Patents by Inventor Christoph Elbers

Christoph Elbers 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: 11247526
    Abstract: A roll stabilizer for a motor vehicle having a housing (137, 237) with a first stabilizer element (110, 210) coupled to the housing and an electric motor (150, 250) located in the housing (137, 237). The transmission (160, 260) is coupled to the electric motor (150, 250) on a drive side, and the output side of the transmission (160, 260) is coupled to a second stabilizer element (115, 215) such that the stabilizer elements are electromechanically rotatable with respect to one another. The electric motor is designed as a Vernier motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Klank, Christoph Elbers, Alexander Haegele, Frank Berger
  • Publication number: 20200198434
    Abstract: A roll stabilizer for a motor vehicle having a housing (137, 237) with a first stabilizer element (110, 210) coupled to the housing and an electric motor (150, 250) located in the housing (137, 237). The transmission (160, 260) is coupled to the electric motor (150, 250) on a drive side, and the output side of the transmission (160, 260) is coupled to a second stabilizer element (115, 215) such that the stabilizer elements are electromechanically rotatable with respect to one another. The electric motor is designed as a Vernier motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Michael KLANK, Christoph ELBERS, Alexander HAEGELE, Frank BERGER
  • Patent number: 9656689
    Abstract: A sensor device (120) for determining a steering angle (?) of a vehicle. The sensor device (120) is, or can be, fitted separately and/or retrofitted on a steering wheel (102) of the vehicle. The sensor device (120) comprises an accelerometer for the detection of an acceleration relative to at least two axes (gx, gy). The accelerometer is designed to emit a sensor signal that represents the detected acceleration in order to determine the steering angle (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Klank, Christoph Elbers, Werner Kosak
  • Patent number: 9637169
    Abstract: A display device (120) for the display of data. The display device (120) includes a data display device (124) for displaying data. The display device (120) is, or can be, fitted separately onto a steering wheel (102) of a vehicle (100). The display device (120) further includes an acceleration detection device (122) for detecting acceleration relative to at least two axes. The display device (120) is designed to determine, using the detected acceleration, a steering wheel rotational angle of the steering wheel (102) and, using the steering wheel rotational angle, to modify the data display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Klank, Christoph Elbers
  • Patent number: 9266401
    Abstract: A trailer coupling with a ball support and a coupling ball arranged at a free end of the ball support. A coupling ball holder is fitted onto and can rotate on the coupling ball. A locking element is provided on the coupling ball holder by which the coupling ball holder is secured against being inadvertently removed from the coupling ball. An angle measuring device, provided on the coupling ball, comprises sensors which can detect rotation of the coupling ball holder relative to the coupling ball about a rotation axis. The position of the locking element, relative to the coupling ball, can be determined using the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Klank, Julian Stratmann, Lutz Pydde, Jens Vortmeyer, Christoph Elbers
  • Publication number: 20160046323
    Abstract: A sensor device (120) for determining a steering angle (?) of a vehicle. The sensor device (120) is, or can be, fitted separately and/or retrofitted on a steering wheel (102) of the vehicle. The sensor device (120) comprises an accelerometer for the detection of an acceleration relative to at least two axes (gx, gy). The accelerometer is designed to emit a sensor signal that represents the detected acceleration in order to determine the steering angle (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael KLANK, Christoph ELBERS, Werner KOSAK
  • Publication number: 20160039457
    Abstract: A display device (120) for the display of data. The display device (120) includes a data display device (124) for displaying data. The display device (120) is, or can be, fitted separately onto a steering wheel (102) of a vehicle (100). The display device (120) further includes an acceleration detection device (122) for detecting acceleration relative to at least two axes. The display device (120) is designed to determine, using the detected acceleration, a steering wheel rotational angle of the steering wheel (102) and, using the steering wheel rotational angle, to modify the data display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Michael KLANK, Christoph ELBERS
  • Patent number: 9180749
