Patents Assigned to ZF Friedrichshafen AG
  • Publication number: 20240297604
    Abstract: A device for the de-excitation of at least one rotor winding of an externally electrically excited synchronous motor has a stator current controller. The stator current controller is designed to inject a stator current value into a stator current in such a manner that a value of an Id stator current following deactivation of the synchronous motor has a predefined positive value and is higher than the Id stator current prior to deactivation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Sebastian Wendel
  • Patent number: 12081096
    Abstract: An electric machine with a stator, a rotor, and a fluid cooling device. The rotor is supported by a rotor shaft and a first bearing arranged at a bearing shield. The fluid cooling device has a cooling tube secured to a carrier element in fluidic communication with a fluid input and output and extends inside a recess of the rotor shaft while forming an annular space. A sealing element is provided between the rotor shaft and the carrier element, which prevents fluid passage into a spatial region of the electric machine outside of the sealing region. A second bearing is axially spaced apart from the first bearing is between the rotor shaft and a second bearing shield for supporting the rotor. The rotor core extends in a space between the first bearing and second bearing, and the recess extends inside the rotor shaft axially to the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Hacklberger, Sebastian Kornexl, Manfred Geier
  • Patent number: 12078240
    Abstract: A transmission (1) for a motor vehicle (2) includes a transmission housing (3) with an interior space (4) and an oil sump (6). At least one rotating transmission component (5a) is arranged in the interior space (4) of the transmission housing (3). At least one compensating tank (7) is configured for collecting oil from the interior space (4). The compensating tank (7) is fluidically connected to the oil sump (6) via at least one return (8). The particular return (8) delivers a predefined flow back into the oil sump (6) as a function of a power throughput of the transmission (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Kessler, Johannes König, Nihat Günes
  • Publication number: 20240288060
    Abstract: A traction drive for propelling a vehicle includes first and second drive components (1, 1*) that generate heat during operation. A cooling system for tempering the drive components (1, 1*, 2, 2*) has a first cooling circuit (3), a second cooling circuit (4), and a heat exchanger (5). The heat exchanger (5) is designed to transfer heat between the first and second cooling circuits (3, 4). The first cooling circuit (3) passes through the first drive component (1, 1*) in order to temper the first drive component (1, 1*) and the second cooling circuit (4) passes through the second drive component (2, 2*) in order to temper the second drive component (2, 2*). A valve (36) is arranged in the first cooling circuit (3) for adjusting the flow of coolant from the first cooling circuit (3) through the heat exchanger (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Trübenbach, Horst Leichsenring
  • Publication number: 20240291337
    Abstract: A cooling arrangement for an electric machine includes a machine housing and a stator mounted rotationally symmetrically in a radial direction around at least one rotor in the machine housing. The stator has a stator winding extending axially between opposite ends in which are located a first winding head and a second winding head. At least one spray tube configured to convey fluid is fixed radially above the stator and extends axially over the full length of the stator. The spray tube is connected to a supply duct for delivery of fluid, where the spray tube has at least two outlet openings that include an outlet opening in an area above the first winding head and in an area above the second winding head, so that the coolant flowing through can flow down at least in part onto the first winding head and the second winding head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ronny Hoppe
  • Patent number: 12071089
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system for helping to protect a pedestrian in the event of a vehicle frontal collision with the pedestrian includes a plurality of crash sensors for sensing a vehicle frontal collision, an actuatable pedestrian protection device, a controller for controlling actuation of the pedestrian protection device, and at least one active sensor for determining the presence of a pedestrian in the path of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Charles A. Bartlett, Pawel Koziel, Michal Duchowski, Kiran Balasubramanian, Kyeora Lee
  • Patent number: 12072036
    Abstract: A mounting aid device for mounting a valve slide in a housing bore of a valve housing of a slide valve includes a mounting slide arranged movably in a guide of a guide piece and protruding out of the guide of the guide piece on both sides. The guide piece includes a first stop, with which the guide piece is placeable coaxially to the housing bore when the guide piece contacts the valve housing at the first stop. The mounting slide configured to protrude into the housing bore until contact on the second end region of the valve slide and, by force-loading of the mounting slide under compression of the spring element, the valve slide is movable until the valve slide reaches the first end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Marcel Boncourt
  • Publication number: 20240283438
    Abstract: An output stage for an inverter for driving an electrical machine includes a half-bridge containing a current valve embodied as a JFET. The current valve is configured to be controlled by a driver. The output stage comprises a cutout circuit for opening the current valve when the driver has no supply voltage, wherein the cutout circuit includes a capacitor and a diode, which are connected in series between a gate terminal and a source terminal of the current valve, an additional JFET for bypassing the diode, and a drive, which keeps a voltage between a gate terminal and a source terminal of the additional JFET small enough to close the additional JFET as long as a supply voltage of the driver is large enough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Robert Maier
  • Publication number: 20240278895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a marine drive unit (1) comprising an upper bevel gear set (2) and a lower bevel gear set (3). The upper bevel gear set (2) is connected to the lower bevel gear set (3) by a drive shaft (4) which extends in vertical direction. A first oil pump (5) is arranged to supply oil to the upper bevel gear set (2) and a second oil pump (6) is arranged to feed a cooling oil circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicants: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Padova SRL.
