Patents Assigned to ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
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Patent number: 7686515Abstract: A radially movable bearing for a shaft of a gear in a steering system includes a bush or outer ring that is supported in a receiving element of a mount or housing for the gear. In order to create a radially flexible bearing for the shaft of the gear, which movable bearing enables quiet operation for the entire service life of the gear, the outer ring or the bush is held by at least one support element that is inserted in a gap between the receiving element and the outer ring, and that is made of a material with elastomer behavior.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Achim Schust
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Patent number: 7686126Abstract: An electromechanical steering device for a motor vehicle having at least one electric motor and power electronics for controlling the electric motor includes at least one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the power electronics and/or the ambient temperature of the power electronics and switching times of the power electronics are variable as a function of the measured temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Stefan Walz
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Patent number: 7683563Abstract: A protective device for a power-assisted steering system, such a power-assisted steering system, and a method for protecting a power-assisted steering system are described. Provided in the described power-assisted steering system is a circuit that closes a separation in the neutral point of an electric motor when the rotational speed of the electric motor exceeds a prespecified value.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Wilfried Leutner
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Patent number: 7676308Abstract: A method for operating a steering system of a motor vehicle, with a steering handling device for specifying a steering wheel angle (?S) as a measure of a desired steering angle (?Fm) for at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering gear with a pinion, which converts a pinion angle (?G), which depends on the steering wheel angle (?S), into the steering angle (?Fm) of the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a superimposing arrangement for generating an additional angle (?M) by means of a control drive, especially an electric motor and for producing the pinion angle (?G) by superimposing the additional angle (?M) on the steering wheel angle (?S) by a superimposing gear mechanism and a control device for carrying out the method for operating the steering system and for triggering the control drive and being carried out by a control device of the steering system. At least one function, on the basis of a model, monitors the dynamics of the control drive.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Willy Klier
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Patent number: 7650809Abstract: An electrical steering system for a motor vehicle, having an electric motor having a worm gear which is made up of a worm and a worm wheel, coupled to an input shaft, having a ring gear, worm wheel forming one of the two coupling parts, that are to be coupled to each other, of an elastic compensation coupling whose other coupling part is connected, rotatably fixed, to the input shaft. The two coupling parts are coupled to each other only by one or by a plurality of elastic spacers.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Werner Bernhard, Friedrich Mayr, Michael Jüschke, Erich Berroth, Marc Kohler
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Publication number: 20090133485Abstract: A device for exposing an opening in a housing part of a steering gear in a vehicle steering system has a closure element that closes the opening and a component that, when it comes into contact with a liquid, changes at least one of its properties such that, after the component cooperates with the closure element, the closure element exposes the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2006Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Helmut Bareis, Martin Budaker, Reiner Kunz, Wolfgang Reuter, Oliver Hetzel, John Hasenclever
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Patent number: 7510045Abstract: A power-steering system, e.g., for a motor vehicle, having an electric motor, which transmits a steering-assist force via a belt transmission to a ball-screw transmission for displacing vehicle wheels, includes a cam, via which the ball-screw transmission and/or electric motor is supported in a steering-gear housing. The tension of a belt of the belt transmission is adjustable by rotating the cam in the steering-gear housing. The cam has at least one cutout on the circumference, and/or the steering-gear housing has at least one cutout in its inner wall. A locking element may be inserted into the cutout, in order to fix the cam in position with respect to the steering-gear housing. After being inserted, the locking element is operatively connected to the cam and the steering-gear housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Helmut Bareis, Martin Budaker, Oliver Hetzel, Michael Hauck
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Publication number: 20080196964Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Christian Lundquist
