Patents Assigned to ZF Friedrichshafen AG
  • Patent number: 11607941
    Abstract: A propulsion drive system for a mobile machine includes an electric motor having a first range, in which a torque is constant as a rotational speed rises, and a second range, in which a power is constant as the rotational speed rises. The propulsion drive system further includes a transmission operatively connected mechanically to the electric motor. The propulsion drive system is configured to be transferred, via the transmission, from a state for relatively low driving speeds into a state for relatively high driving speeds of the mobile machine. The electric motor and the transmission are adapted to one another in such a way that the electric motor can be operated in the state for relatively low driving speeds exclusively in the first and second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rico Gloeckner, Migen Bebeti, Jan Doering, Juergen Legner
  • Patent number: 11606895
    Abstract: A method for automatically steering an agricultural machine on an agricultural area that is to be worked. The method includes optically detecting a first region of the area that is to be worked lying in a direction of travel of the agricultural machine in a first recording via a first optical sensor in a first position with a first viewing direction. The method further includes optically detecting a second region of the area that is to be worked lying in the direction of travel of the agricultural machine in a second recording via a second optical sensor in a second position with a second viewing direction. The method additionally includes detecting a tramline in the first recording and detecting a tramline in the second recording, determining a first trajectory and a second trajectory, and determining a steering signal based on the first trajectory and/or the second trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: David Nieto Lara, Zhihu Chen, Anatol Weidenbach, Tim Haerle
  • Patent number: 11608885
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a planet carrier. The planet carrier includes a web, a journal and a bushing. A first end of the journal is fixed in the web, at least a part of the journal projects into the bushing, and a second end of the journal is fixed in the bushing. The planet carrier further includes a stiffening element, an annular support ring, and a cap placed onto a first axial end of the bushing. An axis of symmetry of the annular support ring coincides with a center axis or axis of rotation of the planet carrier. The stiffening element is fixed in the bushing and in the support ring. The bushing and the stiffening element are connected to each other as two pieces. The stiffening element is joined to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventor: Sven Moers
  • Patent number: 11607951
    Abstract: A power take-off device for a motor vehicle has a drive input, two drive outputs and a clutch. The first drive output channels drive torque from the power take-off device to propel the motor vehicle. The second drive output channels drive torque from the power take-off device to an auxiliary unit to drive the auxiliary unit. The clutch selectively couples the drive input to the first and second drive outputs. The clutch has three shift positions. In the first shift position, the drive input is coupled to the first drive output and decoupled from the second drive output. In the second shift position, the drive input is coupled to the second drive output and decoupled from the first drive output. In the third shift position, the drive input is coupled to both the first and second drive outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Epple, Frank Sauter
  • Publication number: 20230078836
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle (100) includes reading-in measurement data about a surface (6) of a substrate (2) lying ahead of the vehicle (100) in its travel direction (F), where the surface contains a ground-level obstacle (4) and recognizing the ground-level obstacle (4) from the measurement data. The method also includes determining a movement vector (V4) of the recognized ground-level obstacle (4) in a vehicle-associated coordinate system on the basis of the measurement data read in and determining a movement vector (V1) of the vehicle (100) in a coordinate system superordinate relative to the vehicle-associated coordinate system. The method further includes checking whether the ground-level obstacle (4) is a dynamic ground-level obstacle (4) in the superordinate coordinate system and emitting a control signal for controlling an operational safety system (30) of the vehicle (100) as a function of the result of the check.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Gabriela Jager
  • Patent number: 11603907
    Abstract: A gear transmission includes a first helical-cut gearwheel (1) and a second helical-cut gearwheel (2) engaged for transmitting torques in different directions. The first gearwheel (1) and the second gearwheel (2) each include corresponding ring-shaped thrust collars (4, 5), and corresponding thrust collars (4, 5) each form a race (8, 9, 10, 11) having an overlap region. A first race (8) and a second race (9) form an overlap region for traction torques, and a third race (10) and a fourth race (11) form an overlap region for overrun torques. Each overlap region includes a contact surface or a contact point (14, 15), and each contact point (14, 15) is situated on a contact circle diameter (16, 17). The contact surfaces or contact points (8, 9) for traction torques and the contact surfaces or contact points (10, 11) for overrun torques are radially offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Christoph Erkens, Eckhardt Lübke, Martin Rattay, Marc Seeberger
  • Patent number: 11603894
