Patents by Inventor Gabriele Fruhmann
Gabriele Fruhmann 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: 9115778Abstract: A holder (5) for a spring (2) which has a spring fastening area (10) for fastening the spring (2) to the holder (5) and a wheel carrier fastening area (9) for fastening a wheel carrier (4) to the spring. The holder (5) further has a deformable zone (23) for transmitting force from the spring fastening area (10) to the wheel carrier fastening area (9).Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen, AGInventors: Volker Wagner, Gabriele Fruhmann, Stefan Lehmkuhl, Arnold Middelkampf, Jorg Brandt, Holger Hoeckmann, Uwe Steinkamp, Norbert Schmudde, Martin Rattay
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Publication number: 20140167339Abstract: A holder (5) for a spring (2) which has a spring fastening area (10) for fastening the spring (2) to the holder (5) and a wheel carrier fastening area (9) for fastening a wheel carrier (4) to the spring. The holder (5) further has a deformable zone (23) for transmitting force from the spring fastening area (10) to the wheel carrier fastening area (9).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Volker Wagner, Gabriele Fruhmann, Stefan Lehmkuhl, Arnold Middelkampf, Jorg Brandt, Holger Hoeckmann, Uwe Steinkamp, Norbert Schmudde, Martin Rattay
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Patent number: 8556282Abstract: An axle for a motor vehicle comprises at least a transverse leaf spring (1) attached directly, or via an auxiliary support frame, to a body (9) of the motor vehicle by two first mountings (4), two control arms (2) and two wheel carriers (3). In each case, an end of the transverse leaf spring (1) facing toward a respective wheel (10) of the motor vehicle is rigidly connected to one of the two control arms (2), and both of the two control arms (2) are each orientated substantially in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. Each of the control arms (2) is connected by a second mounting (7) directly, or via an auxiliary support frame, to the body (9) and also connected, by at least one third mounting (5, 6), to one of the wheel carriers (3).Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Stephan Pollmeyer, Volker Wagner, Gabriele Fruhmann
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Patent number: 8523209Abstract: A semi-trailing arm axle for a motor vehicle which comprises a semi-trailing arm (1) for each wheel (4) of the axle. Each semi-trailing arm (1) is flexible about the vertical axis and is mounted to the body or on a support frame by at least one mounting (2, 3). Each wheel (4) of the axle is connected to its respective flexible semi-trailing arm (1) by way of at least one wheel bearing (5), and the flexible semi-trailing arm (1) is the sole wheel-guiding element.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Stephan Pollmeyer, Volker Wagner, Gabriele Fruhmann
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Patent number: 8459676Abstract: A bearing mechanism (4) for a transverse leaf spring (1) for mounting in the region of a vehicle axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism (4) has two outer bearing shells (6, 7) that can be connected together and insertion devices (9, 10) with at least some regions of which are encompassed by the outer bearing shells (6, 7) and which each comprise at least two layer elements (9A, 9B, 9C and 10A, 10B, 10C) with different stiffnesses. In the assembled state, the insertion devices (9, 10) are each disposed between the outer bearing shells (6, 7) and the transverse leaf spring (1). The insertion devices (9, 10) can be connected to the outer bearing shells (6, 7) and the transverse leaf spring (1), via a bolt device (8) which connects the outer bearing shells (6, 7) together and to a vehicle chassis at least in a force locking manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Jens Heimann, Andreas Vossel, David Vopel, Volker Wagner, Gabriele Fruhmann
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Patent number: 8444162Abstract: A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring that can be mounted near an axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism has an outer bearing shell device and insertion devices which have at least some regions encompassed by the outer bearing shell device. Each of the insertion devices comprise at least two layer elements which have different stiffness. In the assembled state, the insertion devices are each disposed between the outer bearing shell device and the transverse leaf spring. The outer bearing shell device comprises a one-piece bearing ring element, and the insertion devices can be operatively connected, at least in a force locking manner, to the bearing ring element and the transverse leaf spring, via tensioning elements.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Gabriele Fruhmann, Volker Wagner, Jens Heimann
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Patent number: 8444163Abstract: A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring that can be mounted in the region of an axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism has an outer bearing shell device and insertion devices which are at least partially encompassed by the outer bearing shell device and comprise layer elements with different stiffnesses. In the assembled state, the insertion devices are each disposed between the outer bearing shell device and the transverse leaf spring. In the region of a support surface of the transverse leaf spring, a recess is formed for each of the insertion devices in which the insertion devices engage in a form-locking manner. The insertion devices are each formed in the contact surfaces facing the support surfaces of the transverse leaf spring, having at least one receiving device into which, in the assembled state of the insertion devices, a region of the transverse leaf spring engages.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Gabriele Fruhmann, Volker Wagner, Peter Hofmann, Jens Heimann
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Patent number: 8360454Abstract: A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring that can be mounted in the region of an axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism comprises an outer bearing shell and insertion devices which have at least some regions encompassed by the outer bearing shell, and which each comprise layered elements having different stiffness. When assembled, the insertion devices are disposed between the outer bearing shell and the leaf spring. The leaf spring has a recess into which sections of the insertion devices engage. The recesses are located on opposed top and bottom surfaces of the leaf spring, with respect to a vertical axis of the vehicle. In the mounted state of the leaf spring, the recesses are delimited by top and bottom edge regions that are formed between top, bottom and lateral surfaces, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Gabriele Fruhmann, Volker Wagner, Jens Heimann, Peter Hofmann
