Patents by Inventor Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf

Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf 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: 11260870
    Abstract: A tire (100) rolls on a surface (105). A method (600) for providing maximum traction coefficient between the tire (100) and the surface (105) include steps for detecting a momentary slip of the tire (100) on the surface (105); detecting a momentary traction coefficient; forming a tuple (410, 510) from the slip and the current traction coefficient; choosing a characteristic curve (205, 305) from a number of predetermined characteristic curves (205, 305) on the basis of the tuple (410, 510), whereby each characteristic curve (205, 305) describes a traction behavior of the tire (100) or a corresponding characteristic pitch; determining the maximum traction coefficient on the basis of the selected characteristic curves (205, 305); and thus providing the maximum traction coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Zdych, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Volker Wagner, Ulrich Mair, Lara Ruth Turner, Julian King
  • Patent number: 11091165
    Abstract: A method for estimating a probability distribution of the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at a current and/or future waypoint (s, s*) of a vehicle. According to the method, a first probability distribution (WV1) for the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle is determined by a Bayesian network from a first data set, which is, or was determined, for one, in particular current, waypoint (s) of the vehicle and which characterizes the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Schlegel, Jochen Abhau, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Julian King, Jochen Köhler, Horst Krimmel, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Lara Ruth Turner, Volker Wagner, Robert Zdych, Vanessa Adler, Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher, Ralf Raffauf, Holger Simon, Walter Stein
  • Publication number: 20210129850
    Abstract: A tire (100) rolls on a surface (105). A method (600) for providing maximum traction coefficient between the tire (100) and the surface (105) include steps for detecting a momentary slip of the tire (100) on the surface (105); detecting a momentary traction coefficient; forming a tuple (410, 510) from the slip and the current traction coefficient; choosing a characteristic curve (205, 305) from a number of predetermined characteristic curves (205, 305) on the basis of the tuple (410, 510), whereby each characteristic curve (205, 305) describes a traction behavior of the tire (100) or a corresponding characteristic pitch; determining the maximum traction coefficient on the basis of the selected characteristic curves (205, 305); and thus providing the maximum traction coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Robert Zdych, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Volker Wagner, Ulrich Mair, Lara Ruth Turner, Julian King
  • Patent number: 10435067
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system (101) with at least one wheel support (103), first and second coupling rods (105, 107) and at least one track rod (109). The first and second coupling rods (105, 107) are connected to one another in an articulated manner. The second coupling rod (107) and the wheel support (103) are connected to one another in an articulated manner. The track rod (109) is designed to apply a steering torque to the first coupling rod (105). The steering torque is transmitted from the first coupling rod (105), via the second coupling rod (107), to the wheel support (103). The wheel suspension system has at least one suspension link (111) which is mounted, in an articulated manner, on a vehicle body or chassis and is articulated to the wheel support (103). The suspension link (111) and the first coupling rod (105) are articulated to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alexander Neu, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Christian Förster, Tom Lehmkuhl
  • Publication number: 20190299997
    Abstract: A method for estimating a probability distribution of the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at a current and/or future waypoint (s, s*) of a vehicle. According to the method, a first probability distribution (WV1) for the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle is determined by a Bayesian network from a first data set, which is, or was determined, for one, in particular current, waypoint (s) of the vehicle and which characterizes the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Matthias SCHLEGEL, Jochen ABHAU, Heinz-Joachim GILSDORF, Julian KING, Jochen KÖHLER, Horst KRIMMEL, Gerhard NIEDERBRUCKER, Lara Ruth TURNER, Volker WAGNER, Robert ZDYCH, Vanessa ADLER, Sascha HEINRICHS-BARTSCHER, Ralf RAFFAUF, Holger SIMON, Walter STEIN
  • Publication number: 20190161064
    Abstract: A method for determining a maximum adhesion limit between a tire and a substrate on which the tire is running in a longitudinal direction. The method includes detecting an instantaneous slip of the tire; detecting an instantaneous longitudinal force on the tire; determining an instantaneous coefficient of adhesion; forming a tuple from the detected slip and determined instantaneous coefficient of adhesion; and determining the adhesion limit. The adhesion limit is determined on the basis of the slope of a straight line passing through the origin and the tuple, if the slip is less than a first threshold value, or on the basis of the slope of a tangent passing through the tuple, if the slip is between the first threshold value and a second threshold value, or directly on the basis of the instantaneous coefficient of adhesion, if the slip is greater than the second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Robert ZDYCH, Heinz-Joachim GILSDORF, Volker WAGNER, Matthias SCHLEGEL, Lara Ruth TURNER, Julian KING
  • Publication number: 20190143963
    Abstract: A method for determining a safe speed (v*) at a future waypoint (s*) of a vehicle moving along a route. In this step, at least one item of route data (in particular the curvature of the curve ?) characterizing the course of the route is determined. In addition, a first probability distribution (Pges) of a coefficient of friction (?) is provided at the current waypoint (s) and/or at the future waypoint (s*) of the vehicle. Subsequently a second probability distribution (Pv) of a vehicle speed (v) at the future waypoint (s*) is determined from the at least one item of route data (?) and from the first probability distribution (Pges). The safe speed (v*) is determined by statistical analysis from the second probability distribution (Pv).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicants: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias SCHLEGEL, Jochen ABHAU, Heinz-Joachim GILSDORF, Julian KING, Jochen KÖHLER, Horst KRIMMEL, Gerhard NIEDERBRUCKER, Lara Ruth TURNER, Volker WAGNER, Robert ZDYCH, Vanessa ADLER, Sascha HEINRICHS-BARTSCHER, Ralf RAFFAUF, Holger SIMON, Walter STEIN
