Patents by Inventor Thomas Rosemeier

Thomas Rosemeier 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).

  • Publication number: 20120196716
    Abstract: A transmission device for distributing drive torque between two output shafts. The device comprises three planetary gearsets (2, 3, 11). An input shaft is connected to a first element of gearsets (2, 3). The output shafts each couple a second element of gearsets (2, 3). A third element of gearset (2) couples a first element of gearset (11) and is connectable, via brake (14), to the housing. A third element of gearset (3) is connectable, via brake (17), to the housing and, via a claw shifting element (24), to a second element of gearset (11). A third element of gearset (11) couples the housing. Claw shifting elements (24, 18) couple the brakes (14, 17) such that, to engage brakes (14, 17), the claw shifting elements are first coupled to the first element of gearset (11) or the third element of gearset (3), and then the brakes are engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Thomas ROSEMEIER
  • Patent number: 8182386
    Abstract: A transmission device with at least two output shafts and at least two multi-shaft planetary gearsets that are actively connected with one another. A shaft of a planetary gearset can be actively connected with an output shaft. In addition, a shifting mechanism, located between the two output shafts, shifts between a first power path or a second power path. In one of the planetary gearsets, torque from an electric machine can be transmitted along either the first or the second power path. In the first power path, torque from the electric machine is transmitted to the two output shafts in equal parts and with the same sign. In the second power path, torque is transmitted to the two output shafts in equal parts but with opposite signs. The planetary gearset, in the area of which the torque from the electric machine can be transmitted, is a simple negative planetary gearset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Bernd-Robert Hohn, Christoph Pelchen
  • Publication number: 20120037472
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a form-locking shift element which can at least be shifter between two shifting positions, of a transmission device having a drive device and a drive converter device for converting rotational drive motion of the drive device into translatory motion of the form-locking shift element. Two transmission shafts are interconnected, by way of the shift element, in a rotationally fixed manner in one shifting position, and are decoupled from one another in another shifting position. The drive converter device comprises a first component having at least one control curve, and a second component that is operatively connected to the first component which, in the region of the control curve, are connected to a component of the form-locking shift element, which is connected to one of the transmission shafts in a rotationally fixed manner and is axially displaceable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Christoph Pelchen, Bernd-Robert Hohn
  • Publication number: 20110147109
    Abstract: A drive train arrangement for a vehicle comprising a main transmission and a transfer box which are both housed within a transmission housing. The transfer box comprises a drive output which is connected to a rear axle differential transmission and connectable, by a torque transmission element and a connecting shaft, to a front axle differential transmission. The connecting shaft is arranged at a predetermined angle relative to the drive output shaft of the main transmission. The end of the connecting shaft, facing toward the front axle differential transmission, is actively connected to the front axle differential transmission. The front axle differential transmission is fixed to the vehicle by at least one adaptor device allowing the front axle differential transmission to be adapted to a variety of arrangement positions along the rotation axis of the connection shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Mair, Thomas Rosemeier, Dietmar Gehring, Detlef Baasch, Lothar Beigang, Manfred Geier
  • Publication number: 20110132713
    Abstract: A shift element which, when actuated, can conduct at least first and second components (41, 42) into force-transmitting and releasable connection. The shift element comprises at least one deformation member (1) that can be actuated and which consists at least in part of a dielectric polymer by which the shift element can be actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Erwin Biegger, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Publication number: 20110039650
    Abstract: A transmission device with at least two output shafts and at least two multi-shaft planetary gearsets that are actively connected with one another. A shaft of a planetary gearset can be actively connected with an output shaft. In addition, a shifting mechanism, located between the two output shafts, shifts between a first power path or a second power path. In one of the planetary gearsets, torque from an electric machine can be transmitted along either the first or the second power path. In the first power path, torque from the electric machine is transmitted to the two output shafts in equal parts and with the same sign. In the second power path, torque is transmitted to the two output shafts in equal parts but with opposite signs. The planetary gearset, in the area of which the torque from the electric machine can be transmitted, is a simple negative planetary gearset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Bernd-Robert Hohn, Christoph Pelchen
  • Publication number: 20100323837
    Abstract: A transmission device, for a motor vehicle, with at least two drive output shafts and two multi-shaft planetary gearsets in active connection with one another. A shaft of a planetary gearset is actively connected with an output shaft and is shifted, between first and second power paths, such that in the first power path, torque of an electric machine is transmitted in equal parts and with the same sign to the output shafts, and in the second power path, torque is transmitted in equal parts but with different signs. One of the two planetary gearsets is made as a four-shaft, reduced coupling transmission with two sun gears and a common planetary gear carrier with radially inner and outer planetary gears that mesh with one another, and which are engaged, on the one hand, with the sun gears and, on the other hand, with a rotationally fixed ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Bernd-Robert Hohn, Christoph Pelchen