    Inventor: Gabriele De Ceglia
  • Publication number: 20240280174
    Abstract: A parking lock shifting device has a flat cam mechanism with a rotatable cam element and an engagement element guided on the cam element and displaceable for shifting a parking lock. A transmission shifting device has a rotatable shift roller and at least one shift element which can be displaced by rotating the shift roller. The transmission shift device has such a parking lock shifting device, the cam element is non-rotatably connected to the shift drum and the engagement element forms a further shift element which can be shifted by rotating the shift drum. Also disclosed is a transmission with a parking lock shifting device of this type or a transmission shifting device of this type, and vehicle with a parking lock shifting device of this type, a transmission shifting device of this type or a transmission of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Bernard Hunold, Michael Preuß, Alexander Thorwart
  • Publication number: 20240278611
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chassis component with a structural part which comprises at least one strut section with an open cross-section shape, wherein in an end area of the strut section a first wall section and a second wall section are formed, the first wall section has a first joint-receiving opening and the second wall section has a second joint-receiving opening. The two joint-receiving openings are arranged opposite one another, and a joint housing of a joint is arranged in the two joint-receiving openings. In order to improve the arrangement of an additional component, in particular a sensor element, on the chassis component and make it simpler and/or less costly, the said additional component is fixed between the two wall sections and on the joint housing by means of a clamping fit and/or a press fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Eike Christian Sonsalla
  • Patent number: 12066568
    Abstract: A device includes an input interface for receiving a target list for the MIMO radar sensor containing angular data including information regarding a target angle, at which the target is located, and channel data including information regarding reflection signals received from the target in individual channels in the MIMO radar sensor; a modeling unit for generating model data for each of the targets; a processor for determining a model error for each of the targets, containing information regarding a discrepancy between the channel data and the model data for the target; a selector for selecting one of the targets on the basis of the model error; and an adjustment unit for determining calibration coefficients for adjusting the channel outputs in the MIMO radar that compensate for the discrepancies between the channel data and the model data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Zechner, Benjamin Sick
  • Patent number: 12066101
    Abstract: An actuator device (1) for generating a longitudinal positioning movement to engage a shift element includes an actuator housing (2) and an electric motor (3). The electric motor (3) has a stator (4) and a rotor (5), the stator (4) being stationarily fixed at the housing (2), and the rotor (5) being rotatable relative to the stator (4) and rotationally fixed to a rotor carrier (6) supported relative to the housing (2) via a fixed bearing (7). The actuator device (1) further includes a threaded drive (8) having a nut (9) and a threaded spindle (10), with the nut (9) being rotationally driveable and axially fixed, and the threaded spindle (10) being axially displaceable along the threaded nut (9) and secured against rotation. The threaded nut (9) is rotationally fixed to the rotor carrier (6) and is at least partially radially within the fixed bearing (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Jürgen Wafzig, Peter Sigg
  • Patent number: 12066106
    Abstract: A seal device (3) for a rotating shaft (1). The seal device has a shaft seal (4) and a collecting device (5) for the contactless removal of leakage, that penetrates through the shaft seal (4), from the shaft (1). Further, an electric machine has a rotor shaft (1) that can be driven in rotation and a seal device (3) of the type for sealing the rotor shaft (1) and, therefore, also an inside space of the electric machine. Additionally, a drive device for the electrical driving of a motor vehicle that has an electric machine of the type for the provision of a drive power of the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Brushkivskyy, Gerhard Höring
  • Publication number: 20240273663
