Patents Assigned to ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
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Patent number: 8997597Abstract: A power steering system, and more particularly a power-assisted steering system for a vehicle, comprises a lead screw which is driven by a servo motor and is composed of a nut, which is mounted axially non-displaceably in a frame, and an axially displaceable component, the thread of which is engaged with a thread of the nut, and further comprising a belt pulley, which is non-rotatably connected to the nut and forms part of a traction mechanism gear between the servo motor and the nut, wherein the nut is mounted in the frame by a rolling bearing. So as to provide a power steering system which produces little noise and is easy to install, very precise in operation and also cost-effective to produce, the belt pulley is produced from plastic.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Arthur Rupp, Steffen Truthmann
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Patent number: 9002583Abstract: A torque actuator is regulated so as to permit an activation of the torque actuator such that steering wheel rotary oscillations that occur can be compensated. For this purpose, in one embodiment, a torsion bar torque is detected. A compensation torque is determined as a function of the detected torsion bar torque by means of a variable-frequency disturbance variable and state variable calculator. The compensation torque or a signal corresponding to the compensation torque is then taken into consideration during activation of the torque actuator.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Stefan Gruener, Thomas Nierobisch
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Patent number: 8960052Abstract: A device for exposing at least one opening in a housing part of a steering gear in a vehicle steering system is provided with a closure element, which closes the opening, and an operating element. At least one of the properties of the operating element changes when coming in contact with a liquid so that the opening can be exposed by the closure element after cooperation of the operating element with the closure element. The closure element is at least partially covered by a cover part and is designed as a buoyant body, or is provided with one or more buoyant bodies, wherein the cover part completely exposes the opening when liquid makes contact with the cover part.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Stefan Froehlich
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Patent number: 8931362Abstract: A recirculating ball gear, in particular for a steering system of a motor vehicle, comprises a nut, which is mounted in a housing by way of a bearing, wherein at least one spring element is disposed on each end face of the bearing between the bearing and the housing. During operation, the recirculating ball gear is exposed to impact in the axial direction, whereby the gear may become damaged over time and annoying rattling noise may develop in the recirculating ball gear. The spring elements are thus operated in the progressive area of characteristic curve.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Gerd Speidel
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Patent number: 8919490Abstract: A power steering system for a vehicle comprises a lead screw which is driven by a servo motor and which is composed of a nut that is mounted axially non-displaceably in a frame, and an axially displaceable component, the thread of which is engaged with a thread of the nut, wherein the nut is mounted in the frame by a rolling bearing. At least one side of the rolling bearing is provided on an outer ring with at least one respective bearing disk, the side of which facing away from the outer ring is provided in the radial region of the outer ring with a ring or an annular component made of elastomeric material, wherein the ring protrudes in the axial direction over the outer surface of the respective bearing disk when the rolling bearing is not installed.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Arthur Rupp, Steffen Truthmann
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Patent number: 8899119Abstract: A device for pressing a rack onto a pinion engaged with the rack, in particular for a steering system of a motor vehicle, comprising a pressure piece, which can be loaded in the direction of the rack and is displaceably guided in a housing, and comprising an adjusting device for compensating play that occurs in the steering system. In known devices, the play of the pressure piece must be set by way of an adjusting screw. This proves to be very complicated and problematic. An adjusting screw is therefore provided, wherein a spring washer is disposed between the adjusting screw and the adjusting device, and the adjusting device has a shoulder and the adjusting screw has a recess, or the adjusting device has the recess and the adjusting screw has the shoulder.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Helmut Bareis
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Patent number: 8899373Abstract: In a power steering system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a servo-motor, which drives an axially displaceable component by way of a steering nut that is mounted rotatably, but axially non-displaceably in a gear housing, the steering nut is mounted in the gear housing in a radial bearing comprising an inner ring and an outer ring. A heat-insulating intermediate element is disposed between the outer ring of the radial bearing and the gear housing, or a cover of the gear housing, and/or between the inner ring of the radial bearing and the steering nut for the purpose of thermal decoupling.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksystem GmbHInventors: Arthur Rupp, Steffen Truthmann
