Patents by Inventor Ulrich Mair

Ulrich Mair 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: 7500933
    Abstract: A transmission for distributing a drive torque to two drive output shafts, with two planetary gearsets each having at least three shafts. A respective shaft of a planetary gearset is connected to a drive input shaft. Furthermore, one shaft of each planetary gearset constitutes one of the output shafts and in each case at least one further shaft of a planetary gearset is connected with a shaft of another planetary gearset. An operation-status-dependent torque of one shaft can be supported by the connection, depending on an operating status of the other shaft connected thereto, in such manner that when there is a rotation speed difference between the output shafts, a speed-difference-changing torque is applied to the planetary gearsets. Furthermore, a drive train is proposed, in which a drive torque from a drive-power-source is distributed variably in the longitudinal and transverse direction of the vehicle in an operation-status-dependent manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Christoph Pelchen, Barbara Schmohl, Ulrich Mair, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Patent number: 7500931
    Abstract: A vehicle with a drive engine, with at least two vehicle axles and a transmission unit for variable distribution of drive torque from the drive engine in the vehicle's longitudinal direction between the vehicle's axles. The transmission unit is made with an input shaft and at least two output shafts, at least two planetary gearsets and an electric machine arranged between two mutually connected shafts of the planetary gearsets for distribution of the torque delivered via the transmission input shaft between the transmission output shafts as a function of a torque produced by the electric machine. The electric machine is in active connection with the transmission unit connecting between the two interconnected shafts of the planetary gearsets and the planetary gearsets are made with different transmission ratios so that the electric machine is driven by virtue of a speed difference between the actively interconnected shafts of the planetary gearsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Ulrich Mair, Detlef Baasch, Christoph Pelchen
  • Patent number: 7479088
    Abstract: A transmission for distributing a drive torque between at least two drive output shafts with at least two planetary gearsets, each having at least three-shafts. In each case, a shaft of a planetary gearset is connected to a drive input shaft and a second respective shaft of a planetary gearsets is the drive output shafts. A respective third shaft of the planetary gearsets communicates with a brake such that a degree of distribution of the drive torque between the two output shafts varies as a function of the transfer capacities of the brakes. A transmission device controls and regulates a drive torque from a drive engine between the two output shafts of the transmission device. The transfer capacities of the two brakes are adjusted such that one brake is in a synchronous condition and the transfer capacity of the other brake is varied between a lower and an upper limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Christoph Pelchen, Barbara Schmohl, Ulrich Mair, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Patent number: 7469910
    Abstract: A spring carrier for mounting a spring strut to a vehicle body includes a vibration damper having a cylinder and a piston rod which is axially guided in the cylinder, first and second spring collars, and a spring located between the spring collars. An actuator includes a nut and a threaded spindle surrounding the piston rod, the actuator being driven to change the relative axial position of the spring collars. A guide tube extends coaxially between the piston rod and the threaded spindle, the guide tube being fixed to the vehicle body by a first resilient mount, the piston rod being fixed to the guide tube by a second resilient mount, whereby the piston rod can move relative to the first resilient mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Martin Münster, Ulrich Mair, Detlef Baasch
  • Publication number: 20080202843
    Abstract: An axle pivot steering device (4) of a vehicle having first lever elements (8A—1, 8B—1) respectively operatively connected via a second lever element (8A—2, 8B—2) with a wheel carrier (10A, 10B) and in the area of their connections with the second lever elements (8A—2, 8B—2) are each connected in an articulated manner via third lever elements (13A, 13B) with fixed rotational points (14A, 14B). At least two of the lever elements (8A—1, 8A—2), in the connecting area of the lever elements (8A—1, 8A—2, 13A) are designed fork-shaped and interspaced, the same as made by bearing points crossed by a bearing bolt (15) so that the bearing torques resulting from the bearing forces acting on the bearing bolt (15) are at least approximately zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Mair, Klaus Kruber, Stefan Wallner, Markus Huelsmann, Grzegorz Ziemski
  • Publication number: 20080150248
    Abstract: A joint arrangement is proposed in a vehicle having a knuckle steering system where the steering linkage comprises one tie rod (2) flexibly connected with the steering cylinder via one joint (2), on lever element (3) flexibly connected with the tie rod (2) and the axle bridge (1) via one joint (7) provided between the tie rod (2) and the lever element (3) and one joint (8) provided between the elver element (3) and the axle bridge (1) and one coupler (5) flexibly connected with the axle head (6) and the tie rod (2) via one joint (10) provided between the coupler (5) and the tie rod (2), the lever element (3) and the coupler (5) being connected with the tie rod (2) via a double joint (6), at least one joint (7) being designed as radial joint and the other joints (8, 9, 10) as ball joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ulrich MAIR, Friedrich SAIBOLD, Klaus KRUBER, Stefan WALLNER
  • Publication number: 20080001380