  • Publication number: 20100323838
    Abstract: A transmission device with at least two output shafts and at least two multi-shaft planetary gearsets being actively connected. A shaft of each gearset can be actively connected with an output shaft. A shifting mechanism is provided, between the two output shafts, for shifting between a first power path and a second power path. In the area of a further shaft of one of the planetary gearsets, torque from an electric machine flows along the first or the second power path. When the first power path is engaged, the torque from the electric machine flows in equal parts and with the same sign to the two output shafts, and when the second power path is engaged, the torque flows to the two output shafts in equal parts but with opposite signs. A motor output shaft of the electric machine is arranged perpendicularly to one of the two output shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Bernd-Robert Hohn, Christoph Pelchen
  • Patent number: 7793749
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a vehicle with a drive engine, a brake system, at least two vehicle cross-shafts of a first vehicle axle with at least two wheels. The cross-shafts being actively connected via a transverse distributor gear and being driven by the engine. The vehicle also possibly having a second vehicle axle with at least two wheels. Frictional shift elements of the first vehicle axle, between the wheels of the first vehicle axle and the transverse distributor gear, are provided for variable distribution, to the first vehicle axle, of the fraction of the drive torque from the engine in the transverse direction of the vehicle between the two wheels. A desired yaw torque is determined. The drive engine, brake system and shift elements are controlled such that the desired yaw torque is produced essentially without changing the positive forward drive of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Thomas Rosemeier, Christoph Pelchen
  • Patent number: 7766354
    Abstract: A wheel suspension is provided for a vehicle (7), with a carrier element (5), a wheel carrier (1) arranged at a spaced location from the carrier element (5) and a wheel (14) mounted rotatably on the wheel carrier (1). The wheel carrier (1) is connected to the carrier element (5) via a first guide (3; 17) and a first pivotable connection (10) and the wheel carrier (1) is connected to the carrier element (5) via a second guide (2; 4) and a second pivotable connection (8; 12). A first angle-measuring device (27, 28) is integrated in the first pivotable connection (10) and a second angle-measuring device (44, 45) is integrated in the second pivotable connection (8; 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Metin Ersoy, Andreas Gärtner, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Publication number: 20100137095
    Abstract: A variable-ratio transmission for distributing a drive torque to at least two drive output shafts (8, 9), comprising a conventional differential (1) is proposed, which comprises an electric motor (5) for distributing the drive torque directly between the drive output shafts (8, 9) and a plus planetary gearset (2) that serves as a variable-ratio unit, such that the plus planetary gearset (2) is arranged coaxially with a drive input shaft (8), the outer sun gear (3) of the plus planetary gearset (2) is connected to the output (8), on the side of the differential (1) facing toward the planetary gearset (2), and the web (4) of the planetary gearset (2) is connected to the electric motor (5), and such that the inner sun gear (6) of the planetary gearset (2) is connected by a countershaft (7) to the other drive output shaft (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Christoph Pelchen, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Patent number: 7601086
    Abstract: A vehicle is described, with a drive engine arranged in the transverse direction of the vehicle, with vehicle cross-shafts of a vehicle axle that can be driven by the drive engine and with a transmission unit for the variable distribution of the drive torque from the drive engine in the vehicle's transverse direction between wheels connected to the vehicle cross-shafts. The transmission unit has an input shaft and two output shafts, with two planetary gearsets and an electric machine arranged between two interconnected shafts of the planetary gearsets for the variable distribution of the torque delivered by the input shaft between the two output shafts as a function of torque produced by the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Christoph Pelchen, Ulrich Mair, Detlef Baasch
  • Publication number: 20090163314
    Abstract: A transmission device for distributing drive torque to two output shafts, including a differential with a driven differential cage. The outputs are connected to the differential, in which, between the differential cage and the output of one side, viewed in the direction of the flow of force, two plus-planetary gear trains are arranged adjacent and co-axial with the output. The gear trains have first and second sun gears, first and second planetary ranges with the first sun gear being connected to the differential and the second sun gear being connected with the first sun gear and the output. The segment of the planetary gear for actuating the transmission device or transferring torque is able to be braked and the segment of the planetary gear train reversing drive is coupled via a switching element to the transmission housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alois Böck, Detlef Baasch, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Publication number: 20090118051
    Abstract: A transmission device is proposed for distributing a drive torque to at least two output shafts (Ab1, Ab2), comprising a differential (2) that is permanently connected to the output shafts (Ab1, Ab2), wherein a double planetary gearset (4) is provided co-axially to the output (Ab2) between the differential cage (3) of the differential (2) and the output (Ab2) of one side, said planetary gearset comprising a first sun gear (5) and a second sun gear (6), a first planetary range (7), an intermediate planetary range (8), and an internal gear (9), herein the internal gear (9) is connected to the differential cage (3) and the planet carrier (10) of the planetary gearset (4) is connected to the output (Ab2), wherein the first sun gear (5) meshes with the first planetary range (7) and can be coupled to the housing (G) by means of a brake (11) in order to shift the torque in one direction, and wherein the second sun gear (6) meshes with the intermediate planetary range (8) and can be coupled to the housing (G) by mean