    Abstract: A method for adapting a biting point filling time of a hydraulically actuated hybrid disengaging clutch is implemented step by step during driving of the motor vehicle via a plurality of selected engagement phases of the hybrid disengaging clutch with a manipulation of the customary rapid filling routine. Proceeding from an initially stored biting point filling time, a filling time which is shortened in comparison with this for a subsequent rapid filling routine is increased step by step, in each case by an increment. Here, an actual value which is set in each case for a test parameter, from which a change in the transmission of torque of the hybrid disengaging clutch can be derived, is detected until the actual value corresponds to a setpoint value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Lukas Spath, Robert Weissenrieder, Markus Terwart, Moghtader Salehan
  • Publication number: 20230074207
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining kinetosis in a vehicle user of a vehicle during at least one travel event in which at least one body part of the vehicle user is monitored, as a result of which image data are generated. Driving dynamics of the vehicle are monitored as the vehicle is being driven, as a result of which driving dynamics data are generated for every travel event while the vehicle is in motion. The image data are evaluated to determine the formation of sweat on the at least one body part of the vehicle user, as a result of which approximated electrodermal activity data are generated. The driving dynamics data are associated with the approximated electrodermal activity data, as a result of which the kinetosis of the vehicle user in at least one of the travel events is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Mohamad Alayan, Florian Dauth
  • Patent number: 11597361
    Abstract: A method of braking a host vehicle traveling behind a second vehicle includes acquiring visual images of the second vehicle and determining an actual deceleration of the second vehicle based on the visual images. Non-visible light emitted by the second vehicle is detected. A commanded deceleration of the second vehicle is determined based on the detected light. A first signal is produced indicative of the actual deceleration. A second signal is produced indicative of the commanded deceleration. Braking of the host vehicle is initiated in response to at least one of the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Stephen Osterhoff
  • Patent number: 11600938
    Abstract: A bridge element (3) for establishing an electrical connection and at least one mechanical connection between an actuator (1) and a bridge element (3) for a transmission control unit of a transmission includes first electrical contacts (5a, 6a) and second electrical contacts (5b, 6b), which are connected to the first electrical contacts (5a, 6a) with electrical conductors (5, 6), and at least first mechanical connecting elements (7, 8) proximate the first electrical contacts (5a, 6a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Moosmann, Florian Pawlak, Tobias Nusser, Karlheinz Mayr, Thilo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11597274
    Abstract: A transmission for an at least partially electrically driven vehicle includes two electric machines which are rotationally driveable in a first direction and in a second direction. The transmission further includes an output shaft at least indirectly operatively connected to the first and second electric machines, a first freewheel clutch that at least indirectly transmits a drive power of the first electric machine to the output shaft with a first ratio when the first electric machine rotates in the first direction, and a second freewheel clutch that at least indirectly transmits the drive power of the first electric machine to the output shaft with a second ratio when the first electric machine rotates in the second direction. Additionally, the transmission includes at least one first gear stage in power flow between the first or second freewheel clutch and the output shaft to rotate the output shaft in a third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Peter Ziemer
  • Patent number: 11598394
    Abstract: A wheel head transmission (1) comprising a first and second shafts (W1, W2) which are connected to one another via a planetary transmission (PG). The wheel head transmission (1) comprises first and second planetary stages (P1, P2), which include a first element (E11, E12), a second element (E21, E22) and a third element (E31, E32). The first element (E11) of the first planetary stage (P1) is connected to the first shaft (W1) for conjoint rotation, the second element (E21) of the first planetary stage (P1) and the third element (E32) of the second planetary stage (P2) are connected to one another and the second shaft (W2) for conjoint rotation. The third element (E31) of the first planetary stage (P1) and the first element (E12) of the second planetary stage (P2) are connected together for conjoint rotation, and the second element (E22) of the second planet stage (P2) is immobilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Kobler, Max Schreiber, Michael Wechs
  • Patent number: 11598415
    Abstract: A gearwheel (10), in particular a parking interlock gear, includes an annular body (1). The annular body includes a first toothing (2), arranged on an outer circumference of the annular body, for engaging a locking pawl (20), and a second toothing (3), arranged on an inner circumference of the annular body, for the form-locking connection to a shaft (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Kehr
  • Publication number: 20230060296
