Patents by Inventor Christian HELL

Christian HELL 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).

  • Publication number: 20260104315
    Abstract: A drive unit (100) is provided for a test bench (200) for testing an electric axle drive module (240) for a motor vehicle. The drive unit has an electric drive motor (110) and a frame (130), where the drive motor (110) is accommodated radially by the frame (130) and is held in the frame (130) in such manner that it can drive an input shaft (241) of an axle drive module (240). The drive unit (100) is characterized in that the frame (130) has at least one opening (140) designed to guide a drive output shaft (242, 243) of the axle drive module (240) through the frame (130), parallel to the drive motor (110). The drive unit can be part of a corresponding test bench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2025
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian HELL, Matthias JUSE
  • Patent number: 12590868
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable test object holder (1) for a drive-train test bench (100) and a corresponding test bench. The test object holder (1) has a first surface (5) and a second surface (3) parallel to the first surface (5), where the test object holder (1) can be arranged on a subsurface via the first surface (5), and where a test object can be arranged on the second surface (3). The test object holder (1) is designed in such manner that relative to the first surface (2) the second surface (3) can be displaced along a longitudinal axis (X), a vertical axis (Z), and a transverse axis (Y). The test object holder (1) is further designed in such manner that relative to the first surface (5) the second surface (3) can be tilted at least about the vertical axis (Z) and the transverse axis (Y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Christian Hell
  • Patent number: 12467827
    Abstract: A test stand for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes at least one loading motor with a motor housing and a motor shaft, at least one load sensor, and at least one positioning module. The motor shaft is configured to be drivingly connected to a hub of the motor vehicle and the load sensor is configured to detect a load transmitted from the motor shaft to the hub. An axial side of the motor housing facing toward the hub is connected rotationally fixed to the at least one positioning module. The motor shaft can be hollow, where a shaft inserted through the hollow shaft can be connected rotationally fixed directly or indirectly to the hub. The load sensor is on an axial side of the motor housing facing away from the hub, and the hollow shaft can be drivingly connected to the shaft by way of the load sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Hell, Thomas Dollinger
  • Publication number: 20250012666
    Abstract: A drive module (10) for a drive train test stand includes an electric motor (12) and a base frame (11), wherein the base frame (11) carries the electric motor (12). The drive module (10) according to the invention is characterized in that the drive module (10) encloses a housing (13) of the electric motor (12) circumferentially along a circumferential direction of the housing (12) to 360°. The invention further relates to a corresponding drive train test stand and to a method for producing the drive module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Christian Hell
  • Publication number: 20240230467
    Abstract: The invention relates to a test stand (100) for a powertrain of a motor vehicle (20). The test stand includes at least one loading motor (110) with a motor housing (111) and a motor shaft (112), at least one torque sensor (120), and at least one static module (130), wherein the motor shaft (112) is designed to be drivingly connected to a hub (21) of the motor vehicle (20) and wherein the torque sensor (120) is designed to detect a torque produced by the loading motor (110). The test stand (100) according to the invention is distinguished in that the at least one torque sensor (120) is arranged on the motor housing (111) in such manner that it blocks a rotation movement of the motor housing (111) relative to a substrate (119) and supports the torque via the motor housing (111) on the substrate (119).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Hell, Thomas Dollinger
  • Patent number: 12031881
    Abstract: A test stand includes a base frame and a bearing housing defining a frustoconical recess. A bearing unit has a bearing sleeve defining a through-going bearing bore coaxial with a rotation axis. A bearing shaft is rotatably mounted in the bearing bore. A contour of an outer conical wall of the bearing sleeve is at least partially identical with a contour of the frustoconical recess, where the bearing unit is detachably arranged in contact with the frustoconical recess. A fixing element on the distal end of the bearing shaft is configured for detachably fixing a test object. A test stand drive is arranged on the base frame and has a test shaft configured to be driven in rotation about the rotation axis, where the test shaft is configured to be connected coaxially to the bearing shaft of the bearing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Juse, Christian Hell
  • Publication number: 20240219262
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable test object holder (1) for a drive-train test bench (100), wherein the test object holder (1) comprises a first surface (5) and a second surface (3) parallel to the first surface (5), wherein the test object holder (1) can be arranged on a subsurface via the first surface (5), wherein a test object can be arranged on the second surface (3), and wherein the test object holder (1) is designed in such manner that relative to the first surface (2) the second surface (3) can be displaced along a longitudinal axis (X), a vertical axis (Z) and a transverse axis (Y). The test object holder (1) according to the invention is further designed in such manner that relative to the first surface (5) the second surface (3) can be tilted at least about the vertical axis (Z) and the transverse axis (Y). The invention also relates to a corresponding drive-train test bench (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Christian Hell
  • Publication number: 20240175782
