Patents by Inventor Lars-Theodor THOLE

Lars-Theodor THOLE 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: 11577576
    Abstract: A method for the active roll stabilization of a vehicle (50) by way of a roll stabilizer (30). The roll stabilizer (30) includes a stabilizer rod (32), a stabilizer housing (34) and a stabilizer motor (36), arranged inside the stabilizer housing (34), so that a first end of the stabilizer rod (32) is connected at to a wheel (52) of the vehicle and at a second end thereof is mounted to be rotated by way of the stabilizer motor (36). The method including the steps of obtaining a first set-point value of a rod torque of the stabilizer rod (32); obtaining a second set-point value of a motor rotation angle of the stabilizer motor (36); limiting the second set-point value based on an absolute value and/or a gradient of the first set-point value; and inputting the second set-point value into a control sequence (20) as a guide magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Beller, Axel Bolta, Lars-Theodor Thole
  • Patent number: 11560035
    Abstract: A method for operating an adjustable roll stabilizer for a motor vehicle. The adjustable roll stabilizer has an actuator which relative to a rotational axis can be rotated through a system angle in order to twist two stabilizer sections connected to it about the rotational axis relative to one another. The stabilizer sections are each coupled to a respective wheel suspension at a radial distance away from the rotational axis, and, starting from a target angle to be set at the actuator and having regard to the actual system angle and other parameters of the adjustable roll stabilizer and/or the motor vehicle equipped with it, a position-rotational speed regulator determines a target motor torque on the basis of which a motor of the actuator is controlled, so that having regard to the target angle and the actual system angle, the target motor torque is checked for plausibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Lekon, Lars-Theodor Thole, Axel Bolta, Michael Beller, Mortiz Van Spankeren
  • Patent number: 11248689
    Abstract: Actuator having a spindle drive (1) for a rear wheel steering system, including a spindle (2) with a spindle thread (2a) and a spindle nut (3) with a nut thread (3a). The spindle thread (2a) and the nut thread (3a) are designed as displacement threads and the spindle nut (3) threadedly engages with the axially displaceable spindle (2) by way of the displacement thread. The spindle thread (2a) and the nut thread (3a) are braced against one another, in the longitudinal direction of the spindle (2), by a bracing element (4). The bracing element (4) is in the form of a threaded ring having an internal thread (4a) which engages with the spindle thread (2a). The threaded ring (4) is supported relative to the spindle nut (3) by at least one spring element (5, 6), and the at least one spring element (5, 6) is made of an elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerrit Seevers, Miguel De Carvalho, Lars-Theodor Thole
  • Publication number: 20210061049
    Abstract: A method for operating an adjustable roll stabilizer for a motor vehicle. The adjustable roll stabilizer has an actuator which relative to a rotational axis can be rotated through a system angle in order to twist two stabilizer sections connected to it about the rotational axis relative to one another. The stabilizer sections are each coupled to a respective wheel suspension at a radial distance away from the rotational axis, and, starting from a target angle to be set at the actuator and having regard to the actual system angle and other parameters of the adjustable roll stabilizer and/or the motor vehicle equipped with it, a position-rotational speed regulator determines a target motor torque on the basis of which a motor of the actuator is controlled, so that having regard to the target angle and the actual system angle, the target motor torque is checked for plausibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan LEKON, Lars-Theodor THOLE, Axel BOLTA, Michael BELLER, Mortiz VAN SPANKEREN
  • Publication number: 20210061048
    Abstract: A method for the active roll stabilization of a vehicle (50) by way of a roll stabilizer (30). The roll stabilizer (30) includes a stabilizer rod (32), a stabilizer housing (34) and a stabilizer motor (36), arranged inside the stabilizer housing (34), so that a first end of the stabilizer rod (32) is connected at to a wheel (52) of the vehicle and at a second end thereof is mounted to be rotated by way of the stabilizer motor (36). The method including the steps of obtaining a first set-point value of a rod torque of the stabilizer rod (32); obtaining a second set-point value of a motor rotation angle of the stabilizer motor (36); limiting the second set-point value based on an absolute value and/or a gradient of the first set-point value; and inputting the second set-point value into a control sequence (20) as a guide magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Michael BELLER, Axel BOLTA, Lars-Theodor THOLE
  • Publication number: 20200200242
    Abstract: Actuator having a spindle drive (1) for a rear wheel steering system, including a spindle (2) with a spindle thread (2a) and a spindle nut (3) with a nut thread (3a). The spindle thread (2a) and the nut thread (3a) are designed as displacement threads and the spindle nut (3) threadedly engages with the axially displaceable spindle (2) by way of the displacement thread. The spindle thread (2a) and the nut thread (3a) are braced against one another, in the longitudinal direction of the spindle (2), by a bracing element (4). The bracing element (4) is in the form of a threaded ring having an internal thread (4a) which engages with the spindle thread (2a). The threaded ring (4) is supported relative to the spindle nut (3) by at least one spring element (5, 6), and the at least one spring element (5, 6) is made of an elastomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Gerrit SEEVERS, Miguel DE CARVALHO, Lars-Theodor THOLE