Patents Assigned to ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
  • Patent number: 6952973
    Abstract: In a method for fastening a torque measurement device for detecting a relative torque between an input shaft and an output shaft of a steering system, e.g., of a rack-and-pinion power-assisted steering system, the torque measurement device is integrally formed locally into the input shaft and/or the output shaft by deformation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Abele, Matthias Fahrian, Gerhard Ruf, Stefan Froehlich, Werner Habbel, Thomas Weese, Anton Wettemann, Christoph Ziller
  • Patent number: 6948584
    Abstract: A steering system, e.g., a hydraulic rack and pinion steering system for motor vehicles, includes a steering handle for prescribing a steering intention, a pressure medium source and a control valve device for controlling a flow of pressure medium to and from a servomotor in order to deflect vehicle wheels. The control valve device has a closed center, and a pressure medium accumulator is provided for producing and/or assisting a flow of pressure medium to and from the servomotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Wilfried Leutner, Helmut Knoedler
  • Patent number: 6892849
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering system for motor vehicles, in which the steering spindle part, lying in the steering mechanism housing, is clamped axially in the same end region of the steering spindle part, in which the steering angle sensor unit for sensing the rotational angle or changes in the rotational angle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Bareis
  • Patent number: 6871562
    Abstract: For a power steering system which has, as a recirculating ball steering, a worm shaft and, enclosing this, a working plunger which is to be actuated by a bead chain axially shiftably with respect to the worm shaft, an axial seal is provided for the annular gap between the working plunger and the worm shaft which has a multi-part arrangement, and which has two support rings and one sealing ring, engaging between the support rings, pointing in opposite directions and guided in an annular grove of the working plunger, the width of the annular groove being greater than the axial width of the axial seal at the support rings arranged adjacent to the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Willi Tropper
  • Patent number: 6871127
    Abstract: A device for controlling a steer-by-wire steering system in a vehicle, in which redundantly generated sensor signals for regulating a steering motor and for a feedback actuator that transfers the restoring torques from the road to the driver via the steering wheel are received by a control device and plausibility checks of the sensor signals are performed therein and in an operatively associated monitoring module. Microcomputer module and monitoring module monitor each other reciprocally. An auxiliary level for the SbW steering system is monitored by the control device which, in the case of error, switches to this auxiliary level or a mechanical auxiliary level. To further increase safety, the steering wheel motor is triggered via control signals for its phase currents and by a steering wheel motor enable signal, and the steering motor is triggered via control signals for its phase currents and via a steering motor enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Dominke, Chi-Thuan Cao, Wolfgang Pfeiffer, Bo Yuan, Klaus-Dieter Leimbach, Bernd Mueller, Werner Harter, Peter Blessing, Juergen Schuele, Herbert Lohner
  • Patent number: 6863148
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary slide valve (1) of servo-assisted steering systems for motor vehicles that comprises an input and an output element (3, 4), which can rotate in relation to one another around a limited angle of rotation, and comprises a coupling connection (10) of the output element (4) to a control slide (7). A torque-transmitting, non-distorted coupling connection (10) between the control slide (7) and the output element (4) is provided by a coupling pin (10), which is fixed inside the output element (4) and radially extends into a seat of the control slide (7). The seat axially tapers to a cross-section that matches the cross-section of the coupling pin (10), whereby it is easy to insert the coupling pin (10) into the seat and possible to attain a play-free supporting position for the coupling pin (10) by axially displacing the output element (4) or the coupling pin (10) and control slide (7) in relation to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hoffer, Rainer Schaenzel
  • Patent number: 6830267
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column having two locating couplings which are arranged opposite one another and have, in each case, two coupling parts able to be brought in contact, a pressure element being arranged between the mutually corresponding, medial coupling parts belonging to different couplings, while the two other outer coupling parts are interconnected by a tension element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Gerhard Seitz
  • Patent number: 6810985
    Abstract: A steering device for a vehicle includes an electric motor. A drive element pertaining to the electric motor acts directly upon a connecting rod via a gear and a helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Walter Kogel
