Patents Assigned to ZF Active Safety GmbH
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Patent number: 11970147Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an assembly (100) for an electromechanical brake booster (200) of a vehicle braking system (1000). The assembly (100) comprises a housing (160) which has a longitudinal axis (L) and can be loaded with an electromechanically generated actuating force, and an output element (150) which extends away from the housing (160) and is configured for transmitting the actuating force to a brake cylinder (300) of the vehicle braking system (1000). The assembly (100) furthermore comprises an elastic element (190) which is supported on the housing (160) and configured to move the housing (160) away from the brake cylinder (300) into a starting position, and a guide (180) which is arranged on the housing (160) for the output element (150) and is configured to guide an angular deflection of the output element (150) with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the housing (160).Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: José Manuel Calvo Martinez, Jennifer Klein
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Patent number: 11951961Abstract: A testing method includes the steps of: (1) providing a negative pressure generator; (2) generating a negative pressure in a fluid passageway and a chamber which are in fluid communication with a guiding section of a fluid reservoir wherein a second sensing element is affixed to a guiding section of the fluid reservoir; (3) transferring a fluid flow stream from the guiding section to the chamber via the fluid passageway and drawing a float having a first sensing element from an upper position to a lower position within the guiding section; (4) generating a signal via the first and second sensing elements as the float moves relative to the second sensing element within the guiding section; and (5) transmitting a signal to at least one of a control unit or a graphical user display.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignees: ZF Active Safety US Inc., ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: Blaise Ganzel, Andreas Marx, Daniel Noll
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Patent number: 11919491Abstract: A method for operating a brake system of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The brake system comprises a drive arrangement for applying and/or boosting a brake force, wherein the drive arrangement has an electric drive. The method comprises the step: short-circuiting the electric drive as soon as the electric drive has been disconnected from a supply source and/or a voltage drop and/or current drop has taken place. A computer program, control circuit and a control unit or system having multiple control units is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventor: Heinrich Plewnia
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Patent number: 11919490Abstract: A hydraulic motor vehicle braking system includes a first functional unit, a second functional unit and a switching device. The first functional unit comprises at least one first valve arrangement designed to optionally connect or disconnect at least one first wheel brake associated with a first axle to or from an existing hydraulic pressure, and at least one second valve arrangement designed to optionally connect or disconnect at least one second wheel brake associated with a second axle to or from an existing hydraulic pressure. The second functional unit comprises at least one second electrical brake pressure generator, by means of which a brake pressure can be generated on at least the at least one second wheel brake, and a second control system which is designed to control the at least one second electrical brake pressure generator for a brake pressure regulation on at least the at least one second wheel brake in the event of a failure of the first functional unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: Nicholas Alford, Andreas Marx, Oliver Wolf
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Patent number: 11878702Abstract: The invention relates to a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, comprising a surroundings sensor system, a controller, and an analysis module. The controller is equipped and designed so as to ascertain an assistance function control signal on the basis of surroundings data detected by the surroundings sensor system, said assistance function control signal being in a specified functional relationship with at least one assistance system parameter and the detected surroundings data, and to actuate the vehicle so as to provide an assistance function by means of the assistance function control signal. The analysis module is equipped and designed so as to ascertain a success value for the assistance function control signal using reference information and to initiate an optimization of the at least one assistance system parameter if the success value falls below a success threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2019Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: ZF ACTIVE SAFETY GMBHInventors: Georg Schneider, Thomas Mueller
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Patent number: 11820339Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a brake fluid device comprising a brake fluid reservoir having a storage space, having a fastening device for fastening to a pressure generator unit of a motor vehicle brake system and/or to a mounting interface in a motor vehicle. The brake fluid interface has an outlet interface for transporting brake fluid into such a pressure generator unit, and having an inlet interface (15) for brake fluid. The brake fluid device further includes a filling adapter having a filling opening, having a receiving space, and having an outlet interface for brake fluid. A brake fluid line connects the outlet interface of the filling adapter and the inlet interface of the brake fluid reservoir and through which brake fluid is able to flow from the filling adapter into the brake fluid reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventor: Christian Freund
