Patents by Inventor Martin Budaker

Martin Budaker 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: 8684128
    Abstract: A steering gear comprises a helical pinion and a helical gear which are mounted in the gear housing and driven by an electric motor, wherein a control unit and a sensor system connected thereto are also disposed in or on the steering gear so as to detect and control the rotor position and/or rotation of the rotor of the electric motor. A section of the shaft of the worm located on the drive side extends in the axial direction and protrudes from the gear housing, wherein the protruding end of the section on the drive side is designed as a rotor shaft of the electric motor, and the control unit and/or the sensor system are disposed on the gear housing. The control unit and the sensor system are preferably disposed on differing sections of the gear housing. This allows a very compact, cost-saving and flexible implementation of the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Bieber, Martin Budaker, Thomas Kuehnhoefer
  • Publication number: 20120061164
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power steering system for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing in which a steering rod is held in an axially movable manner. The steering rod comprises a spindle section which, together with a rotatably mounted recirculating ball nut forms a recirculating ball screw and nut gear. A support bushing is provided between an axial end of the steering rod and the recirculating ball nut, the bushing providing a through-hole for guiding the steering rod through. The inner face of the support bushing which faces the steering rod has a curved contour so that the opening cross-section of the through-hole increases toward the end of the steering rod. The curved contour is adapted to a bending line of the steering rod so that the steering rod, when it comes in contact with the support bushing as a result of a bending load, abuts the curved contour thereof in a planar manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Stephan Wanner, Arthur Rupp
  • Patent number: 7753383
    Abstract: A device for exposing an opening in a housing part of a steering gear in a vehicle steering system has a closure element that closes the opening and a component that, when it comes into contact with a liquid, changes at least one of its properties such that, after the component cooperates with the closure element, the closure element exposes the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Bareis, Martin Budaker, Reiner Kunz, Wolfgang Reuter, Oliver Hetzel, John Hasenclever
  • Patent number: 7682086
    Abstract: A roller bearing assembly for supporting a shaft axially and radially in a rack includes a roller bearing with a carrier, a portion of which is supported at the rack with an element with elastomeric properties being interposed between a support for the rack and the portion of the carrier. In order to indicate a roller bearing, which supports the shaft axially and radially, and makes an inclined position of the shaft possible without causing straining of the system of shaft, roller bearing and rack, the element with elastomeric properties, viewed in the tangential (circumferential) direction of the roller bearing, has at least a first region, the stiffness of which is different from that of the remaining tangential (circumferential) region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Lenksystems GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Michael Jueschke, Roland Winter, Oliver Hetzel, Michael Hauck, Manfred Weller
  • Publication number: 20090133485
    Abstract: A device for exposing an opening in a housing part of a steering gear in a vehicle steering system has a closure element that closes the opening and a component that, when it comes into contact with a liquid, changes at least one of its properties such that, after the component cooperates with the closure element, the closure element exposes the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Bareis, Martin Budaker, Reiner Kunz, Wolfgang Reuter, Oliver Hetzel, John Hasenclever
  • Patent number: 7510045
    Abstract: A power-steering system, e.g., for a motor vehicle, having an electric motor, which transmits a steering-assist force via a belt transmission to a ball-screw transmission for displacing vehicle wheels, includes a cam, via which the ball-screw transmission and/or electric motor is supported in a steering-gear housing. The tension of a belt of the belt transmission is adjustable by rotating the cam in the steering-gear housing. The cam has at least one cutout on the circumference, and/or the steering-gear housing has at least one cutout in its inner wall. A locking element may be inserted into the cutout, in order to fix the cam in position with respect to the steering-gear housing. After being inserted, the locking element is operatively connected to the cam and the steering-gear housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Bareis, Martin Budaker, Oliver Hetzel, Michael Hauck
  • Patent number: 7364005
    Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a shaft that is rotatably mounted on a frame in a bearing, the shaft being functionally linked with a steered wheel for adjusting the steering angle thereof, and a structure for axially positioning the shaft in the frame. In order to allow for the shaft of the steering system to be free of backlash in an inexpensive and simple manner, the structure for axially positioning the shaft is configured as a pressure pad which is axially supported on the frame and on the bearing sitting on the shaft without play and which retains the bearing on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Ralf Dangelmaier, Michael Schmidt, Helmut Knoedler, Jüergen Bieber
  • Publication number: 20080066992
    Abstract: A power steering system with a circulating ball spindle mechanism, an extending element of the circulating ball spindle mechanism being support rotatably over a bearing and the bearing of the element making possible a swiveling motion corresponding to the direction of action of interfering forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Helmut Bareis, Martin Budaker, Michael Jueschke, Roland Winter, Oliver Hetzel, Michael Hauck
  • Publication number: 20080023257
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising an electric motor (10) for boosting the steering effort and a steering column (11). In the steering effort boosting system known from the state of the art the electric motor together with a transmission transmits a torque to the steering column, the electric motor being arranged perpendicularly to the steering column. This arrangement has a relatively large space requirement. It is the object of the invention to save installation space in future. For this reason, according to the invention, the steering column (11) and the electric motor (10) are arranged parallel to or coaxial with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Wolfgang Reuter
  • Publication number: 20070256883