  • Patent number: 6763851
    Abstract: A rotary slide valve for power-assisted steering systems of motor vehicles includes a rotary slide which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to a valve input member. The control bush is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to a valve output member. The two valve elements are arranged so as to be movable coaxially one in the other and are rotatable relative to one another at most by the amount of the rotary travel of a backlash coupling. The rotary slide has outer and the control bush inner longitudinal control grooves which cooperate with one another in order to control a pressure medium to and from two working spaces of a servomotor. The rotary slide is connected to the valve output member via a torsion-bar spring. Production-related tolerances which may lead to undesirable effects in driving behavior are compensated by a connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Breitweg, Rainer Schänzel
  • Patent number: 6712091
    Abstract: A control device for a hydraulic control motor includes at least one valve controlled actively by an actuating force and at least one passive valve which is operatively connected to the actively controlled valve and which is co-controlled via a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Jörg Linser
  • Patent number: 6683519
    Abstract: An actuation device, e.g., with actuation by an electromagnet, includes an adjustable part, e.g., a return plate, which is secured to a housing by a return spring, and a fixed part, e.g., a magnet core. The return spring is secured to a pin, and the adjustable part, e.g., return plate, is connected to the pin. The pin has a collar. The return spring is clamped in between the collar and a spring which bears against the adjustable part. In the non-actuated state there is a precisely determined basic air gap between the adjustable part and the fixed part. The collar may be adjusted on the pin. This is achieved in that the adjustable collar is formed by a nut which may be adjusted by a thread which is arranged on the pin. The nut may also be replaced by an adjustment element which may be secured, for example, a pressed-on ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Schanzel, Ottokar Haug
  • Patent number: 6669216
    Abstract: A hydropneumatic suspension system for motor vehicles, having at least one hydropneumatic support aggregate and one automatic level control system cooperating with the aggregate, the automatic level control system, as a function of the lift position of the wheels, sending hydraulic fluid from the hydropneumatic pressure reservoir into the hydropneumatic suspension cylinders, or drawing hydraulic fluid from the hydropneumatic suspension cylinders into the pressure reservoirs, and the functions of suspension, roll stabilization, and automatic level control being able to be performed using the hydropneumatic suspension cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Elser, Andreas Braun, Manfred Heintschel, Wolfgang Zeitz
  • Patent number: 6652244
    Abstract: A radial piston machine, e.g., a radial piston pump, in which an eccentric, rotatable on a stationary axle, drives multiple radially arranged pistons via an external sliding ring. Since a pump of this type operates with intake regulation, the delivery chambers are only partially filled above a middle speed range. Therefore, pressure surges, which cause noises, arise upon the impact of the piston on the oil volumes to be pushed out. These pressure surges may be reduced if a flexible circlip is positioned between the external sliding ring and the eccentric. Such a circlip allows the piston to deflect slightly together with the external sliding ring at the beginning of the pressure stroke, so that pressure peaks are suppressed and the noises are reduced. The flexibility of the circlip is increased using openings, which are positioned along the central axis, i.e., in the plane of the piston axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Ihring, Michael Reichenmiller
  • Patent number: 6631782
    Abstract: An electrically assisted power steering system for motor vehicles includes an input shaft (2) that is in working engagement with a steering wheel (4). The input shaft (2) is used to transfer a torque necessary for steering wheels that are to be steered. An output member is in working engagement with the wheels to be steered. An electric motor (7), by way of which a power assist may be exerted on the input shaft (2) or the output member, is arranged on the power steering system. A detection unit (10) is provided to ascertain the parameters for the equipment variant of the vehicle present in each case. The ascertained parameters are conveyed to the electronics unit (9) for adapted control of the electric motor (7). The parameters for the equipment variant of the vehicle present in each case include values for the specific front axle load of the vehicle and/or for the tire characteristic of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 6629545
