Patents by Inventor Zsolt WILKE

Zsolt WILKE 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).

  • Publication number: 20240326581
    Abstract: A covering device for a vehicle, includes: a cover; a drive element formed to enable a movement of the cover, wherein the drive element brings about a force which acts on the cover. The covering device has a force-limitation apparatus which limits the force brought about by the drive element to a limit force so that the covering device is protected in the event of an overload acting on the covering device and/or a user is protected when using the covering device. An actuator has a drive apparatus with a drive element; an output drive element; and a force-decoupling apparatus. The force-decoupling apparatus is formed so that it at least temporarily does not output a force taken up by the drive element or at least temporarily outputs it in a delayed manner to the output drive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF, Christian BECK, Matthias HEGWEIN
  • Patent number: 12065032
    Abstract: A covering device (100) for a vehicle, includes: a cover (10); a drive element (40a, 40b) formed to enable a movement of the cover, wherein the drive element brings about a force which acts on the cover. The covering device has a force-limitation apparatus (30a, 30b) which limits the force brought about by the drive element to a limit force so that the covering device is protected in the event of an overload acting on the covering device and/or a user is protected when using the covering device. An actuator (200) has a drive apparatus (210) with a drive element (211); an output drive element (290); and a force-decoupling apparatus (230). The force-decoupling apparatus is formed so that it at least temporarily does not output a force taken up by the drive element or at least temporarily outputs it in a delayed manner to the output drive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Andreas Rudolf, Christian Beck, Matthias Hegwein
  • Patent number: 12030375
    Abstract: A covering device (100) for a vehicle, includes: a cover (10); a drive element (40a, 40b) formed to enable a movement of the cover, wherein the drive element brings about a force which acts on the cover. The covering device has a force-limitation apparatus (30a, 30b) which limits the force brought about by the drive element to a limit force so that the covering device is protected in the event of an overload acting on the covering device and/or a user is protected when using the covering device. An actuator (200) has a drive apparatus (210) with a drive element (211); an output drive element (290); and a force-decoupling apparatus (230). The force-decoupling apparatus is formed so that it at least temporarily does not output a force taken up by the drive element or at least temporarily outputs it in a delayed manner to the output drive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Andreas Rudolf, Christian Beck, Matthias Hegwein
  • Patent number: 12012050
    Abstract: A fastening device for fastening an interior component of a vehicle to a body component. The fastening device includes a fastening clip, a bracket associated with said fastening clip, and a blocking device. The fastening device can be transferred from a pre-assembly state into an assembly state. In the pre-assembly state, the blocking device is deactivated and the fastening clip, together with the associated bracket, can be inserted at least partly into an opening formed in the body component. Further, and the fastening clip or at least a portion of the fastening clip can be moved in a flexible manner relative to the associated bracket and in particular in an insertion direction and/or perpendicular to the insertion direction. In the assembly state, the blocking device is activated and a movement of the fastening clip or the portion of the fastening clip relative to the associated bracket is at least substantially blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Marek Kukuczka, Adam Zawada, Zsolt Wilke
  • Publication number: 20240175303
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuating mechanism for actuating, in particular unlocking and opening, vehicle doors. The actuating mechanism includes: an actuator (104), in particular with a handle, for opening vehicle doors (102); a kinematics (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) for transmitting a movement of the actuator to a signal transmitter. The kinematics (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) comprises a cam disk (204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704); and an elastic biasing element (206, 306, 406, 506, 606, 706) biased against the cam disk (204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704). The cam disk (204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704) cooperates with the biasing element (206, 306, 406, 506, 606, 706) in order to define a first force threshold for a first rotation of the cam disk (204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704) as well as a second, higher force threshold for a second, downstream rotation of the cam disk (204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas Rudolf, Zsolt Wilke
  • Patent number: 11993960
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door handle for a car, wherein the door handle has a handle section to be gripped manually and a pivoting bearing section, by way of which the door handle can be mounted on a car door such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position which unlocks the car door, wherein a metal ball, in particular a steel ball, or a metal cylinder, in particular a steel cylinder, is fastened to the door handle, wherein, if a predefined transverse acceleration which acts on the door handle occurs, the metal ball or the metal cylinder counteracts, as a counterweight, an opening force which acts on the handle section on account of the transverse acceleration. Moreover, the invention relates to a corresponding method for producing a door handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Roland Och, Elmar Fries, Massimo Trisorio
  • Publication number: 20240093537
