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).

  • Patent number: 7430938
    Abstract: A device is provided for transmitting a biaxial pivoting movement of a gearshift lever (2) into a planar movement of a gearshift lever position transmitter with a guide element (20, 27, 31, 32) for limiting the movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter to a movement in a noncurved plane. The device includes a transmission element (19, 7a) for transmitting a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever (2) about a first pivot axis (11) into a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter in a noncurved plane, and with a hinge joint for converting a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever (2) about a second pivot axis (12) into a linear movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter in the noncurved plane. The positions (15a) of the gearshift lever (2) can be detected in the noncurved plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20080128252
    Abstract: An actuating device is provided for a technical system, especially for selecting gears of a shift-by-wire speed-change gear. This includes a push button arrangement with at least one push button (1) as well as a device (4) generating electrical control signals for transmission to the technical system. The actuating device has a separately controllable blocking device (2, 3), each associated with at least one push button or all push buttons of the actuating device. The blocking device (2, 3) mechanically blocks the particular push button (1) and can be driven by auxiliary energy. This provides an unambiguous tactile feedback on the state of the system or the admissibility of the shifting operation when the push buttons are pressed. Hazards that arise from unrecognized states of the system, inadmissible shift commands or operating errors, defects on the system or non-functioning signal transmission between the actuating device and the system are eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Joerg Meyer, Andreas Giefer
  • Publication number: 20080115613
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer
  • Patent number: 7334497
    Abstract: A shifting device for the preferably powerless transmission of shift commands to a fully automatic or semi-automatic transmission of a motor vehicle and a frame and/or housing and a gearshift lever mounted pivotably along a shift gate. A first shift stop and a second shift stop are provided for the gearshift lever which each define a shift position for the said gearshift lever. At least one detection device is provided for detecting the shift position(s). An inoperative position is provided into which the gearshift lever pivots back by itself from the deflected shift position, driven by a restoring force. The shifting device has an actuating device, which can countermand a shift stop, so that the gearshift lever can be pivoted beyond the shift position(s) defined by this shift stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20080041182
    Abstract: A device is provided for transmitting a biaxial pivoting movement of a gearshift lever (2) into a planar movement of a gearshift lever position transmitter with a guide element (20, 27, 31, 32) for limiting the movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter to a movement in a noncurved plane. The device includes a transmission element (19, 7a) for transmitting a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever (2) about a first pivot axis (11) into a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter in a noncurved plane, and with a hinge joint for converting a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever (2) about a second pivot axis (12) into a linear movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter in the noncurved plane. The positions (15a) of the gearshift lever (2) can be detected in the noncurved plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas GIEFER, Jorg Meyer
  • Patent number: 7322457
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) for the mechanical coupling-free transmission of shift commands to an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle (shift-by-wire shifting), with at least one housing and/or one frame and one selector lever for the manual selection of shift commands for the vehicle transmission in at least one shift gate. The selector lever can be moved manually into at least four positions (P, R, N, D), pivotable about at least one shift axis. A transmission device(s) transmits the shift commands without mechanical coupling with the vehicle transmission (shift by wire). A mechanical coupling (16) is provided between the selector lever (2) and the transmission of the vehicle. This mechanical coupling (16) activates the parking brake exclusively and automatically when the selector lever (2) is engaged in the P position and is automatically uncoupled from the selector lever when the selector lever (2) is pivoted out beyond the adjacent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder MetallWaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20070261509
    Abstract: An actuating device is provided that includes an actuating element (1) with at least three switching positions. The actuating device (1) can be deflected starting from its basic positions at least in one direction into an intermediate switching position for selecting an operating state of the technical system. For selecting at least one other operating state of the technical system, the actuating element (1) can be deflected, starting from an intermediate switching position, into at least one other switching position that is located farther away from the basic position. The undesired jumping of the actuating element over intermediate switching positions, during switching, is effectively prevented from occurring. An intuitively detectable tactile feedback of the switching state of the actuating element or of the state of the system is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Jorg Meyer, Andreas Giefer
