Patents by Inventor Matthias Zink
Matthias Zink 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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Publication number: 20240351604Abstract: A method for model-based predictive control (MPC) of a motor vehicle includes executing an MPC algorithm having a high level solver module, a longitudinal dynamics model, and a cost function dedicated to the high level solver module. By executing the high level solver module for an upcoming route segment while taking the longitudinal dynamics model into account, a speed trajectory is calculated that minimizes the cost function, according to which the motor vehicle is to travel within a prediction horizon. The method includes sending the speed trajectory to a human-machine interface as an input value, processing the speed trajectory to obtain a control signal in the human-machine interface, and outputting the control signal to a driver of the motor vehicle with the human-machine interface, such that the driver can control the motor vehicle in accordance with the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2021Publication date: October 24, 2024Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Timo Wehlen, Timon Busse, Valerie Engel, Lorenz Fischer, Matthias Zink, Raffael Selegrad, Andreas Wendzel
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Patent number: 11383646Abstract: A viewing system for a vehicle having a towing vehicle (5) and a trailer (6) pivotally mounted on the towing vehicle (5), with a first acquisition device (2a, 2b) for capturing first image data of a first area; a second acquisition device (3a, 3b) for capturing second image data of a second area overlapping the first area, wherein the first and second acquisition devices (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) have different optical characteristics; a device (4a, 4b) for processing the first and second image data to extract first (7) and second (8) image areas; display (1a, 1b) for same-filed displaying the image areas; a pivot angle determining device to determine pivot angle between towing vehicle (5) and trailer (6); and a display switch for switching display of the first area and second area on a switching condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: MEKRA LANG GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Werner Lang, Stefan Bauer, Andreas Enz, Matthias Zink
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Publication number: 20210291738Abstract: A viewing system for a vehicle having a towing vehicle (5) and a trailer (6) pivotally mounted on the towing vehicle (5), with a first acquisition device (2a, 2b) for capturing first image data of a first area; a second acquisition device (3a, 3b) for capturing second image data of a second area overlapping the first area, wherein the first and second acquisition devices (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) have different optical characteristics; a device (4a, 4b) for processing the first and second image data to extract first (7) and second (8) image areas; display (1a, 1b) for same-filed displaying the image areas; a pivot angle determining device to determine pivot angle between towing vehicle (5) and trailer (6); and a display switch for switching display of the first area and second area on a switching condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Werner LANG, Stefan BAUER, Andreas ENZ, Matthias ZINK
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Patent number: 10363793Abstract: A novel housing for an electronic device is located in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The housing is used to maintain the temperature of the electronic device within its operating temperature range. The housing includes air inlets and outlets through which the temperature-regulated air current from the air conditioning system of the vehicle passes. The temperature-regulated air currents from the air conditioning system that are used to maintain a comfortable temperature in the passenger compartment are also used to regulate the temperature of the electronic device. Thus, the housing allows the temperature of the electronic device to be regulated exclusively using the air current from the air conditioning system. The air duct from the air conditioning system can be connected directly to the housing or can end a distance from the housing so that the air current from the duct is directed to strike the outside of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2013Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Werner Lang, Stefan Bauer, Simon Deffner, Sebastian Heger, Matthias Zink
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Patent number: 10160401Abstract: A device for monitoring vehicles surroundings includes a sensor, a sensor holder and a fastener. Due to manufacturing tolerances, the sensor axis that passes through the head of the sensor deviates from the axis of the sensor main body. The sensor head passes into an opening in the sensor holder centered around a sensor holding axis. When the sensor is mounted into a receiver niche in the sensor holder, the sensor holding axis and the sensor axis are aligned. The fastener fastens the sensor to the sensor holder and compensates for the sensor axis deviating from the main body axis. Screws pass through bore holes in the fastener and into screw holes in the sensor holder. The bore holes have a larger diameter than do the screw holes, allowing the sensor axis to be aligned with the sensor holding axis despite the sensor axis deviating from the main body axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Werner Lang, Elmar Finkenberger, Simon Deffner, Matthias Zink
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Patent number: 9973664Abstract: An external camera device for a motor vehicle prevents condensation on the camera optics by thermally coupling the optics to an air stream from the vehicle's ventilation system. The camera optics are disposed adjacent to an optical window in a camera holder that is attached to an outer surface of the motor vehicle. A flow channel guides the air stream through the camera holder. An inlet of the flow channel is connected to the ventilation system, and the flow channel is thermally coupled to the camera optics. The device is mounted onto the vehicle through a mounting surface of the camera holder. The inlet of the flow channel passes through the mounting surface. The outlet of the flow channel can either pass through the mounting surface or exit adjacent to the optical window, in which case a fluid-guide element guides the air stream from the outlet towards the optical window.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Werner Lang, Matthias Zink
