Patents by Inventor Andreas Giefer
Andreas Giefer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8413534Abstract: A shifting device is provided for a vehicle transmission with a selector lever pivotable within a shifting device housing about at least one axis of rotation for selecting gears defined within the vehicle transmission. A shift position of the selector lever is assigned to at least one gear. A locking device for the individual shift positions of the selector lever can be released as a function of given general data of the state of motor vehicle components such as the pedal mechanism and the engine. The locking device has a locking element displaceable by the selector lever analogously to the individual shift positions of the selector lever. The locking element has a plurality of locking devices, which correspond to the individual shift positions and which can be brought into a locking position and an unlocking position by at least one actuating device.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
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Patent number: 8413533Abstract: An operating device for a gear-changing transmission operated by shift-by-wire is disclosed. The operating device includes an operating element, rotatably or pivotally supported in a bearing position having a position sensor device, and a device for producing force-feedback. The force-feedback device includes an adjustable counterforce element acting on the operating element, wherein the counterforce element comprises a fluid having controllably variable viscosity. The operating device including the counterforce element is produced by a bearing gap of the bearing position of the operating element, with the bearing gap being filled with the fluid. A space-saving integration of the counterforce element of a force-feedback device is enabled into the joint of an operating lever. Thus, the cost, structural complexity, and installation space required for an operating device having force-feedback is significantly reduced. The haptics of a mechanical operating lever can be realistically emulated.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer
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Patent number: 8413784Abstract: An operating device for a vehicle with an automated transmission and an electrically actuated parking brake system. The device includes a mechanical actuating element for inputting operating commands from the user and a control unit for converting the operating commands into control signals for the transmission and the parking brake system. The actuating element has at least first and second successive stable positions, a neutral position and a return position. In the first stable position, an operating command is generated for the parking brake system to actuate the parking brake device and, in the second stable position, an operating command is generated for the transmission to actuate the parking lock device. The actuating element combines two different actuating elements into an operating device which enables the driver to choose whether, besides activation of the parking brake system, he wishes to additionally engage the parking lock system associated with the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer, Ludger Rake
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Patent number: 8413536Abstract: An actuating device for selection on shift steps of a gear changing transmission. The actuating device comprises a flexible gear selection device (1) with at least two drive step positions, a park lock position and an additional park lock-actuating device (4) for activation of the park lock. When the gear selector device (1) moves out of the park lock position, the gear selector device (1) becomes disengaged while movement of the gear selector device (1) from one of the drive step positions into the park lock position, or beyond the previous park lock position, does not engage the park lock. Engagement of the park lock is only achieved by actuating the additional park lock-actuating device (4). This improves the safety and provides intuitive shifting between the different drive step positions without the need to view the gear selector device. The unintended engagement of the park lock is precluded.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer, Ludger Rake
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Patent number: 8410788Abstract: A method of diagnosing an electronic display device (1) having a screen (3) and a graphics memory (2) in which image data (14), of an image displayed or to be displayed on the screen (3), are one of stored or changed. A measured value (15) characterizes a current consumption or the change in current consumption of the screen (3) or display device (1) while a reference value (16) characterizes the current consumption or the change in current consumption of the screen (3) or display device (1) on the basis of the image data (14) or the change in image data (14). The method compares the reference value (16) to the measured value (15) to determine any malfunction or error in the electronic display device (1).Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ralf Hartrampf, Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer
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Patent number: 8336418Abstract: An actuating device for selecting shift positions of a shift-by-wire gearshift transmission. The actuating device comprises a selector lever that is movable between stable lever positions from at least one drive mode position to a parking lock position, a detent device with a spring-loaded detent element, a detent guide-plate and a separating device with an actuator-operated thrust wedge. The detent element and the detent guide-plate can be moved by the thrust wedge from a first position, in which the detent element engages in a shift track of the detent guide-plate, to another second position in which the detent element is disengaged from the shift track of the guide-plate. The actuating device enables automatic return of the selector lever to the parking lock position and thus provides the driver with correct visual and tactile feedback about the actual shift status of the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer, Ludger Rake
