Patents Assigned to ZF Friedrichshafen AG
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Publication number: 20230400092Abstract: An axle drive for a motor vehicle, comprising an electric machine coupled by a rotor shaft to a transmission for the axle drive, wherein a torque can be transferred from the electric machine to an intermediate shaft with a first gear stage and from the intermediate shaft to another gear train, in particular a differential, with a second gear stage, wherein the rotor shaft or a shaft segment coupled to the rotor shaft is supported in a bearing element, wherein a fluid supply is designed to convey a liquid, in particular oil, into an intermediate space between the bearing element and a side shaft on the axle drive through a fluid channel, and from the intermediate space into the rotor chamber in the electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Thomas KÖLBL, Stephan BRANDL, Heidi BARTLSPERGER, Nils TRÜMPER, Christina WEBER, Sophia SCHUBERT, Alois BIEREDER
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Publication number: 20230398862Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically driveable drive axle (19) for an all-terrain utility vehicle, comprising a first drivetrain (20) with a first electric motor (21), with a first transmission (22) and with a first drive output (23), and comprising a second drivetrain (30) with a second electric motor (31), with a second transmission (32) and with a second output (33), wherein the first drivetrain (20) and the second drivetrain (30) are arranged in a common housing (40) and/or on the common housing (40), and wherein the first drivetrain (20) forms a first torque path and the second drivetrain (30) forms a second torque path. The drive axle (10) according to the invention is characterized in that the first torque path and the second torque path are mechanically separate from one another. The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Maximilian Winkler, Alexander Mühlbauer, Florian Felbinger, Willi Rometsch, Franz Reitinger, Johannes Auburger, Ulrich Solka, Hendrik Frisch
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Patent number: 11841001Abstract: A method for directly determining a theoretical damage of at least one component of a device includes providing load-specific reference data in an evaluation unit, sensing actual load-specific data by a load sensing system, and transmitting the actual, load-specific data to the evaluation unit. The actual load-specific data includes classified load collectives comprising a dwell time of occurring damage variables at defined load levels, a number of load changes of occurring damage variables, and an event count of occurring damage variables. The method further includes scaling the load-specific reference data to the actual load-specific data for calculating the theoretical damage of the at least one component and determining a remaining service life.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Johannes Schaefer, Marco Sticker
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Patent number: 11843288Abstract: A rotor (1) for an electric machine (2) includes at least one sensor element (3) configured for detecting at least one condition variable of the rotor (1), a signal processing unit (4) connected to the at least one sensor element (3) and configured for generating measured data from the detected condition variable of the rotor (1) and transmitting the measured data to a control device (5), and at least one induction coil (7) that includes at least one electrical conductor (8), is arranged at least indirectly on an end face of the rotor (1), and is configured for generating electrical energy from a magnetic front stray field (12) rotating in relation to the rotor (1) during the operation of the electric machine (2).Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Ulrich Kehr, Jochen Eggler
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Patent number: 11844198Abstract: A power module includes at least one power semiconductor element between first and second conductive layers, a first cooling member on the first conductive layer, a second cooling member under the second conductive layer, and at least one snubber capacitor between the first and second conductive layers. Each snubber capacitor has a capacitor core between first and second electrodes and first and second transition layers. The first transition layer is between the first conductive layer and the first electrode and the second transition layer is between the second electrode and the second conductive layer, or the first transition layer is between the first electrode and the capacitor core and the second transition layer is between the capacitor core and the second electrode. The first and second transition layers are conductive. A thermal expansion coefficient of the transition layers is between thermal expansion coefficients of adjacent elements of the snubber capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventor: Wei Liu
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Publication number: 20230391032Abstract: The invention relates to a method for marking a vehicle tyre (20) and a corresponding marking station. In one example, the vehicle tyre is supplied (100) to a marking station (10), the vehicle tyre (20) is aligned and centred (102, 103) in the marking station (10), marking is performed (108) in the marking station in accordance with characteristics of the vehicle tyre (20), and marking is performed (108) using one marking device (12) from a multiplicity of different marking devices (12). The method according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the marking device (12) for marking the vehicle tyre (20) is positioned (107) at the vehicle tyre (20) by means of a robot arm (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2021Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Thomas Dollinger, Andreas Griebl, Florian Stemplinger, Johannes Maier
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Publication number: 20230391208Abstract: An inverter device for providing a drive voltage for a drive motor (110) for an electric vehicle (100). The inverter device (108) has a battery interface (130) for connecting the inverter device (108) to a vehicle battery (104) of the electric vehicle (100), a drive interface (116) for connecting the inverter device (108) to the drive motor (110), and an auxiliary interface (118) for connecting the inverter device (108) to an auxiliary drive (112). The inverter device (108) further has an inverter (140) to convert a DC voltage applied to the battery interface (130) into an AC voltage and to provide the latter either at the drive interface (116) or at the auxiliary interface (118) using a control signal (132).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Frank SEEMANN, Andre EHRSAM, Martin MACH, Zbynek STEPAN, Vladimir DVORAK, Gabriel SCHERER, Rico GLOCKNER