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Patent number: 8863889Abstract: A steering system in a vehicle comprises an electrical servo motor for generating a supporting servo torque, wherein the motor shaft of the servo motor is coupled to a motion-transmitting component of the steering system. A water protection shield enclosing the motor shaft is disposed between the motor housing of the servo motor and the motion-transmitting component.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Stefan Walz, Thomas Poetzl, Armin Lachenmaier
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Patent number: 8827558Abstract: A bearing bushing assembly for a telescopic steering shaft comprises an outer tube and an inner tube, wherein the bearing bushing assembly comprises a bearing bushing, which is seated against the inner tube and made of an inflexible plastic material, and a sealing element, which is molded onto the bearing bushing and made of an elastic plastic material so as to connect the inner tube to the outer tube in an axially movable and sealing manner, the bearing bushing being enclosed by an elastic bushing, which in turn is enclosed by an end section of the outer tube, the outer circumference of the elastic bushing comprising outwardly extending rib-shaped elements, the elastic bushing comprises at least one sealing lip extending in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Manfred Heintschel, Ralf Urban, Sebastian Kubisch, Achim Kraus
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Patent number: 8794093Abstract: A device for pressing a rack onto a pinion engaging the rack, more particularly for a steering system of a motor vehicle, comprises a pressure piece which is slidably guided in a housing and which is loaded in the direction of the rack, and an adjusting device. Devices made of metal are known from the prior art, which, however, generate excessive noise emissions during operation. Therefore, the pressure piece is made of plastic and the adjusting device is made of metal and/or plastic.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Helmut Bareis
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Patent number: 8788147Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining a toothed rack force on a steering device in a vehicle, wherein the toothed rack force (forZS) is determined as a function of a plurality of models, and wherein a component (forESM) of the toothed rack force (forZS) which relates to a driving process is generated by means of a first model, and a component of the toothed rack force (forZS) which relates to a parking process is generated by means of a second model.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Joerg Strecker, Thomas Werner
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Patent number: 8779759Abstract: A sensor device for detecting the rotational position of a rotating shaft, which is rotatably mounted in a housing, comprises a transducer magnet fastened to a carrier pin, which is accommodated in a recess in the end face of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Walter Hirning
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Patent number: 8752445Abstract: A device for pressing a rack onto a pinion engaged with the rack, for a steering system of a motor vehicle, is equipped with a pressure piece, which can be loaded in the direction of the rack by way of a compression spring and is displaceably guided in a housing, and with an adjusting device for compensating play that occurs in the steering system. A spring washer is disposed between the adjusting device and the pressure piece, wherein the adjusting device has shoulder and the pressure piece has a recess or the pressure piece has a shoulder and the adjusting device has a recess in the region of the spring washer. The adjusting device further comprises two adjusting disks which are rotatable relative to one another and beat against one another at contact surfaces, and the contact surfaces have at least two beveled edges. The complete adjusting device is preinstalled as an assembly unit comprising the pressure piece, the spring washer, and the compression spring with the use of a spring pin.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Helmut Bareis, Joachim Rosenthal
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Patent number: 8731779Abstract: A method for aligning a steer angle, which is determined continuously in a processor for controlling a steering system, with a second steer angle which is measured continuously by a sensor of the steering system, the steer angles varying over time in such a way as to deviate negatively and positively from a neutral value. A first time profile of the varying first steer angle is monitored continuously, and a second time profile of the varying second steer angle is monitored continuously. If no alignment of the first steer angle with the second steer angle has yet been carried out, the first steer angle is set to the present value of the second steer angle. If at least one alignment of the first steer angle with the second steer angle has already been carried out previously, and if a change of sign occurs in the first profile, the first steer angle is varied by a corrective value which is determined as a function of a hysteresis occurring in the second profile.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Rainer Biegert