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Patent number: 7398854Abstract: A method for controlling an electrical power steering system for a vehicle includes an electrical servomotor, a steering device for entering a reference value (?S) of a steering angle into a control andlor regulation device, a moment sensor and an angle sensor for the steering device, a device for estimating the moment (Mv) at the steering device and an angle sensor for determining the angle (?A) of a power take-off of the electrical servomotor. In order to control the electrical power steering system, which makes a non-critical behavior possible in the event of a malfunction or failure of a moment sensor at the steering device, provisions are made so that an offset value (??) is constantly formed from the reference value (?S) of the steering angle and the actual value ?I of the steering angle, and a virtual moment (Mv) of the steering device is determined on the basis of the offset value (??) and is used to control the electrical servomotor.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Arnulf Heilig, Michael Bischofberger
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Patent number: 7383109Abstract: A vehicle power steering system suppresses chattering, i.e., unpleasant noises in the form of mechanical and generally higher frequency oscillations resulting from backlash in a gear connection transmitting the torque from the motor to the steering wheel mechanics, produced under certain driving conditions. A control system is provided which evaluates the rotor rpm of the electric motor, and increases the dynamic response time of the rotor in the event that the evaluation of the rotor rpm indicates an unstable state of the control system. As a result, chattering is suppressed only when a critical driving situation arises in which the control system becomes unstable, while, in the normal state, the steering system exhibits all properties thereof, and is neither delayed nor limited in a dynamic behavior thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Arnulf Heilig, Stephan Hiegler, Michael Bischofberger
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Patent number: 7364005Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a shaft that is rotatably mounted on a frame in a bearing, the shaft being functionally linked with a steered wheel for adjusting the steering angle thereof, and a structure for axially positioning the shaft in the frame. In order to allow for the shaft of the steering system to be free of backlash in an inexpensive and simple manner, the structure for axially positioning the shaft is configured as a pressure pad which is axially supported on the frame and on the bearing sitting on the shaft without play and which retains the bearing on the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Martin Budaker, Ralf Dangelmaier, Michael Schmidt, Helmut Knoedler, Jüergen Bieber
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Patent number: 7305901Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering system, in particular for a motor vehicle, has a steering housing and a pinion which is inserted into the steering housing If. A rack whose toothing engages with the pinion is mounted so as to be axially displaceable in the steering housing. The rack-and-pinion steering system has a circulation lubrication system with lubricating oil, an arrangement for conveying lubricating oil from a lubricating-oil reservoir conveying lubricating oil to the toothing engagement location between the rack and the pinion.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2003Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Franz-Josef Joachim, Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Rainer Schaenzel, Karl Benkler, Hartmut Specht, Hermann Ocker
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Publication number: 20070221438Abstract: In a power-assisted steering system or power steering system having an electric motor, which drives a worm gear mechanism that has a composite gear wheel in the form of a worm wheel, the worm wheel includes a ring gear connectible to a hub via a first disk, and an annular projection of the first disk axially engages with the ring gear. In order to improve the centering of the component parts of the composite gear wheel in the tangential direction, and in order to render the power transmission in the gear wheel uniform, the annular projection on the first disk is provided with one or more depressions in the axial direction to form tooth-like projections, which form a drive-type toothed section and engage with depressions on an axial side face of the ring gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2004Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: ZF LENKSYSTEME GMBHInventors: Werner Bernhard, Oliver Hetzel, Joachim Fischer, Olaf Beutler, Achim Ottenstein, Richard Kaisser, Reinhold Schuster, Wolf-Ingo Ratzel
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Publication number: 20070217725Abstract: A roller bearing assembly for supporting a shaft axially and radially in a rack includes a roller bearing with a carrier, a portion of which is supported at the rack with an element with elastomeric properties being interposed between a support for the rack and the portion of the carrier. In order to indicate a roller bearing, which supports the shaft axially and radially, and makes an inclined position of the shaft possible without causing straining of the system of shaft, roller bearing and rack, the element with elastomeric properties, viewed in the tangential (circumferential) direction of the roller bearing, has at least a first region, the stiffness of which is different from that of the remaining tangential (circumferential) region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: September 20, 2007Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Martin Budaker, Michael Jueschke, Roland Winter, Oliver Hetzel, Michael Hauck, Manfred Weller
