Wilfried Michel
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Publication number: 20130241168Abstract: An axle actuator for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle includes an output lever, a torsion bar spring acting on a wheel side upon the output lever, and a rotary actuator adapted to adjust a tension of the torsion bar spring. A coupler links the output lever to a wheel guide element of the wheel suspension and is configured as a spring with defined spring rate and connected by joints with the output lever and the wheel guide element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Audi AGInventor: Wilfried Michel
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Patent number: 8534684Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for motor vehicles, comprising a wheel carrier (14), which has a wheel-side carrier part (16) that rotatably supports a vehicle wheel (12) and an axle-side guide part (18), between which a control element is connected, wherein the wheel-side carrier part (16) can be pivoted about a pivot angle relative to the axle-side guide part (18) to set a toe angle and/or camber angle when the control element is actuated. According to the invention, the wheel carrier (14), in particular the guide part (18) thereof, is guided directly or indirectly on a linear guide (26) affixed to the body in form of a slotted guide, allowing movement in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Hugo Müller, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8500133Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for a motor vehicle, comprising a wheel-side carrier part (12) holding a vehicle wheel (1) in a rotatable manner, and an axle-side guiding part (14) between which mutually rotating rotary parts (16, 18) are arranged. The guiding part (14), the rotary parts (16, 18) and/or the carrier part (12) interact with first and second effective areas (18a, 36a; 18b, 16b; 16a, 54a) facing each other. According to the invention, the first effective area radially defines a conical or spherical hollow profile into which the corresponding second effective area protrudes in an essentially form-fitting manner.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8490983Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle includes a support element on the wheel-side rotatably mounting a vehicle wheel and a carrier element on the axle-side, wherein the carrier element on the wheel-side can be adjusted for setting a toe and/or camber angle relative to the support element on the axle-side, wherein the carrier elements on the axle-side and on the wheel-side are coupled to a universal joint in which webs of the carrier elements on the wheel-side and on the axle-side are articulated on a gimbal ring element by means of bearing points. The webs of the support elements are articulated on the gimbal ring element at the bearing points by means of ball joints.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wolfgang Schmid, Heinrich Beringer, Hugo Müller, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Wilfried Michel, Christoph Kossira
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Publication number: 20130175776Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting camber and/or toe of a vehicle wheel having a wheel carrier (10) on which the wheel is rotatably mounted, the wheel guide element (10) having a carrier member (12) receiving the wheel, a guide member (14) on the axle side and at least one intermediately arranged actuating element (16, 18) for adjusting camber and/or toe of the vehicle wheel, which actuating element (16, 18) has a drive connection to at least one servomotor (26, 28). According to the invention, the carrier member (12) and the guide member (14) are each coupled by a cardanic articulated connection to a corresponding articulated fork (32, 34) and a supporting ring (40) connecting the articulated fork (32, 34) via bearing pins (38), and the servomotor (26, 28) is connected to the actuating element (16, 18) via a belt drive (30) which passes through an intermediate space (39) in the articulated forks (32, 34).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller, Wolfgang Schmid
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Publication number: 20130173120Abstract: A method for operating a mechatronic chassis device of a motor vehicle, wherein the mechatronic chassis device has an arrangement with two servomotors which, when activated, individually change both a toe angle (?) of a wheel and a camber angle (?) of the wheel. The servomotors are controlled on the basis of target values in a predetermined manner, wherein if a first servomotor cannot be placed into operation, an emergency program is started and the second servomotor is controlled in a manner different from the predetermined manner such that a lateral force on the wheel is adjusted to a predetermined desired value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Hugo Müller, Christoph Kossira, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8474837Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the camber and/or toe of a motor vehicle wheel includes a wheel carrier, on which the wheel is rotatably mounted. The wheel carrier is divided into a carrier member receiving the wheel via a wheel bearing, an axle-side guide member, and a bearing assembly arranged therebetween. The bearing assembly includes rotary parts which can be rotated relative to each other and relative to both the carrier member and the guide member and which interact with confronting inclined faces. The wheel bearing includes a radially outer bearing housing, which is clamped by the bearing assembly formed from the rotary parts into a plug-and-socket connection with the carrier member.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Wilfried Michel, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8459661Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for motor vehicles, with at least one wheel-side support member which pivotally supports one vehicle wheel and at least one axle-side support member, between which at least one intermediate element is connected, in particular an actuator for setting the track angle and/or the camber angle (?, ?) of the vehicle wheel. According to the invention the wheel-side support member and the axle-side support member are pressed into contact with one another by a pretensioning means with a pretensioning force (FV).Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wolfgang Schmid, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Wilfried Michel, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Mueller
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Patent number: 8454029Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for motor vehicles with level adjustment of the body, having a vertical adjusting device (22; 80) which is disposed between a wheel guide element and the superstructure of the motor vehicle and which is particularly designed as a ball screw mechanism driven by an electric motor and acts on an adjusting plate spring (34) of at least one support spring (14), wherein the vertical adjusting device (22; 80) is outwardly sealed by at least one enclosing rubber-elastic bellows (50, 52; 100). In order to prevent deformation of the at least one bellows and ingress of dirt or moisture into the vertical adjusting device, the invention proposes that the interior space (54, 56; 102) enclosed by the bellows (50, 52; 100) is connected directly or indirectly to an auxiliary volume (66; 108) positioned outside of the bellows (50, 52; 100).Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Wilfried Michel
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Publication number: 20130127131Abstract: An axle control element of a motor vehicle has a torsion spring system connected to a wheel control element via a rotary spring arm and fixedly supported on the vehicle body via a controllable actuator. The torsion spring system has a torsion spring rod nested inside a torsion spring tube. An actuator unit is spaced apart from the torsion spring system and is fixed on the vehicle body and a pivotally controllable drive lever is connected to the actuator unit. The drive lever is connected to a torsion spring tube, and an output lever is connected to a torsion spring rod and directly or indirectly via a coupling to the wheel control element. Alternatively, the drive lever is connected to a torsion spring rod, and the output lever is connected to a torsion spring tube and directly or indirectly via a coupling to the wheel control element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: AUDI AGInventor: Wilfried Michel
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Patent number: 8376329Abstract: The invention relates to a strut for a motor vehicle with an axially adjustable spring plate comprising a vibration damper with a cylinder and a piston rod, a support spring which is dynamically connected to the spring plate, a ring electric motor with a rotor and a stator, a ball screw with a threaded spindle which is pivoted on the piston rod, and a threaded nut for translational motion of the spring plate, and a bearing arrangement for fixing the strut on the vehicle body, the bearing arrangement having spherical bearing surfaces which allow at least a pivoting motion of the strut to the vehicle body. The invention is characterized in that in the region of the bearing arrangement the vehicle body is dynamically connected to the strut by way of a radially-stiff and rotationally-stiff component which is axially and cardanically soft.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Wilfried Michel
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Patent number: 8371593Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the camber and/or toe of the wheels of a wheel suspension, particularly for motor vehicles, having a wheel carrier on which each wheel is rotatably supported and comprising a carrier part receiving the wheel and a guide part connected to the wheel suspension, between which rotating parts (26, 28) rotating about a rotation axis and preferably driven by an electric motor are disposed, bringing about a defined displacement of the carrier part and/or the guide part by the rotational actuation thereof for changing the camber and/or toe. According to the invention, a single adjusting drive (54) is provided for actuating the rotary parts (26, 28), by means of which the two rotary parts (26, 28) can be adjusted in different, particularly in opposite, directions.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller