Patents by Inventor Florian WEINL

Florian WEINL 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: 11767914
    Abstract: In a device for locking a piston rod of a piston of an actuator, an armature rod of an electromagnet is axially movable counter to a preloading spring and includes two actuating contours. Latching mechanisms are operable to mechanically fix the piston. An axial distance between base points of the actuating contours is such that the piston is mechanically fixable by only one of the latching mechanisms in each case. Interlocking elements of both latching mechanisms are accommodated in an axially fixed manner in a sleeve, are radially displaceable, and are selectively engageable with the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Thomas Schwegler, Maik Wiesner, Dirk Leutheuser
  • Patent number: 11746902
    Abstract: A device (1) for actuating a parking lock device (2) of an automatic transmission includes a piston (3) guided in a cylinder (5) and hydraulically displaceable counter to a spring force of an actuation spring (4). The piston (3) is form-lockingly fixable in a first position and in a second position by radially displaceable blocking elements (26) of a blocking device (15). The blocking elements (26) are radially displaceable by an actuation element (17). The radial displacement path of the blocking elements (26) and an operating condition of the actuation element (17) corresponding thereto in the first position of the piston (3) deviate from the radial displacement path of the blocking elements (26) and the operating condition of the actuation element (17) corresponding thereto in the second position of the piston (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schwegler, Sven Jabs, Andreas Bisping, Florian Weinl
  • Patent number: 11708900
    Abstract: A parking lock includes a locking pawl (2) and an interlocking element (6) arranged on a connecting bar (5) to a selector lever (4). The end of the connecting bar (5) facing away from the interlocking element (6) is articulatedly connected to the selector lever (4). A hydraulically actuatable actuator (10) includes two pistons (11, 12) provided for disengaging the parking lock. During normal operation, a detent device (13), which is actuatable by an electromagnet (13a), locks the first piston (11) in a piston position corresponding to an engaged condition (P_ein) or a disengaged condition (P_aus). Without requiring activating the electromagnet (13a) to release the detent device (13), the parking lock, during normal operation, is manually disengagable with an emergency disengagement device (15) acting upon the second piston (12) and is manually engagable with an emergency engagement device (16) acting upon the detent device (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Sebastian Deeg, Dirk Leutheuser, Tobias Miller, Arthur Strehlau, Julia Klein, Matthias List, Armin Gierling
  • Publication number: 20220205535
    Abstract: A device (1) for actuating a parking lock device (2) of an automatic transmission includes a piston (3) guided in a cylinder (5) and hydraulically displaceable counter to a spring force of an actuation spring (4). The piston (3) is form-lockingly fixable in a first position and in a second position by radially displaceable blocking elements (26) of a blocking device (15). The blocking elements (26) are radially displaceable by an actuation element (17). The radial displacement path of the blocking elements (26) and an operating condition of the actuation element (17) corresponding thereto in the first position of the piston (3) deviate from the radial displacement path of the blocking elements (26) and the operating condition of the actuation element (17) corresponding thereto in the second position of the piston (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Schwegler, Sven Jabs, Andreas Bisping, Florian Weinl
  • Patent number: 11261967
    Abstract: A device for locking a piston rod of a piston includes a latching mechanism actuatable by an actuating element. The actuating element is fixedly arranged on an armature rod of an electromagnet, is clamped between two preloading springs, and includes two actuating contours. Components of the device are configured with respect to geometry and with respect to forces acting upon each of the components such that a permanent magnet holds the armature rod in a first position in the non-energized condition of an electromagnet and in the engaged condition of the parking lock and such that the electromagnet holds the armature rod in a second position in the energized condition and in the disengaged condition of the parking lock. The parking lock is disengageable in the pressurized condition of the piston and in the energized condition of the electromagnet, and the parking lock is engageable in the non-pressurized condition of the piston and in the non-energized condition of the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Maik Wiesner, Florian Weinl, Dirk Leutheuser, Thomas Schwegler
  • Patent number: 11143299
    Abstract: A device for locking a piston rod of a piston of an actuator is provided. An electrically actuatable electromagnet includes an armature rod, which is axially movable counter to a first preloading spring and on which two actuating elements are axially displaceably mounted between two stops of the armature rod. A second preloading spring is axially mounted between the two actuating elements. The actuating elements each include actuating contours, which are associated with latching mechanisms, via which the piston is mechanically fixable in a disengaged condition and in a engaged condition of the parking lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Thomas Schwegler, Maik Wiesner, Dirk Leutheuser
  • Publication number: 20210239205
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuating device for actuating a shifting element of a transmission includes a hydraulic cylinder with a piston rod and a piston chamber, wherein the piston rod can be brought into a mechanical operative connection with the shifting element, and a hydraulic pump which is connected via a hydraulic line to the piston chamber, in order for it to be possible for hydraulic fluid to be fed to the piston chamber and thus to initiate an adjusting movement of the piston rod. The actuating device is characterized by a shut-off device, via which the hydraulic fluid can be locked in the piston chamber, in order thus to fix the position of the piston rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Julia Stecher, Bernard Hunold, Karsten Kudermann, Matthias Köpf
  • Publication number: 20210172522
    Abstract: In a device for locking a piston rod of a piston of an actuator, an armature rod of an electromagnet is axially movable counter to a preloading spring and includes two actuating contours. Latching mechanisms are operable to mechanically fix the piston. An axial distance between base points of the actuating contours is such that the piston is mechanically fixable by only one of the latching mechanisms in each case. Interlocking elements of both latching mechanisms are accommodated in an axially fixed manner in a sleeve, are radially displaceable, and are selectively engageable with the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Thomas Schwegler, Maik Wiesner, Dirk Leutheuser
  • Publication number: 20210172521
    Abstract: A device for locking a piston rod of a piston of an actuator is provided. An electrically actuatable electromagnet includes an armature rod, which is axially movable counter to a first preloading spring and on which two actuating elements are axially displaceably mounted between two stops of the armature rod. A second preloading spring is axially mounted between the two actuating elements. The actuating elements each include actuating contours, which are associated with latching mechanisms, via which the piston is mechanically fixable in a disengaged condition and in a engaged condition of the parking lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Thomas Schwegler, Maik Wiesner, Dirk Leutheuser
  • Publication number: 20210172520
    Abstract: A device for locking a piston rod of a piston includes a latching mechanism actuatable by an actuating element. The actuating element is fixedly arranged on an armature rod of an electromagnet, is clamped between two preloading springs, and includes two actuating contours. Components of the device are configured with respect to geometry and with respect to forces acting upon each of the components such that a permanent magnet holds the armature rod in a first position in the non-energized condition of an electromagnet and in the engaged condition of the parking lock and such that the electromagnet holds the armature rod in a second position in the energized condition and in the disengaged condition of the parking lock. The parking lock is disengageable in the pressurized condition of the piston and in the energized condition of the electromagnet, and the parking lock is engageable in the non-pressurized condition of the piston and in the non-energized condition of the electromagnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Maik Wiesner, Florian Weinl, Dirk Leutheuser, Thomas Schwegler
  • Patent number: 11022218
    Abstract: A parking lock for a transmission of a motor vehicle having an interlocking element of a connecting rod that is biased against a parking lock disengagement direction to bring and keep a ratchet tooth of a locking pawl in engagement with a tooth space of a parking interlock gear during an engagement of the parking lock. The connecting rod is provided a spring force acting in a parking lock engagement direction from an inserting spring and a compressive force acting in the parking lock disengagement direction from a hydraulically actuatable actuator having first piston pressurizable to disengage the parking lock. A detent device actuatable by an electromagnet mechanically fixes the first piston in either a latched or unlatched piston position associated with an engaged or disengaged position of the parking lock, respectively. A system determines a current engagement position of the detent device by assessing an inductance at the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schwegler, Florian Weinl, Michael Jud, Armin Haugg, Julia Klein
  • Publication number: 20210116026
    Abstract: A parking lock includes a locking pawl (2) and an interlocking element (6) arranged on a connecting bar (5) to a selector lever (4). The end of the connecting bar (5) facing away from the interlocking element (6) is articulatedly connected to the selector lever (4). A hydraulically actuatable actuator (10) includes two pistons (11, 12) provided for disengaging the parking lock. During normal operation, a detent device (13), which is actuatable by an electromagnet (13a), locks the first piston (11) in a piston position corresponding to an engaged condition (P_ein) or a disengaged condition (P_aus). Without requiring activating the electromagnet (13a) to release the detent device (13), the parking lock, during normal operation, is manually disengagable with an emergency disengagement device (15) acting upon the second piston (12) and is manually engagable with an emergency engagement device (16) acting upon the detent device (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Sebastian Deeg, Dirk Leutheuser, Tobias Miller, Arthur Strehlau, Julia Klein, Matthias List, Armin Gierling
  • Patent number: 10867734
    Abstract: A plurality of inductive loads (105) are connectable in parallel with one another between first and second terminals (120, 125), to which a controllable voltage (205) is applied. A method (300, 400) for operating the loads (105) includes the steps of detecting (305, 405) the connection of a previously non-energized load (105) between the terminals (120, 125); setting (310, 410, 435) the voltage (205) to a predetermined first value (210), and, after the lapse of a predetermined time interval (315, 415), adjusting the voltage (205) to a predetermined second value (215), with the second value (215) being lower than the first value (210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Christoph Stritt, Ulrich Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20200173487
