Patents by Inventor Paul Zandbergen
Paul Zandbergen 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: 11801741Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle frame having a middle section, a front-section vehicle-forward of the middle section, and a rear section vehicle-rearward of the middle section. The middle section has frame rails spaced from each other and cross-beams extending from one frame rail toward the other frame rail. The frame rails each having a vehicle-forward end and a vehicle-rearward end. The assembly includes one or more electric-vehicle batteries. At least one of the batteries is in one of the cross-beams. The assembly includes two front nodes between and directly connected to the middle section and the front section and two rear nodes between and directly connected to the middle section and the rear section.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul Zandbergen, Rainer Souschek
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Publication number: 20230062143Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle frame having a middle section, a front-section vehicle-forward of the middle section, and a rear section vehicle-rearward of the middle section. The middle section has frame rails spaced from each other and cross-beams extending from one frame rail toward the other frame rail. The frame rails each having a vehicle-forward end and a vehicle-rearward end. The assembly includes one or more electric-vehicle batteries. At least one of the batteries is in one of the cross-beams. The assembly includes two front nodes between and directly connected to the middle section and the front section and two rear nodes between and directly connected to the middle section and the rear section.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul Zandbergen, Rainer Souschek
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Patent number: 11370259Abstract: A bearing eye for a leaf spring for sprung support of a vehicle component on a vehicle body of a vehicle may include a through opening and a torsion spring therein, and a first catch. The bearing eye may provide pivotable mounting of the leaf spring on the vehicle body. The torsion spring is twistable relative to the bearing eye and connectable non-rotatably to the vehicle body. The first catch may project radially inwardly into the through opening, and the torsion spring has a second catch that projects radially outwardly into the through opening. The first and second catches may form a locking engagement which, depending on a degree of relative twisting between the bearing eye and the torsion spring, stops the relative twisting.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jacopo Palandri, Rainer Souschek, Ralf Hintzen, Alberto Girelli Consolaro, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim, Bjoern Reff, Thomas Gerhards, Paul Zandbergen
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Patent number: 11072215Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel suspension having a wheel carrier connected to the vehicle body or frame. The suspension having a lower transverse link. The wheel carrier connected to the lower transverse carrier at two connection locations. A first connection location on a first side wall of the wheel carrier and second connection location on a second side wall of the wheel carrier. The first connection location including a connector connected to both the lower transverse and the wheel carrier. The second connection location including a connection between the wheel carrier and the lower transverse link.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2017Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy Drotar, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Paul Zandbergen, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
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Publication number: 20210155064Abstract: A bearing eye for a leaf spring for sprung support of a vehicle component on a vehicle body of a vehicle may include a through opening and a torsion spring therein, and a first catch. The bearing eye may provide pivotable mounting of the leaf spring on the vehicle body. The torsion spring is twistable relative to the bearing eye and connectable non-rotatably to the vehicle body. The first catch may project radially inwardly into the through opening, and the torsion spring has a second catch that projects radially outwardly into the through opening. The first and second catches may form a locking engagement which, depending on a degree of relative twisting between the bearing eye and the torsion spring, stops the relative twisting.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2020Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Jacopo Palandri, Rainer Souschek, Ralf Hintzen, Alberto Girelli Consolaro, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim, Bjoern Reff, Thomas Gerhards, Paul Zandbergen
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Patent number: 11007835Abstract: The disclosure concerns a spring assembly with a leaf spring. The leaf spring extends in a vehicle longitudinal axis, supports a vehicle axle and is connected at least indirectly to a vehicle superstructure at a front end and at a rear end. In order to provide a wheel suspension with advantageous springing and damping behavior that is optimized with regard to weight and complexity, according to the disclosure it is provided that at least one damping region, which is at least partially fluid-filled, is integrated in the leaf spring.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Rainer Souschek, Thomas Gerhards, Paul Zandbergen, Alberto Girelli Consolaro, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