    Abstract: Described is a vehicle door actuating apparatus (100). The vehicle door actuating apparatus (100) includes an actuating surface (106), a sensor (140), such as an inductive sensor or switch, and a mechanism for transmitting a compressive force applied by a user to the actuating surface (106) into a movement that is detectable by the sensor. The mechanism includes a first component (111) or a first component group on which the switch (140) is at least partially fixed and a transmission element (120) that is pivotally arranged on the first component (111) or the first component group. The transmission element (120) is pivotable between a home position in which the sensor (140) is not triggered by the transmission element (120) and an actuating position in which the sensor (140) is triggered by the transmission element (120). The transmission element (120) is movable relative to the actuating apparatus (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF, Fritz GÖBEL, Martin WEID
  • Publication number: 20240084836
    Abstract: An assembly for providing a fastening possibility for a vehicle component to a body component is configured as a torsion clip and includes a connecting element and a retaining element. The assembly is transferable from a pre-assembly or delivery state into a prefixation state, wherein, in order to transfer the assembly from its pre-assembly or delivery state into its pre-fixation state, a torque is exerted on the retaining element in such a way that the retaining element is twisted relative to the connecting element in order to enable passage of a retaining region of the retaining element through a fastening opening of the body component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Marek KUKUCZKA, Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF
  • Publication number: 20240062973
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle door switch actuating apparatus (100). The apparatus includes an actuating element (104) having an actuating surface (110), a mechanical switch (112), and a mechanism for transferring a compressive force applied by a user to the actuating surface (110) onto the mechanical switch (112) in order to flip the mechanical switch (112). The mechanism includes: a first component (102) on which the mechanical switch (112) is fixed at least in the switching direction; and a lever (120) pivotally supported about a pivot axis (124) relative to the first component (102) or the first component group and connected to the actuating element (104) via a first bearing on a first side (111) of the actuating surface (110). The actuating element (104) is supported on the first component (102) or the first component group via a second bearing on a second side (113) of the actuating surface (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas RUDOLF, Zsolt WILKE
  • Publication number: 20240025325
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an assembly (1) for providing a fastening possibility for a vehicle component (2), in particular an interior component, on a body component, wherein the assembly includes a connecting element (3), a retaining element (4) and a locking and/or blocking element (13). The locking and/or blocking element (13) includes a land region (31) extending in the insertion direction, wherein the land region (31) preferably includes two opposing finger and/or wing elements (32) that are radially projecting from the land region (31). A base body (5) of the retaining element (4) includes a passage (16) extending in the longitudinal direction of the base body (5), wherein the land region (31) of the locking and/or blocking element (13) is receivable with the finger or wing elements (32) projecting from the land region (31), at least partially or some areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas RUDOLF, Zsolt WILKE
  • Patent number: 11866964
    Abstract: A door handle arrangement for a vehicle includes a housing which is fastenable to a body part of a vehicle body, and a handle lever which is mounted in a handle cutout of the housing so as to be movable between an inoperative position and an actuating position in order to unlock and/or open a vehicle door. The handle lever is mounted with play in the housing. At least one compensating element is provided which is designed to be fastened to at least one fastening portion of the body part. The compensating element forms at least one contact portion for the handle lever. The handle lever is pretensioned into its inoperative position against the at least one contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Matthias Seubert, Roland Och, Brian Svec
  • Publication number: 20230420200
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a module (100) for generating signals, in particular signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps. The module (100) includes a housing (102) having a plug-in region (106) and a switch region (104); at least one switch (108), in particular a microswitch, which is connected releasably to the switch region (104) of the housing (102); and electrical contacts (110, 112), which are releasably connectable to the at least one switch (108) and extend from the switch region (104) at least partially into the plug-in region (106). The electrical contacts (110, 112) are configured so as to make electrical contact with an on-board plug for transmitting an electrical signal, wherein the electrical contacts (110, 112) each comprise a first end (116, 118) which, in the installed state, is biased against one of the contacts (126, 128) of the at least one switch (108).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Joachim OBERST, Zsolt WILKE, Erik DILJE, Andreas RUDOLF
  • Publication number: 20230420201
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a module (100) for generating signals, in particular signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps. The module (100) includes: a one-piece housing (102) having a plug region (106) and a switch region (104); at least one switch, in particular a microswitch (108), which is connected releasably to the switch region (104) of the housing; and electrical contacts (110, 112), which are releasably connectable to the at least one switch and extend from the switch region (104) at least partially into the plug region (106). The electrical contacts are configured in order to produce an electrical contact with an on-board plug for transmitting an electrical signal, wherein the housing (102) is preferably releasably connectable to a vehicle component, preferably an operator element housing, and particularly preferably a door lever housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Joachim OBERST, Zsolt WILKE, Erik DILJE, Andreas RUDOLF
