Patents Assigned to ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130228026
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Arthur Rupp, Steffen Truthmann
  • Publication number: 20130118291
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred HEINTSCHEL, Ralf URBAN, Sebastian KUBISCH, Achim KRAUS
  • Patent number: 8418576
    Abstract: A device for pressing a steering rack onto a pinion engaged with the steering rack, in particular for a steering system of a motor vehicle, comprises a pressure piece which can be loaded in the direction of the steering rack and is displaceably guided in a housing and an adjustment unit for compensating for play occurring in the steering system. A spring washer is disposed between the adjustment unit and the pressure piece, wherein the adjustment unit comprises a projection and the pressure piece comprises a recess, or the pressure piece comprises a projection and the adjustment unit comprises a recess, in the region of the spring washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Bareis
  • Patent number: 8360910
    Abstract: A power-steering drive for a steering system in a motor vehicle includes a motor driving a motor shaft and a transmission situated between the motor shaft and an output shaft. The transmission takes the form of a combined worm-belt transmission. Furthermore, in a method for adjusting the transmission of a power-steering drive, the adjustment is performed by solely adjusting the intermediate shaft relative to the motor shaft and/or the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Wilfried Leutner
  • Patent number: 8352125
    Abstract: Provided is a way of using an estimator to determine a force (Fz), which acts from the outside on a steering gear of a steering device in a vehicle by way of a steering linkage, wherein a motor for generating a steering torque is assigned to the steering device. This is achieved by estimating the force (Fz) acting from the outside as a function of an effective motor torque (tor_RAeff), wherein the effective motor torque (tor_RAeff) is determined as a function of a motor torque and an efficiency, the efficiency being determined as a function of the estimated force (Fz).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Gruener, Thomas Werner
  • Patent number: 8348009
    Abstract: A steering device, in particular an electric power-steering device for a motor vehicle, comprising an axially parallel drive which has a steering gearbox housing, a steering axle, a steering element, and at least one axle steering mechanism connected to the steering element, having a motor unit disposed on the steering gearbox housing, having a servo gearbox disposed in a gearbox cover and having a control unit for the motor unit, which is disposed in a control device housing. The control device housing of the control unit is disposed on one axially parallel side of the servo gearbox, and a motor housing of the motor unit is disposed on the other axially parallel side of the servo gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Knoedler, Michael Ochs, Hans Koehnle
  • Patent number: 8335613
    Abstract: So as to provide, with high accuracy, an actuating variable for actuating a torque control element in an electric vehicle steering system and achieve this with reduced complexity as compared to the known methods and devices, an actual torsion-bar torque (MD) is detected, a differential torque is found from a predefined target torsion-bar torque (MD,ref) and the actual torsion-bar torque (MD), and the actuating variable is determined by means of an output feedback controller, as a function of the differential torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Gruener
  • Patent number: 8307939
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steering gear for a power steering system of a vehicle, comprising a component that is mounted axially displaceably in a housing of the steering gear, a tie rod fixed in an articulated manner on at least one axial end of the component by way of a joint, wherein a rotational center of the joint is disposed on a radially directed adapter part laterally offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the axially displaceable component, and the adapter part is fixed to the axially displaceable component by way of a shaft-hub connection, which is fastened on the axial end of the axially displaceable component using a nut on an external thread so as to provide a steering gear that has a high-strength, play-free connection between the axially displaceable component thereof and the adapter part, and which is easy to produce, the shaft-hub connection being formed by a play-free, conical serrated connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hauck, Helmut Bareis, Wilfried Doster
  • Patent number: 8249777
    Abstract: In order to achieve a steering feel for SbW systems and EPS systems having a control design for controlling the steering torque by generating a target steering torque (torTB) that can be adapted to various steering systems, vehicle types, or requirements, in which the resulting steering feel is a steering feel, in all driving conditions and driving situations, which is equivalent to, or better than, hydraulic and electromechanical steering systems available on the market today, according to the invention: a base steering torque (torB) is determined as a function of an externally acting force (torR) and a vehicle speed (velV); a damping torque (torD) is determined as a function of a steering speed (anvSW) and the vehicle speed (velV); a hysteresis torque (torF) is determined as a function of the steering speed (anvSW) and the vehicle speed (velV); a centering torque (torCF; torC) in the direction of the straight-ahead position is determined as a function of a steering wheel angle (angSW) and the vehicle speed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Greul, Thomas Werner
  • Publication number: 20120125132
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Bernhard, Marco Garu, Ekkehard Kneer, Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Dennis Fuechsel, Juergen Bieber, Rainer Schaenzel
  • Publication number: 20120072074
    Abstract: In order to achieve a steering feel for SbW systems and EPS systems having a control design for controlling the steering torque by generating a target steering torque (torTB) that can be adapted to various steering systems, vehicle types, or requirements, in which the resulting steering feel is a steering feel, in all driving conditions and driving situations, which is equivalent to, or better than, hydraulic and electromechanical steering systems available on the market today, according to the invention: a base steering torque (torB) is determined as a function of an externally acting force (torR) and a vehicle speed (velV); a damping torque (torD) is determined as a function of a steering speed (anvSW) and the vehicle speed (velV); a hysteresis torque (torF) is determined as a function of the steering speed (anvSW) and the vehicle speed (velV); a centering torque (torCF; torC) in the direction of the straight-ahead position is determined as a function of a steering wheel angle (angSW) and the vehicle speed
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Greul, Thomas Werner
  • Publication number: 20120061164
