Patents Assigned to ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
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Patent number: 11807294Abstract: The disclosure relates to an energy absorption device for arrangement between a fastening device and a holder, wherein the holder is movable relative to the fastening device when a predetermined impact force is exceeded. The energy absorption device includes a deformable strand for absorbing energy, and a guide device for guiding the strand during the deformation. In order to be able to implement the assembly and/or the production more cost-effectively, the strand and the guide device are formed in one piece.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Richard Büker, Stephan Haenisch
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Patent number: 11801883Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering system for a motor vehicle, which is designed as a steer-by-wire steering system and comprises a rack, an electric drive for longitudinal displacement of the rack, a worm gear and a drive shaft which is in toothed engagement with the rack. The electric drive is connected to the drive shaft by the worm gear so as to transmit torque.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Richard Büker, Andreas Birkheim
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Patent number: 11801886Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering device comprising an end stop device for limiting a steering angle of rotation. The end stop device has a rotation device that has at least one rotary element which is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of a shaft and/or is rotatable together with the shaft. The end stop device has a locking device which cooperates with the rotation device for stopping a rotational movement of the shaft about the central longitudinal axis and with respect to two directions of rotation oriented opposite each other. In order to be able to reliably absorb and transmit high forces and/or torques when the steering device is in a stop position, the locking device has a locking element, the locking element that limits the steering angle of rotation from being movable by the rotation device at least with a first movement component in the axial direction of the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Richard Büker
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Patent number: 11794612Abstract: A vehicle seat (10) for a motor vehicle, having a backrest (12), a height-adjustable headrest (14) and a seatbelt guide (22) integrated in the vehicle seat (10) for a seatbelt (18), wherein the height-adjustable headrest (14) is coupled to the backrest (12), and wherein the headrest (14) can be mechanically coupled to a seatbelt guide adjusting mechanism (36), which mechanically adjusts the seatbelt guide (22) when adjusting the height of the headrest (14).Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignees: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH, FAURECIA AUTOSITZE GMBHInventors: Michael Gumprecht, Martin Seyffert, Artur Klein, Alexander Zagula, David Reich, Swen Schaub
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Patent number: 11780396Abstract: An airbag control device for controlling the volume of an airbag (10) of a restraining means, comprising an inflator (14) for inflating the airbag (10) and an electrically controllable decoupling device (22) for tension means via which the geometry of the airbag (10) can be varied, is characterized in that the inflator (14) and the decoupling device (22) are fluid-communicated and the decoupling device (22) includes at least one outlet opening (36) the cross-section of which is variable by an electrically controllable actuator (46) and through which gas can escape from the inflator (14) to the atmosphere. Moreover, the invention describes an airbag unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignees: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH, AUDI AGInventor: Gerd Zischka
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Patent number: 11766992Abstract: A belt retractor (10) of a seatbelt system comprises a belt tensioner (11) which is adapted to rotate a belt reel (14) of the belt retractor (10) accommodated in a belt retractor frame (12), wherein the belt retractor frame (12) is closed by a cover (16) on the tensioner side in the area of the spindle of the belt reel (14) and in the cover (16) a bearing for the belt reel (14) is provided. The cover (16) includes a first pot-shaped cover part (16a) which is mounted directly on the belt retractor frame (12) and has a side wall (24) merging into a flat portion (26). In the flat portion (26) an opening (32) is spared and a second cover part (16b) is provided which engages in the opening (32) in the first cover part (16a) and on which a bearing (40) is formed in which an end (42) of the spindle of the belt reel (14) is supported.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Thomas Mödinger, Bernd Gentner, Martin Nuding
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Patent number: 11745790Abstract: The disclosure specifies a gear assembly for an electric-motor assisted steering system, comprising an electric motor, a worm shaft which can be driven by the electric motor and which meshes with a worm wheel. The worm shaft has a recess on an end face which faces the electric motor, in which recess there is arranged an elastic element which applies an axial force to the worm shaft in the direction away from the electric motor. In the axial direction, the elastic element is supported by one end on an adjustment element, which is formed in such a way that it permits expansion of the elastic element in the axial direction when the axial force on the worm shaft exceeds a defined threshold value, and limits expansion of the elastic element when the axial force on the worm shaft lies below the defined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Martin Jordan
