Patents by Inventor Thomas Schwegler
Thomas Schwegler 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: 20250377029Abstract: An apparatus for a brake drum having a drum brake assembly with first and second brake shoes includes a motor and a planetary gear train for receiving torque from the motor and having an output gear. A ball ramp assembly receives torque from the output gear and has ends aligned with the respective first and second brake shoes. The motor is actuatable for lengthening the ball ramp assembly to move the brake shoes and apply braking force to the brake drum. A bi-stable locking mechanism selectively locks the planetary gear train to apply a parking brake to the brake drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2024Publication date: December 11, 2025Inventors: Thomas Schwegler, Detlef Baasch, Andreas Knoll, Marc Schieß, Martin Ruider, Ingo Decker, Galus Chelaidite, Lukas Madzgalla, Rui Bertim de Campos, Michael Pantke, Nico Rueß, Tobias Stanger, Michael Huber
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Publication number: 20250376141Abstract: An apparatus for a drum brake assembly having first and second brake shoes includes a motor and a gear train for receiving torque from the motor and having a pinion gear. First and second ball ramp assemblies receive torque from the pinion gear and have ends aligned with the respective first and second brake shoes. The motor is actuatable for lengthening each ball ramp assembly to move the brake shoes and apply braking force to the brake drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2024Publication date: December 11, 2025Inventors: Thomas Schwegler, Detlef Baasch, Andreas Knoll, Marc Schieß, Martin Ruider, Ingo Decker, Galus Chelaidite, Lukas Madzgalla, Rui Bertim de Campos, Michael Pantke, Nico Rueß, Tobias Stanger, Michael Huber
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Publication number: 20250376140Abstract: An apparatus for a brake drum of a vehicle having a drum brake assembly with first and second brake shoes includes a motor with a pinion gear. A ball screw assembly has a nut for receiving torque from the pinion gear and a spindle threaded with the nut. The nut is aligned with the first brake shoe and the spindle is aligned with the second brake shoe. The motor is actuatable for rotating the nut to move the nut and the spindle away from one another for moving the brake shoes to apply braking force to the brake drum during a braking event. A bi-stable locking mechanism selectively locks the motor to prevent torque transfer from a back-driving ball screw assembly to the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2024Publication date: December 11, 2025Inventors: Thomas Schwegler, Detlef Baasch, Andreas Knoll, Marc Schieß, Martin Ruider, Ingo Decker, Galus Chelaidite, Lukas Madzgalla, Rui Bertim de Campos, Michael Pantke, Nico Rueß, Tobias Stanger, Michael Huber
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Publication number: 20250035177Abstract: Specified is a brake actuator (12), in particular for an electromechanical vehicle brake (10), having an electric motor (32) for activating the vehicle brake (10), and a blocking module (36) for selectively rotationally blocking an output shaft (38) of the electric motor (32) so as to configure a parking brake function. The blocking module (36) comprises a blocking lever (40) which is mounted so as to be pivotable between a locking position and a releasing position, and a blocking actuator (42) for pivoting the blocking lever (40), wherein configured on the blocking lever (40) is a blocking tooth (44) which in the locking position of the blocking lever (40) engages with a gear wheel coupled to the output shaft (38) of the electric motor (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: January 30, 2025Inventors: Thomas Schwegler, Nico Ruess, Florian Weinl
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Publication number: 20250035176Abstract: Specified is a brake actuator (12), in particular for an electromechanical vehicle brake (10), having an electric motor (32) for activating the vehicle brake (10), and a blocking module (36) for selectively rotationally blocking an output shaft (38) of the electric motor (32) so as to configure a parking brake function. The blocking module (36) comprises a blocking lever (40) which is mounted so as to be pivotable between a locking position and a releasing position, and a blocking actuator (42) for pivoting the blocking lever (40), wherein configured on the blocking lever (40) is a blocking tooth (44) which in the locking position of the blocking lever (40) engages with a gear wheel coupled to the output shaft (38) of the electric motor (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: January 30, 2025Inventors: Werner Seibert, Felix Hiester, Roman Bechmann, Thomas Schwegler, Stephen Pudvay
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Patent number: 11767914Abstract: In a device for locking a piston rod of a piston of an actuator, an armature rod of an electromagnet is axially movable counter to a preloading spring and includes two actuating contours. Latching mechanisms are operable to mechanically fix the piston. An axial distance between base points of the actuating contours is such that the piston is mechanically fixable by only one of the latching mechanisms in each case. Interlocking elements of both latching mechanisms are accommodated in an axially fixed manner in a sleeve, are radially displaceable, and are selectively engageable with the piston.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Florian Weinl, Thomas Schwegler, Maik Wiesner, Dirk Leutheuser
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Patent number: 11746902Abstract: A device (1) for actuating a parking lock device (2) of an automatic transmission includes a piston (3) guided in a cylinder (5) and hydraulically displaceable counter to a spring force of an actuation spring (4). The piston (3) is form-lockingly fixable in a first position and in a second position by radially displaceable blocking elements (26) of a blocking device (15). The blocking elements (26) are radially displaceable by an actuation element (17). The radial displacement path of the blocking elements (26) and an operating condition of the actuation element (17) corresponding thereto in the first position of the piston (3) deviate from the radial displacement path of the blocking elements (26) and the operating condition of the actuation element (17) corresponding thereto in the second position of the piston (3).Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Thomas Schwegler, Sven Jabs, Andreas Bisping, Florian Weinl
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Publication number: 20220205535Abstract: A device (1) for actuating a parking lock device (2) of an automatic transmission includes a piston (3) guided in a cylinder (5) and hydraulically displaceable counter to a spring force of an actuation spring (4). The piston (3) is form-lockingly fixable in a first position and in a second position by radially displaceable blocking elements (26) of a blocking device (15). The blocking elements (26) are radially displaceable by an actuation element (17). The radial displacement path of the blocking elements (26) and an operating condition of the actuation element (17) corresponding thereto in the first position of the piston (3) deviate from the radial displacement path of the blocking elements (26) and the operating condition of the actuation element (17) corresponding thereto in the second position of the piston (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Thomas Schwegler, Sven Jabs, Andreas Bisping, Florian Weinl