    Abstract: A twist beam axle for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. The twist beam axle has two trailing arms and a torsional profile having prismatic-shaped end sections with a noncircular cross-section. One trailing arm is connected to one torsional profile end section in each case. The trailing arms have a receiving recess having a shape corresponding to that of the outer surface of the torsional profile end section. An inwardly pressed plug is disposed in the interior of each torsional profile end section. The twist beam axle ensures permanent transfers high bending moments and torques between the trailing arms and the torsional profile without a welded joint. Different classes of materials can be used for the torsional profile and trailing arms, or can be connected to one another. The twist beam axle generally makes it possible to use large-volume, thin-walled and, therefore, weight-saving torsional profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Baumer, Christoph Elbers, Jens Eismann, Dirk Adamczyk
  • Patent number: 9073402
    Abstract: A torsion beam axle for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. The torsion beam axle has a torsionally compliant transverse section. A trailing arm is fixed at each opposed end of the transverse section. Each trailing arm supports a wheel carrier that pivots about a respective steering axis. The wheel carriers are connected to one another via ball joints and a tie rod, and couple an actuating mechanism for producing steering movement of the wheel carriers about their respective steering axes. A kinematic coupling system is connected to the tie rod and designed to regulate the degree of freedom of rotational movement of the tie rod. A torsion beam axle in which —to minimizing track angle differences or unsymmetrical bouncing behavior—the tie rod and actuating mechanism maintain optimum kinematic conditions in all operating situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Elbers, Simon Aramah, Jens Vortmeyer, Marc Wiesenthal
  • Publication number: 20150035256
    Abstract: A trailer coupling with a ball support and a coupling ball arranged at a free end of the ball support. A coupling ball holder is fitted onto and can rotate on the coupling ball. A locking element is provided on the coupling ball holder by which the coupling ball holder is secured against being inadvertently removed from the coupling ball. An angle measuring device, provided on the coupling ball, comprises sensors which can detect rotation of the coupling ball holder relative to the coupling ball about a rotation axis. The position of the locking element, relative to the coupling ball, can be determined using the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Klank, Julian Stratmann, Lutz Pydde, Jens Vortmeyer, Christoph Elbers
  • Patent number: 8939462
    Abstract: A trailer towing device for a tractor vehicle (1) which comprises a coupling ball (11), having a hollow space (21) for coupling a trailer vehicle (2), and a ball support (17) which engages with an end area in the hollow space (21) through an opening (22) provided in the coupling ball (11) and supports the coupling ball (11), such that the end area of the ball support (17) comprises a joint ball (15) on which the coupling ball (11) is fitted and can rotate so that, together with the coupling ball (11), the joint ball forms a ball joint (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Dirk Adamczyk, Julian Stratmann, Christoph Elbers
  • Publication number: 20140203532
    Abstract: A torsion beam axle for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. The torsion beam axle has a torsionally compliant transverse section. A trailing arm is fixed at each opposed end of the transverse section. Each trailing arm supports a wheel carrier that pivots about a respective steering axis. The wheel carriers are connected to one another via ball joints and a tie rod, and couple an actuating mechanism for producing steering movement of the wheel carriers about their respective steering axes. A kinematic coupling system is connected to the tie rod and designed to regulate the degree of freedom of rotational movement of the tie rod. A torsion beam axle in which—to minimizing track angle differences or unsymmetrical bouncing behavior—the tie rod and actuating mechanism maintain optimum kinematic conditions in all operating situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Christoph Elbers, Simon Aramah, Jens Vortmeyer, Marc Wiesenthal
  • Publication number: 20140151973
    Abstract: A twist beam axle for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. The twist beam axle has two trailing arms and a torsional profile having prismatic-shaped end sections with a noncircular cross-section. One trailing arm is connected to one torsional profile end section in each case. The trailing arms have a receiving recess having a shape corresponding to that of the outer surface of the torsional profile end section. An inwardly pressed plug is disposed in the interior of each torsional profile end section. The twist beam axle ensures permanent transfers high bending moments and torques between the trailing arms and the torsional profile without a welded joint. Different classes of materials can be used for the torsional profile and trailing arms, or can be connected to one another. The twist beam axle generally makes it possible to use large-volume, thin-walled and, therefore, weight-saving torsional profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Bäumer, Christoph Elbers, Jens Eismann, Dirk Adamczyk
  • Patent number: 8360453