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Patent number: 11837923Abstract: A rotor (1) for an electric machine (2) operated with a pulsed voltage, the rotor (1) having at least one sensor element (3) for detecting at least one condition variable of the rotor (1), and a signal processing unit (4) connected to the at least one sensor element (3), the signal processing unit (4) generating measured data based on the at least one condition variable of the rotor (1) and transmitting the measured data to a control device (5). The rotor (1) further having at least one induction coil (7) at least indirectly supported on an end face of the rotor (1), the at least one induction coil (7) being tuned to a modulation of a fundamental wave field of a magnetic front stray field (12) formed during operation of the electric machine (2) with pulsed voltage to generate electrical energy from the fundamental wave field.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Ulrich Kehr, Jochen Eggler
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Patent number: 11835599Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly may have a printed circuit board with at least one electric component. A magnetic field sensor for measuring a magnetic field may be included, where an amperage of a current conducted in the electric component is determined on the basis of the magnetic field. The assembly may also include a magnetic conductor for conducting the magnetic field, which is then measured by the magnetic field sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Alfons Neuner
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Publication number: 20230382227Abstract: Apparatus (102) for providing an operating energy (110) for an auxiliary drive (106) for an electric vehicle (100). The apparatus (102) has a battery interface (112) for connecting the apparatus (102) to a vehicle battery (104), a bidirectional inverter (114) having a first terminal for connecting the inverter (114) to the battery interface (112) and a second terminal. The inverter (114) is formed to convert a DC voltage into an AC voltage and back. A switch with a terminal which the switch to the second terminal, to an auxiliary interface (116) for connecting the apparatus (102) to the auxiliary drive (106) and to a charge interface (212) for feeding electrical energy (214) into the apparatus (102). The switch connects the charge interface to the switch and to the auxiliary interface (116). The apparatus (102) has a control device for providing the boost signal and the charge signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Frank SEEMANN, Andre EHRSAM, Martin MACH, Zbynek STEPAN, Vladimir DVORAK, Gabriel SCHERER, Matthias ENGICHT
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Publication number: 20230382219Abstract: Disclosed is an electrically operable drive train (10), having a first transfer case (11), a first electric motor (12), and a first axle (13, 13?) as well as a second transfer case (14), a second electric motor (15, 15), and a second axle (16, 16?). The first transfer case (11) has a first input (17), a first axle output (18), and a first coupling output (19). The second transfer case (14) has a second input (20), a second axle output (21), and a second coupling output (22). The first coupling output (19) can be coupled with the second coupling output (22) by way of a coupling shaft (23). The drive train (10) according to the invention is distinguished in that the first transfer case (11) further has a first power take-off (24). The invention relates further to a corresponding vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Pfeffer, Franz Reitinger, Alexander Mühlbauer, Tobias Brilka
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Patent number: 11831719Abstract: A signal interface for a vehicle has a sensor unit and a main control unit connected via a wiring harness. The sensor unit includes a sensor chip configured to carry out a SENT protocol and has outlets for a supply voltage line, a data transmission line, and a ground connection. A voltage regulator and a filter with ESD/EMC protection are connected to the supply voltage line, where overvoltage protection is upstream of a data line filter and ESD/EMC protection is downstream of the data line filter. The main control unit includes a voltage regulator, ESD/EMC protection, and a module configured to switch off the ground supply in the event of a current derived from the overvoltage protection. A pull-up device and a transceiver are connected to the data transmission line. The control unit has separate sender and receiver paths for controlling the transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Jochen Menz
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Patent number: 11832399Abstract: An electronics module for a transmission control unit may including one or more of the following: a printed circuit board populated with electronic components that are attached to an upper surface and/or a lower surface of the printed circuit board, and electrically connected thereto, and a media-tight protective layer, which covers one or more electronic components and connecting points between the one or more electronic components and the printed circuit board, where there is a cooling element for cooling the electronic components on one side of the printed circuit board, where the cooling element is connected to the printed circuit board and houses the electronic components that are to be cooled, and where the media-tight protective layer covers a transition region between the printed circuit board and the cooling element along the entire periphery of the cooling element.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2019Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Josef Loibl, Hermann Josef Robin