  • Patent number: 7210370
    Abstract: A shifting device (4) is provided for an automatic transmission and has an additional manual shifting function. The device includes a selector lever (6), which is mounted pivotably on a gear shift lever (10) such that different, automatically shiftable gears can be preset in a first shift gate (1) and individual, manually shiftable gears can be preset in a second shift gate (2). A housing (5) is provided, in which the gear shift gate (10) is mounted with the selector lever (6) pivotably in such a way that shifting between a predetermined gear (“D”) of the first shift gate (1) and a neutral position (“M”) of the second shift gate (2) is made possible. The further shifting from the predetermined gear (“D”) of the first shift gate (1) into at least one other gear (“3”) of the first shift gate is prevented by a lock, which is overcome by the actuation of an actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Patent number: 7167085
    Abstract: An optical display device of a selector lever arrangement with a selector lever mounted in the motor vehicle for shifting between different shifting states of a motor vehicle transmission. The selector lever can be pivoted along at least one shift gate from a first selector lever position into at least one second selector lever position, wherein the optical display device has at least two display elements arranged in different display positions for displaying symbols unambiguously associated with the shifting states and a detection device for detecting the current shifting state. The symbol associated with the current shifting state is always displayed by the first display element during the operation of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Jörg Meyer, Andreas Giefer, Michael Völz
  • Patent number: 7137313
    Abstract: A shifting device for transmitting shift commands to an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a housing (1) and/or a frame and a gearshift lever (2), which is designed such that it is pivotable around a selector axis and a shift axis. The selector axis and the shift axis are preferably arranged at right angles in relation to one another, and the gearshift lever (2) can be shifted at least into a first shift gate and a second shift gate. The first shift gate preferably shifts shifting programs (P, N, R and D) of an automatic transmission and the second shift gate preferably implements manual tapping commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lemföfder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20060185467
    Abstract: A locking device (10) includes an adjustable bracket (7) provided with a recess (16), a stationary contour (9) with a contact surface (12), a pin (8), which is arranged movably in the recess (16) and on which an axial spring force generated by a compression spring (21) acts. A pin head (14) projects from the recess (16) of the bracket (7) and has a contact pair with the contact surface (12). At least one centering device (18) is provided between the pin (8) and the bracket (7). The locking device has a centering device (18), which has an elastically deformable ring (19). The ring (19) is arranged between the pin (8) and the bracket (7) within the recess (16) and is displaceably arranged within the recess (16). The ring (19) has a surface (22) with a cross section tapering against the direction of the force of the compression spring (21). The surface is in contact with a complementary surface (23) at the pin (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer
  • Patent number: 6997850
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) is provided for transmitting shift commands to an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, with a housing (2) and/or a frame, a selector lever (4), which transmits shift commands to the transmission of the motor vehicle and can be moved at least in an automatic gate and preferably also in a Tiptronic gate. The selector lever (4) can be fixed in a parking position P by an axially displaceable locking bar (5) that can be actuated manually, and with a locking device, which is coupled with the ignition lock and prevents the unlocking of the selector lever (4) from the parking position when the ignition key has been removed and the removal of the ignition key when the selector lever (4) is outside the parking position. The locking device is formed by a stopper (8), which is displaceable in the direction of the automatic gate and through which the selector lever (4) passes, and a locking lever (9), which acts on the stopper (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer, Dietmar Otto
  • Patent number: 6993994
    Abstract: A blocking and releasing of actuating elements especially used in a manually shifted automatic transmission in vehicles for a manual gear input unit with a plurality of actuating elements, e.g., a selector lever and a button. A manual gear input unit (1) is selected for selecting gears with a first actuating element 2 for selecting at least one gear and with at least one additional actuating element 3 for setting additional functions. A detent pawl (6), which can be moved by means of an actuator 8 and by which the first actuating element and at least one additional actuating element 2, 3 can be locked and unlocked simultaneously, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20050239596
