Patents Assigned to ZF Active Safety GmbH
  • Patent number: 11448275
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a vehicle brake. The vehicle brake includes a hydraulic service brake having an actuating piston, which for generating a first braking force component is movable, under the action of a hydraulic pressure, into an actuating position in which the actuating piston presses a friction lining against a rotatingly supported brake disc, and an electric parking brake, with an actuating element, that is designed to build up a second braking force component that acts on the brake disc. The method includes ascertaining the hydraulic pressure, determining a first braking force component, establishing a second braking force component to be set by means of the parking brake, based on the first braking force component and a desired total braking force, and establishing a position of the actuating element of the parking brake to be set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Michels, Benedikt Ohlig, Michael Bast, Matthias Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11358600
    Abstract: A control system is suitable for use in a motor vehicle and is configured and intended for using information concerning objects and/or driving-related information about another motor vehicle in order to distinguish real objects in the surroundings of the motor vehicle from erroneously detected objects, based on surroundings data that are obtained from at least one surroundings sensor situated on the motor vehicle and provided to the control system. Based on these surroundings data, an object in the surroundings of the motor vehicle is detected, and a distance and/or a relative speed and/or an angle between the motor vehicle and the object are/is determined. The object is then classified as an actually existing object or as an erroneously detected object, based on the determined distance and/or based on the determined relative speed and/or based on the determined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: ZF ACTIVE SAFETY GMBH
    Inventors: Eugen Ziegler, Johannes Stiller
  • Patent number: 11312343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle control unit. The control unit comprises a first processor system, which is designed to control an actuator of an electric parking brake and at least one additional motor vehicle function unit. A second processor system of the control unit is designed to control the at least one actuator in an at least partially redundant manner to the first processor system. Furthermore, there is a changeover device, which is designed to enable an activation of the at least one actuator either via the first processor system or the second processor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Alfter, Stefan Grieser-Schmitz
  • Patent number: 11312346
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor vehicle braking system comprises an electronic stability control (ESC) system of dual-circuit design, a first brake circuit which acts on one or more first wheel brakes, and a second brake circuit which acts on one or more second wheel brakes. The first brake circuit comprises a first hydraulic pressure generator which is electrically controllable for control interventions, and the second brake circuit comprises a second hydraulic pressure generator which is electrically controllable, independently of the first hydraulic pressure generator, for control interventions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Michels, Benedikt Ohlig, Matthias Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11305743
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor vehicle brake system comprises a vehicle dynamic control system which comprises a first brake circuit which acts on at least one first wheel brake, and a second brake circuit which acts on at least one second wheel brake, the first brake circuit comprising a first hydraulic pressure generator and the second brake circuit comprising a second hydraulic pressure generator, which can be actuated electrically for control interventions. Furthermore, the hydraulic motor vehicle brake system comprises an electrically actuable third hydraulic pressure generator, and a controller which is configured to detect failure of at least one of the two brake circuits and a requirement of a control intervention on the at least one brake circuit, to actuate at least the third hydraulic pressure generator for assisting the control intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Michels, Benedikt Ohlig, Matthias Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11292446
    Abstract: A technique is described for the redundant registering of an actuation of a motor-vehicle brake system. A device which is provided for this purpose comprises a first sensor for generating a first sensor signal which indicates a movement of a mechanical input component of the brake system, and a second sensor for generating a second sensor signal which indicates a hydraulic pressure in the brake system. A processing device which is coupled to the two sensors is configured for selectively outputting an actuation signal which is generated on the basis of the first sensor signal or an actuation signal which is generated on the basis of the second sensor signal. The actuation signal indicates an actuation of the brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Grieser-Schmitz, Michael Keller, Kenneth Vincent
  • Patent number: 11280390
