Patents Assigned to ZF Sachs AG
  • Patent number: 6814205
    Abstract: A dual clutch arrangement including two clutch areas, each with a pressure plate connected to a housing arrangement for rotation in common around an axis of rotation (A) and which can be shifted in the axial direction with respect to the housing; and a clutch disk, the friction surface areas of which can be clamped between the respective pressure plate and an opposing support arrangement. Each of the clutch disks is designed to be connected nonrotatably to a different power takeoff element. In addition a clutch cooling arrangement, through which a coolant can flow, is installed adjacent to the clutch areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Feldhaus, Markus Heiartz, Andreas Orlamünder, Jochen Kuhstrebe, Wolfgang Reisser, Thomas Wirth, Michael Peterseim, Jürgen Dudenhöffer, Manfred Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6814204
    Abstract: A crankshaft 2 of an internal combustion engine, which is supported with freedom to rotate around an axis of rotation 3, can be connected by a first clutch 1 to a flywheel 4, which is also supported with freedom to rotate around the axis of rotation 3. In addition, the flywheel 4 can be connected by a second clutch 5 to a transmission shaft 6, also supported with freedom to rotate around the axis of rotation 3. The flywheel 4 is provided with at least one permanent magnet and thus forms the rotor 8 of a crankshaft starter-generator. The pole fields of the permanent magnets can be moved past the stator coil of a stator 9 of the crankshaft starter-generator, this coil being mounted on a stationary component. Each of the first and the second clutches 1, 5 has its own separately operated actuating means and can be engaged and disengaged either independently of each other or in common.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Matthias Diemer, Christoph Kleuker, Markus Heiartz
  • Patent number: 6814197
    Abstract: An actuating device for a friction clutch device installed in the drive train of a motor vehicle introduces actuating forces, especially clutch-engaging or clutch-releasing forces, to the friction clutch device to actuate at least one friction clutch of the friction clutch device in the engaging or releasing direction. At least one actuating element assigned to a friction clutch can be shifted axially relative to at least one support element, which is essentially fixed in the axial direction, to exert the actuating forces. The actuating element belongs to an actuator assigned to the clutch or can be shifted axially relative to the support element by the intermediate action of an actuator assigned to the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Markus Heiartz, Andreas Orlamünder, Sebastian Vogt, Olaf Pagels, Georg Zink, Christoph Kleuker
  • Patent number: 6814193
    Abstract: A vibration damper with a hydraulic-mechanical pressure stop includes a cylinder filled with damping medium; a piston rod movable in and out of the cylinder, a first piston fixed to the piston rod with freedom of axial movement, a second piston spaced from the first piston, a transfer spring in the second working space for moving the second piston toward the third working space in response to movement of the first piston toward the second working space; and a disk valve which allows damping medium to flow from the third working space through the second piston to the second working space as the second piston moves toward the third working space. The first piston divides the cylinder into a first and a second working space where the piston rod extends through the first working space. The second piston separates the second working space from a third working space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Manfred Grundei
  • Patent number: 6811012
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a mobile vehicle clutch includes a sleeve axially disposed on a shaft and engaged to actuate clutch springs or levers for opening of a clutch. The sleeve is attached to a clutch release bearing that is moved axially along the input shaft by a clutch fork. Engagement pads of the release fork engage rollers disposed on the clutch release bearing. The rollers on the clutch release bearing substantially eliminate transmission of non-axial force to the clutch release bearing and sleeve. The clutch release bearing includes an internal cavity in communication with a lubrication fitting. The rollers include hollow shafts in communication with the internal cavity of the clutch release bearing such that the lubricant injected into the internal cavity lubricates the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: John M. Grillo
  • Publication number: 20040206593
    Abstract: A torque converter which has a pump wheel, a turbine wheel, and a stator, which form a hydrodynamic circuit, and also a torsional vibration damper with a primary and a secondary damper element. The primary and the secondary damper element are connected to each other in a rotationally elastic manner by at least one set of springs. The turbine wheel has a turbine wheel shell and is supported rotatably with respect to a turbine wheel hub in a first bearing, which provides axial and radial support. The secondary damper element is mounted nonrotatably on the turbine wheel hub. The turbine wheel acts by way of an intermediate element on the primary damper element. The stator is mounted on a stator hub, which is supported by an axially operative second bearing on a turbine wheel base, which is connected to the turbine wheel shell. The first bearing is located radially outside the second bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Herbert Schmid, Herbert Johann
  • Patent number: 6805228