    Abstract: An all-wheel drive vehicle with two steered vehicle axles. Each having a main steering cylinder with piston rods actively connected with the wheels. The main steering cylinders each have first and second chambers (30, 31) delimited by at least one piston element (34, 35) which moves longitudinally in the cylinder and is connected to the piston rod (28), such that adjusting pressure in the cylinder with an electric control unit, biases the piston elements and the piston rods to achieve specified wheel steering angles. Furthermore, a third chamber (32), which can be pressurized, is provided between a first and a second piston element (34, 35) of a main steering cylinder (26), which respectively delimit the first and second chamber (30, 31). The piston rods are sectioned, such that a first section is connected to the first piston element and a second section is connected to the second piston element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich MAIR, Stefan Wallner
  • Patent number: 7252173
    Abstract: A differential (2) for a vehicle is proposed for the apportionment of a drive torque conducted via a drive shaft on a crown gear (7). The drive torque is engendered by a motor (1) onto two output shafts (3, 4) and differential is to serve for the compensation of a difference in speed of rotation between the two output shafts (3, 4). The crown gear (7) is located in an area between the motor (1) and a drive wheel (6) of a vehicle (29) while a semi-independent suspension assembly (10) is to be found between the output shafts (3, 4) in the area between the motor (1) and the other drive wheel (5) of the vehicle, whereby the crown gear (7) and the semi-independent suspension assembly (10) are bound together via a shaft (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Mair
  • Patent number: 7252184
    Abstract: A transfer case (12) for distributing a driving torque of an input shaft (19) between two drivable output shafts (22, 29) is described. The transfer case (12) is realized with two controllable and adjustable frictionally engaged clutches (k_VA, k_HA), which are arranged between the input shaft (19) and the output shafts (22, 29) and whose transfer capabilities can be respectively adjusted via separate actuating devices (10, 11). A driving torque can be distributed between the drivable output torques (22, 29) in dependence upon the set transfer capabilities of the clutches (k_VA, k_HA). One clutch (k_HA) can also be radially enclosed by the other clutch (k_VA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Ulrich Mair, Christoph Pelchen, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Publication number: 20070087885
    Abstract: A vehicle with a drive engine, with at least two vehicle axles and a transmission unit for variable distribution of drive torque from the drive engine in the vehicle's longitudinal direction between the vehicle's axles. The transmission unit is made with an input shaft and at least two output shafts, at least two planetary gearsets and an electric machine arranged between two mutually connected shafts of the planetary gearsets for distribution of the torque delivered via the transmission input shaft between the transmission output shafts as a function of a torque produced by the electric machine. The electric machine is in active connection with the transmission unit connecting between the two interconnected shafts of the planetary gearsets and the planetary gearsets are made with different transmission ratios so that the electric machine is driven by virtue of a speed difference between the actively interconnected shafts of the planetary gearsets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Ulrich Mair, Detlef Baasch, Christoph Pelchen
  • Publication number: 20070087886
    Abstract: A vehicle is described, with a drive engine arranged in the transverse direction of the vehicle, with vehicle cross-shafts of a vehicle axle that can be driven by the drive engine and with a transmission unit for the variable distribution of the drive torque from the drive engine in the vehicle's transverse direction between wheels connected to the vehicle cross-shafts. The transmission unit has an input shaft and two output shafts, with two planetary gearsets and an electric machine arranged between two interconnected shafts of the planetary gearsets for the variable distribution of the torque delivered by the input shaft between the two output shafts as a function of torque produced by the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Christoph Pelchen, Ulrich Mair, Detlef Baasch
  • Publication number: 20070087889
    Abstract: A transmission unit (7) with a housing (9), a transmission input shaft (10) and three transmission output shafts (11, 12, 13), at least two planetary gearsets (14, 15) and a device (16) arranged between two actively interconnected shafts (14A, 15A) of the planetary gearsets for variable distribution of torque delivered by the transmission input shaft between two of the three transmission output shafts is described. A web (14D) of the first planetary gearset is formed with a differential cage (19A) of a differential (19), which is provided in order to distribute part of the torque which is delivered by the transmission shaft that has been passed on to the two of the transmission output shafts between the two transmission output shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Ulrich Mair, Detlef Baasch, Christoph Pelchen
  • Publication number: 20070060434
    Abstract: A power train (1) of an all-wheel drive vehicle with at least two driven vehicle axles (4, 5), with a main transmission (3) placed between a main engine (2) and the vehicle axles (4, 5), capable of displaying different conversion ratios, which has three control and adjustment frictional clutches (k_VA, k_HA_L and k_HA_R). The first clutch (k_VA) is placed between the main transmission (3) and the first vehicle axle (4) and the second clutch (k_HA_L) and the third clutches (k_HA_R) are respectively located between an axle transmission (7) and two driven wheels (5A, 5B) of the second vehicle axle (5). The respective transfer capabilities of the clutches (k_VA, k_HA_L, k_HA_R) can be adjusted with an actuator (8), and the driving torque between the driven vehicle axles (4, 5) can be distributed depending on the adjusted transfer capabilities of the clutches (k_VA, k_HA_L, k_HA_R).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Christoph Pelchen, Barbara Schmohl, Ulrich Mair, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Publication number: 20070034441