    Abstract: A vehicle mechanism with a housing may have a spindle/nut assembly and a rotation lock, where in order to displace a spindle rod of the spindle/nut assembly in the longitudinal direction of the spindle rod, a rotational movement of a spindle nut of the spindle/nut assembly is blocked by the rotation lock. In order to support the spindle nut such that it cannot rotate, and/or to facilitate an assembly of the vehicle mechanism, and/or the rotation lock, the rotation lock may have at least one elastomer element for retaining the rotation lock on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Mallmann
  • Patent number: 11260841
    Abstract: The actuating device for a vehicle brake system comprises a force input member, which can be coupled to a brake pedal, and a brake master cylinder. The brake master cylinder has at least one force transmission member. The force transmission member is coupled to the force input member in an articulating fashion. The force transmission member is positioned to transmit a force, which has been exerted onto the force input member, to the brake master cylinder. The actuating device has at least one elastically deformable positioning element. The at least one positioning element produces a holding force with which the at least one positioning element holds the at least one force input member in an installation position relative to the brake master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Rüdell
  • Patent number: 11215225
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bearing arrangement for supporting a shaft, in particular a shaft of a gearing mechanism for an electromechanical brake booster, having: at least one bearing, a shaft, which is at least section-wise accommodated in the at least one bearing and has a protruding, rounded region on at least one of its axial end surfaces, at least one spring element, that engages the protruding, rounded region in order to prestress the shaft in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: José Manuel Calvo Martinez, Stefan Kammers, Karl-Josef Adams, Martin Hofmann, Oliver Schell
  • Patent number: 11198419
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a brake force device for a vehicle brake system, in which a housing is produced, wherein a recess is formed in the housing, wherein a piston device is arranged in the recess, wherein the piston device is movably guided in the axial direction of a longitudinal axis of the recess and along a specified maximum stroke path, and the length of the maximum stroke path of the piston device is modified for different embodiments of the brake force device. In order to improve and/or to simplify the implementation of different embodiments of the brake force device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Janson, Nicholas Alford
  • Publication number: 20210380090
    Abstract: The gear assembly can be operatively connected on the input side to a drive machine and on the output side preferably to an actuating element of the electrically operable brake and comprises at least one gear stage. The at least one gear stage comprises at least two intermeshing gear wheels, of which at least one gear wheel is rotatably mounted on an axle element by engagement of the axle element in a receptacle of the at least one gear wheel. The receptacle and the axle element have mutually corresponding peripheral surfaces, of which, in the axial direction, at least one peripheral surface has an outwardly curved contour and the other peripheral surface has a contour designed such that the peripheral surfaces roll against one another on the contours in order to bring the at least one gear wheel and the axle element into an oblique position relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Niklas Baer
  • Patent number: 11186263
    Abstract: A brake booster is comprised of an actuation unit, which can be coupled to a brake cylinder. The actuation unit is comprised of at least one actuation element that can be coupled to an electric motor via a transmission and at least one actuation element that can be coupled to a power input element. The actuation unit also includes at least one power transmission element that can be coupled to at least one actuation element in a power-transmitting manner, and at least one power take-up element that can be coupled or is coupled to an actuation detection device for the detection of an actuation of the electromechanical brake booster. The power take-up element can be coupled or is coupled to at least one actuation element. The power take-up element is configured to limit a relative movement of the actuation element relative to the power transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Jennifer Klein, Kurt Wingender, Jose Manuel Calvo, Marcus Höbner, Jörg Rönz
  • Publication number: 20210362700
    Abstract: The support structure comprises a main body, a base part, and a ring gear having internal teething. The main body has at least one axle element for rotatably mounting the at least one gear wheel, or at least one connection point for an axle element for rotatably mounting the one gear wheel. The ring gear is mounted with an axial end on the base part and is designed to be used as an outer gear wheel of a planetary gear drive. The internal teething of the ring gear has a plurality of tooth elements which extend in each case from a tooth foot to a tooth head in the radial direction relative to a centre axis of the ring gear. An intermediate space, exposing a region of the tooth head at least of individual tooth elements or a number thereof, is provided between the internal teething and the base part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Schwarz, Timo Frieb-Preis