    Abstract: A boat ramp occupancy indicator system having a server entity with database, a first input for receiving current weather and tidal information, a second input for receiving traffic information, and a plurality of smart phones having an end-user application operating therein. The system communicating with each one of the end-user applications operating on a smart phone. When a smart phone, operating the end-user application, is located at or near a selected boat ramp, the system sends a push notification to such user inquiring if the user is located at the boat ramp. The system determining, regardless of whether or not the user responds to the sent push notification, how busy the selected boat ramp is. The system, based upon how busy the selected boat ramp is determined to be, sending out informative notifications to other users who have designated the select boat ramp as a favorite boat ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicants: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Marine Propulsion Systems Miramar, LLC
    Inventors: Lars HOFFMANN, Daniel BIEFELD
  • Patent number: 12060044
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for actuating a parking brake system in a utility vehicle. In an example, the parking brake system includes an operational actuator for actuating a parking brake and a control unit for controlling the operational actuator. When the utility vehicle is stopped, a stored brake-application characteristic is selected for the parking brake as a function of a current vehicle condition of the utility vehicle. Based on the selected application characteristic, the operational actuator is activated by the control unit in order to apply the parking brake. In addition, or alternately, when the utility vehicle is started, a stored brake-release characteristic is selected for the parking brake as a function of a current vehicle condition of the utility vehicle. Based on the selected brake-release characteristic, the operational actuator is activated by the control unit in order to release the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hans Pilzweger
  • Patent number: 12058947
    Abstract: An apparatus for localizing an agricultural machine in an agricultural useful area. The apparatus includes an input interface configured to receive, as input, a route predefined in the useful area and image data related to a monitoring region of the useful area detected by a sensor and located in a vicinity of the agricultural machine. The apparatus also includes an evaluation unit configured to detect a position of the monitoring region with respect to the predefined route and an output interface configured to output the detected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Zhihu Chen, Benjamin Rippel
  • Patent number: 12060134
    Abstract: A drive unit (10) for a manually driven vehicle, in particular a bicycle or an EPAC, includes a housing (12), an electric motor (18) with a rotor (44), a bottom bracket shaft (14), a harmonic drive (20) coupled to the rotor (44), and an output shaft (22). The harmonic drive (20) includes an outer bushing with an inner toothing. The outer bushing (38) of the harmonic drive (20) is coupled to the housing (12) via a buffer (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Steffen Kraft, Miran Percic, Rüdiger Nierescher, Klaus Kraft
  • Patent number: 12055207
    Abstract: A housing is provided with a receiving area for a mounting part of a mount assembly fastened to the receiving area by a substance-to-substance bond. The receiving area has a centering portion for the mounting part and possibly a positioning portion for the mounting part which is operative in axial direction and transitions into an adjacent housing wall via a housing edge. The receiving area is provided in the radial extension region of the housing edge with a clearance operative in axial direction relative to the mounting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Monika Röβner, Thomas Bauer
  • Patent number: 12058831
    Abstract: A power module for an electric axle drive may include a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, where the semiconductor switching elements are attached to a substrate. The power module may also include a control unit electrically connected to the plurality of semiconductor switching elements, where the plurality of semiconductor switching elements includes a first set of semiconductor switching elements dedicated to the electric axle drive. The plurality of semiconductor switching elements may also include a second set of second set of semiconductor switching elements dedicated to a transmission connected to the electric axle drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Kohr, Maxim Pereverzev, Wolfgang Scherm, Marco Igel, Pengshuai Wang, Roman Huff