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Alois Bock, Detlef Baasch, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Patent number: 7507178
    Abstract: A transmission unit (7) with a housing (9), a transmission input shaft (10) and three transmission output shafts (11, 12, 13), at least two planetary gearsets (14, 15) and a device (16) arranged between two actively interconnected shafts (14A, 15A) of the planetary gearsets for variable distribution of torque delivered by the transmission input shaft between two of the three transmission output shafts is described. A web (14D) of the first planetary gearset is formed with a differential cage (19A) of a differential (19), which is provided in order to distribute part of the torque which is delivered by the transmission shaft that has been passed on to the two of the transmission output shafts between the two transmission output shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Ulrich Mair, Detlef Baasch, Christoph Pelchen
  • Patent number: 7500931
    Abstract: A vehicle with a drive engine, with at least two vehicle axles and a transmission unit for variable distribution of drive torque from the drive engine in the vehicle's longitudinal direction between the vehicle's axles. The transmission unit is made with an input shaft and at least two output shafts, at least two planetary gearsets and an electric machine arranged between two mutually connected shafts of the planetary gearsets for distribution of the torque delivered via the transmission input shaft between the transmission output shafts as a function of a torque produced by the electric machine. The electric machine is in active connection with the transmission unit connecting between the two interconnected shafts of the planetary gearsets and the planetary gearsets are made with different transmission ratios so that the electric machine is driven by virtue of a speed difference between the actively interconnected shafts of the planetary gearsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosemeier, Ulrich Mair, Detlef Baasch, Christoph Pelchen
  • Patent number: 7500933
    Abstract: A transmission for distributing a drive torque to two drive output shafts, with two planetary gearsets each having at least three shafts. A respective shaft of a planetary gearset is connected to a drive input shaft. Furthermore, one shaft of each planetary gearset constitutes one of the output shafts and in each case at least one further shaft of a planetary gearset is connected with a shaft of another planetary gearset. An operation-status-dependent torque of one shaft can be supported by the connection, depending on an operating status of the other shaft connected thereto, in such manner that when there is a rotation speed difference between the output shafts, a speed-difference-changing torque is applied to the planetary gearsets. Furthermore, a drive train is proposed, in which a drive torque from a drive-power-source is distributed variably in the longitudinal and transverse direction of the vehicle in an operation-status-dependent manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Christoph Pelchen, Barbara Schmohl, Ulrich Mair, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Patent number: 7479088
    Abstract: A transmission for distributing a drive torque between at least two drive output shafts with at least two planetary gearsets, each having at least three-shafts. In each case, a shaft of a planetary gearset is connected to a drive input shaft and a second respective shaft of a planetary gearsets is the drive output shafts. A respective third shaft of the planetary gearsets communicates with a brake such that a degree of distribution of the drive torque between the two output shafts varies as a function of the transfer capacities of the brakes. A transmission device controls and regulates a drive torque from a drive engine between the two output shafts of the transmission device. The transfer capacities of the two brakes are adjusted such that one brake is in a synchronous condition and the transfer capacity of the other brake is varied between a lower and an upper limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Detlef Baasch, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Christoph Pelchen, Barbara Schmohl, Ulrich Mair, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Patent number: 7418327
    Abstract: A method for determining a control standard of an active steering device (10) of a vehicle (1) controllable by a control device (11). A driving dynamic of the vehicle (1) is influenced according to the control standard. The control standard is determined according to a nominal yawing rate calculated at least with reference to different actual operating parameters of the vehicle and one dynamic vehicle state determined according to the nominal yawing rate and actual operating state parameters. The control standard is superimposed on a steering transit angle preset by a driver so that an existing actual yawing rate is changed in direction of the nominal yawing rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Pelchen, Andreas Thies, Thomas Rosemeier
  • Publication number: 20080174083
    Abstract: A wheel suspension is provided for a vehicle (7), with a carrier element (5), a wheel carrier (1) arranged at a spaced location from the carrier element (5) and a wheel (14) mounted rotatably on the wheel carrier (1). The wheel carrier (1) is connected to the carrier element (5) via a first guide (3; 17) and a first pivotable connection (10) and the wheel carrier (1) is connected to the carrier element (5) via a second guide (2; 4) and a second pivotable connection (8; 12). A first angle-measuring device (27, 28) is integrated in the first pivotable connection (10) and a second angle-measuring device (44, 45) is integrated in the second pivotable connection (8; 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Metin Ersoy, Andreas Gartner, Thomas Rosemeier