    Abstract: A toothed belt gearing includes a toothed pulley including pulley teeth having a first configuration and a toothed belt including belt teeth having a second configuration. The belt teeth are meshable with the pulley teeth, the first configuration and the second configuration being different from one another and being selected so as to minimize air present in tooth spaces between meshed ones of the belt and pulley teeth as compared to other toothed belt and pulley combinations which share a substantially same tooth configuration, thereby reducing noise radiation resulting from a resonance behavior of the toothed belt normally present in the other toothed belt and pulley combinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Stefan Froehlich, Klaus-Dieter Leimbach, Wolfgang Reuter, Ralf Duschek, Detlef Beck, Andreas Lay, Torsten Hesse, Michael Yankonis
  • Publication number: 20070217725
    Abstract: A roller bearing assembly for supporting a shaft axially and radially in a rack includes a roller bearing with a carrier, a portion of which is supported at the rack with an element with elastomeric properties being interposed between a support for the rack and the portion of the carrier. In order to indicate a roller bearing, which supports the shaft axially and radially, and makes an inclined position of the shaft possible without causing straining of the system of shaft, roller bearing and rack, the element with elastomeric properties, viewed in the tangential (circumferential) direction of the roller bearing, has at least a first region, the stiffness of which is different from that of the remaining tangential (circumferential) region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Michael Jueschke, Roland Winter, Oliver Hetzel, Michael Hauck, Manfred Weller
  • Publication number: 20070209862
    Abstract: A steering system with an electric motor includes a hollow shaft through which a rod is passed, the rod being drivable in the longitudinal direction by the electric motor through a worm gear. An intermediate transmission is provided, which reduces the rpm of the electric motor. The hollow shaft is connected torque-proof with a driving outer contour, which transfers torque to the intermediate transmission. The intermediate transmission has a first gear wheel, an axle of which is supported so as to be stationary, and the outer contour of which transfers torque. The worm of the worm gear is formed on the rod. A nut of the worm gear is drivable by the intermediate transmission. For greater economy of construction of the steering system, a second gear wheel with a torque-transferring outer contour, connected over an intermediate shaft torque-proof with the first gear wheel. The intermediate transmission transfers torque to an outer contour, which is connected torque-proof with the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Guenther Breu, Andreas Lay, John Hasenclever, Michael Hauck
  • Publication number: 20070204711
    Abstract: A ball bearing helical gearing for an electromechanical steering system of a vehicle includes a threaded spindle and a nut. The threaded spindle and nut are provided with ball bearing raceways for jointly accommodating load-transferring ball bearings inside the nut, and the nut has ball bearing routing parts for guiding out and introducing the ball bearings into the ball bearing raceways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Klaus-Dieter Leimbach, Walter Bulling, Oliver Hetzel
  • Publication number: 20070151378
    Abstract: A power-steering system, e.g., for a motor vehicle, having an electric motor, which transmits a steering-assist force via a belt transmission to a ball-screw transmission for displacing vehicle wheels, includes a cam, via which the ball-screw transmission and/or electric motor is supported in a steering-gear housing. The tension of a belt of the belt transmission is adjustable by rotating the cam in the steering-gear housing. The cam has at least one cutout on the circumference, and/or the steering-gear housing has at least one cutout in its inner wall. A locking element may be inserted into the cutout, in order to fix the cam in position with respect to the steering-gear housing. After being inserted, the locking element is operatively connected to the cam and the steering-gear housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Helmut Bareis, Martin Budaker, Oliver Hetzel, Michael Hauck
  • Publication number: 20060278465
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering system (1) for a vehicle, comprising a shaft (4) that is rotatably mounted on a frame (3) in a bearing (2), said shaft being functionally linked with a steered wheel for adjusting the steering angle thereof, and a means (5) for axially positioning the shaft (4) in the frame (3). In order to allow for the shaft (4) of the steering system (1) to be free of backlash in an inexpensive and simple manner, the means (5) for axially positioning the shaft (4) is configured as a pressure pad (6) which is axially supported on the frame (3) and on the bearing (2) sitting on the shaft (4) without play and which retains the bearing (2) on the frame (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Ralf Dangelmaier, Michael Schmidt, Helmut Knoedler, Juergen Bieber
  • Publication number: 20060170415
    Abstract: A device is for measuring an angular movement in a vehicle steering system. A shaft, whose angular movement is to be measured, is rotationally mounted in a frame. Positioned on the shaft is an axially displaceable element, which is connected to the shaft via a geared connection that converts the angular movement of the shaft into a longitudinal movement. The geared connection may be a screw thread or a screw-like, sliding-block guide or a recirculating ball screw, etc. The axially displaceable element is axially guided with the aid of a longitudinal guide prestressed in the radial direction and, in particular, by a frame-side component of the longitudinal guide. A detection device made up of a transducer on the axially displaceable element and a sensor on the frame detects the longitudinal movement of the axially displaceable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Michael Haegele, Markus Heger, Michael Ochs
  • Patent number: 6948584
    Abstract: A steering system, e.g., a hydraulic rack and pinion steering system for motor vehicles, includes a steering handle for prescribing a steering intention, a pressure medium source and a control valve device for controlling a flow of pressure medium to and from a servomotor in order to deflect vehicle wheels. The control valve device has a closed center, and a pressure medium accumulator is provided for producing and/or assisting a flow of pressure medium to and from the servomotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Wilfried Leutner, Helmut Knoedler
  • Patent number: 6830267
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column having two locating couplings which are arranged opposite one another and have, in each case, two coupling parts able to be brought in contact, a pressure element being arranged between the mutually corresponding, medial coupling parts belonging to different couplings, while the two other outer coupling parts are interconnected by a tension element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Gerhard Seitz
  • Patent number: 6810985
    Abstract: A steering device for a vehicle includes an electric motor. A drive element pertaining to the electric motor acts directly upon a connecting rod via a gear and a helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Walter Kogel
  • Publication number: 20040149509
    Abstract: A steering system, in particular a hydraulic rack and pinion steering system for motor vehicles, has the following features:
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Wilfried Leutner, Helmut Knoedler