Patents Assigned to ZF Friedrichshafen AG
  • Patent number: 11815167
    Abstract: A lubricant guide shell (32) for includes a first, radially extending section (33), which is provided for being situated axially opposite an end face (35) of a torque converter (9) in an installed state of the lubricant guide shell (32). The first section (33) transitions radially outwardly into a second, axially extending section (34), which, in the installed state of the lubricant guide shell (32), is configured for axially at least partially and radially outwardly encompassing the torque converter starting from the first section (33). The first section (33) as well as the second section (34) are configured to be completely circumferential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Glade, Thomas Riedisser, Leschek Debernitz, Stephan Stroph, Peter Reinders, Wolfgang Schmid, Frank Pfarrherr, Florian Lanz, Rudolf Raedler
  • Patent number: 11813938
    Abstract: An auxiliary power take-off assembly in a motor vehicle transmission, which has a torque converter, a transmission input and a transmission output. The auxiliary power take-off assembly includes: an input shaft at the transmission input, and which is permanently connected to a drive motor of the motor vehicle by way of the pump shaft of the torque converter; a transmission output shaft at the transmission output; a transmission chain, which includes an input element and an output element and the output element of which can be connected to an auxiliary assembly to be driven; and a switching element, which is operatively arranged between the input shaft and the input element of the transmission chain, to selectively connect the input shaft to the output element. The output element is arranged on an output shaft, which is mounted in a bearing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Epple, Michael Trübenbach, Hermann Lanz, Sylva Rother, Mario Holder
  • Patent number: 11815166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle transmission (6) comprising a drive input shaft (9), a drive output shaft (10), a first planetary gearset (P1), a second planetary gearset (P2), and a third planetary gearset (P3), where the drive input shaft (9) is provided for coupling to an electric machine (5). Furthermore, at least functionally a first shifting element (A), a second shifting element (B), and a third shifting element (C) are provided. In addition, the invention relates to a drive unit (4), a drive axle (3), and an electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Stefan Renner, David Rittler, Stefan Spühler
  • Publication number: 20230358307
    Abstract: A transmission housing (101, 111) has at least one bead (115) for forming one or more housing feed-through passages (117). A method of producing the transmission housing and a transmission series are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Christian Lohmann
  • Publication number: 20230358577
    Abstract: A detection device may be attached to or secured in a vehicle component, with which physical and/or chemical values can be detected. The device may include of at least one of the following: a detection unit placed or formed on a first mount for detecting a physical and/or chemical value, wherein the first mount has at least one mounting interface for attaching the first mount to the vehicle component; and a functional unit to which the detection unit is dedicated, placed or formed on or in a second mount, wherein the second mount has at least one connecting interface for connecting the second mount to the first mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Philipp Lang, Martin Hermann, Michael Schwab, Christopher Winter, Thomas Stauderer, Ulrich Mair
  • Patent number: 11808884
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (20) for determining a radar target list, comprising: an input interface (22) for receiving preprocessed sensor data from a radar sensor (18) with information on detected strengths at high points (H1, H2) in a distance and/or velocity dimension and in predefined neighborhood ranges of the high points in the distance and/or velocity dimension; an analysis unit (24) for determining mutually adjacent high points with overlapping neighborhood ranges based on the preprocessed sensor data; an adjustment unit (26) for adjusting the neighborhood ranges of the mutually adjacent high points; and an evaluation unit (28) for determining a radar target list with information on targets (17) in a field of view of the radar sensor based on the high points and the neighborhood ranges thereof. The present invention also relates to a method for determining a radar target list and a sensor system (10) for detecting targets (17) in an environment (12) of a vehicle (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Sick, Stefan Zechner, Florian Engels
  • Patent number: 11807102
    Abstract: A gear unit for a powertrain and a powertrain including a stepped planetary gearset, a first gear shifting element and a second gear shifting element. The stepped planetary gearset has a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a second ring gear, and stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first ring gear is fixed with respect to rotation to an output shaft of the gear unit. The second ring gear is fixed with respect to rotation to a housing. The first gear shifting element drivingly connects the first sun gear to an electric machine in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element drivingly connects the first planet carrier to the electric machine in a closed state, and one of the two gear shifting elements is in the closed state for driving the output shaft in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Oliver Schaudt