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Patent number: 11745481Abstract: A multilayer film bonded to a base fabric includes a first layer bonded to the base fabric; and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The first layer, the second layer, or both includes a thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyester-based elastomer, a polyurethane-based elastomer, and a polyamide-based elastomer. A melt strength of the multilayer film is greater than or equal to 7.5 mN.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Toru Tagami, Yosuke Yamada, Kaito Yamamoto, Michael Ludwig
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Patent number: 11738803Abstract: A method for determining a sensor offset of a sensor in a device, in particular in a steering system for a motor vehicle. The device has a first component, a second component which is movable with respect to the first component, a resetting element, an actuator and a sensor for determining the relative motion between the first component and the second component. The method comprises the following steps: firstly, a predetermined relative motion between the first component and the second component is generated by the actuator. The resulting relative motion is measured by means of the sensor, and the sensor data obtained from the measurement are stored. A constant sensor offset of the sensor is then determined on the basis of the stored sensor data. Furthermore, a device is described whose sensor offset can be determined by means of the method.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Tobias Oesterwind
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Patent number: 11731685Abstract: A rack-and-pinion gear is described, which is suitable in particular for a steering system of a motor vehicle. In this a pinion is supported in a pinion housing and meshes with a rack inside this pinion housing. The rack here projects from the pinion housing through at least one housing aperture. A stop ring, which serves to limit a rack longitudinal movement and/or a tilting of the rack, is moreover held in the housing aperture by means of a press fit. In addition, a steering gear having such a rack-and-pinion gear and a steering system for a motor vehicle comprising such a steering gear are described.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Eduard Span, Timm Leuerer, Rolf von Laar, Sridharan Krishnan, Robert Kolloch
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Patent number: 11731686Abstract: A method is described for position control for an electromechanically assisted steering system of a motor vehicle, which has electromechanical steering assistance with an electric motor and at least one controller, wherein a torque to be applied by the electric motor is the controlled variable of the at least one controller, and wherein the controlled system for the design of the at least one controller comprises at least a lower part of the steering system containing the electric motor. A frequency response of the controlled system is determined based on a mathematical model of the controlled system and/or by measuring the controlled system. Controller parameters of the at least one controller are adjusted based on the frequency response of the controlled system.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Emad Farshizadeh, Martin Scherberich
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Patent number: 11718300Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle (10) traveling on a roadway (12) in a current lane (14) is described, wherein the roadway (12) has at least one additional lane (16) that is adjacent to the current lane (14) of the motor vehicle (10). The method has the following steps: Multiple different driving maneuvers are generated and/or received. At least two driving maneuver classes that are defined based on at least one characteristic variable of the driving maneuvers are determined, wherein the driving maneuvers of various driving maneuver classes differ by at least one characteristic variable. The driving maneuvers are classified in one of the at least two driving maneuver classes. In addition, a control unit (30) for controlling a motor vehicle (10) is described.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Christian Wissing, Manuel Schmidt, Andreas Homann, Christian Lienke, Torsten Bertram, Carlo Manna, Karl-Heinz Glander
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Patent number: 11718261Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system for a convertible includes an airbag disposed in the door. The airbag has a lower cell area, an upper cell area, and an intermediate area. The intermediate area, in a filled state of the airbag has a smaller thickness than the lower cell area and/or the upper cell area. A positioning strap has one end fastened to the vehicle at a fastening location, and a second end fastened to a fastening point at the intermediate area. A length of the positioning strap between the fastening location and the fastening point is configured to be shorter than a length of an airbag fabric between a lower edge of the airbag and the intermediate area of the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventor: Anton Fischer