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power steering system for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing in which a steering rod is held in an axially movable manner. The steering rod comprises a spindle section which, together with a rotatably mounted recirculating ball nut forms a recirculating ball screw and nut gear. A support bushing is provided between an axial end of the steering rod and the recirculating ball nut, the bushing providing a through-hole for guiding the steering rod through. The inner face of the support bushing which faces the steering rod has a curved contour so that the opening cross-section of the through-hole increases toward the end of the steering rod. The curved contour is adapted to a bending line of the steering rod so that the steering rod, when it comes in contact with the support bushing as a result of a bending load, abuts the curved contour thereof in a planar manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Stephan Wanner, Arthur Rupp
  • Publication number: 20120035811
    Abstract: So as to provide, with high accuracy, an actuating variable for actuating a torque control element in an electric vehicle steering system and achieve this with reduced complexity as compared to the known methods and devices, an actual torsion-bar torque (MD) is detected, a differential torque is found from a predefined target torsion-bar torque (MD,ref) and the actual torsion-bar torque (MD), and the actuating variable is determined by means of an output feedback controller, as a function of the differential torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Gruener
  • Patent number: 8087830
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radially movable floating bearing for a shaft of a gear of a steering system, comprising a bushing or an inner ring or a rolling bearing, which is supported in a seat of a frame or housing of the gear. The inner ring or the bushing or the rolling bearing is held by at least one support element made of material having elastomeric properties which is inserted into a gap between the seat and the inner ring, the support element being designed as a pivot bearing. In order to provide a radially movable floating bearing for a steering system gear shaft, which is low-noise, easy to pivot and highly resilient, the pivot bearing cooperates with a damping stop disposed tangentially at a distance thereto, the stop being disposed at a radial distance from the inner ring or the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Dennis Fuechsel
  • Patent number: 8083021
    Abstract: Method for operating a steering system for a motor vehicle with at least one steerable wheel, a servo drive and a superimposed gear mechanism, the steering movement, initiated by the driver of the vehicle, and the movement for producing the steering movement of the steerable wheel, initiated by the servo drive for realizing useful functions (VSR, LAFN) being superimposed by the superimposed gear mechanism into a pinion angle, the servo drive for initiating the movement being triggered by a control signal (?Md) of a control device. The servo drive is turned back in a controlled manner when a substitute mode of at least one useful function (VSR, LAFN) of the steering system is switched off or on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reinelt, Willy Klier, Wolfgang Schuster, Reinhard Grossheim
  • Patent number: 8010253
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing a vehicle combination including a towing vehicle and a trailer, includes determining at least one vehicle state variable describing the state of the vehicle from a comparison with an assigned nominal value. A correcting variable is produced, which is supplied to an actuator in the vehicle. The correcting variable acts upon a steering actuator in order to adjust the wheel steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Lundquist
  • Patent number: 7984669
    Abstract: A power steering device for a vehicle which is disposed in the transmission path between a steering handle and a steerable vehicle wheel, comprises a servo cylinder having two pressure chambers, which are separated by a working piston and are each connected to a pressure supply unit. A valve plunger, which seals a bypass channel between the pressure chambers, is movably disposed on the working piston. Furthermore, an adjustment bushing comprising an adjustment section is disposed in the servo cylinder, the valve plunger being moved against this section upon approaching an axial limit position, thereby opening the bypass channel. The adjustment bushing is clamped into the servo cylinder, yet held displaceably, wherein, on the adjustment bushing, a sealing section is provided, which is to be moved into a sealing position with the working piston so as to interrupt the flow connection between the pressure chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Linde, Michael Haegele
  • Patent number: 7942230
    Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system for a vehicle, e.g., an electrohydraulic power steering system for a motor vehicle, includes a servo valve, the relative movement of whose control parts actuates a piston rod of a servo cylinder and changes at least one steering angle of a wheel which is operatively connected to the piston rod, and additionally has an electric servo motor which drives a rack with the servo cylinder for adjusting the steering angle of the wheel in the same direction. In order to provide an electrohydraulic power steering system which is as compactly arranged as possible in the region of its actuator and may be used flexibly for different classes of vehicle, the action of the rack and the piston rod of the servo cylinder is combined, in a parallel arrangement with one another, on an addition member for jointly adjusting the steering angle of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Kogel, Michael Haegele, Manfred Heintschel
  • Patent number: 7905317
    Abstract: A superimposed steering system for a vehicle, e.g., a servo-assisted or power steering system for a motor vehicle, includes a differential drive, which is configured as a shaft drive and has a first input shaft and a second input shaft, for superimposing the rotational angles that occur in the first and second input shafts on an output shaft of the differential drive. The output shaft acts on an input shaft of a steering gear. The first input shaft interacts with a steering handle by a steering shaft and the second input shaft interacts with a servo motor. A superimposed steering system may apply an additional steering angle, without play, to the output shaft and may have a simple, cost-effective, space-saving construction, while being easy to install. The first input shaft is directly connected in a detachable manner to a radially flexible flex-spline of the shaft drive, the first input shaft passing through an eccentric drive core of the shaft drive, which extends into the radially flexible flex spline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Kruttschnitt, Arthur Rupp
  • Publication number: 20100332081
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for actuating a superimposed steering system, a superimposed steering system, a controller, a computer program, and a computer program product. In the method, a steering ratio is produced as a function of the driving speed, with the magnitude of a time delay being adjusted as a function of the driving speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Hendrik Buering, Reinhard Grossheim, Thomas Wanner