  • Patent number: 11807091
    Abstract: An axle drive (1) for a motor vehicle axle includes at least a first drive unit (2), a second drive unit (2), and an output axle (6). The first and second drive units (2) are arranged such that an overall center of gravity (7) of the axle drive (1) is situated proximate to a center of the output axle (6) and/or an axis of rotation of a vehicle wheel of the motor vehicle driven by the axle drive (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF DRIVETECH (SUZHOU) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Frank Seemann, Paul Lenz, Andreas Grossi, Werner Hechberger, Kai Borntraeger, Maik Woerl, Marco Di Sarno, Cong Ren
  • Patent number: 11807099
    Abstract: A rotor carrier for a rotor of an electric machine and to a hybrid module with such a rotor carrier. The rotor carrier includes a pot-shaped base body. The base body overlaps only a portion of the axial extension of the rotor, in that the rotor carrier comprises a second supporting body that has elements on an outer circumferential surface for a positive engagement connection and/or frictional engagement connection between supporting body and rotor, in that the supporting body has a radially extending flange, and in that the bottom of the base body and the flange of the supporting body are connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Großpietsch, Angelika Ebert, Monika Rößner, Christoph Margraf, Thomas Bauer
  • Publication number: 20230347929
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle contains a computing unit having first and second subunits. The first subunit has a first interface for receiving first sensor data, a processor for performing first control functions, and a first connection unit for transmitting the first sensor data to the first processor. The second subunit has a second interface for receiving second sensor data, a second processor for performing second control functions, and a second connection unit for transmitting the second sensor data to the second processor. The first connection unit has a first data exchange block and the second connection unit has a second data exchange block. The first data exchange block transmits the first sensor data to the second data exchange block, and the second data exchange block transmits the first sensor data to the second processor. The second processor performs the second control functions based on the first sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Gerhard MÜLLER
  • Patent number: 11802559
    Abstract: A vane pump (101) for an automatic transmission includes a suction-side behind-vane pressure duct (112) and a pressure-side behind-vane pressure duct (111). The suction-side behind-vane pressure duct (112) is connected to the pressure side (116) of the vane pump (1). A valve device (113, 114) is connected to the pressure-side behind-vane pressure duct (111). During operation of the vane pump (101), a pressure-side behind-vane pressure (p DH) can be set in the pressure-side behind-vane pressure duct (111) with the valve device (113, 114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Florian Pöhnlein
  • Patent number: 11801894
    Abstract: A method for determining an orientation of a trailer, the trailer being configured to be coupled to a towing vehicle, includes detecting a relation of movements of at least two wheels of the trailer, upon moving the trailer, with at least one sensor arranged at the trailer for detecting a respective state of the at least two wheels. The method further includes calculating an orientation of a coupling device of the trailer based on the relation of the at least two wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Nicolas Schreibmueller, Mauro Cesar Zanella, David Nieto Lara, Guilherme Lima
  • Publication number: 20230341006
    Abstract: An actuating device for a transmission has an adjusting element which can be moved in rotation by way of an actuator. At least one actuating element is arranged on one side of the adjusting element and can be moved in translation as a function of a rotation movement of the adjusting element. Roller bodies between the adjusting element and the actuating element concerned are arranged in such manner that each roller body engages in a ramp-shape contoured groove of the adjusting element and in a ramp-shape contoured groove of the actuating element concerned. The roller bodies, which are arranged between the adjusting element and the actuating element concerned, are arranged in at least two concentric roller body rings. Alternatively, or in addition, bearing bodies which serve to support the adjusting element on a housing-side base element are arranged in at least two concentric bearing body rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Brushkivskyy, Patrick Kniess
  • Patent number: 11796017
    Abstract: A method for operating a hydraulic actuator for a prime mover or a drive device of a vehicle includes determining that the hydraulic actuator is to be actuated via an actuating system and detecting an operating variable influenced by a filling state of the hydraulic actuator indicative of pressure conditions in the hydraulic actuator, with the operating variable being separate from actuator operating variables of the hydraulic actuator and the actuating system. The method further includes pressurizing the actuator during a fast fill phase to one or more pressures over a fast fill time period in response to determining that the hydraulic actuator is to be actuated. The fast fill time period and the one or more pressures are adjusted as a function of the operating variable under certain operating conditions. Additionally, the method includes pressurizing the actuator during a pressure build-up phase after the fast fill phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Terwart, Lukas Spath, Andreas Fischer