    Abstract: A test stand for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes at least one loading motor with a motor housing and a motor shaft, at least one load sensor, and at least one positioning module. The motor shaft is configured to be drivingly connected to a hub of the motor vehicle and the load sensor is configured to detect a load transmitted from the motor shaft to the hub. An axial side of the motor housing facing toward the hub is connected rotationally fixed to the at least one positioning module. The motor shaft can be hollow, where a shaft inserted through the hollow shaft can be connected rotationally fixed directly or indirectly to the hub. The load sensor is on an axial side of the motor housing facing away from the hub, and the hollow shaft can be drivingly connected to the shaft by way of the load sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Hell, Thomas Dollinger
  • Publication number: 20230324257
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling module for a drive train test stand for connecting an articulated shaft to a driveshaft. The coupling module includes a wheel rim and a wheel cap. The wheel rim can be rotationally fixed to the driveshaft. The wheel cap has a base surface and a lateral wall. The wheel cap can be rotationally fixed to the articulated shaft. A vehicle wheel is arranged on the wheel rim, the trad of the wheel being in frictional contact with the inner face of the lateral wall of the wheel cap. Also disclosed is a corresponding output module for a drive train test stand and to a drive train test stand for testing a vehicle drive train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Christian Hell
  • Publication number: 20230314279
    Abstract: A test stand includes a base frame and a bearing housing defining a frustoconical recess. A bearing unit has a bearing sleeve defining a through-going bearing bore coaxial with a rotation axis. A bearing shaft is rotatably mounted in the bearing bore. A contour of an outer conical wall of the bearing sleeve is at least partially identical with a contour of the frustoconical recess, where the bearing unit is detachably arranged in contact with the frustoconical recess. A fixing element on the distal end of the bearing shaft is configured for detachably fixing a test object. A test stand drive is arranged on the base frame and has a test shaft configured to be driven in rotation about the rotation axis, where the test shaft is configured to be connected coaxially to the bearing shaft of the bearing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Juse, Christian Hell
  • Patent number: 11614379
    Abstract: An electric motor (1), for a drive unit (2) of a drive train test bench, having a housing (3). The electric motor (1) is characterized in that the housing (3) has at least one yoke (4) for supporting the electric motor (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Christian Hell
  • Patent number: 11125649
    Abstract: A modular drive train test stand (1) for electric motor vehicle drives (9). The drive train test stand (1) has at least a motor module (2). The drive train test stand (1) is characterized in that the electric motor (3) of the motor module (2) has a housing with a yoke (4) for supporting the electric motor (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Hell, Stefanie Nodes
  • Patent number: 11009428
    Abstract: A sub-assembly (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) for a drive unit (1). The sub-assembly (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), according to the invention, is characterized in that the sub-assembly (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) comprises a standardized interface for connection to a further sub-assembly (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) for the same drive unit (1). The invention also relates to a corresponding drive unit (1), a corresponding drive-train test stand (20) and a corresponding modular system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Christian Hell, Bernhard Pauli
  • Publication number: 20190391043
    Abstract: A modular drive train test stand (1) for electric motor vehicle drives (9). The drive train test stand (1) has at least a motor module (2). The drive train test stand (1) is characterized in that the electric motor (3) of the motor module (2) has a housing with a yoke (4) for supporting the electric motor (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian HELL, Stefanie NODES
  • Publication number: 20190391042
    Abstract: An electric motor (1), for a drive unit (2) of a drive train test bench, having a housing (3). The electric motor (1) is characterized in that the housing (3) has at least one yoke (4) for supporting the electric motor (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Christian HELL
  • Publication number: 20190331554
    Abstract: A sub-assembly (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) for a drive unit (1). The sub-assembly (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), according to the invention, is characterized in that the sub-assembly (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) comprises a standardized interface for connection to a further sub-assembly (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) for the same drive unit (1). The invention also relates to a corresponding drive unit (1), a corresponding drive-train test stand (20) and a corresponding modular system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Christian HELL, Bernhard PAULI
  • Publication number: 20190128757
    Abstract: A brake testing system (1) for testing a brake for a vehicle having at least one drive device (4) for generating a drive torque and at least one centrifugal mass device (5). The drive device (4) is provided with at least one drive shaft (7) and transfers the drive torque, via the drive shaft (7), to the centrifugal mass device (5). At least one retaining device (3) for retaining a brake element of the brake. The centrifugal mass device (5) is provided with at least one output shaft (8) and transfers the drive torque, via the output shaft (8), towards the retaining device (3). The brake testing system (1) is provided with at least one gear device (6) for the purpose of changing the gear ratio and the gear device (6) is disposed between the centrifugal mass device (5) and the retaining device (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventor: Christian HELL