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Patent number: 8360453Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Gabriele Fruhmann, Hartmut Werries, Peter Hofmann, Christoph Elbers
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Publication number: 20120153594Abstract: A bearing mechanism (4) for a transverse leaf spring (1) for mounting in the region of a vehicle axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism (4) has two outer bearing shells (6, 7) that can be connected together and insertion devices (9, 10) with at least some regions of which are encompassed by the outer bearing shells (6, 7) and which each comprise at least two layer elements (9A, 9B, 9C and 10A, 10B, 10C) with different stiffnesses. In the assembled state, the insertion devices (9, 10) are each disposed between the outer bearing shells (6, 7) and the transverse leaf spring (1). The insertion devices (9, 10) can be connected to the outer bearing shells (6, 7) and the transverse leaf spring (1), via a bolt device (8) which connects the outer bearing shells (6, 7) together and to a vehicle chassis at least in a force locking manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Jens Heimann, Andreas Vossel, David Vopel, Volker Wagner, Gabriele Fruhmann
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Publication number: 20120153593Abstract: A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring that can be mounted in the region of an axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism has an outer bearing shell device and insertion devices which are at least partially encompassed by the outer bearing shell device and comprise layer elements with different stiffnesses. In the assembled state, the insertion devices are each disposed between the outer bearing shell device and the transverse leaf spring. In the region of a support surface of the transverse leaf spring, a recess is formed for each of the insertion devices in which the insertion devices engage in a form-locking manner. The insertion devices are each formed in the contact surfaces facing the support surfaces of the transverse leaf spring, having at least one receiving device into which, in the assembled state of the insertion devices, a region of the transverse leaf spring engages.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Gabriele Fruhmann, Volker Wagner, Peter Hofmann, Jens Heimann
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Publication number: 20120146310Abstract: A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring that can be mounted in the region of an axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism comprises an outer bearing shell and insertion devices which have at least some regions encompassed by the outer bearing shell, and which each comprise layered elements having different stiffness. When assembled, the insertion devices are disposed between the outer bearing shell and the leaf spring. The leaf spring has a recess into which sections of the insertion devices engage. The recesses are located on opposed top and bottom surfaces of the leaf spring, with respect to a vertical axis of the vehicle. In the mounted state of the leaf spring, the recesses are delimited by top and bottom edge regions that are formed between top, bottom and lateral surfaces, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Gabriele Fruhmann, Volker Wagner, Jens Heimann, Peter Hofmann
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Publication number: 20120146309Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Gabriele Fruhmann, Hartmut Werries, Peter Hofmann, Christoph Elbers
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Publication number: 20120146308Abstract: A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring that can be mounted near an axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism has an outer bearing shell device and insertion devices which have at least some regions encompassed by the outer bearing shell device. Each of the insertion devices comprise at least two layer elements which have different stiffness. In the assembled state, the insertion devices are each disposed between the outer bearing shell device and the transverse leaf spring. The outer bearing shell device comprises a one-piece bearing ring element, and the insertion devices can be operatively connected, at least in a force locking manner, to the bearing ring element and the transverse leaf spring, via tensioning elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Gabriele Fruhmann, Volker Wagner, Jens Heimann
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Publication number: 20110260424Abstract: An axle for a motor vehicle comprises at least a transverse leaf spring (1) attached directly, or via an auxiliary support frame, to a body (9) of the motor vehicle by two first mountings (4), two control arms (2) and two wheel carriers (3). In each case, an end of the transverse leaf spring (1) facing toward a respective wheel (10) of the motor vehicle is rigidly connected to one of the two control arms (2), and both of the two control arms (2) are each orientated substantially in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. Each of the control arms (2) is connected by a second mounting (7) directly, or via an auxiliary support frame, to the body (9) and also connected, by at least one third mounting (5, 6), to one of the wheel carriers (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2009Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Stephan Pollymeyer, Volker Wagner, Gabriele Fruhmann
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Publication number: 20110227310Abstract: A semi-trailing arm axle for a motor vehicle is proposed, which for each wheel (4) of the axle comprises a semi-trailing arm (1) which is flexible about the vertical axis, which is mounted on the body or on a support frame by at least one mounting (2, 3) whereas each wheel (4) of the axle is connected to its respective flexible semi-trailing arm (1) by means of at least one wheel bearing (5), whereby the flexible semi-trailing arm (1) is the sole wheel-guiding element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2009Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Stephan Pollmeyer, Volker Wagner, Gabriele Fruhmann