    Abstract: A plurality of clutch levers transmit force to a pressure plate of a clutch. The lever ratio of the clutch lever is variable as the clutch lever moves from an engaged to a disengaged state. When the clutch is engaged, the clutch lever presses the pressure plate to engage clutch discs. The lever ratio of the clutch lever is relatively large, allowing for an acceptable clamp load. When the clutch is disengaged, the clutch lever lifts from the pressure plate, disengaging the pressure plate from the clutch discs. When the clutch is disengaged, the lever ratio is relatively small, allowing for more clearance between the pressure plate and the flywheel and an increase in pressure plate lift. By using a clutch lever having a variable lever ratio, both clamp load and clutch lift can be maximized. The conditions exist during the entire lift of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Andrzej Szadkowski, Ronald B. Morford, Muneer Abusamra
  • Publication number: 20040200681
    Abstract: Sealing arrangement for an oscillating motor, comprising a housing, in which a motor shaft is supported with freedom to rotate, where the housing and the motor shaft form at least one working chamber filled with a pressure medium, the chamber being sealed off with respect to the motor shaft by the seal, which is located in a sealing groove, The seal has a one-piece sealing body, one side of which rests against the base of a groove in the housing, whereas the other side rests against the motor shaft, where the one-piece sealing body has an anti-rotation device which prevents it from turning with respect to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Andreas Forster
  • Publication number: 20040200946
    Abstract: Vibration damper includes a cylinder filled with a damping medium in which a piston rod with a piston is guided in an axially movable manner, wherein the piston divides the cylinder into a work space on the piston rod side and a work space remote of the piston rod. A bypass connects at least one of the two work spaces with a first work chamber in a housing in which an axially movable separating piston separates the first work chamber from a second work chamber, the bypass being controlled by a switchable valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Robert Pradel, Helmut Baalmann
  • Publication number: 20040200686
    Abstract: A housing arrangement can be connected to a flywheel for rotation in common around an axis of rotation, and a pressure element is connected to the housing arrangement for rotation in common around the axis of rotation but is able to shift in the axial direction. A release spring arrangement includes at least one spring element which acts on the pressure element and is supported against the flywheel after the housing arrangement has been attached to the flywheel. Each spring element is held in place on the pressure element by means of a fastening element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Alfred Schauer, Bernd Kuhn, Thomas Schubert, Jurgen Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20040201185
    Abstract: A suspension system for a motor vehicle body having a level regulating device for setting a predetermined height of the motor vehicle body includes an outer tube and at least one piston-cylinder assembly arranged in the outer tube and having a working cylinder, a piston rod and a damping piston having damping valves. The suspension system further includes an oil reservoir with inflow and outflow lines for conducting a flow of oil between the oil reservoir and the at least one piston-cylinder assembly. A pump including a pump piston and a drive is arranged for pumping oil through the inflow and outflow lines for setting the predetermined height of the motor vehicle body. To connect the pump, a base is sealingly arranged on the outer tube, wherein the pump is connectable to the base in at least two operative positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Publication number: 20040195068
    Abstract: A clutch arrangement, especially for a motor vehicle, comprises a housing arrangement which can be filled with fluid; at least one first friction element connected to the housing arrangement for rotation in common around an axis of rotation; and at least one second friction element connected to a power takeoff element for rotation in common around the axis of rotation (A), which second element can be brought into contact with at least one first friction element to produce a frictional interaction. The at least one first friction element or the at least one second friction element has a friction lining carrier which carries a friction lining arrangement on each frictionally active axial side of the friction element. At least in the case of one friction element with a friction lining carrier carrying a friction lining arrangement an arrangement of fluid transport surfaces is provided to produce a circulation of fluid which flows around at least certain areas of the friction elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Jorg Sudau
  • Patent number: 6799668
    Abstract: An improved clutch has a distinct force ratio for holding than it does for release. A distinct ratio is achieved by having an abutment surface between a retainer and a diaphragm spring be positioned radially outward from a contact location between a release sleeve and the diaphragm spring for releasing the clutch. The retainer is separately axially movable relative to the release sleeve, and surrounds the release sleeve. In this way, the holding force is applied at a lever distance from an axial center line of the clutch which is greater than the distance to the point of contact for release of the diaphragm spring. This provides both a higher holding force and yet a lower release force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: David R. DePiazza, Ronald B. Morford, Muneer Abu Samra
  • Patent number: 6799667