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Patent number: 9868398Abstract: A socket joint for carrying a mirror head or indirect vision system on a support tube to be mounted to a vehicle and a mirror or indirect vision arrangement comprising such socket joint and a mirror head or indirect vision system is provided. The socket joint comprises a support tube with at least one opening to be attached to a vehicle, a joint base contacting the support tube, at least one anchor extending through said at least one opening in said support tube, and at least one fastener engaging the at least one anchor and extending through a fastening hole in the joint base into the anchor. By the engagement of the fastener in or with the anchor, the portion of the anchor located within the support tube engages an interior surface of said support tube and said support tube is clamped between anchor and joint base.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rolf Reitz de Swardt, Alexandre Petroff, Andreas Enz, Matthias Zink, Orhan Kilic, Werner Lang
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Publication number: 20160207463Abstract: A socket joint for carrying a mirror head or indirect vision system on a support tube (2) to be mounted to a vehicle and a mirror or indirect vision arrangement comprising such socket joint and a mirror head or indirect vision system is provided. The socket joint comprises a support tube (2) with at least one opening (7) to be attached to a vehicle, a joint base (4) contacting the support tube (2), at least one anchor (6) extending through said at least one opening (7) in said support tube (2), and at least one fastener (8) engaging the at least one anchor (6) and extending through a fastening hole (11) in the joint base (4) into the anchor (6). By the engagement of the fastener (8) in or with the anchor (6), the portion of the anchor (6) located within the support tube (2) engages an interior surface of said support tube (2) and said support tube (2) is clamped between anchor (6) and joint base (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2014Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Rolf Reitz de Swardt, Alexandre Petroff, Andreas Enz, Matthias Zink, Orhan Kilic, Werner Lang
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Publication number: 20160016516Abstract: A mounting device for an indirect vision system of a vehicle includes a support arm attached to the vehicle, an imaging device such as a mirror glass and a carrier member onto which the imaging device is mounted. The carrier member includes thermoplastic melt-processable material that is molded around a fixing area of the support arm such that the thermoplastic material completely seals and circumferentially surrounds the fixing area of the support arm. Except in the fixing area, the cross section of the support arm is circular. For example, in the fixing area the support arm is oval or kidney shaped or has a groove into which the thermoplastic material enters as the material is molded around the fixing area. In the fixing area, the support arm has various gripping surfaces or protruding pins or bolts that improve the axial positional fixing of the carrier member to the support arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Werner Lang, Georg Hecht, Matthias Zink, Orhan Kilic
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Publication number: 20150274091Abstract: A device for monitoring vehicles surroundings includes a sensor, a sensor holder and a fastener. Due to manufacturing tolerances, the sensor axis that passes through the head of the sensor deviates from the axis of the sensor main body. The sensor head passes into an opening in the sensor holder centered around a sensor holding axis. When the sensor is mounted into a receiver niche in the sensor holder, the sensor holding axis and the sensor axis are aligned. The fastener fastens the sensor to the sensor holder and compensates for the sensor axis deviating from the main body axis. Screws pass through bore holes in the fastener and into screw holes in the sensor holder. The bore holes have a larger diameter than do the screw holes, allowing the sensor axis to be aligned with the sensor holding axis despite the sensor axis deviating from the main body axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Werner Lang, Elmar Finkenberger, Simon Deffner, Matthias Zink
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Publication number: 20140247353Abstract: A viewing system for displaying to a driver inside a vehicle cabin an outside field surrounding the vehicle includes a deflection device, a recording device, a carrier arm and a reproduction device. The carrier arm is attached to an outer wall of the vehicle. The recording device is disposed in a first part of the carrier arm, and the deflection device is disposed in the second part of the carrier arm. The recording device is separated by a distance from the deflection device. The deflection device is disposed farther from the outer wall of the vehicle than is the recording device. The reproduction device is disposed inside the vehicle, and the deflection device is disposed outside the vehicle. The deflection device reflects an image of the outside field surrounding the vehicle onto the recording device, the recording device records the image, and the reproduction device displays the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Werner Lang, Matthias Zink
