Patents by Inventor Colin Zaers

Colin Zaers 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: 11413946
    Abstract: An electric drive can comprise a housing assembly; an electric machine with a hollow shaft; a planetary gearing; and a power distribution unit having an input part and two output parts, the input part being connected to the planet carrier, one of the output parts being connected to an intermediate shaft extending through the hollow shaft; wherein the housing assembly comprises a motor-sided first housing part, a gearing-sided second housing part, and an intermediate housing part disposed therebetween, wherein the intermediate housing part includes, integrally formed, an intermediate wall, a motor-side jacket portion and a gearing-side jacket portion, wherein a sealed cavity for a coolant flowing therethrough is formed between an outer face of the motor-side jacket portion and the inner face of the first gearing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Marc Absenger, Waldemar Rupp, Mario Besgen, Dominic Eichholz, Tobias Sander, Hans-Joachim Schmeink, Colin Zaers
  • Publication number: 20210394600
    Abstract: An electric drive can comprise a housing assembly; an electric machine with a hollow shaft; a planetary gearing; and a power distribution unit having an input part and two output parts, the input part being connected to the planet carrier, one of the output parts being connected to an intermediate shaft extending through the hollow shaft; wherein the housing assembly comprises a motor-sided first housing part, a gearing-sided second housing part, and an intermediate housing part disposed therebetween, wherein the intermediate housing part includes, integrally formed, an intermediate wall, a motor-side jacket portion and a gearing-side jacket portion, wherein a sealed cavity for a coolant flowing therethrough is formed between an outer face of the motor-side jacket portion and the inner face of the first gearing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Marc Absenger, Waldemar Rupp, Mario Besgen, Dominic Eichholz, Tobias Sander, Hans-Joachim Schmeink, Colin Zaers
  • Patent number: 10260572
    Abstract: A clutch assembly comprises a housing; a first drive part rotatingly drivable around an axis of rotation; a second drive part rotatable relative to the first drive part; a clutch which is arranged in the power path between the first drive part and the second drive part and which comprises a first clutch part which is connected to the first drive part in a rotationally fixed and axially movable way and a second clutch part which is drivingly connected to the second drive part; a controllable actuator for actuating the clutch; a sensor unit for determining a position signal which represents the axial position of the first clutch part, wherein the sensor unit comprises a target element which is at least indirectly connected to the first clutch part, and a sensor connected to the housing for recording a position of the target element; and adjusting means for adjusting the position of the sensor relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Jörg Jacoby, Falk Siebenhandl, Colin Zaers, Holger Seidl
  • Patent number: 10017043
    Abstract: An electric drive for driving a motor vehicle comprises a housing assembly; an electric motor having a motor shaft provided in the form of a hollow shaft which is rotatingly drivable around a rotational axis A and which is connected to a drive gear; a transmission unit having at least one transmission shaft which is rotatingly drivable by the drive gear and having at least one output shaft, the output shaft extending through the hollow shaft; wherein between the hollow shaft and the output shaft an annular channel is formed, having a first opening facing the transmission unit and a second opening facing away from the transmission unit; wherein the housing assembly comprises a lubricant-guiding geometry that is configured to guide lubricant into a mouth region of the first opening of the annular channel, so that the lubricant can flow through the annular channel to the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Marc Absenger, Jochen Manger, Manuel Aprath, Colin Zaers, Oliver Bartz
  • Patent number: 9970525
    Abstract: A coupling assembly comprises a coupling which is arranged between a driving gear and a differential drive; a controllable actuator for actuating the coupling; a sensor for determining switching positions of the coupling; and a target element which cooperates with the sensor, wherein the target element is axially moved upon actuation of the actuator; wherein a first coupling part of the coupling is connected to a differential carrier of the differential drive and wherein a second coupling part of the coupling is held in a rotationally fixed and axially movable way relative to a differential housing of the differential drive, and wherein the target element is secured to the second coupling part by a bayonet-type connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: GKN Automotive Limited, GKN Driveline Bruneck AG
    Inventors: Colin Zaers, Michael Schwekutsch, Nikolaus Mayr
  • Publication number: 20170361697
    Abstract: An electric drive for driving a motor vehicle comprises a housing assembly; an electric motor having a motor shaft provided in the form of a hollow shaft which is rotatingly drivable around a rotational axis A and which is connected to a drive gear; a transmission unit having at least one transmission shaft which is rotatingly drivable by the drive gear and having at least one output shaft, the output shaft extending through the hollow shaft; wherein between the hollow shaft and the output shaft an annular channel is formed, having a first opening facing the transmission unit and a second opening facing away from the transmission unit; wherein the housing assembly comprises a lubricant-guiding geometry that is configured to guide lubricant into a mouth region of the first opening of the annular channel, so that the lubricant can flow through the annular channel to the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Marc Absenger, Jochen Manger, Manuel Aprath, Colin Zaers, Oliver Bartz
  • Publication number: 20170219023
