Patents Assigned to ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
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Publication number: 20220065287Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Richard Büker
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Patent number: 11260895Abstract: A locking device for an adjustable steering column assembly of a motor vehicle is described, comprising an operating unit which has at least one closed and one open position, a control element coupled to the operating unit, and at least one eccentric part which is actuated by the control element. A retaining part is provided, which interacts with the eccentric part in the closed position, wherein a locking portion of the eccentric part engages on an engaging portion of the retaining part in the closed position. The eccentric part has a force transmission portion which is substantially opposite to the locking portion, wherein the force transmission portion in the closed position rests against a support surface lying substantially opposite to the engaging portion. Furthermore, a steering column assembly is described.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Markus Lingemann
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Patent number: 11260896Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, provides that an absorption part extends into a reduction part through a passage, which has a smaller cross-section than an end portion of the absorption part having the form of a rod, tube or wire. By a relative movement between the reduction part and the absorption part the end portion is pulled through the passage and plastically deformed. In such a way, an energy absorption device is formed.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Stephan Haenisch, Patrick Ericke
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Publication number: 20220017138Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Richard Büker, Stephan Haenisch
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Publication number: 20220017139Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having an impact absorption device for absorbing an impact force introduced via a steering wheel. The steering apparatus has a fastening device for fastening to a vehicle carrier or a vehicle body. The fastening device has a bracket for holding a steering column. The bracket has at least one connecting portion for connecting to the fastening device by a fastening element. At least one target breaking portion is designed to break starting from a predetermined impact force. In order to simplify the construction and/or to be able to realize production more economically, the bracket has and/or forms the target breaking portion, with the connecting portion being separated from the bracket after breaking the target breaking portion and remaining on the fastening device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Markus Lingemann
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Patent number: 11208137Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle, having an outer tube which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner, a telescopic steering column which is received at least in part in the outer tube, and a rotary drive which is adapted to telescopically adjust the telescopic steering column, wherein the telescopic steering column comprises a first steering column portion and a second steering column portion which surrounds the first steering column portion at least in part. The two steering column portions are coupled with one another in a telescopic portion. in such a manner that they are telescopically displaceable relative to one another. The rotary drive is in engagement with the first steering column portion so that the rotary drive transfers a force to the first steering column portion in order to telescopically adjust the telescopic steering column.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Juergen Floerchinger, Goriun Grigorians
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Patent number: 11208140Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for a motor vehicle is presented, having a steering means to be held by the driver, a bearing device and an electric steering means actuator. The bearing device has a first sleeve element and a second sleeve element, which are connected to one another to be telescopic along an axial direction of the sleeve elements. The bearing device has a fastening element, which is fixedly connectable to a body of the motor vehicle, wherein the second sleeve element is fixedly mounted on the actuating element and wherein the steering means and the steering means actuator are mounted on the first sleeve element such that they are immovable in relation to the first sleeve element in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Michael Scholand
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Patent number: 11173836Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a driver's hands on a steering wheel of a vehicle. In one step, a steering system is excited to vibrate. The oscillations of the steering system are determined in a steering wheel remote area. The oscillations of a steering wheel near area of the steering system of the vehicle are determined. In a further step, the determined oscillations of the steering wheel near area are compared with stored characteristic oscillations of the steering wheel near area, which occur during the same excitation in a state in which the steering wheel is not touched.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Tobias Oesterwind, Dirk Zimmermann, Keiwan Kashi
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Publication number: 20210276607Abstract: A clamping device for a longitudinally adjustable and/or vertically adjustable steering column of a vehicle, has an actuating lever, an actuating component, a tie bolt and a mating component, wherein the actuating component is assigned to the actuating lever, and the mating component is assigned to the tie bolt, and wherein the actuating component is movable relative to the mating component between a release position and a fixing position. A solid damping element is provided for damping a relative movement between the actuating component and the mating component. An adjusting device is furthermore shown.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Andreas Birkheim
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Patent number: 11110953Abstract: A locking device is presented for an adjustable steering column assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuating element and a damping device. The damping device has a first damping element and a second damping element, wherein the first damping element is attached to the actuating element and the second damping element is attached to a frame part, wherein the first and/or second damping element relative to the other damping element are rotatably mounted. The first and the second damping element each have a coupling section, wherein the coupling sections are engaged at least over a partial section of a movement of the actuating element, and wherein a relative rotation between the two damping elements is damped by deformation of the first and/or second damping element and/or by friction, at least over a partial section of a movement of the actuating element.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Markus Lingemann, Marcus Zimpel