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Patent number: 10940729Abstract: A motor vehicle multi-link axle having wheel suspension including a lower transverse link and an upper transverse link. A leaf spring extending transversely to a direction of travel of the vehicle and below the upper transverse link. A link element connects an end of the leaf spring to the upper transverse link. The link element having a first connection, connected to the upper transverse link, and a second connection, connected to the leaf spring. The link element adjustable to vary the distance between the first connection and the second connection. The multi-link axle may also include a connecting element that connects the second connection point of the link element to a connection point of the leaf spring, with the connecting adjustable to vary the distance between the second connection point of the link element and the connection point of the connecting element to the leaf spring.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christoph Meier, Alberto Girelli Consolaro, Paul Zandbergen, Ivica Papic
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Patent number: 10933919Abstract: A mount located in a wheel housing of a motor vehicle, the mount receiving an upper end of a shock absorber. The mount has a plurality of upper receiving points each mounting point for allowing a different shock absorber orientation.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ralf Hintzen, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim, Daniel Mainz, Timothy Drotar, Paul Zandbergen, Nicole Zandbergen
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Patent number: 10933708Abstract: A longitudinal leaf spring device for suspending a motor vehicle body or chassis on a vehicle axle thereof. Leaf spring device including an elongated leaf spring unit, a coupling device connecting the leaf spring unit to the vehicle axle, and suspension unit arranged in a substantially vertical direction between a chassis and the axle. The suspension unit including suspension elements providing a spring-back force in the vertical direction and producing an active connection between the chassis and the axle when the distance between the chassis and axle exceeds a predetermined first deflection depth.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Wolfgang David, Paul Zandbergen, Thomas Gerhards, Ralf Hintzen, Marc Simon, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
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Patent number: 10894455Abstract: A motor vehicle rear suspension includes left and right trailing links mounted, at respective forward ends thereof, to a vehicle body for pivoting movement about a transversely-extending axis. The trailing links extend rearward from the axis, and each has a wheel carrier attached thereto adjacent a rear end thereof. Left and right leaf springs are fixed, at respective forward ends thereof, to the vehicle body and extend rearward therefrom alongside and generally parallel with their respective trailing links. Rear ends of the leaf springs contact their respective trailing links and applying spring-force thereto.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Gerhards, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Rainer Souschek, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim, Paul Zandbergen
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Patent number: 10807426Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-link rear suspension for a motor vehicle, having at least one transverse leaf spring arranged on the motor vehicle to extend in the transverse vehicle direction and having ends which operatively act on left and right wheel carriers to cushion a vehicle structure of the motor vehicle with respect to the wheel-carriers. The transverse leaf spring also serves as a stabilizer, thereby replacing dedicated stabilizer. In order to provide a multi-link rear suspension which is optimized in terms of structural space and which is lightweight, the multi-link rear has exclusively transverse links for guiding the wheel-carriers.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alberto Girelli Consolaro, Paul Zandbergen, Daniel Mainz, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim, Thomas Gerhards, Ralf Hintzen, Rainer Souschek, Brian Chen
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Publication number: 20200282788Abstract: Vehicle integral bushing rear suspension systems are disclosed. An example rear wheel suspension includes a wheel carrier configured to mount a wheel of a vehicle, the wheel rotatable about a rotational axis, a lower transverse control arm coupled to the wheel carrier below the rotational axis, the lower transverse control arm including a first joint to be disposed on a vehicle structure and a second joint to be disposed on the vehicle structure, the second joint displaced from the first joint along a longitudinal axis, a camber transverse control arm coupled to the wheel carrier above the rotational axis, and a track transverse control arm coupled to the wheel carrier in front of the rotational axis, wherein the lower transverse control arm, the camber transverse control arm and the track transverse control arm couple the wheel carrier to the vehicle structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim, Timothy Drotar, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Paul Zandbergen, Steve Scott Allen
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Patent number: 10744835Abstract: A suspension for a wheeled vehicle includes a leaf spring extending longitudinally relative to the vehicle and having first and second lugs protruding downward therefrom. The lugs are spaced from one another a length of the leaf spring to define a pocket therebetween. An axle passes perpendicularly beneath the leaf spring such that a portion of the axle is disposed in the pocket and is clamped between the lugs. The lugs may be fabricated integrally with the leaf spring.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ralf Hintzen, Paul Zandbergen, Thomas Gerhards, Rainer Souschek, Daniel Mainz, Friedrich Wolf-Monheim, Alberto Girelli Consolaro