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Patent number: 11691661Abstract: A device for a steering system of a motor vehicle for pressing a toothed rack against a drive pinion is specified, the device having a housing and a thrust piece which is mounted displaceably in the housing and which has a circumferential wall which is in contact with the housing, the thrust piece having, on its circumferential wall, at least one depression which runs in a circumferential direction at least in certain portions and which delimits a hollow chamber arranged between thrust piece and housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Sridharan Krishnan, Robert Kolloch, Eduard Span
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Patent number: 11685333Abstract: An airbag, in particular a front airbag, includes an outer wall having a front wall and a rear wall (18, 24) and a tether (16) as well as an electrically actuatable activation unit (26) for releasing the tether (16). The tether (16) includes plural tether portions (30, 32) connected to each other via a first tear seam (36). A tension means (40) is coupled to the tether (16) so that it destroys the first tear seam (36) when the activation unit (26) is not actuated.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Simon Schmid, Sven Tamme, Benjamin Weimer
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Patent number: 11679734Abstract: A frontal airbag for vehicle occupants comprises a contact panel (26) facing the vehicle occupant in the inflated state. Inside the airbag tension means (30, 30?) which restrain portions of the contact panel (26) in the inflated state of the frontal airbag (10) are arranged on the contact panel (26) so that, in the mounted and inflated state, the contact panel (26) forms plural indentations (32) extending vertically from the view of the associated occupant. The frontal airbag (10) optionally may take a first completely inflated state and a second completely inflated state with a larger airbag volume than in the first state, wherein a release device (40) is assigned to at least several of the tension means (30, 30?) and, when the release device is not activated, the frontal airbag (10) only reaches the first state and, when the release device (40) is activated, the contact panel (26) bulges in the area of the released tension means (30, 30?) further toward the occupant so as to enable the second state.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Werner Freisler, Simon Schmid
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Patent number: 11668615Abstract: A steering system for a motor vehicle, having a steering column, an electromechanical steering assistance apparatus, a sensor which is assigned to the steering column and is configured to sense a torque and a rotational angle of the steering column, and a regulator, wherein the electromechanical steering assistance apparatus comprises a motor having an angular position encoder which is configured to sense the motor rotational angle of the motor, wherein the regulator is configured to determine a torque of the electromechanical steering assistance apparatus, and wherein the regulator is also configured to determine a disturbance variable, which gives rise to an undesired steering sensation, in the steering system by means of a Kalman filter.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Emad Farshizadeh, Arno Luengen
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Patent number: 11668341Abstract: The disclosure relates to a bearing unit for fastening a steering column in a vehicle. The bearing unit has a bracket unit that can be fixed to the vehicle, a bearing sleeve and a locking mechanism for optionally fixing the bearing sleeve on the bracket unit and for optionally releasing a relative movement of the bearing sleeve with respect to the bracket unit. The locking mechanism has a first eccentric which is coupled to a first counterpart eccentric unit in order to fix the bearing sleeve on the bracket unit via a first form-fit connection acting in a first direction and a second form-fit connection acting in a second direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Richard Büker
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Patent number: 11667259Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laminate including a fabric and a thermoplastic film, wherein the thermoplastic film is a multilayer film including an adhesive layer including a thermoplastic polyester elastomer and a barrier layer that is bonded to the adhesive layer, and that has a melting point that is higher than a melting point of the adhesive layer, and that includes a polymer, and wherein the fabric includes a polyester, the method including a step of adhering a side of the multilayer film with the adhesive layer to the fabric, while heating the multilayer film at a temperature below the melting point of the barrier layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Yosuke Yamada, Toru Tagami, Michael Ludwig
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Patent number: 11659897Abstract: The invention describes a belt buckle (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a belt buckle housing (12) as well as a lighting unit (20) present in the area of a tongue insertion opening (36) and including a lamp (22) and a light conductor (16). A front panel (14) surrounding the tongue insertion opening (36) is provided which limits the belt buckle (10) on the end face. The front panel (14) is coupled to the belt buckle housing (12) via at least one detent mechanism (24, 30) such that the light conductor (16) provided at least partially between the front panel (14) and the belt buckle housing (12) is aligned. The invention further describes a method for manufacturing a belt buckle (10).Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Peter Haas, Andrea Schüch, Hans-Peter Betz, Jörg Meyer