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Patent number: 8327732Abstract: An actuating device for selecting shift positions of a shift-by-wire gear shifting transmission. The actuating device comprises a selector lever that may be moved between at least a drive position and a parking lock position, the lever having stable selector lever settings, and a locking device for locking the selector lever in the parking lock position. The locking device comprises an actuator device such that the selector lever may be moved from the drive position into the park position by way of the locking and actuator devices. The actuating device makes it possible that the position of the selector lever of the actuating device matches the actual shifting state of the transmission at all times, and thereby offers reliable optical and tactile feedback for the driver of the actual shifting state of the transmission and may also serve as a mechanical emergency actuator for the parking lock.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer, Ludger Rake
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Patent number: 8316734Abstract: An operating device for selecting gear ratios of a transmission. The operating device comprises a selector lever that is movable between at least three gear selection positions and a locking device for limiting the range of motion of the selector lever. The locking device has a cantilever assembly with a plurality of locking contours that are connected to the selector lever. Each locking contour is assigned to a selector lever position and can be engaged with locking element to form a motion stop for the selector lever. It is thus possible to implement even complex locking tasks in a structurally simple manner such that jams, that occur during actuation, or undefined operating states in the locking device can be prevented. The range of motion of the selector lever is largely freely controlled using an actuator control, and the device is relatively silent and has short shifting times.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake, Sascha Rosentreter
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Patent number: 8250943Abstract: An actuating device for motor vehicle transmissions, especially for automatic transmissions has a selector lever (1), a transmission structure for sensing and transmitting the shift commands from the actuating device to the motor vehicle transmission, as well as a hinge structure with a four-bar mechanism (2) in which the selector lever (1) is mounted in such a way that it can perform shifting motions. The actuating device presents a small space requirements for installation with good ergonomic properties, good force-displacement curve at the selector lever qualities, as good sensing and signal transmission aspects. Visual shift gates and gear shifting gates can also be embodied at actuating devices of very compact design.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake, Jörg Meyer
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Publication number: 20120111134Abstract: The structure and the installation of the mechanical transmission linkage to the parking lock is simplified in that the mechanical transmission linkage allows a smooth operation and serves also as an actuating devices having more than one shift gate without requiring complex modifications. An actuating device for selecting gear steps of a shift-by-wire gearshift transmission with a base housing, a selection lever, mechanical transmission for actuating a parking lock, and with a coupling system with a coupling element between the selection lever and the transmission. The transmission is selectively actuated by the coupling element only during selection and/or deselection of the parking lock position on the selection lever. The actuating device has includes the coupling element with a first end which is linearly guided in a slot and a second end which is in certain sections pivotally guided in a slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake
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Patent number: 8161837Abstract: An emergency release device for manual actuation of the parking lock of a shift-by-wire transmission. The emergency release device comprises a mechanical transfer device located between an emergency release actuator and the transmission and engages a pivoting lever mechanism arranged on a transmission shifting shaft. A characterizing feature of the emergency release device is that the pivoting lever mechanism comprises a primary pivoting lever connected to the transfer device, a secondary pivoting lever connected to the transmission and a unidirectional coupling element located between the primary and the secondary pivoting levers. The advantage of this device relates to reduced susceptibility to corrosion, wear and noise emission and easier correct adjustment of the transfer device during assembly, while a separate prestressing mechanism for the cable of the emergency parking lock release can be omitted.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake
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Patent number: 8051740Abstract: An actuating device is provided for selecting gears of an automatic transmission. The actuating device includes a rotatable actuating element as well as a crank arrangement (9) with stop elements (Mn) for limiting the rotation angle of the actuating element to a total switching angle. The actuating element may assume n switching positions within the total switching angle. The crank arrangement (9) has a separate stop element (Mn), which can be activated in a controlled manner, and a crank area (12, 13) for each of the n switching positions. The crank area (12, 13) comprises at least one crank segment (A, B, C, . . . ), between the end stops of which a stop element (Mn) can assume one of n relative positions, which correspond to the n switching positions. The crank segments (A, B, C, . . . ) are arranged distributed over the total crank angle such that all n relative positions are occupied by the n stop elements (Mn) for each relative switching position (1, 2, 3, . . . ).Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Joerg Meyer
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Publication number: 20110219901Abstract: An actuating device for selection on shift steps of a gear changing transmission. The actuating device comprises a flexible gear selection device (1) with at least two drive step positions, a park lock position and an additional park lock-actuating device (4) for activation of the park lock. When the gear selector device (1) moves out of the park lock position, the gear selector device (1) becomes disengaged while movement of the gear selector device (1) from one of the drive step positions into the park lock position, or beyond the previous park lock position, does not engage the park lock. Engagement of the park lock is only achieved by actuating the additional park lock-actuating device (4). This improves the safety and provides intuitive shifting between the different drive step positions without the need to view the gear selector device. The unintended engagement of the park lock is precluded.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2008Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer, Ludger Rake