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Patent number: 10663023Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hybrid lightweight brake disk and a method for producing the hybrid lightweight brake disk. The hybrid lightweight brake disk includes a brake chamber and a friction ring with at least one circular, outer friction surface. The method provides a brake chamber that includes a material containing an aluminum-forged alloy and a friction ring having a rapidly solidified aluminum alloy built up on an edge region of the brake chamber by using a laser deposition welding process or a 3D-printing process.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul Zandbergen, Maik Broda, Raphael Koch, Clemens Verpoort
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Patent number: 10406879Abstract: A wheel suspension unit for a motor vehicle having a longitudinal link, having a first end for pivotable vehicle-side connection, a second end for connection to a wheel carrier, and a blade-like link portion resilient in the direction of the transverse axis (Y) and rigid transversely relative thereto. The wheel suspension reduces the number of components by providing a longitudinal link having a resilient portion resilient toward the longitudinal axis (X), wherein the longitudinal link is at least partially produced from a fiber-reinforced plastics material.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nicole Zandbergen, Rainer Souschek, Thomas Gerhards, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Paul Zandbergen, Alberto Girelli Consolaro, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
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Publication number: 20190176554Abstract: A motor vehicle multi-link axle having wheel suspension including a lower transverse link and an upper transverse link. A leaf spring extending transversely to a direction of travel of the vehicle and below the upper transverse link. A link element connects an end of the leaf spring to the upper transverse link. The link element having a first connection, connected to the upper transverse link, and a second connection, connected to the leaf spring. The link element adjustable to vary the distance between the first connection and the second connection. The multi-link axle may also include a connecting element that connects the second connection point of the link element to a connection point of the leaf spring, with the connecting adjustable to vary the distance between the second connection point of the link element and the connection point of the connecting element to the leaf spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christoph Meier, Alberto Girelli Consolaro, Paul Zandbergen, Ivica Papic
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Publication number: 20190168560Abstract: A longitudinal leaf spring device for suspending a motor vehicle body or chassis on a vehicle axle thereof. Leaf spring device including an elongated leaf spring unit, a coupling device connecting the leaf spring unit to the vehicle axle, and suspension unit arranged in a substantially vertical direction between a chassis and the axle. The suspension unit including suspension elements providing a spring-back force in the vertical direction and producing an active connection between the chassis and the axle when the distance between the chassis and axle exceeds a predetermined first deflection depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Wolfgang David, Paul Zandbergen, Thomas Gerhards, Ralf Hintzen, Marc Simon, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
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Publication number: 20190160904Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension including a spring unit suspending a vehicle wheel on a vehicle body. The spring unit including a leaf spring portion extending along a Y-axis. The spring unit including a wheel carrier portion receiving a vehicle wheel. The wheel carrier portion at an end or outboard side of the leaf spring portion. The wheel carrier portion extending transversely to the leaf spring portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Gerhards, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Rainer Souschek, Paul Zandbergen, Alberto Girelli Consolaro, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
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Publication number: 20190143774Abstract: A motor vehicle rear suspension includes left and right trailing links mounted, at respective forward ends thereof, to a vehicle body for pivoting movement about a transversely-extending axis. The trailing links extend rearward from the axis, and each has a wheel carrier attached thereto adjacent a rear end thereof. Left and right leaf springs are fixed, at respective forward ends thereof, to the vehicle body and extend rearward therefrom alongside and generally parallel with their respective trailing links. Rear ends of the leaf springs contact their respective trailing links and applying spring-force thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas GERHARDS, Ralf HINTZEN, Daniel MAINZ, Rainer SOUSCHEK, Friedrich Peter WOLF-MONHEIM, Paul ZANDBERGEN
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Publication number: 20190118601Abstract: A suspension for a wheeled vehicle includes a leaf spring extending longitudinally relative to the vehicle and having first and second lugs protruding downward therefrom. The lugs are spaced from one another a length of the leaf spring to define a pocket therebetween. An axle passes perpendicularly beneath the leaf spring such that a portion of the axle is disposed in the pocket and is clamped between the lugs. The lugs may be fabricated integrally with the leaf spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Ralf HINTZEN, Paul ZANDBERGEN, Thomas GERHARDS, Rainer SOUSCHEK, Daniel MAINZ, Friedrich WOLF-MONHEIM, Alberto GIRELLI CONSOLARO