    Abstract: A clutch assembly comprises a housing; a first drive part rotatingly drivable around an axis of rotation; a second drive part rotatable relative to the first drive part; a clutch which is arranged in the power path between the first drive part and the second drive part and which comprises a first clutch part which is connected to the first drive part in a rotationally fixed and axially movable way and a second clutch part which is drivingly connected to the second drive part; a controllable actuator for actuating the clutch; a sensor unit for determining a position signal which represents the axial position of the first clutch part, wherein the sensor unit comprises a target element which is at least indirectly connected to the first clutch part, and a sensor connected to the housing for recording a position of the target element; and adjusting means for adjusting the position of the sensor relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Jörg Jacoby, Falk Siebenhandl, Colin Zaers, Holger Seidl
  • Publication number: 20160273637
    Abstract: A coupling assembly comprises a coupling which is arranged between a driving gear and a differential drive; a controllable actuator for actuating the coupling; a sensor for determining switching positions of the coupling; and a target element which cooperates with the sensor, wherein the target element is axially moved upon actuation of the actuator; wherein a first coupling part of the coupling is connected to a differential carrier of the differential drive and wherein a second coupling part of the coupling is held in a rotationally fixed and axially movable way relative to a differential housing of the differential drive, and wherein the target element is secured to the second coupling part by a bayonet-type connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Colin Zaers, Michael Schwekutsch, Nikolaus Mayr
  • Patent number: 8678971
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a multi-axle driven motor vehicle is disclosed herein. The drive assembly comprises a differential unit having a rotational axis, an input part and two output parts drivably connected to the input part, an externally controllable selectable coupling, and an externally controllable locking coupling. The output parts have a compensating effect among each other. The externally controllable selectable coupling is for drivably connecting the differential unit to a drive source. The externally controllable locking coupling is for locking the compensatory movement between both output parts of the differential unit. The selectable coupling and the locking coupling are arranged coaxially to the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Schmidt, Michael Schwekutsch, Colin Zaers
  • Patent number: 8668615
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle driven by a plurality of axles includes a differential unit, an externally controllable hang-on coupling, an externally controllable locking coupling, a first hydraulic actuating unit, and a second hydraulic actuating unit. The differential unit includes an input part that is rotatably drivable around an axis of rotation, and two output parts drivingly connected to the input part. The hang-on coupling drivingly connects the differential unit and a driveshaft. The locking coupling locks the differential movement between the two output parts of the differential assembly. The first hydraulic actuating unit actuates the hang-on coupling and the second hydraulic actuating unit actuates the locking coupling. The first hydraulic actuating unit, the hang-on coupling, the second hydraulic actuating unit and the locking coupling are arranged coaxially relative to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Schmidt, Michael Schwekutsch, Colin Zaers, Artur Grunwald
  • Publication number: 20120053002
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a multi-axle driven motor vehicle is disclosed herein. The drive assembly comprises a differential unit having a rotational axis, an input part and two output parts drivably connected to the input part, an externally controllable selectable coupling, and an externally controllable locking coupling. The output parts have a compensating effect among each other. The externally controllable selectable coupling is for drivably connecting the differential unit to a drive source. The externally controllable locking coupling is for locking the compensatory movement between both output parts of the differential unit. The selectable coupling and the locking coupling are arranged coaxially to the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Schmidt, Michael Schwekutsch, Colin Zaers
  • Publication number: 20110275467
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a drive assembly for a motor vehicle driven by a plurality of axles. The drive assembly comprises a differential unit, an externally controllable hang-on coupling, an externally controllable locking coupling, a first hydraulic actuating unit, and a second hydraulic actuating unit. The differential unit includes an input part which is rotatably drivable around an axis of rotation A, and two output parts which are drivingly connected to the input part. The two output parts have a differential effect relative to one another. The externally controllable hang-on coupling drivingly connects the differential unit and a driveshaft. The externally controllable locking coupling locks the differential movement between the two output parts of the differential assembly. The first hydraulic actuating unit actuates the hang-on coupling and the second hydraulic actuating unit actuates the locking coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Schmidt, Michael Schwekutsch, Colin Zaers, Artur Grunwald
  • Patent number: 7810405
    Abstract: An angle drive with two shafts (12, 15) which are drivingly connected to one another and whose axes (A1, A2) intersect one another at an angle, wherein on each of the shafts (12, 15) there is firmly arranged at least one gearwheel (19, 20, 21) and wherein there is provided a hollow gear (17) with an axis of rotation (A3) and wherein the gearwheels (19, 20, 21) engage the hollow gear (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Hans-Peter Nett, Colin Zaers, Karl-Heinz Hülsebusch
  • Patent number: 7107871