  • Publication number: 20230417087
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a module (100) for generating signals, in particular signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps. The module (100) includes: a housing (102) having a switch region (104); a switch (108), in particular a microswitch, which is connected, in particular releasably connected, to the switch region of the housing (102); and an actuating flap (120), which is pivotally connected to the housing (102). The actuating flap (120) is configured to be pivoted by a movement of an operating element, such as a door lever, between a first position and a second position in which the switch (108) is activated by the actuating flap (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Joachim OBERST, Zsolt WILKE, Erik DILJE, Andreas RUDOLF
  • Publication number: 20230340811
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus (100) for aligning covers (102) for vehicles, in particular covers for flush door handles, wherein the cover (102) is reversibly movable, and in particular pivotable, between a closed position in which the cover (102) covers a door handle recess (106) and an open position in which the cover releases a door handle recess (106), and wherein the apparatus (100) comprises the following: a kinematics (108) configured so as to reversibly move, and in particular pivot, the cover (102) between the closed position and the open position; and a support assembly (200) configured so as to connect the cover (102) to the kinematics (108) in such a way that the cover (102), in its closed position, is arranged flush with an outer skin (104) of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF, Joachim OBERST
  • Publication number: 20230313584
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuating mechanism for actuating, in particular opening, vehicle doors, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises the following: an actuating element, which is transfer-able from a home position into an actuating position in order to generate an electrical actuation signal and into a second actuating position for manual actuation of the vehicle doors; a first flat spring, which is connected to the actuating element in such a way that the first flat spring generates haptic and/or acoustic feedback when the actuating element is transferred into the first actuating position and that the first flat spring preferably biases the actuating element into the home position; and a second spring, in particular a second flat spring, which is connected to the actuating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Andreas Rudolf
  • Publication number: 20230313571
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuating mechanism for actuating, in particular opening, vehicle doors, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises the following: a housing having a pivot axis; an actuating element, which is transferable from a home position into an actuating position in order to generate an electrical actuation signal and into an emergency release position for manual unlocking of the vehicle door, wherein the actuating element comprises a curved region, which is pivotally connected to the pivot axis, and wherein the curved region is arranged in the home position of the actuating element in the housing and protrudes from the housing in the emergency release position of the actuating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Andreas Rudolf
  • Publication number: 20230235602
    Abstract: An actuating portion for a vehicle door handle assembly, in particular an inner door handle assembly, wherein the actuating portion includes a carrier portion formed by co-injection, having a core and an outer layer, and a decorative portion connected to the carrier portion, in particular integrally, wherein the actuating portion has been produced in a multi-component injection-molding method, in particular in a three-component injection-molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Zsolt WILKE, Elmar FRIES, Steffen KOLB
  • Publication number: 20230151651
    Abstract: A locking device enables locking a charging, fueling, or service flap on a compartment. The flap is reversibly movable between a closed position and an open position. The locking device includes a flap lock for locking the flap in its closed position. The flap lock has a locking position, in which the flap lock locks the flap, and a release position in which the flap is moveable in relation to the flap lock. A first transfer shaft is connected to the flap lock such that the flap lock is moveable by a movement of the first transfer shaft between the locking position and the release position. A pushing element is connected to the first transfer shaft and configured so as to push the flap out of its closed position away from the charging compartment after the flap lock is transferred into its release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Matthias HEGWEIN, Zsolt WILKE, Andreas RUDOLF, Roland OCH, Thomas LECHNER-WATZLIK, Matthias KAPAUN
  • Patent number: 11643855
    Abstract: Door handle assembly for a vehicle has a handle (10) mounted on a handle support (60) and one or more rest positions and at least one release position. The assembly has at least three different positions, —a flush or retracted position, in which the handle (10) is flush or retracted with respect to an outer door surface, —a deployed position, in which the handle (10) protrudes or protrudes to a greater extent than in the retracted position, —and the at least one release position. The handle (10) is connected to the handle support (60) via two links (21, 22) and rotational joints wherein one joint (22.1) also has a translational degree of freedom wherein a movement of the joint (22.1) along the translational degree of freedom is configured to mechanically actuate the door lock (120) or door lock (120) function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Och, Zsolt Wilke, Matthias Seubert, Joachim Oberst