  • Patent number: 11796002
    Abstract: Bearing arrangement with a bearing having an outer bearing race; a machine element with a cylindrical cutout receiving and securing the outer bearing race; and a circumferentially constructed groove adjoins a first axial side of the cylindrical cutout and extends radially outward to receive a locking element for securing the outer bearing race at the first axial side of the groove; an annular locking element having an inner diameter which is larger in a mounting state than in a securing state. The locking element is partially guided in the constructed circumferential groove to secure the outer bearing race at the first axial side in the securing state; and a securing device cooperates with the locking element to secure a changed state of the locking element; and the securing device secures the locking element from an outer side of the machine element opposite the first axial side of the cylindrical cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Julian Larbig, Steffen Matschas, Michael Grafelmann, Ingo Krafft, Axel Rohm
  • Patent number: 11794575
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle transmission (6) having a drive input shaft (9), a drive output shaft (10), a first planetary gearset (P1), a second planetary gearset (P2), and a third planetary gearset (P3), where the drive input shaft (9) is provided for coupling to an electric machine (5). Furthermore, at least functionally a first shifting element (A), a second shifting element (B), and a third shifting element (C) are provided. In addition, the invention relates to a drive unit (4), a drive axle (3) and an electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Stefan Renner, David Rittler, Stefan Spühler
  • Patent number: 11796005
    Abstract: Bearing arrangement for a machine element having a bearing having an outer bearing race radially fixed by a cylindrical cutout in the mounted state of the bearing arrangement; a locking element having an annular radial portion and at least one axial portion; and the annular radial portion of the locking element cooperates with a region of the outer bearing race on a first axial side of the outer bearing race to secure the outer bearing race at the first axial side; and at least one securing element which, in a mounted state of the bearing arrangement, is in operative engagement with the at least one axial portion of the locking element and with the machine element such that the locking element secures the outer bearing race at the first axial side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Julian Larbig, Steffen Matschas, Spyros Kotsalos, Axel Rohm, Martin Pfeuffer
  • Publication number: 20230335323
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for an assembly, in particular in a motor vehicle, may be mounted on a fluid chamber, which is designed to be connected to the actuator for fluid transfer when the actuator is installed in the assembly, which has a moving armature in an armature chamber, where the armature has a moving armature rod, where the actuator is designed to fill the armature chamber with fluid, in particular oil, in that the armature rod moves such that fluid is drawn into the armature chamber from the fluid chamber through a fluid path when the armature rod is connected to the fluid chamber for fluid transfer, and where a flow resistance in the fluid path between the armature chamber and the fluid chamber can be set to a first resistance level or a second resistance level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Dominik Guldenschuh, Markus Moosmann, Markus Diesch, Florian Schreiber, Ralph Wassermann
  • Publication number: 20230331289
    Abstract: An actuator (10) of a steer-by-wire steering device of a motor vehicle comprises a housing (46, 146), a spindle (42, 142) and a positionally fixed spindle nut (43, 143) mounted so that it can rotate, which within the housing (46, 146) form a spindle drive (41, 141) for the axial displacement of the spindle (42, 142) relative to the spindle nut. An inertial mass (100, 300, 400, 400a, 500, 600) is at least indirectly coupled to the spindle (142), taking into account the oscillation behavior of at least one component of the actuator (10), in particular the spindle (142).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Henning Schwenke, Vitali Wiebe, Gerrit Seevers, Thomas Reichel
  • Publication number: 20230332711
    Abstract: An actuator for an assembly in a motor vehicle may have a moving armature in an armature chamber, where the actuator has a fluid path that is configured for fluid transfer between the armature chamber and a fluid reservoir in the assembly when the actuator is installed in an assembly, where the actuator is configured to fill the armature chamber with fluid, in particular oil, when the armature moves axially, thereby drawing fluid into the armature chamber when the actuator is operated in a fluid chamber, in particular an oil chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Dominik Guldenschuh, Markus Moosmann, Markus Diesch