    Abstract: A crown gear assembly including a crown gear which is rotatably supported around a first axis (A1) and which forms teeth (13) which are provided with flanks (14, 15) whose mantle lines extend substantially radially relative to the axis (A1), as well as a pinion (21) which is rotatably supported around a second axis (A2) extending perpendicularly relative to the first axis (A1), and which forms teeth (23) which are provided with flanks whose mantle lines extend substantially parallel relative to the axis (A2), wherein, on the radial outside of the teeth (13) of the crown gear, the pinion (21) is provided with a collar (25) which is adapted to contact a circumferential face of the crown gear (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Colin Zaers, Bernd Constantin
  • Patent number: 7011594
    Abstract: A differential drive having a drivable differential carrier (11) which is rotatably supported in a drive housing, which comprises a longitudinal carrier axis, in which two axle shaft gears (28, 29) whose axes extend co-axially relative to the longitudinal carrier axis are arranged and rotatably supported and in which a plurality of differential gears (31) whose axes extend radially relative to the longitudinal carrier axis are arranged and held so as to rotate with said differential carrier (11,) wherein the axle shaft gears (28, 29) engage the differential gears (31, 71;) and having constant velocity joints (22, 23) which are positioned inside the differential carrier (11) and whose outer joint parts (26, 27) are connected to the axle shaft gears (28, 29) in a rotationally fast way, wherein the outer joint parts (26, 27) and the axle shaft gears (28, 29) connected to the outer joint parts (26, 27) are positioned in the differential carrier (11) with radial play and are operationally engaged with at least thr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Colin Zaers, Heinzwilli Fuchs
  • Patent number: 6960148
    Abstract: A differential drive having a drive housing (1) with a longitudinal drive axis (AG); having a drivable differential carrier (11) which is rotatably supported in the drive housing (1) by means of two rolling contact bearings (22, 23), which comprises a longitudinal carrier axis (AK), wherein, at the differential carrier (11), there are formed projections (20, 21) which extend co-axially relative to the longitudinal carrier axis and into which there are inserted outer bearing races (26, 27) of the rolling contact bearings (22, 23); and wherein, in the drive housing (1), there is provided a side opening (3) through which the differential carrier (11) with inserted outer bearing races (26, 27) of the rolling contact bearings (22, 23) can be inserted; and wherein, in the drive housing (1), there are provided bores (4, 5) into which there are inserted bearing holding rings (6, 7) which carry inner bearing races (28, 29) of the rolling contact bearings (22, 23) and which, together with said inner bearing races, can
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Heinzwilli Fuchs, Colin Zaers, Werner Krude
  • Publication number: 20050145126
    Abstract: An angle drive with two shafts (12, 15) which are connected to one another in respect of drive and whose axes (A1, A2) intersect one another at an angle, wherein on each of the shafts (12, 15) there is firmly arranged at least one gearwheel (19, 20, 21) and wherein there is provided a hollow gear (17) with an axis of rotation (A3) and wherein the gearwheels (19, 20, 21) engage the hollow gear (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Hans-Peter Nett, Colin Zaers, Karl-Heinz Hulsebusch
  • Publication number: 20040168532
    Abstract: A differential drive having a drive housing 1 with a longitudinal drive axis AG; having a drivable differential carrier 11 which is rotatably supported in the drive housing 1 by means of two rolling contact bearings 22, 23, which comprises a longitudinal carrier axis AK, wherein, at the differential carrier 11, there are formed projections 20, 21 which extend co-axially relative to the longitudinal carrier axis and into which there are inserted outer bearing races 26, 27 of the rolling contact bearings 22, 23; and wherein, in the drive housing 1, there is provided a side opening 3 through which the differential carrier 11 with inserted outer bearing races 26, 27 of the rolling contact bearings 22, 23 can be inserted; and wherein, in the drive housing 1, there are provided bores 4, 5 into which there are inserted bearing holding rings 6, 7 which carry inner bearing races 28, 29 of the rolling contact bearings 22, 23 and which, together with said inner bearing races, can be inserted into the bores 4, 5 co-axial
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Heinzwilli Fuchs, Colin Zaers, Werner Krude
  • Publication number: 20040152554
    Abstract: A differential drive having a drivable differential carrier 11 which is rotatably supported in a drive housing, which comprises a longitudinal carrier axis, in which two axle shaft gears 28, 29 whose axes extend co-axially relative to the longitudinal carrier axis are arranged and rotatably supported and in which a plurality of differential gears 31 whose axes extend radially relative to the longitudinal carrier axis are arranged and held so as to rotate with said differential carrier 11, wherein the axle shaft gears 28, 29 engage the differential gears 31, 71; and having constant velocity joints 22, 23 which are positioned inside the differential carrier 11 and whose outer joint parts 26, 27 are connected to the axle shaft gears 28, 29 in a rotationally fast way, wherein the outer joint parts 26, 27 and the axle shaft gears 28, 29 connected to the outer joint parts 26, 27 are positioned in the differential carrier 11 with radial play and are operationally engaged with at least three differential gears 31 for
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Colin Zaers, Heinzwilli Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20040069083
    Abstract: A crown gear assembly including a crown gear which is rotatably supported around a first axis (A1) and which forms teeth (13) which are provided with flanks (14, 15) whose mantle lines extend substantially radially relative to the axis (A1), as well as a pinion (21) which is rotatably supported around a second axis (A2) extending perpendicularly relative to the first axis (A1), and which forms teeth (23) which are provided with flanks whose mantle lines extend substantially parallel relative to the axis (A2), wherein, on the radial outside of the teeth (13) of the crown gear, the pinion (21) is provided with a collar (25) which is adapted to contact a circumferential face of the crown gear (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Colin Zaers, Bernd Constantin