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) is provided for the mechanical coupling-free transmission of shift commands to an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle (shift-by-wire shifting), with at least one housing and/or one frame and one selector lever for the manual selection of shift commands for the vehicle transmission in at least one shift gate. The selector lever can be moved manually into at least four positions (P, R, N, D), pivotable about at least one shift axis. A transmission device(s) is provided for transmitting the shift commands without mechanical coupling with the vehicle transmission (shift bay wire). A parking brake, engaged in the P position, locks at least a transmission output shaft. A mechanical coupling (16) is provided between the selector lever (2) and the transmission of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20050139031
    Abstract: A shifting device for transmitting shift commands to an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a housing (1) and/or a frame and a gearshift lever (2), which is designed such that it is pivotable around a selector axis and a shift axis. The selector axis and the shift axis are preferably arranged at right angles in relation to one another, and the gearshift lever (2) can be shifted at least into a first shift gate and a second shift gate. The first shift gate preferably shifts shifting programs (P, N, R and D) of an automatic transmission and the second shift gate preferably implements manual tapping commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer
  • Patent number: 6904822
    Abstract: A signal transmitter for setting the operating states of an automatic gear shifting mechanism having a selector, deflectable in at least three direction, and automatically returnable into a normal position X, by which a shift position R for engaging a reverse gear, a shift position N for the interruption of torque transmission in the gear change mechanism, a shift position D for engaging a forward gear are made. Additionally, the selector can be deflected in a direction for shift position N, N1, N2 for the interruption of torque transmission in the gear change mechanism starting from the normal position X, then another direction different from the first direction and its opposite direction for selecting other shift positions R or D starting from the shift positions N, N1, N2, and again deflected in the first direction after deflecting to other direction for selecting the other shift positions R or D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Mētallwaren AG
    Inventors: Jörg Meyer, Andreas Giefer
  • Publication number: 20050028634
    Abstract: A device is provided for transmitting a biaxial pivoting movement of a gearshift lever (2) into a planar movement of a gearshift lever position transmitter with a guide element (20, 27, 31, 32) for limiting the movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter to a movement in a noncurved plane. The device includes a transmission element (19, 7a) for transmitting a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever (2) about a first pivot axis (11) into a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter in a noncurved plane, and with a hinge joint for converting a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever (2) about a second pivot axis (12) into a linear movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter in the noncurved plane. The positions (15a) of the gearshift lever (2) can be detected in the noncurved plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20050028632
    Abstract: A blocking and releasing of actuating elements especially used in a manually shifted automatic transmission in vehicles for a manual gear input unit with a plurality of actuating elements, e.g., a selector lever and a button. A manual gear input unit (1) is selected for selecting gears with a first actuating element 2 for selecting at least one gear and with at least one additional actuating element 3 for setting additional functions. A detent pawl (6), which can be moved by means of an actuator 8 and by which the first actuating element and at least one additional actuating element 2, 3 can be locked and unlocked simultaneously, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20050028633
    Abstract: A shifting device (4) is provided for an automatic transmission and has an additional manual shifting function. The device includes a selector lever (6), which is mounted pivotably on a gear shift lever (10) such that different, automatically shiftable gears can be preset in a first shift gate (1) and individual, manually shiftable gears can be preset in a second shift gate (2). A housing (5) is provided, in which the gear shift gate (10) is mounted with the selector lever (6) pivotably in such a way that shifting between a predetermined gear (“D”) of the first shift gate (1) and a neutral position (“M”) of the second shift gate (2) is made possible. The further shifting from the predetermined gear (“D”) of the first shift gate (1) into at least one other gear (“3”) of the first shift gate is prevented by a lock, which is overcome by the actuation of an actuating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20040201465
    Abstract: An optical display device of a selector lever arrangement with a selector lever mounted in the motor vehicle for shifting between different shifting states of a motor vehicle transmission. The selector lever can be pivoted along at least one shift gate from a first selector lever position into at least one second selector lever position, wherein the optical display device has at least two display elements arranged in different display positions for displaying symbols unambiguously associated with the shifting states and a detection device for detecting the current shifting state. The symbol associated with the current shifting state is always displayed by the first display element during the operation of the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Lemforder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Jorg Meyer, Andreas Giefer, Michael Volz