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Patent number: 8720639Abstract: In an electric auxiliary power steering system a rotating component driven by a servomotor includes a rolling bearing for axially and radially supporting the component. At least one inner race or one outer race of the rolling bearing is split into two race parts along a parting plane that runs approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rotating component. The two parts are axially spring-loaded against one another. The ends of the race parts facing one another are aligned at an angle from the radial outer side thereof to the radial inner side thereof. The element with a conical cross section and having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer ring or the inner ring is placed between the ends so that when heat is introduced, the element expands and the race parts are able to move toward one another. When the element cools the race parts can move apart axially.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Stefan Froehlich
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Patent number: 8684128Abstract: A steering gear comprises a helical pinion and a helical gear which are mounted in the gear housing and driven by an electric motor, wherein a control unit and a sensor system connected thereto are also disposed in or on the steering gear so as to detect and control the rotor position and/or rotation of the rotor of the electric motor. A section of the shaft of the worm located on the drive side extends in the axial direction and protrudes from the gear housing, wherein the protruding end of the section on the drive side is designed as a rotor shaft of the electric motor, and the control unit and/or the sensor system are disposed on the gear housing. The control unit and the sensor system are preferably disposed on differing sections of the gear housing. This allows a very compact, cost-saving and flexible implementation of the design.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Juergen Bieber, Martin Budaker, Thomas Kuehnhoefer
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Patent number: 8667858Abstract: A steering gear comprises a shaft bearing configuration which comprises a mounting which is installed in a housing section of the steering gear and has openings that enable a pivoting movement by an annular section of the mounting which is assembled with a first rolling bearing, and the mounting comprises a disk-shaped section, which is provided with the openings and relative to which the annular section can be pivoted, wherein the annular section is either assembled with the outer ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the housing section, or the annular section is assembled with the inner ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Jens Hafermalz
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Patent number: 8646351Abstract: An electric power-assisted steering system of a motor vehicle comprises a helical pinion which engages into a helical gear. A reloading device comprises a reloaded pressure piece which presses the helical pinion into the toothing of the helical gear. The requirements of assembly are reduced and the elastically urging of the helical pinion or the worm need not be adjusted during assembly since the necessary elastically urging is automatically adjusted such that friction in the gearing is minimized, improved efficiency is achieved and the spring force can be held as constant as possible throughout the service life and unwanted noise development in the gearing can be largely reduced.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Ekkehard Kneer, Jens Hafermalz, Arne Kuhlen, Marco Grau
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Patent number: 8626393Abstract: In order to transmit reliable and precise information, to as great an extent as possible, on current driving conditions and driving situations, and also achieve disturbance-free behavior of the steering system in the center point range, in a steering device in a vehicle, a target steering torque (torSSW) is determined by determining an actual toothed rack force (forRT), determining at least one first component for the target steering torque (torSSW) as a function of the actual toothed rack force (forRT), and determining at least one additional component for the target steering torque (torSSW) from a calculated toothed rack force (forRS), wherein the calculated toothed rack force (forRS) is determined from a wheel steering angle and a vehicle speed (velV).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Joerg Strecker, Thomas Werner, Stephan Hiegler, Manuel Diez Rodriguez
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Patent number: 8539849Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing system for a worm engaging with a worm wheel as part of a steering gear, wherein the bearing system comprises at least one bearing with an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling bodies that are movably accommodated between the outer an inner rings, the bearing being pivotally arranged in a bearing seat for accommodating the outer ring of the bearing, and wherein the inner ring accommodates one of the two shaft ends of the worm in order to seat said shaft end of the worm radially in the housing of the steering gear. For an improved dampening of the worm at least one spring element, which exerts a spring force on a region of the outer ring of the bearing, is provided at the bearing, said spring force supporting a pivotal motion of the worm toward the worm wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Werner Bernhard, Marco Grau, Ekkehard Kneer, Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Dennis Fuechsel, Juergen Bieber, Rainer Schaenzel