  • Publication number: 20180251152
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system (101) with at least one wheel support (103), first and second coupling rods (105, 107) and at least one track rod (109). The first and second coupling rods (105, 107) are connected to one another in an articulated manner. The second coupling rod (107) and the wheel support (103) are connected to one another in an articulated manner. The track rod (109) is designed to apply a steering torque to the first coupling rod (105). The steering torque is transmitted from the first coupling rod (105), via the second coupling rod (107), to the wheel support (103). The wheel suspension system has at least one suspension link (111) which is mounted, in an articulated manner, on a vehicle body or chassis and is articulated to the wheel support (103). The suspension link (111) and the first coupling rod (105) are articulated to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alexander NEU, Heinz-Joachim GILSDORF, Christian FÖRSTER, Tom LEHMKUHL
  • Patent number: 8307965
    Abstract: The vibration damper with an adjustable damping force includes a cylinder filled with a damping medium, a piston rod axially movable in the cylinder and carrying a piston which divides the cylinder into a first working space on the piston rod side and a second working space on the side away from the piston rod, a first adjustable damping valve which is connected to at least one of the two working spaces by means of a fluid connection, at least one second valve which is connected hydraulically in parallel to the first adjustable damping valve, and a third damping valve arranged in series to and upstream from both the first and second valves, the third damping valve moving in a closing direction as a function of a flow velocity of the damping medium through the third damping valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Föster, Alfred Wirth, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Thomas Kutsche
  • Patent number: 8245823
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damper comprising a cylinder in which a piston rod is guided in an axially movable manner. A first piston is mounted stationarily on the piston rod while a second piston that is equipped with at least one valve disk biased by a spring assembly is mounted on the piston rod so as to be axially movable counter to a force of at least one support spring. The spring assembly is provided with at least one spring plate on which the spring assembly rests. The second piston is retained by a fixing sleeve which supports the at least one spring plate. The structural unit encompassing the fixing sleeve and the at least one spring plate is fitted with an axially effective separating joint for a locking connection inside the structural unit. The entire structural unit can be axially displaced towards the at least one support spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernd Zeissner, Andreas Foerster, Frank Gundermann, Steffen Heyn, Anton Krawczyk, Uwe Boecker, Thomas Thein, Wolfgang Breun, Herbert Bies, Holger Beyer, Ludwig Gampl, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Klaus Sauer
  • Publication number: 20090127039
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damper comprising a cylinder in which a piston rod is guided in an axially movable manner. A first piston (7) is mounted stationarily on the piston rod while a second piston (23) that is equipped with at least one valve disk biased by a spring assembly is mounted on the piston rod so as to be axially movable counter to the force of at least one support spring. The spring assembly is provided with at least one spring plate (39, 41) on which the spring assembly (33, 35) rests. The second piston (23) forms a structural unit along with a fixing sleeve (37) and the at least one spring plate for the spring assembly. The at least one spring plate is mounted in an axially movable manner relative to the fixing sleeve (37) and can be fixed in the desired axial position in order to adjust the bias of the spring assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDCHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Bernd Zeissner, Andreas Foerster, Frank Gundermann, Steffen Heyn, Anton Krawczyk, Uwe Boecker, Thomas Thein, Wolfgang Breun, Herbert Bies, Holger Beyer, Ludwig Gampl, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Klaus Sauer
  • Publication number: 20090038898
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damper comprising a cylinder in which a piston rod is guided in an axially movable manner. A first piston is mounted stationarily on the piston rod while a second piston that is equipped with at least one valve disk biased by a spring assembly is mounted on the piston rod so as to be axially movable counter to a force of at least one support spring. The spring assembly is provided with at least one spring plate on which the spring assembly rests. The second piston is retained by a fixing sleeve which supports the at least one spring plate. The structural unit encompassing the fixing sleeve and the at least one spring plate is fitted with an axially effective separating joint for a locking connection inside the structural unit. The entire structural unit can be axially displaced towards the at least one support spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernd Zeissner, Andreas Foerster, Frank Gundermann, Steffen Heyn, Anton Krawczyk, Uwe Boecker, Thomas Thein, Wolfgang Breun, Herbert Bies, Holger Beyer, Ludwig Gampl, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Klaus Sauer
  • Publication number: 20070084687
    Abstract: The vibration damper with an adjustable damping force includes a cylinder filled with a damping medium, a piston rod axially movable in the cylinder and carrying a piston which divides the cylinder into a first working space on the piston rod side and a second working space on the side away from the piston rod, a first adjustable damping valve which is connected to at least one of the two working spaces by means of a fluid connection, at least one second valve which is connected hydraulically in parallel to the first adjustable damping valve, and a third damping valve arranged in series to and upstream from both the first and second valves, the third damping valve moving in a closing direction as a function of a flow velocity of the damping medium through the third damping valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Andreas Foster, Alfred Wirth, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Thomas Kutsche