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Patent number: 11066094Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle, with a vehicle-fixed storage element and on which a storage element is stored, wherein the receiving element is in operative connection with a steering wheel arrangement, an energy absorption device, an effective connection with the storage element and the receiving element and which provides for at least one elongated absorption member as well as at least one reduction member with a passage for the absorption member, through which the absorption member extends and which at least partially has a smaller Q1 cross section compared to a Q2 cross section compared to a cross section of at least one portion of an end-section of the absorption member.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Andreas Birkheim, Stephan Hänisch
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Publication number: 20210206341Abstract: A subassembly includes a belt reel for a seat belt retractor and a drive wheel on which a belt tensioner can act to drive the belt reel in a winding direction of the seat belt, wherein between the drive wheel and the belt reel there is provided an overload clutch which includes plural shear elements, especially shear pins, each of which is inserted in an opening of the belt reel and/or of the drive wheel, the opening extending in the axial direction starting from a front side of the belt reel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2018Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Thomas Mödinger, Milos Cekic, Andreas Pregitzer
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Publication number: 20210179166Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system (10) for a vehicle comprises a steering wheel actuator (12) for moving and detecting movements of a steering wheel (16) of the vehicle, wherein the steering wheel actuator (12) has a steering wheel electric motor (20) and is connected to the steering wheel (16) of the vehicle. Furthermore, the steer-by-wire steering system (10) has an axle actuator (14) for moving and detecting movements of wheels of an axle of the vehicle, wherein the axle actuator (14) comprises an axle electric motor (32) and an axle control unit (30) and is connected to the axle of the vehicle. In addition, the steer-by-wire steering system (10) comprises an equivalent circuit (36), which is designed to measure a current (U, V, W) induced by the steering wheel electric motor (20) and to provide the axle control unit (30) with at least one measurement value depending on the induced current (U, V, W) for controlling the axle electric motor (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Philipp Bergmann
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Publication number: 20210179168Abstract: A method for operating a power steering system (12) of a vehicle (10) comprises the following steps: a) preparation and/or calculation of a characteristic curve (a), which indicates a power assistance (F1) to be applied by the power steering system (12) as a function of a driver manual torque (M), b) determination of an initial steering angle s (x1) of a steering wheel (24), c) determination of a disturbing force, which acts on a steering train (22) of the vehicle (10) due to external forces, d) compensation for the disturbing force by means of an applied compensating force (F3) in such a way that a steering rack force (F2) at the initial steering angle (x1) assumes an initial value, in particular the initial value zero, and e) application of a synthesized steering rack force (F4) to produce a desired driving feel. A power steering system and a vehicle comprising such a power steering system are furthermore described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Peter Zeiler
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Publication number: 20210171096Abstract: A drag link guide assembly for guiding a drag link comprises a slide bushing and a housing enclosing the slide bushing. The housing comprises a socket portion, into which the slide bushing is inserted. The slide bushing comprises a locating area for the drag link having a substantially circular cylindrical periphery with at least one plane torsional locking face. The slide bushing comprises an outward-pointing structure, which interacts with a mating structure that is provided on the internal surface of the housing. A method for producing a drag link guide assembly is furthermore described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Eduard Span, Sridharan Krishnan, Robert Kolloch
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Publication number: 20210171094Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Emad Farshizadeh, Martin Scherberich
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Publication number: 20210162919Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a driver's hands on a steering wheel of a vehicle. In one step, a steering system is excited to vibrate. The oscillations of the steering system are determined in a steering wheel remote area. The oscillations of a steering wheel near area of the steering system of the vehicle are determined. In a further step, the determined oscillations of the steering wheel near area are compared with stored characteristic oscillations of the steering wheel near area, which occur during the same excitation in a state in which the steering wheel is not touched.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: June 3, 2021Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Tobias Oesterwind, Dirk Zimmermann, Keiwan Kashil
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Publication number: 20210146989Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Eduard Span, Timm Leuerer, Rolf von Laar, Sridharan Krishnan, Robert Kolloch
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Patent number: 10994767Abstract: A steering column assembly having a vehicle-fixed mounting element and a sleeve element received in the mounting element, which is mounted displaceably in the axial direction in the mounting element for adjusting the steering column assembly. The steering column assembly further comprises an energy absorption device which can be firmly coupled to the mounting element and is firmly connected to the sleeve element, the energy absorption device being deformed in the event of a vehicle crash in consequence of a longitudinal displacement of the sleeve element, and at the same time absorbing part of the kinetic energy of the sleeve element during the event.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Richard Büker
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Publication number: 20210122316Abstract: The present disclosure describes a module base element for a vehicle occupant protection system comprising at least one module carrier for receiving at least one airbag module wherein the airbag module comprises at least one airbag and the airbag is connected to a gas source, especially a gas generator, and comprising a hinged arm having at least one hinged element so that the module carrier can be moved from an idle position to an operating position and from an operating position to an idle position, and comprising a lap restraint element. The present disclosure further describes a vehicle occupant protection system for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat comprising at least one restraint element, wherein at least one restraint element of the vehicle occupant protection system is disposed in a module base element according to the present disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2018Publication date: April 29, 2021Applicant: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Werner Freisler, Erik Hanle