    Abstract: A cut-off valve for power steering systems, especially for automobiles, includes a source of a pressure and a container, and is used for limiting a pressure in at least one pressure chamber. The cut-off valve also includes a closing body, which may be adjusted against the force of a spring and a fixed throttling point, which is located in a connecting line between the pressure chamber that is subjected to a first pressure and a pressure chamber that is subjected to a second pressure. The cross-section of the throttling point may be regulated without being disassembled from the outside. By altering the cross-section of the throttle point, it is possible to reduce the width of the tolerance zone or the width of the hysteresis of the valve characteristics to approximately half of the original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Fahrian, Jörgen Schöffel
  • Patent number: 6612336
    Abstract: A rotary disk valve for motor vehicle power steering systems includes rotary disk which is connected non-rotatably to a valve inlet element. A control bushing is connected non-rotatably to a valve outlet element. These two valve elements are disposed so that they are coaxially movable into one another and are rotatable by at most the amount of torsion of a dead travel coupling. The two valve elements have longitudinal control grooves, which interact with one another for controlling a pressure medium to and from two working areas of a servo motor and to a return connection for a pressure medium container. The rotary disk is connected via a torsion bar spring to the valve outlet element. The longitudinal control grooves of the radially internal valve element connected to the return connection are connected to an internal space of the radially internal valve element. The torsion bar spring is supported in this internal space via a roller bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Peter Ertle, Karl-Heinz Urban
  • Patent number: 6612616
    Abstract: A steering column support includes a bearing block with guide rail and a guide part for the steering column, the guide part having a slide section. A sliding block, sliding in the guide rail, is arranged between the slide section and guide rail. A high efficiency factor, inexpensive production and freedom from play may be ensured by the following features without reworking/adjustment: the sliding block is made of flexible material and is dimensioned such that it compensates for the play between the slide section and the guide rail; the slide section and the guide rail are made of sheet-steel molded parts; the sliding block is surrounded by one of the parts in such a way that an additional securing and retention in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail is dispensable; the slide section and the guide rail intermesh in such a way that a mutual emergency guidance without derailment remains, even if the sliding block is destroyed; and the sliding block is swing-mounted in the slide section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Gerhard Seitz, Günter Dieterle
  • Patent number: 6612321
    Abstract: In a damping valve for pressure medium-actuated operating circuits, a spring element is installed between housing, cover and counter-contour. In the opening direction, the spring element is pressed against the counter-contour by the pressure medium flowing through, so that a flow passage cross-section allowing almost unimpeded passage of the pressure medium is obtained. In the opposite direction, the throttling direction, the spring element rests on the cover and blocks the flow of the pressure medium until a well-defined pressure builds up, which lifts the inner side of the spring element from the counter-contour and thus opens a reduced flow passage cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Ertle
  • Patent number: 6604034
    Abstract: A device for the suspension and for roll stabilization of motor vehicles achieves the required roll stiffness as well as the required lift stiffness without any additional springs by coordinating the ratio of the piston areas to the piston ring areas of the spring cylinders with simultaneous active engagement by an actuator integrated between the cross-wired lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Frank-Detlef Speck, Ünal Gazyakan
  • Patent number: 6601428
    Abstract: A method for producing a blank for a gear rack for rack-and-pinion steering of motor vehicles includes the following steps: In a first step, a starting material having an essentially circular cross-section is placed into a stamping apparatus containing at least three form tools movable relatively to one another. In a second step, at least one force in at least one direction is exerted upon at least one of the form tools, the form tools moving relative to one another by this force, so that the starting material is reformed into a blank for the gear rack. At least in the axial region of the tooth system of the gear rack to be formed, the blank is provided with a shape differing from a circular cylinder. Using this method, part of the material of the starting material is displaced on one side from the middle into the region of the tooth system to be formed, without having much strain-hardening occur in this region. This makes subsequent production processes easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Brenner