  • Patent number: 7172058
    Abstract: Vibration damper with amplitude-dependent damping force includes a cylinder, in which a piston rod, carrying a piston, is guided with freedom of axial movement, where the piston divides the cylinder into a working space on the piston rod side and a working space on the side away from the piston rod. The piston rod carries at least part of a housing, which is mounted in the direction of the piston rod-side working space, and where a separating body is supported inside the housing with freedom to slide. The separating body divides the housing into first and second working chambers, where the first working chamber is connected by at least one radial connecting opening to the piston rod-side working space and the second working chamber is connected by a connecting channel to the working space on the side away from the piston rod. At least a part of the housing is connected to the piston rod by a weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gunnar Burkert, Andreas Förster, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Hans Gonschorrek, Frank MacKert, Thomas Kiefer, Klaus Sauer
  • Patent number: 7172057
    Abstract: Vibration damper comprising a piston rod, which is guided with freedom of axial movement in a damping medium-filled cylinder and which carries a piston, which divides the cylinder into two working spaces. At least one of the two working spaces has a flow connection leading to a housing, in which a separating element separates at least one chamber from one of the two working spaces, where the volume of the minimum of one chamber in the housing has a size which is variable within defined limits. The separating element executes relative motion with respect to the housing, and is located in a permanent position with respect to the piston rod, whereas the housing is movable with respect to the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Frank Gundermann, Joachim Kühnel, Christian Böhm, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf
  • Patent number: 7092841
    Abstract: A first acceleration sensor is arranged on a vehicle body for detecting an acceleration signal of the vehicle body and a second acceleration sensor is arranged on a wheel-side axle part for detecting an acceleration signal of the wheel-side axle part, the vehicle body and the wheel-side axle part execute relative movement with respect to each other. The wheel acceleration signal and the body acceleration signal are each integrated twice to form respective distance signals. The difference between the two distance signals at a first time (t0) is determined and stored as a gap value. A second distance signal difference is determined at a second time (t1) for a new gap value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Achim Thomae, Stefan Rappelt, Thomas Kutsche
  • Publication number: 20050137828
    Abstract: A first acceleration sensor is arranged on a vehicle body for detecting an acceleration signal of the vehicle body and a second acceleration sensor is arranged on a wheel-side axle part for detecting an acceleration signal of the wheel-side axle part, the vehicle body and the wheel-side axle part execute relative movement with respect to each other. The wheel acceleration signal and the body acceleration signal are each integrated twice to form respective distance signals. The difference between the two distance signals at a first time (t0) is determined and stored as a gap value. A second distance signal difference is determined at a second time (t1) for a new gap value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Achim Thomae, Stefan Rappelt, Thomas Kutsche
  • Publication number: 20050109571
    Abstract: Vibration damper with amplitude-dependent damping force includes a cylinder, in which a piston rod, carrying a piston, is guided with freedom of axial movement, where the piston divides the cylinder into a working space on the piston rod side and a working space on the side away from the piston rod. The piston rod carries at least part of a housing, which is mounted in the direction of the piston rod-side working space, and where a separating body is supported inside the housing with freedom to slide. The separating body divides the housing into first and second working chambers, where the first working chamber is connected by at least one radial connecting opening to the piston rod-side working space and the second working chamber is connected by a connecting channel to the working space on the side away from the piston rod. At least a part of the housing is connected to the piston rod by a weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Gunnar Burkert, Andreas Forster, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Hans Gonschorrek, Frank MacKert, Thomas Kiefer, Klaus Sauer
  • Publication number: 20040163906
    Abstract: Vibration damper comprising a piston rod, which is guided with freedom of axial movement in a damping medium-filled cylinder and which carries a piston, which divides the cylinder into two working spaces. At least one of the two working spaces has a flow connection leading to a housing, in which a separating element separates at least one chamber from one of the two working spaces, where the volume of the minimum of one chamber in the housing has a size which is variable within defined limits. The separating element executes relative motion with respect to the housing, and is located in a permanent position with respect to the piston rod, whereas the housing is movable with respect to the piston rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Frank Gundermann, Joachim Kuhnel, Christian Bohm, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf
  • Patent number: 5649692
    Abstract: A self-actuating vibration damper for use in a pneumatic suspension system of a motor vehicle having an air spring that defines an air chamber is disclosed. Located within the air chamber is an actuator rod mounted between two air valves. Upon application of a sufficiently heavy load to the vibration damper, a first end of the actuator rod closes the first air valve to prevent release of air from the air chamber to the outside atmosphere, and a second end of the actuator rod opens the second valve to admit compressed air into the air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Joachim Kuhnel, Michael Hurrlein