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Patent number: 11820342Abstract: A hydraulic motor vehicle braking system includes a first sensor device, a first functional unit, a second functional unit and a switching device. The first functional unit comprises at least one first electrical brake pressure generator, by means of which a brake pressure can be generated on respective wheel brakes, and a first control system which is designed to control the at least one first electrical brake pressure generator on the basis of a sensor signal of the sensor device. The second functional unit comprises at least one second electrical brake pressure generator, by means of which a brake pressure can be respectively generated on a subset of the wheel brakes, and a second control system which is designed to control the at least one second electrical brake pressure generator on the basis of the sensor signal in the event of a failure of the first functional unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: Nicholas Alford, Andreas Marx
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Patent number: 11820349Abstract: A pneumatic brake pedal module for a “brake-by-wire” brake system of a vehicle is disclosed. The brake pedal module has a pivotably mounted brake pedal and having a damping unit, which is mechanically coupled to the brake pedal to generate a resistance when the brake pedal is actuated, such that the damping unit is subjected to tension when the brake pedal is actuated.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: Erwin Michels, Peter Polke
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Patent number: 11821479Abstract: A system for controlling an electric brake for a wheel rotor having a brake pad associated therewith includes a housing defining a passage. An assembly is provided in the passage and includes a spindle rotatable about an axis and a piston aligned with the brake pad and axially movable in response to rotation of the spindle. A planetary gear stage includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and planetary gears. A first motor is coupled to the sun gear. A second motor coupled to the ring gear. A control system is configured to, in response to a detected braking event, rotate the first motor in a first direction to supply torque to the sun gear while the second motor is rotated in a second direction at varying speeds to supply torque to the ring gear such that the piston is cyclically moved towards and away from the brake pad to modulate a braking force on the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignees: ZF Active Safety US Inc., ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: Galus Chelaidite, Kraig Gerber, Bogdan Draghici
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Patent number: 11820350Abstract: A brake pedal module for a “brake-by-wire” brake system of a vehicle is disclosed. The brake pedal module has a pivotably mounted brake pedal and a damping unit. The damping unit is mechanically coupled to the brake pedal in order to generate a resistance when the brake pedal is actuated. The damping unit comprises a housing and a piston mounted in the housing in such a way that it can be moved from an initial position into an end position. In its initial position, the piston is supported on a base of the housing via at least two elastic elements arranged in series. A further elastic element is arranged parallel to the at least two elastic elements on the base of the housing. The further elastic element is not subject to any load in an initial position of the piston.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: Christoph Beuerle, Marcus Janson, Peter Polke
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Patent number: 11807201Abstract: A method for operating a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, in the event of a malfunction of the second functional unit includes the steps of generating a hydraulic pressure by means of the first hydraulic pressure generator and controlling at least one of the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly in such a way that a lower hydraulic pressure is established at the rear wheel brakes than at the front wheel brakes. The vehicle brake system includes a first functional unit, a second functional unit, and a control system. The first functional unit includes at least one first hydraulic pressure generator, a first valve assembly, and a second valve assembly, which is arranged between the first hydraulic pressure generator and the rear wheel brakes. The second functional unit includes at least one second, electric hydraulic pressure and a third valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventor: Heinrich Plewnia
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Patent number: 11801820Abstract: An electrically actuatable operating unit (106) for a motor vehicle brake comprises a housing body (122) which is arranged so as to be displaceable in a braking direction for operation of the motor vehicle brake, a recess (150) formed in the housing body (122), wherein the recess (150) is delimited at one longitudinal end by a contact shoulder (172), a through-opening (158) delimited by the contact shoulder (172), an operating member (124) which is arranged in the recess (150) so as to be displaceable for operation of the motor vehicle brake and projects through the through-opening (158) of the contact shoulder (172), wherein the operating member (124) can be arranged in a force-transmitting manner between a brake pedal and the motor vehicle brake (400).Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: Kurt Wingender, Martin Hofmann, José Manuel Calvo Martinez, Martin Sakalla, Iosu Oloriz del Rosario, Jennifer Klein
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Patent number: 11787380Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical brake booster for a vehicle brake system, comprising an actuating unit that can be coupled to a brake cylinder. The actuating unit comprises at least one actuating element that can be coupled to an electric motor by means of a transmission. The actuating unit also comprises an actuating member that can be coupled to a force input member. The brake booster comprises at least one housing in which at least sections of the actuating unit are received. At least one damping element is arranged between the at least one housing and at least the at least one actuating element.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: ZF ACTIVE SAFETY GMBHInventors: José Manuel Calvo Martinez, Martin Struschka, Abdallah Ibrahim, Fabian Kern