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Patent number: 7258035Abstract: The invention relates to a rack and pinion steering device having a rack (1) which is arranged in a housing (4) and is connected at both ends to the steerable wheels via track rods (6) and steering arms, and having a pinion (2) which engages continuously in the rack (1) and is connected to the manual steering wheel via a steering column, and having stop means (10; 11; 12) which are integrated at both ends between the housing (4) and axially movable parts of the rack and pinion steering device and limit the axial movement of the rack (1) in both steering directions, the stop means (10; 11; 12) comprising elastically compliant material (12) which is completely enclosed in nonelastic parts (10; 11) of the stop means (10; 11; 12) which can move axially with respect to one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2002Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Juergen Bieber
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Patent number: 7243570Abstract: A power-assisted steering with a superimposing gear mechanism enables safe steering behavior independently of the type of transmission used. A mechanical lock is mounted at a part of the transmission, preferably at the screw itself. In the event of a malfunction, this lock acts in addition to the deactivation of an electric motor and reliably prevents it from rotating further in that a locking pin engages elongated hole-shaped grooves. The shape of the grooves has the advantage that the locking pin need not be positioned very precisely. Allowances are thus made for installation tolerances. The development of noise is also reduced since it is very improbable that the locking pin, before it is locked in one of the grooves, would first of all come into contact with an intermediate bridge and thus produce an unpleasant clacking noise. In addition, a diagnostic circuit may be provided which checks the function of the lock before the vehicle is started up.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Thomas Kuehnhoefer, Rainer Biegert
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Patent number: 7239104Abstract: A method is for compensating for a rotor angle deviation of a motor, which may be used as an actuator, e.g., as a servo actuator, in a steering system. The rotor angle deviation is compensated for by a piecewise linearized control of the difference between a desired rotor angle, which is based on a manual torque and a stored rotor angle, and a measured rotor angle, a control factor of the control being variable as a function of the control range.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Arnulf Heilig, Stephan Hiegler, Michael Bischofberger, Dietmar Hiller
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Patent number: 7232006Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system has a steering wheel actuator and a braking device that acts on the steering column. The braking device is activated when the vehicle steering wheel is to be blocked or at least sharply braked, such as when the steering stop is reached or a wheel goes over the edge of a curb. The braking device functions like a switchable freewheel.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2006Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Peter Dominke, Chi-Thuan Cao, Wolfgang Pfeiffer, Klaus-Dieter Leimbach, Werner Harter, Jens Hafermalz, Helmut Knoedler, Wilfried Leutner, Juergen Schuele, Herbert Lohner
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Patent number: 7197956Abstract: A thrust piece unit for rack-and-pinion steering mechanisms, which is integrated into a housing bore of the steering mechanism housing of motor vehicles, in order to keep the pinion in constant intermeshing with the rack, the thrust piece unit comprising a cylinder part, a piston part and two chambers which are matched with one another and are filled with hydraulic medium and which are connected to one another via a replenishing valve and via a throttle point, and overload protection being additionally integrated in the thrust piece unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Juergen Bieber, Rainer Schaenzel, Michael Schmidt
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Publication number: 20060278465Abstract: The invention relates to a steering system (1) for a vehicle, comprising a shaft (4) that is rotatably mounted on a frame (3) in a bearing (2), said shaft being functionally linked with a steered wheel for adjusting the steering angle thereof, and a means (5) for axially positioning the shaft (4) in the frame (3). In order to allow for the shaft (4) of the steering system (1) to be free of backlash in an inexpensive and simple manner, the means (5) for axially positioning the shaft (4) is configured as a pressure pad (6) which is axially supported on the frame (3) and on the bearing (2) sitting on the shaft (4) without play and which retains the bearing (2) on the frame (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2006Publication date: December 14, 2006Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Martin Budaker, Ralf Dangelmaier, Michael Schmidt, Helmut Knoedler, Juergen Bieber