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Patent number: 11828932Abstract: A lens assembly includes a lens, a lens barrel, and a heater element. The lens has an inner surface and an outer surface. The lens barrel supports the lens and defines an optical axis, the lens arranged along the optical axis such that the inner surface of the lens is within the lens barrel and the outer surface of the lens is outside the lens barrel. The heater element is in intimate mechanical communication with the inner surface of the lens and has a heater element electrical lead extending radially therefrom to provide power to the heater element. Lens heating methods are also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Anthony Rivas, Thomas E. Blake, III, Jeffrey Dudek, Robert Newton
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Patent number: 11828357Abstract: An oil supply system of an automatic transmission includes a reservoir (1) for accommodating and storing a liquid operating medium (6), a volume compensation tank (102), and a valve device (20) for establishing or interrupting a hydraulic connection (3) between the volume compensation tank (102) and the reservoir (1). The volume compensation tank (102), in the installed position of the automatic transmission, is arranged above the reservoir (1). The hydraulic connection (3) between the volume compensation tank (102) and the reservoir (1) is automatically establishable or interruptable by the valve device (20) as a function of a temperature. The valve device (20) is configured such that the temperature at which the valve device (20) is in the open condition is lower than the temperature at which the valve device (20) is in the closed condition and, thereby, the hydraulic connection (3) is at least partially interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventor: Florian Pohnlein
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Publication number: 20230373245Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically drivable steering axle (10) having an axle housing (11), an electric motor (12), a transmission (13), a differential (14) with a first output shaft (18) and a second output shaft (18?), a first wheel head (15), a second wheel head (16) and a steering linkage (17, 17?, 17?). The electric motor (12) is drive-connected to the first wheel head (15) and to the second wheel head (16) via the transmission (13) and the differential (14). The steering axle (10) according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the electric motor (12), the transmission (13), and the differential (14) are arranged coaxially with the first output shaft (18) and the second output shaft (18?). The invention additionally relates to a corresponding vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas PFEFFER, Franz REITINGER, Alexander MÜHLBAUER, Tobias BRILKA
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Publication number: 20230373527Abstract: A method for adjusting a planned trajectory of a vehicle, such as a vehicle for highly automated driving. A plurality of different limit data sets are produced for implementing the planned trajectory using at least one drive-dynamical characteristic value of the vehicle and an estimated value for a friction coefficient between the vehicle and a road. Each limit data set contains limit values for a kinematic driving condition of the vehicle. A data set having the lowest limit values with which the planned trajectory can be implemented is selected from the limit data sets produced. The planned trajectory is calculated as a function of current trajectory control data and as a function of the selected limit data set, where the trajectory control data comprise current environment data from an environment sensor of the vehicle and/or current position data from a position sensor of the vehicle. The planned trajectory is adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2021Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Eckehard Münch, Stephan Pollmeyer, Katharina Hansen
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Publication number: 20230373521Abstract: A system with which automated vehicles can detect road damage, wherein the automated vehicles have at least one sensor for detecting structure-borne and/or air-borne sounds generated by the vehicle when driving over road damage, wherein the system is configured to detect the road damage on the basis of the data from the at least one sensor. The system also records the position of the automated vehicle when driving over the road damage and stores it. Position and information regarding the road damage are sent to a control unit in the automated vehicle, or other automated vehicles. The control unit determines regulating and/or control signals for an avoidance trajectory with which the road damage is avoided or passed on the basis of the position and information regarding the road damage that is received.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael HERTKORN, Jens GIESLER
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Patent number: 11815169Abstract: A transmission may include an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a first planetary gearset, and a second planetary gearset connected to the first planetary gearset. The input shaft, the first and second output shafts, and the planetary gearsets may be arranged such that a torque input via the input shaft is converted and distributed in a defined ratio to the two output shafts, and the formation of a combined torque is prevented. At least one element of the first planetary gearset may be connected to at least one element of the second planetary gearset with a shaft for conjoint rotation, and at least one element of the second planetary gearset may be fixed in place on a non-rotating component. A connector may be arranged and configured to passively, and therefore without a control unit and without an actuator, connect the first output shaft and second output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Matthias Reisch, Stefan Beck
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Patent number: 11815128Abstract: A ball joint, in particular a chassis joint, which has a housing and a ball socket that comprises a ball bearing section for receiving a joint ball. An anti-rotation member prevents movement of the ball socket within the housing. To improve operational performance of the ball joint, the anti-rotation member is formed by a connecting element of the housing and a mating connecting element of the ball socket. The connecting elements have corresponding holding profiles so that, in an assembled condition, the connecting elements form a shape-enclosing plug-in connection.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Hahn, Wolfgang Eulerich, Manfred Heidemann