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Patent number: 11781609Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating arrangement for a parking brake, having two components, of which one component is an actuating piston for actuating at least one brake shoe or is an intermediate element which is or can be placed in operative connection with the actuating piston, and the other component is a gear mechanism element for a stroke-imparting gear mechanism, and having a relative-rotation-preventing securing means for securing the components against rotation relative to one another. Provision is made whereby the relative-rotation-preventing securing means has at least one receptacle and a projection which engages into the receptacle, which receptacle and projection are assigned to in each case one of the components. Furthermore, at least one damping element is provided which is arranged between the projection and the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2018Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventor: Michael Walden
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Patent number: 11772626Abstract: A method for brake lining wear detection is disclosed. The method comprises detecting a wear state of a brake lining installed in the area of a wheel housing and producing a state signal that indicates the wear state. The method also comprises coupling the state signal into at least one electrical line that leads to an evaluation unit for the state signal. The at least one electrical line also transmits at least one other signal from or to at least one other device installed in the area of the wheel housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: Erwin Michels, Benedikt Ohlig, Lutz Muders, Matthias Fuchs
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Patent number: 11772620Abstract: A hydraulic motor vehicle brake system is specified with a device for generating a hydraulic fluid pressure. The device comprises an electrically controllable actuator and a piston in a pressure chamber, which is movable by means of the electrically controllable actuator for changing a hydraulic fluid pressure in the pressure chamber. The brake system also comprises a wheel brake pressure control device with a reservoir for the storage of hydraulic fluid discharged from a motor vehicle wheel brake in a pressure reduction phase, wherein the reservoir is fluidically coupled to the pressure chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: Andreas Passmann, Stefan Kraemer
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Patent number: 11745709Abstract: The invention relates to a signal-processing device (402) for a vehicle having an ABS unit (404) and multiple wheels, each of which is assigned a sensor (S1, S2, S3, S4) for wheel signal generation. The signal-processing device (402) is designed to detect (602) a failure of a wheel signal, to form (604) a substitute signal for the failed wheel signal using the wheel signal of at least one sensor assigned to a wheel that is not affected by the failure, and to supply (606) the substitute signal to the ABS unit (404). The invention also relates to an ABS system (400) having the signal-processing device (402) and an ABS unit (404), a vehicle having the ABS system (400), a signal-processing method for a vehicle having an ABS unit (404), a computer programme having computer code for carrying out the signal-processing method, as well as a control unit containing the computer programme.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventor: Andreas Passmann
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Patent number: 11713041Abstract: A control system having an ACC control, which for use in a host motor vehicle (ego) is configured and intended for recognizing a preceding motor vehicle (alter) and preferably preceding objects, based on surroundings data obtained from at least one front camera sensor associated with the host motor vehicle (ego). The front camera sensor (FKS) is configured for providing to an electronic control unit of the control system the surroundings data that represent an area in front of the host motor vehicle (ego).Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: ZF ACTIVE SAFETY GMBHInventor: Michael Bast
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Patent number: 11702047Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out a cleaning operation for at least one braking device of a braking system in a motor vehicle, said method having the following steps: setting a braking pressure by components of the braking device in accordance with a predefined braking pressure curve, wherein the braking pressure curve, during the cleaning operation, specifies braking pressures that vary over time for the braking device, correcting a setpoint motor torque that is to be provided by a drive motor of the motor vehicle and that is dependent on a braking effect brought about by the set braking pressure, the predefined braking pressure curve being selected such that a longitudinal deceleration of the motor vehicle, which is brought about by the predefined braking pressure curve, can be compensated for by a corresponding additional motor torque.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignees: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, ZF ACTIVE SAFETY GMBHInventors: Philipp Waenninger, Tobias Oppermann, Christian Redlich
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Patent number: 11692602Abstract: Brake apparatus for a motor vehicle with a restoring apparatus, comprising a brake support body, a brake lining, a restoring apparatus for the brake lining, and a wear compensation means, the restoring apparatus being connected via the wear compensation means to the brake lining, the restoring apparatus having a lever arm which comprises a spring section, a supporting bearing and a lever bearing, the lever bearing being arranged between the spring section and the supporting bearing.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbHInventors: Paul Wecker, Marco Becker, Guido Zenzen, Lukas Madzgalla, Joerg Knieper, Florian Roessinger, Peter Mäurer, Philipp Schwenzer