    Abstract: A securing device (1) for a screw (2), including a component (3) having at least one screw opening (4). The screw opening (4) has a first bore (5) and a second bore (6) in which the first bore (5) has a smaller bore diameter and a larger bore depth than the second bore (6). The securing device (1) also has an annular expansion element (7) that can be fitted into the second bore (6) and is designed to expand radially and to press its outer circumference (7?) against an inner circumference of the second bore (6) when the screw (2) is introduced into an annular opening (7?) of the expansion element (7). Also described is a method for securing a screw (2) in a screw opening (4) utilizing the securing device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Michael PANTKE, Gabriel WAGNER, Florian WEINL, Bernhard WALTER, Alexander BLASER, Michael LINDER
  • Publication number: 20190271395
    Abstract: A parking lock for a transmission of a motor vehicle having an interlocking element of a connecting rod that is biased against a parking lock disengagement direction to bring and keep a ratchet tooth of a locking pawl in engagement with a tooth space of a parking interlock gear during an engagement of the parking lock. The connecting rod is provided a spring force acting in a parking lock engagement direction from an inserting spring and a compressive force acting in the parking lock disengagement direction from a hydraulically actuatable actuator having first piston pressurizable to disengage the parking lock. A detent device actuatable by an electromagnet mechanically fixes the first piston in either a latched or unlatched piston position associated with an engaged or disengaged position of the parking lock, respectively. A system determines a current engagement position of the detent device by assessing an inductance at the electromagnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Schwegler, Florian Weinl, Michael Jud, Armin Haugg, Julia Klein
  • Publication number: 20180108467
    Abstract: A plurality of inductive loads (105) are connectable in parallel with one another between first and second terminals (120, 125), to which a controllable voltage (205) is applied. A method (300, 400) for operating the loads (105) includes the steps of detecting (305, 405) the connection of a previously non-energized load (105) between the terminals (120, 125); setting (310, 410, 435) the voltage (205) to a predetermined first value (210), and, after the lapse of a predetermined time interval (315, 415), adjusting the voltage (205) to a predetermined second value (215), with the second value (215) being lower than the first value (210).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Florian WEINL, Christoph STRITT, Ulrich SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 9638732
    Abstract: A method of assessing a pulse-width-modulated signal in which the pulse-width-modulated signal to be assessed is applied to a first input of a microcontroller and a signal, that depends on the pulse-width-modulated signal being assessed, is applied to a second input of the microcontroller for assessment. The pulse-width-modulated signal being assessed is applied to a voltage divider to produce the signal that depends on the same. For the pulse-width-modulated signal to be assessed and for the signal that depends on the same, in each case, the microcontroller determines a time interval between signal edges of the respective signal, and the signal is assessed on the basis of a difference between the time interval between the signal edges in the pulse-width-modulated signal to be assessed and the time interval between the signal edges in the signal that depends on the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Florian Weinl
  • Patent number: 9337766
    Abstract: A method of activating an electromagnetic actuator having at least one coil and a movable armature. The method includes the step in which the electromagnetic actuator is demagnetized by passing a sequence of electric current pulses with a current flow direction which alternates from one current pulse to the next and with a current size which decreases from one current pulse to the next, through the at least one coil, in order to reduce or eliminate any residual magnetic flux density in the electromagnetic actuator. The method also includes a step in which a position of the movable armature is determined, after the demagnetization step, by passing a measurement current pulse through the at least one coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Michael Pantke
  • Patent number: 9300192
    Abstract: An electromagnetic control device has a coil with a central axis and an interior space, and a control element that moves along the axis and is arranged at least partially within an interior space of the coil. The control element comprises an armature that axially moves to a desired position when the coil is energized. The coil is divided into at least two separate portions that are arranged axially behind one another and connected electrically in series with one another. An electric central tap is provided, between two adjacent coil portions, by which a sensor current, provided for determining an axial position of the armature, can be fed into a subset of the coil portions. When the armature is in a defined axial position, an axial end face of the armature is located within an axial area determined by an axial separation zone provided between two adjacent coil portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Michael Linder
  • Publication number: 20160084897
    Abstract: A method of assessing a pulse-width-modulated signal in which the pulse-width-modulated signal to be assessed is applied to a first input of a microcontroller and a signal, that depends on the pulse-width-modulated signal being assessed, is applied to a second input of the microcontroller for assessment. The pulse-width-modulated signal being assessed is applied to a voltage divider to produce the signal that depends on the same. For the pulse-width-modulated signal to be assessed and for the signal that depends on the same, in each case, the microcontroller determines a time interval between signal edges of the respective signal, and the signal is assessed on the basis of a difference between the time interval between the signal edges in the pulse-width-modulated signal to be assessed and the time interval between the signal edges in the signal that depends on the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventor: Florian WEINL