Patents Assigned to ZF Automotive Safety Germany GmbH
-
Patent number: 11945390Abstract: The disclosure relates to a driver airbag module rotatable about a steering axis. The driver airbag module can include an inflatable airbag and a module housing with a housing axis substantially parallel to the steering axis. The module housing can define a receiving chamber for the folded airbag. The receiving chamber is delimited by a housing front wall that faces a vehicle occupant when the driver airbag module is installed, an opposing housing rear wall axially spaced therefrom, and a housing lateral wall extending between the housing front wall and the housing rear wall. The housing lateral wall has an opening section via which the airbag is unfolded when the driver airbag module is activated, and the housing front wall is inclined relative to the housing rear wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: ZF Automotive Safety Germany GmbHInventors: Constantin Von Roden, Johannes Morhart
-
Patent number: 11894841Abstract: A method for detecting contact with a manually activated steering or control device, in particular a vehicle steering wheel, comprises the following steps: applying an alternating voltage to at least one conductor arrangement (10) which is arranged on the steering or control device, and has at least one conductor line with a significant ohmic resistance; determining the current profile in the conductor arrangement (10); determining the real component and the virtual component of the instantaneous alternating current resistance of the conductor arrangement (10); determining the capacitance or the change in capacitance of the conductor arrangement (10); determining the phase shift; and evaluating the determined values.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Guido Hirzmann, Michael Schillinger
-
Patent number: 11718257Abstract: A coupling device (16) for mounting an airbag module (14) to be oscillating on a steering wheel structure (12) of a vehicle steering wheel (10) includes a mounting member (18) which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis, an axial bottom side (20) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the steering wheel structure (12) as well as an opposite axial top side (22) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the airbag module (14), a contact face (24) for a damping element (26) provided on the axial bottom side (20) for oscillating coupling of the mounting member (18) to the steering wheel structure (12), and comprising a locking element (28) disposed on the top side (22) of the mounting member (18) for locking with the prefabricated airbag module (14), wherein the locking element (28) is configured so that the airbag module (14) can be coupled to the mounting member (18) by a locking connection substantially in an axially fixed manner or in an axiallyType: GrantFiled: October 19, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignees: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc, ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventors: AnnMarie McMillan, Jeffrey M. Ruprecht, James Steele, Dominik Schuetz
-
Patent number: 11667256Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (10) for a vehicle steering wheel (6), comprising a module base (12) for fixed mounting on the vehicle steering wheel (6), which module base has a base opening (14), and a vibration absorber ring (16) for fastening a gas generator (18) to the module base (12) such that said gas generator can vibrate. The vibration absorber ring (16) has a ring axis (A) and a mounting flange (20) for the gas generator (18). The vibration absorber ring (16) has a resilient absorber wall (22), starting from the mounting flange (20), which absorber wall extends in an axial direction toward the module base (12) and extends around the ring axis (A) in the circumferential direction. The vibration absorber ring (16) has a plurality of resilient absorber feet (24) for fastening to the module base (12), which absorber feet extend in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventor: Stefan Bachmann
-
Patent number: 11591000Abstract: A steering apparatus assembly, having a steering axis, about which the steering apparatus assembly can rotate in is disclosed. The steering apparatus assembly comprises a first element and a second element. The two elements are connected to one another by a first and second joints. The first joint comprises a resilient locking element, which is deflectable in a direction transverse to the steering axis to disengage the first joint. The second joint is deflectable by an axial load acting on the assembly elements away from one another. A wedge is provided having a wedge length transverse to the steering axis and a variable wedge height in the direction of the steering axis. The wedge length and length and a wedge inclination angle are matched to one another such that both the first joint and the second joint can be undone by a linear movement of the wedge in the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Safety Germany GmbHInventor: Markus Haas
-
Patent number: 11590916Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a steering device assembly for positioning and fastening an airbag module on a steering device of a motor vehicle. The steering device assembly comprises a first positioning body having a detent lever, a carrier, a spring element, and a second positioning body. The detent lever comprises a first leg and a second leg connected to the first leg at one leg end the detent lever is mounted for pivoting between an initial position and a final assembly position on the carrier. The spring element loads the detent lever into the final assembly position. Each leg extends to an opposite free leg end at a specified angle. The second positioning body has a stop for the free leg end of the first leg for pivoting the detent lever from the initial position into the final assembly position and a detent contour for locking with the free leg end of the second leg in the final assembly position of the detent lever.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Safety Germany GmbHInventor: Markus Haas
-
Patent number: 11548467Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant (12) in an automotive vehicle, comprising an inflatable cushion portion (20) for damping an occupant impact and two inflatable tube portions (22) laterally opposed in the mounted state of the airbag (10) which are arranged on the occupant side on the cushion portion (20), wherein the tube portions (22) are connected to each other by a slide layer (24) arranged on the occupant side on the cushion portion (20) and are laterally movable at least in portions relative to the cushion portion (20). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an airbag (10) as well as an airbag module (18) comprising said airbag (10).Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Dominik Schütz, Ohnishi Nobuyuki
-
Patent number: 11529926Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag (14) for unfolding between a vehicle part (10) and a vehicle occupant (18), comprising an impact wall (20) which, in the installed and unfolded state of the airbag (14), faces a vehicle occupant (18) and a circumferential wall (22) which is connected to the impact wall (20) and, in the installed and unfolded state of the airbag (14), extends between the impact wall (20) and the vehicle part (10), wherein the circumferential wall (22) is made with multiple layers, at least in some sections, and forms at least one annular tube (23) which delimits an annular inflatable first airbag volume (V1), and wherein a radially inner layer (26) of the circumferential wall (22), together with the impact wall (20), delimits an inflatable second airbag volume (V2) that is separate from the first airbag volume (V1). The invention further relates to an airbag module (12) having such an airbag (14).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Stefan Sapountzis, Bartolomeu Franco, Tiago Cardoso, Dominik Schütz