  • Patent number: 11143253
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a brake disc for a vehicle disc brake. The brake disc has a brake disc body, with a friction ring on which friction surfaces are formed, and a brake disc pot that is designed for fastening the brake disc to a vehicle axle. The brake disc pot is connected to the brake disc body in a connecting area via at least one connecting element, and at least one reinforcing ring in the connecting area is mounted on the brake disc in a force-fit manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Thiele
  • Patent number: 11124187
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle speed control system, configured with off-road performance features, that will allow the driver to travel at a set speed in a smooth, controlled manner on various unmaintained surfaces without requiring the driver to press the brake or accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: ZF Active Safety US Inc., ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Sean Simmons, Shawn Hawley, Charles Anthony Bartlett, Elmar Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11124169
    Abstract: A motor vehicle system comprising a first electric parking brake actuation unit assigned to a first vehicle wheel, and a second electric parking brake actuation unit assigned to a second vehicle wheel. The system further comprises a first control unit which includes at least one first microprocessor and which is designed to control at least the first electric parking brake actuation unit and an anti-lock and/or vehicle stability control system. A second control unit of the system comprises at least one second microprocessor and is designed to control at least the second electric parking brake actuation unit and an electric braking power generator and/or an automatic transmission. In some variants, a separate parking brake control unit can be dispensed with as the braking brake control function is shared between control units that can be used for other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Michels, Benedikt Ohlig, Matthias Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20210277535
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrode for eloxing a component, in particular a component of a vehicle brake system, comprising an electrolyte inlet for feeding an electrolyte into the electrode, an inlet channel, which connects the electrolyte inlet to an electrolyte outlet opening formed in the region of an outer surface of the electrode, an electrolyte inlet opening formed in the region of the outer surface of the electrode at a distance from the electrolyte outlet opening, an electrolyte flow path, which runs between the electrolyte outlet opening and the electrolyte inlet opening along the outer surface of the electrode and is designed to bring a surface portion of the component, which surface portion is to be eloxed, into fluid contact with the electrolyte flowing through the electrolyte flow path, an outlet channel, and an electrolyte outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventor: Dennis Monpetit
  • Patent number: 11097700
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic brake system using an integrated sensor, which includes a hydraulic block configured to distribute and supply a fluid to a wheel brake, and having a through-hole penetrated at both sides thereof, a sensor module installed at one side of the hydraulic block having the through-hole, for sensing a linear displacement of a brake pedal and a position of a motor, and an electronic control unit installed to a side of the hydraulic block opposite to the sensor module, in order to determine a movement distance of the pedal, based on the linear displacement of the pedal sensed by the sensor module, and control rotation of the motor depending on the linear displacement of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Sung Hwan Shin, Min Seok Kwon
  • Patent number: 11084476
    Abstract: A vacuum brake booster includes: at least one movable wall, which separates a working chamber and a vacuum chamber in the vacuum brake booster from one another, and a control valve unit, which is coupled to the at least one movable wall, the control valve unit comprising a guide sleeve and an actuation piston guided displaceably in the control valve unit, which actuation piston is actuatable by way of a force input member which can be coupled in particular to a brake pedal, the actuation piston having at least one first valve seat, which in the open state is used to connect the working chamber to the ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventor: Jaroslav Kolar
  • Patent number: 11077838
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a vehicle brake system which includes the following steps: (1) determining a first wear value, which indicates wear of the friction lining of the vehicle brake, by taking into account at least one of the relevant parameters related to the operational history of the vehicle; (2) In dependence upon whether the first wear value meets a predetermined criterion, measuring the wear of the friction lining by moving the parking brake unit and by recording the curve of operating parameters of the parking brake unit while moving; (3) determining, based on the measurement, a second wear value, which indicates wear of the friction lining of the vehicle brake. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle braking system, as well as a computer program and a control unit for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Michels, Benedikt Ohlig, Michael Bast, Matthias Fuchs