    Abstract: A plurality of specially shaped clutch levers transmit rotation between an engine and a transmission in a clutch. The clutch levers are shaped such that the center of mass is on opposing sides of an axis of the clutch levers when the clutch levers are in the engaged and disengaged positions. The axis is the radial line passing through the pivot point of the clutch lever and is substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the clutch. In the engaged position, the center of mass is positioned on the pressure plate side of the axis, the moment rotating the clutch levers against the pressure plate to increase the clamp load. In the disengaged position, the center of mass is positioned on the transmission side of the axis, the moment rotating the clutch levers against the retainer to increase clutch lift. These conditions are satisfied during the entire life of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Andrzej Szadkowski, Ronald B. Morford, Muneer Abusamra
  • Publication number: 20040188199
    Abstract: A bellows for hydraulic, hydropneumatic, or pneumatic piston-cylinder units, especially for vibration dampers or MacPherson strut units for motor vehicles, is located between the end of a piston rod and a cylinder, and covers the part of the piston rod which projects out from the cylinder to provide protection against dirt and/or damage. An interior space of the bellows undergoes a change in volume as a result of the relative movement of the piston and cylinder. The end area of the piston rod distal from the cylinder includes at least one flow connection leading to the interior of the bellows. The flow connection allows an incoming and/or outgoing flow of air. The end area of the piston rod, i.e., the end which passes through a mounting bearing connecting the piston-cylinder unit to the body of the vehicle, is provided with a flow connection connecting the interior space of the bellows to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Patent number: 6796411
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch device comprises an impeller wheel with a plurality of impeller wheel blades arranged successively in circumferential direction about an axis of rotation, a turbine wheel which is located axially opposite the impeller wheel and which has a plurality of turbine wheel blades arranged successively in circumferential direction, a stator wheel with a plurality of stator wheel blades which are arranged successively in circumferential direction in an area between the impeller wheel blades and the turbine wheel blades and are supported on a blade carrier. The stator wheel blades, the impeller wheel blades and the turbine wheel blades define a fluid circulation zone extending substantially annularly about the axis of rotation. A torsional vibration damper arrangement has a damper element arrangement which, at least in some areas, is arranged radially inside the fluid circulation zone and overlaps axially with the fluid circulation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bauer, Peter Frey, Christoph Sasse
  • Publication number: 20040178033
    Abstract: A suspension system for motor vehicles includes a piston-cylinder assembly having a working cylinder, a piston rod guidably inserted in a piston rod guide in the cylinder, and a damping piston having damping valves movably arranged in the working cylinder and connected to the piston rod. A shape-changing, enclosed envelope body is provided as an equalization space. A wall of the enclosed envelope is a gas-tight blocking layer. A connecting element connected to the enclosed envelope body is held in the piston rod guide, wherein the connecting element is non-detachably inserted into a drilled hole defined in the piston rod guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Patent number: 6789658
    Abstract: A clutch system includes a clutch device with at least one clutch arrangement for installation in a motor vehicle drive train between a drive unit and a transmission. The at least one clutch arrangement is actuated by a slave cylinder using a pressure medium which is supplied to the clutch device by a first pump. A further medium is also supplied to the clutch device by a second pump arrangement as an operating medium used during operation of the clutch device. The further medium is selectively supplied as a pressure medium to the slave cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Thomas Busold, Hans-Jürgen Schneider, Rainer Brand, Wolfgang Reisser, Olaf Moseler, Jochen Kuhstrebe, Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Axel Rohm, Thomas John, Thomas Wirth
  • Patent number: 6786646
    Abstract: Mount for a piston-cylinder assembly, especially for a vibration damper, where one end of the piston rod is immovably connected to upper and lower flanges of the mount. A radial, ring-shaped space is formed at least at the lower support flange of the mount, and an elastomeric body is clamped between the lower support flange and the upper support flange, this body being connected to the component to be damped. A support body, which is connected immovably to the support flange and immovably to the piston rod, is provided in the ring-shaped space to absorb the support forces acting on the support flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Günther Handke
  • Publication number: 20040168871
    Abstract: A retaining cap includes a sleeve-shaped basic body which has at least one protective bellows retaining segment on which a protective bellows can be supported. A component which is movable with respect to the retaining cap can penetrate into the installation space of the retaining cap, the retaining cap having a plurality of deformation regions which are arranged in the circumferential direction. When in contact with the movable component, these regions make possible a free passage for the movable component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Gunther Handke, Stephan Zuber