-
Patent number: 11465577Abstract: The invention relates to a spring element (10) for fastening an airbag module (12) to a vehicle steering wheel (14), having a first spring section (16) which extends from a tool access point (P) via a first bearing point (18) as far as a first free spring end (20), and a second spring section (22) which extends from the tool access point (P) via a second bearing point (24) as far as a second free spring end (26), wherein the tool access point (P) is spaced apart from a connecting section (28) between the two free spring ends (20, 26), wherein the tool access point (P) is spaced apart from a connecting section (28) between the two free spring ends (20, 26) and is displaceable in an actuating direction (x) toward the connecting section (28), and wherein the spring sections (16, 22) are shaped such that the free spring ends (20, 26) move toward each other or away from each other during a displacement of the tool access point (P) in the actuating direction (x) if the first bearing point (18) and the second bearinType: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventor: Stefan Bachmann
-
Patent number: 11453429Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about first and second pivot axes, respectively, between a steering position and a folded position. At least one linear actuator is connected to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Actuation of the linear actuator pivots the first and second rim portions about the first and second pivot axes.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Jeff Harvey, Christopher Baucher, Marco Tumminello, Christopher Staab
-
Patent number: 11370377Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel (10) having a steering wheel axis (A) about which the vehicle steering wheel (10) can be rotated in the installed state, a steering wheel carcass (12) which has a hub section (14) in the region of the steering wheel axis (A), and a separate latching peg (18) for latching with an airbag module (20), which extends in the axial direction (22) and can be mounted on the steering wheel carcass (12), wherein the hub section (14) of the steering wheel carcass (12) has a rigid carcass hook (24) for latching with the airbag module (20), which extends in the axial direction (22), wherein the latching peg (18) adjoins the carcass hook (24) and partially surrounds same in the circumferential direction. The invention also relates to a steering wheel assembly having a vehicle steering wheel (10) of this kind.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Dominik Schütz, Stefan Bachmann
-
Patent number: 11325644Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly (10) comprising a steering wheel skeleton (12), an attachment component (14), a connection component (20) for fastening the attachment component (14) to the steering wheel skeleton (12), and a first resilient damping element (16) which couples the connection component (20) to the attachment component (14) so as to be able to oscillate, a second resilient damping element (18) being provided which couples the connection component (20) to the steering wheel assembly (12) so as to be able to oscillate.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventor: Dominik Schütz
-
Publication number: 20220024511Abstract: A steering apparatus assembly for a motor vehicle, having a steering axis, about which the steering apparatus assembly can rotate in the installed condition is disclosed. The steering apparatus assembly comprises a first assembly element and a second assembly element. The two assembly elements are connected to one another by a first joint and a second joint. The first joint comprises a resilient locking element, which can be deflected in a direction transverse to the steering axis to disengage the first joint. The second joint can be disengaged by an axial load acting on the assembly elements away from one another. A wedge is provided which has a wedge length transverse to the steering axis and a variable wedge height in the direction of the steering axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: ZF Automotive Safety Germany GmbHInventor: Markus Haas
-
Publication number: 20220001824Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a steering device assembly for positioning and fastening an airbag module on a steering device of a motor vehicle. The steering device assembly comprises a first positioning body having a detent lever, a carrier, a spring element, and a second positioning body. The detent lever comprises a first leg and a second leg connected to the first leg at one leg end the detent lever is mounted for pivoting between an initial position and a final assembly position on the carrier. The spring element loads the detent lever into the final assembly position. Each leg extends to an opposite free leg end at a specified angle. The second positioning body has a stop for the free leg end of the first leg for pivoting the detent lever from the initial position into the final assembly position and a detent contour for locking with the free leg end of the second leg in the final assembly position of the detent lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: ZF Automotive Safety Germany GmbHInventor: Markus Haas
-
Patent number: 11148700Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to a vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about at least one pivot axis between a steering position and a folded position. At least one gear drive is rotatable relative to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Rotation of the gear drive causes each of the first and second rim portions to pivot about the at least one pivot axis between the steering and folded positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignees: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC., ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Jeff Harvey, Christopher Baucher, Marco Tumminello, Christopher Staab
-
Publication number: 20200384937Abstract: The invention relates to a spring element (10) for fastening an airbag module (12) to a vehicle steering wheel (14), having a first spring section (16) which extends from a tool access point (P) via a first bearing point (18) as far as a first free spring end (20), and a second spring section (22) which extends from the tool access point (P) via a second bearing point (24) as far as a second free spring end (26), wherein the tool access point (P) is spaced apart from a connecting section (28) between the two free spring ends (20, 26), wherein the tool access point (P) is spaced apart from a connecting section (28) between the two free spring ends (20, 26) and is displaceable in an actuating direction (x) toward the connecting section (28), and wherein the spring sections (16, 22) are shaped such that the free spring ends (20, 26) move toward each other or away from each other during a displacement of the tool access point (P) in the actuating direction (x) if the first bearing point (18) and the second bearinType: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2018Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: ZF Automotive Safety Germany GmbHInventor: Stefan BACHMANN