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Publication number: 20140036079Abstract: An external camera device for a motor vehicle prevents condensation on the camera optics by thermally coupling the optics to an air stream from the vehicle's ventilation system. The camera optics are disposed adjacent to an optical window in a camera holder that is attached to an outer surface of the motor vehicle. A flow channel guides the air stream through the camera holder. An inlet of the flow channel is connected to the ventilation system, and the flow channel is thermally coupled to the camera optics. The device is mounted onto the vehicle through a mounting surface of the camera holder. The inlet of the flow channel passes through the mounting surface. The outlet of the flow channel can either pass through the mounting surface or exit adjacent to the optical window, in which case a fluid-guide element guides the air stream from the outlet towards the optical window.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Werner Lang, Matthias Zink
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Publication number: 20130273824Abstract: A novel housing for an electronic device is located in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The housing is used to maintain the temperature of the electronic device within its operating temperature range. The housing includes air inlets and outlets through which the temperature-regulated air current from the air conditioning system of the vehicle passes. The temperature-regulated air currents from the air conditioning system that are used to maintain a comfortable temperature in the passenger compartment are also used to regulate the temperature of the electronic device. Thus, the housing allows the temperature of the electronic device to be regulated exclusively using the air current from the air conditioning system. The air duct from the air conditioning system can be connected directly to the housing or can end a distance from the housing so that the air current from the duct is directed to strike the outside of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Werner Lang, Stefan Bauer, Simon Deffner, Sebastian Heger, Matthias Zink
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Patent number: 8408373Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch unit, which has two subunits. One subunit is connected to the output shaft of an engine, and the other subunit is pre-mounted on the side of the transmission. Both subunits are coupled to one another via an axial plug-type connection, which includes meshing first profiles and second profiles.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Philippe Mih, Bin Zhou, Matthias Zink
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Patent number: 8177905Abstract: A fluidizing admixture for use with sprayable cementitious compostions, the admixture consists of 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid and at least one selected polymer derived from ethylenically-unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids. Citric acid may optionally be present. The admixture has good fluidizing properties and outstanding shelf-life.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Construction Research & Technology GmbHInventors: Gerhard Albrecht, Max Oppliger, Qiwei Yang, Hubertus Matthias Zink
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Patent number: 7950321Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a master cylinder having a housing, a piston axially movably disposed in the housing, and a piston rod, the piston bounding a pressure chamber filled with a hydraulic fluid, the piston upon actuation of the master cylinder being axially moved by the piston rod to pressurize the hydraulic fluid; an actuating device for moving the piston rod; a slave cylinder; a pressure-medium line connecting the master cylinder and slave cylinder; and at least one damping element arranged between the actuating device and the slave cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Roland Welter, Urban Panther, Wolfgang Sulger, Matthias Zink, Dirk Kluender, Markus Hausner
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Patent number: 7946630Abstract: A hydraulic system, especially for motor vehicles includes a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a pressure medium line connected thereto. The invention provides a hydraulic system which is simple or economical to produce by virtue of the fact that the hydraulic system includes at least one hydraulic plug-type connection with a plug connector and a socket contact and the plug connector includes an abutment and a sealing element which are made of different materials and which are connected together in a material fit.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Udo Popp, Roland Welter, Matthias Zink, Rudolf Hoenemann, Markus Heitbaum, Urban Panther, Jan Grabenstaetter
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Publication number: 20100130647Abstract: A fluidising admixture for use with sprayable cementitious compostions, the admixture consists of 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid and at least one selected polymer derived from ethylenically-unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids. Citric acid may optionally be present. The admixture has good fluidising properties and outstanding shelf-life.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Gerhard Albrecht, Max Oppliger, Qiwei Yang, Hubertus Matthias Zink
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Publication number: 20090250301Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch unit, which has two subunits. One subunit is connected to the output shaft of an engine, and the other subunit is pre-mounted on the side of the transmission. Both subunits are coupled to one another via an axial plug-type connection, which includes meshing first profiles and second profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KGInventors: Philippe MIH, Bin ZHOU, Matthias ZINK
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Patent number: 7465252Abstract: A hydraulic actuation system, especially for actuating the clutch of a vehicle, containing a master cylinder unit, a slave cylinder unit, a hydraulic medium line connecting the two cylinder units and a throttle valve which is used to alter the flow resistance between the cylinders of the master cylinder unit and the slave cylinder unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Inventors: Roland Welter, Matthias Zink, Henry Hahn, Udo Popp, Markus Hausner