    Abstract: A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring mounted near a vehicle axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism has an outer bearing shell device and insertion devices, which are encompassed by the outer bearing shell device and comprise layer elements of different stiffness. The insertion devices are each disposed between the outer bearing shell device and the transverse leaf spring. First layer elements have a greater stiffness and are positioned between the transverse leaf spring and second layer elements with lower stiffness. The first layer elements are half-shell shaped and convex between end regions and oriented in the axial direction of the transverse leaf spring. The end regions of the first layer elements comprise regions that are concave with respect to the surface of the leaf spring, and free ends of which point away from the surface of the leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Fruhmann, Hartmut Werries, Peter Hofmann, Christoph Elbers
  • Publication number: 20130001924
    Abstract: A trailer towing device for a tractor vehicle (1) which comprises a coupling ball (11), having a hollow space (21) for coupling a trailer vehicle (2), and a ball support (17) which engages with an end area in the hollow space (21) through an opening (22) provided in the coupling ball (11) and supports the coupling ball (11), such that the end area of the ball support (17) comprises a joint ball (15) on which the coupling ball (11) is fitted and can rotate so that, together with the coupling ball (11), the joint ball forms a ball joint (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Dirk ADAMCZYK, Julian STRATMANN, Christoph ELBERS
  • Patent number: 8342560
    Abstract: A coupling lock for a trailer coupling. The coupling lock comprises a receptacle (9) in which a coupling element (6) is inserted, an angle measuring device (13, 19) is connected to the receptacle (9), and the angle measuring device (13, 19) is provided for detecting rotation of the receptacle (9), about a rotational axis (18), relative to the coupling element (6). A magnetically adhering body (24) is elastically connected to the receptacle (9) and magnetically connectable to the coupling element (6) for actuating the angle measuring device (13, 19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ingo Albers, Christoph Elbers, Joachim Spratte, Katharina Matzold
  • Publication number: 20120146309
    Abstract: A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring mounted near a vehicle axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism has an outer bearing shell device and insertion devices, which are encompassed by the outer bearing shell device and comprise layer elements of different stiffness. The insertion devices are each disposed between the outer bearing shell device and the transverse leaf spring. First layer elements have a greater stiffness and are positioned between the transverse leaf spring and second layer elements with lower stiffness. The first layer elements are half-shell shaped and convex between end regions and oriented in the axial direction of the transverse leaf spring. The end regions of the first layer elements comprise regions that are concave with respect to the surface of the leaf spring, and free ends of which point away from the surface of the leaf spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Fruhmann, Hartmut Werries, Peter Hofmann, Christoph Elbers
  • Publication number: 20120112434
    Abstract: A coupling lock for a trailer coupling. The coupling lock comprises a receptacle (9) in which a coupling element (6) is inserted, an angle measuring device (13, 19) is connected to the receptacle (9), and the angle measuring device (13, 19) is provided for detecting rotation of the receptacle (9), about a rotational axis (18), relative to the coupling element (6). A magnetically adhering body (24) is elastically connected to the receptacle (9) and magnetically connectable to the coupling element (6) for actuating the angle measuring device (13, 19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ingo Albers, Christoph Elbers, Joachim Spratte, Katharina Matzold
  • Patent number: 7878511
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle is described, in which at least a first and at least a second control arm (1, 2) are coupled in an articulated manner to a wheel carrier (4) carrying a vehicle wheel (3). The wheel suspension has a compensating device (5, 6) for correcting wheel positions, and each control arm (1, 2) has a portion of the compensating device (5, 6) or is connected to a portion of the compensating device (5, 6). The compensating device portions (5, 6) of one wheel are connected to one another by at least one coupling member (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Felix Haeusler, Christoph Elbers, Knut Heidsieck, Simon Aramah
  • Publication number: 20090096183
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle is described, in which at least a first and at least a second control arm (1, 2) are coupled in an articulated manner to a wheel carrier (4) carrying a vehicle wheel (3). The wheel suspension has a compensating device (5, 6) for correcting wheel positions, and each control arm (1, 2) has a portion of the compensating device (5, 6) or is connected to a portion of the compensating device (5, 6). The compensating device portions (5, 6) of one wheel are connected to one another by at least one coupling member (7, 8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Felix Haeusler, Christoph Elbers, Knut Heidsieck, Simon Aramah