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Publication number: 20110162475Abstract: An operating device for shift-by-wire transmission comprises a selector lever which has a detent mechanism. The detent mechanism comprises bevel and notched contours that can be displaced for automatically returning the selector lever back to the first lock position or shift gate. The notched contour is spring-biased toward the selector lever detent element and overlaps the bevel contour in its first position, and an actuating block is provided for locking the notched contour in its first position near the detent element. The spring-loading of the notched contour is weaker than the spring-loading of the detent element, and the shape of the first detent position of the notched contour matches that of the first detent position of the bevel contour when the notched contour is located in the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2009Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer, Sascha Rosentreter
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Patent number: 7971498Abstract: A control device is provided for a technical system (17), e.g. for a shift-by-wire vehicle transmission. The control device includes a control (actuating) element, e.g. a rotary knob (1), with at least two shifting positions. The control element (1), itself, can rotate without limitation, whereas the control device has at least one stop device (2, 3), which can be adjusted in a controlled manner and which limits the angle of rotation (W) of the control element (1).Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Joerg Meyer, Andreas Giefer
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Patent number: 7921746Abstract: An actuating device (1) for a technical system, especially for selecting gears of a shift-by-wire speed-change gear includes an actuating element (2) with at least two shift positions and a locking device (8). The locking device (8) has at least one actuator (7) driven with auxiliary energy and is used to reduce the shifting path of the actuating element (2) or to lock the actuating element (2). The actuator (7) has at least three different shifting states to make it possible to embody the necessary locking functions of the actuating lever with a reduced number of actuators and hence with a comparatively low design effort. Space, weight and costs can thus be saved.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
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Publication number: 20110067515Abstract: An operating device for selecting shift positions of a gear-changing transmission, for example an automatic transmission. The operating device comprises a shift operating device and a console arrangement with an operating lever and a shift position indicator device with illuminatable shift position designations. The shift position indicator device includes an electronics unit and a light-emitting device. The electronics unit and the light-emitting device are integrated into the shift operating unit. An ordered fiber-optic bundle for the selective illumination of shift position designations is disposed between the light-emitting device and shift position indicator device. The operating device enables cost savings in production and assembly by eliminating, for example, the electronic module in the region of the shift gate. Flexible, selective illumination of the illuminated symbols or shift position designations in the region of the shift gate becomes possible.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer
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Publication number: 20110056318Abstract: An operating device for a gear-changing transmission operated by shift-by-wire is disclosed. The operating device includes an operating element, rotatably or pivotally supported in a bearing position having a position sensor device, and a device for producing force-feedback. The force-feedback device includes an adjustable counterforce element acting on the operating element, wherein the counterforce element comprises a fluid having controllably variable viscosity. The operating device including the counterforce element is produced by a bearing gap of the bearing position of the operating element, with the bearing gap being filled with the fluid. A space-saving integration of the counterforce element of a force-feedback device is enabled into the joint of an operating lever. Thus, the cost, structural complexity, and installation space required for an operating device having force-feedback is significantly reduced. The haptics of a mechanical operating lever can be realistically emulated.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer
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Publication number: 20110005890Abstract: A parking lock for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle is provided, wherein the automatic transmission has an actuator which can disengage a locking element in the automatic transmission, the locking element is held in a locked position by spring force, and a locking assembly (1) is provided which is connected via an actuating element (2) to the locking element and which has a knee lever (3) which can fix the actuating element (2) so as to prevent engagement of the locking element in the automatic transmission. The invention is characterized in that the knee lever (3) fixes the actuating element (2) in an overextended position, wherein a fixed counter support (4) is attached at the overextended side of the knee lever (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicants: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, BAYERISCHE MOTORENWERKE AGInventors: Michael Völz, Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer, Sascha Rosentreter, Roland König
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Publication number: 20100326787Abstract: The invention relates to an operating device for a vehicle having an automatic transmission and an electrically actuated parking brake system, comprising at least one mechanical actuation element for inputting operating commands of the vehicle user and a control unit for converting the operating commands into control signals to the transmission and the parking brake system, wherein according to the invention the actuation element (1) has at least two successive indexed positions (B, C) and a neutral position (A) and a return position (D), wherein an operating command to the parking brake system (4) for actuating the parking brake device is generated in the first indexed position, and an operating command to the transmission for actuating the parking lock device is generated in the second indexed position (C).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer, Ludger Rake