    Abstract: A power train and a method for controlling and regulating a power train of a motor vehicle with at least two drivable motor vehicle axles. A main transmission is arranged between a motor and the motor vehicle axles for representing various gear ratios. Furthermore, a controllable and regulatable clutch is provided between the main transmission and each of the motor vehicle axles, respectively, whose transmission capacity is respectively adjustable by means of an actuator system. A drive torque can be distributed between the motor vehicle axles as a function of the set transmission capacities of the clutches. The transmission capacities of the clutches can be adjusted to the distribution of the drive torque as needed and optimized as to efficiency by the actuator system such that one clutch can be operated in a slip operation, while the other clutch can be held at least nearly in a synchronous state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Christoph Pelchen, Barbara Schmohl, Ulrich Mair
  • Publication number: 20070015618
    Abstract: A transmission for distributing a drive torque to two drive output shafts, with two planetary gearsets each having at least three shafts. A respective shaft of a planetary gearset is connected to a drive input shaft. Furthermore, one shaft of each planetary gearset constitutes one of the output shafts and in each case at least one further shaft of a planetary gearset is connected with a shaft of another planetary gearset. An operation-status-dependent torque of one shaft can be supported by the connection, depending on an operating status of the other shaft connected thereto, in such manner that when there is a rotation speed difference between the output shafts, a speed-difference-changing torque is applied to the planetary gearsets. Furthermore, a drive train is proposed, in which a drive torque from a drive-power-source is distributed variably in the longitudinal and transverse direction of the vehicle in an operation-status-dependent manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Christoph Pelchen, Barbara Schmohl, Ulrich Mair, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Patent number: 7125358
    Abstract: A distributor transmission (8) having at least three shafts (11, 12, 13) for distributing a drive torque (M_GE) as needed to at least two drive axles (4, 5). A first shaft (11) is operatively connected with the first drive axle (5) and can be loaded with the drive torque (M_GE). The second shaft (12) is operatively connected with the second drive axle (4) and a torque (M_E) of a machine device (14) on a third shaft (13) can be applied which influences a degree of distribution (P_VA/P_GES) of the drive torque (M_GE) between the drive axles (4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Pelchen, Uwe Griesmeier, Ulrich Mair, Ünal Gazyakan
  • Publication number: 20060225982
    Abstract: A transmission for distributing a drive torque between at least two drive output shafts with at least two planetary gearsets, each having at least three-shafts. In each case, a shaft of a planetary gearset is connected to a drive input shaft and a second respective shaft of a planetary gearsets is the drive output shafts. A respective third shaft of the planetary gearsets communicates with a brake such that a degree of distribution of the drive torque between the two output shafts varies as a function of the transfer capacities of the brakes. A transmission device controls and regulates a drive torque from a drive engine between the two output shafts of the transmission device. The transfer capacities of the two brakes are adjusted such that one brake is in a synchronous condition and the transfer capacity of the other brake is varied between a lower and an upper limiting value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Christoph Pelchen, Barbara Schmohl, Ulrich Mair, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Publication number: 20060207854
    Abstract: A transfer case (12) for distributing a driving torque of an input shaft (19) between two drivable output shafts (22, 29) is described. The transfer case (12) is realized with two controllable and adjustable frictionally engaged clutches (k_VA, k_HA), which are arranged between the input shaft (19) and the output shafts (22, 29) and whose transfer capabilities can be respectively adjusted via separate actuating devices (10, 11). A driving torque can be distributed between the drivable output torques (22, 29) in dependence upon the set transfer capabilities of the clutches (k_VA, k_HA). One clutch (k_HA) can also be radially enclosed by the other clutch (k_VA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Ulrich Mair, Christoph Pelchen, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Publication number: 20060175787
    Abstract: A spring carrier for mounting a spring strut to a vehicle body includes a vibration damper having a cylinder and a piston rod which is axially guided in the cylinder, first and second spring collars, and a spring located between the spring collars. An actuator includes a nut and a threaded spindle surrounding the piston rod, the actuator being driven to change the relative axial position of the spring collars. A guide tube extends coaxially between the piston rod and the threaded spindle, the threaded spindle being supported radially against the guide tube by a bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Munster, Ulrich Mair, Detlef Baasch
  • Publication number: 20060163787
    Abstract: A spring carrier for mounting a spring strut to a vehicle body includes a vibration damper having a cylinder and a piston rod which is axially guided in the cylinder, first and second spring collars, and a spring located between the spring collars. An actuator includes a nut and a threaded spindle surrounding the piston rod, the actuator being driven to change the relative axial position of the spring collars. A guide tube extends coaxially between the piston rod and the threaded spindle, the guide tube being fixed to the vehicle body by a first resilient mount, the piston rod being fixed to the guide tube by a second resilient mount, whereby the piston rod can move relative to the first resilient mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Munster, Ulrich Mair, Detlef Baasch