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electric vehicle has at least one electric machine, a multi-speed transmission, and a distributor device. The rotor of each electric machine is connected to an associated input shaft of the multi-speed transmission. The multi-speed transmission is connected on the output side to the distributor device with different transmission ratios being selectable in the multi-speed transmission. In addition, a drive power introduced into the distributor device can be distributed to at least two outputs of the distributor device. In order to provide a compact drive unit for an electric vehicle with permanent all-wheel drive or selectable all-wheel drive, the distributor device can be used to provide a longitudinal distribution of the introduced drive power in that the outputs of the distributor device are each provided for coupling to a respective drive axle of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Pfeffer, Alexander Mühlbauer, Franz Reitinger, Tobias Brilka
  • Patent number: 11590843
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle drivetrain having a transmission connected between a drive aggregate and a drive output, a Power Take-Off (PTO) that can be coupled to the drive aggregate on drive aggregate side to take up drive torque from the drive aggregate. In order to determine the torque taken up by the PTO, the transmission is first shifted to interrupt torque to the transmission output. Thereafter, a defined torque is delivered by the drive aggregate, at least with the PTO coupled to the drive aggregate, and, during this at defined time-points, rotational speeds of a shaft driven by the drive aggregate are determined and from this an angular acceleration of the shaft is determined. A first torque of the shaft is determined from the shaft angular acceleration while the PTO is coupled. Based on the first torque, the torque taken up by the PTO is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ulf Lang
  • Patent number: 11590960
    Abstract: A method for serial operation of a motor vehicle with a transmission having a first electric machine, which is operated as a motor for driving the motor vehicle, and a second electric machine, which is operated as a generator, includes, after a generation of a change-over signal, switching the first electric machine from the operation as a motor to the operation as a generator, and switching the second electric machine from the operation as a generator to the operation as a motor in order to drive the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Roske
  • Patent number: 11590987
    Abstract: A method for controlling in an automated manner a motor vehicle (10) traveling on a road (12) in a current lane (14) is suggested, wherein the road (12) has at least one further lane (16). The method comprises the following steps: At least two preliminary driving maneuvers are generated and/or received, which include a lane change from the current lane (14) to the at least one further lane (16) and a starting time of the lane change. The starting times of the at least two preliminary driving maneuvers are at different times. The at least two driving maneuvers are compared taking into account the respective starting times. One of the starting times is selected based on the comparison. Further, a control device for a system for controlling a motor vehicle is also suggested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Till Nattermann, Christian Wissing, Manuel Schmidt, Andreas Homann, Christian Lienke, Niklas Stannartz, Torsten Bertram
  • Publication number: 20230053423
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle includes detecting a road user in a predetermined portion of a vehicle's environment, detecting a start-up attempt by vehicle driver, blocking a vehicle start-up in response to the detection of a road user in the vehicle's environment and to the detected start-up attempt, and altering a vehicle control such that the comfort of the driver is reduced in comparison with an unaltered vehicle control when the vehicle start-up has been blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Jäger, Bülent Sari, Hana Niederbrucker
  • Publication number: 20230058083
    Abstract: A system for reducing a kinetosis effect in at least one passenger of a vehicle comprises at least one set of headphones having two loudspeakers and at least one first ear bud, wherein the at least one set of headphones is designed, at least by means of a sensor device integrated in the first ear bud, to detect the kinetosis effect in the auditory canal of the respective passenger via measurement of the body temperature and to provide acoustic signals by means of the two loudspeakers in order to reduce the kinetosis effect of the passenger depending on the kinetosis effect detected. Forces acting on the passenger and their countenance can also be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Mohamad Alayan, Florian Nicola, Istvan Hegedüs-Bite, Ilker Bagci, Hubert Bichelmeier
  • Publication number: 20230056250
    Abstract: A powershift transmission of a motor vehicle has a split group with a plurality of powershift stages. An input shaft can be rotatably driven by a drive shaft of a motorized drive and transmits rotational movement in a stepped-up manner to an output shaft of the split group corresponding to one of several powershiftable stage transmissions. The powershiftable stage transmissions can be rotatably driven in a stepped-up manner by the output shaft of the split group via an intermediate group located therebetween, and via an input shaft of a synchromesh transmission group having a plurality of gear stages. A vehicle axle transmission can be rotatably driven by the output shaft of the synchromesh transmission group. The intermediate group has a multiple powershift intermediate transmission, in which each switching position the input shaft of the synchromesh transmission group can be rotatably driven by means of an associated transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Haas, Martin Dankesreiter, Anton Eder, Thomas Pauli, Thomas Spießl, Thomas Oberbuchner, Stefan Igl, Simone Landshuter