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Patent number: 11261967Abstract: A device for locking a piston rod of a piston includes a latching mechanism actuatable by an actuating element. The actuating element is fixedly arranged on an armature rod of an electromagnet, is clamped between two preloading springs, and includes two actuating contours. Components of the device are configured with respect to geometry and with respect to forces acting upon each of the components such that a permanent magnet holds the armature rod in a first position in the non-energized condition of an electromagnet and in the engaged condition of the parking lock and such that the electromagnet holds the armature rod in a second position in the energized condition and in the disengaged condition of the parking lock. The parking lock is disengageable in the pressurized condition of the piston and in the energized condition of the electromagnet, and the parking lock is engageable in the non-pressurized condition of the piston and in the non-energized condition of the electromagnet.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Maik Wiesner, Florian Weinl, Dirk Leutheuser, Thomas Schwegler
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Patent number: 11143299Abstract: A device for locking a piston rod of a piston of an actuator is provided. An electrically actuatable electromagnet includes an armature rod, which is axially movable counter to a first preloading spring and on which two actuating elements are axially displaceably mounted between two stops of the armature rod. A second preloading spring is axially mounted between the two actuating elements. The actuating elements each include actuating contours, which are associated with latching mechanisms, via which the piston is mechanically fixable in a disengaged condition and in a engaged condition of the parking lock.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Florian Weinl, Thomas Schwegler, Maik Wiesner, Dirk Leutheuser
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Patent number: 11075042Abstract: An electromagnetic control mechanism for a switching element is described herein, which can be switched to an open operating state and to a closed operating state by means of an electromagnet and an actuating unit that acts counter to the actuation force of the electromagnet. The electromagnet has a dedicated mechanism for dampening the actuation movement of an anchor of the electromagnet toward a section of the coil, by means of which the actuation speed of the anchor can be reduced after a distance between a section of the anchor facing the coil and the section of the coil becomes shorter than a predefined distance.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2018Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Thomas Speh, Martin Ruider, Michael Pantke, Thomas Schwegler
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Publication number: 20210172522Abstract: In a device for locking a piston rod of a piston of an actuator, an armature rod of an electromagnet is axially movable counter to a preloading spring and includes two actuating contours. Latching mechanisms are operable to mechanically fix the piston. An axial distance between base points of the actuating contours is such that the piston is mechanically fixable by only one of the latching mechanisms in each case. Interlocking elements of both latching mechanisms are accommodated in an axially fixed manner in a sleeve, are radially displaceable, and are selectively engageable with the piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Florian Weinl, Thomas Schwegler, Maik Wiesner, Dirk Leutheuser
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Publication number: 20210172521Abstract: A device for locking a piston rod of a piston of an actuator is provided. An electrically actuatable electromagnet includes an armature rod, which is axially movable counter to a first preloading spring and on which two actuating elements are axially displaceably mounted between two stops of the armature rod. A second preloading spring is axially mounted between the two actuating elements. The actuating elements each include actuating contours, which are associated with latching mechanisms, via which the piston is mechanically fixable in a disengaged condition and in a engaged condition of the parking lock.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Florian Weinl, Thomas Schwegler, Maik Wiesner, Dirk Leutheuser
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Publication number: 20210172520Abstract: A device for locking a piston rod of a piston includes a latching mechanism actuatable by an actuating element. The actuating element is fixedly arranged on an armature rod of an electromagnet, is clamped between two preloading springs, and includes two actuating contours. Components of the device are configured with respect to geometry and with respect to forces acting upon each of the components such that a permanent magnet holds the armature rod in a first position in the non-energized condition of an electromagnet and in the engaged condition of the parking lock and such that the electromagnet holds the armature rod in a second position in the energized condition and in the disengaged condition of the parking lock. The parking lock is disengageable in the pressurized condition of the piston and in the energized condition of the electromagnet, and the parking lock is engageable in the non-pressurized condition of the piston and in the non-energized condition of the electromagnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Maik Wiesner, Florian Weinl, Dirk Leutheuser, Thomas Schwegler
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Patent number: 11022218Abstract: A parking lock for a transmission of a motor vehicle having an interlocking element of a connecting rod that is biased against a parking lock disengagement direction to bring and keep a ratchet tooth of a locking pawl in engagement with a tooth space of a parking interlock gear during an engagement of the parking lock. The connecting rod is provided a spring force acting in a parking lock engagement direction from an inserting spring and a compressive force acting in the parking lock disengagement direction from a hydraulically actuatable actuator having first piston pressurizable to disengage the parking lock. A detent device actuatable by an electromagnet mechanically fixes the first piston in either a latched or unlatched piston position associated with an engaged or disengaged position of the parking lock, respectively. A system determines a current engagement position of the detent device by assessing an inductance at the electromagnet.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Thomas Schwegler, Florian Weinl, Michael Jud, Armin Haugg, Julia Klein
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Publication number: 20200027674Abstract: An electromagnetic control mechanism for a switching element is described herein, which can be switched to an open operating state and to a closed operating state by means of an electromagnet and an actuating unit that acts counter to the actuation force of the electromagnet. The electromagnet has a dedicated mechanism for dampening the actuation movement of an anchor of the electromagnet toward a section of the coil, by means of which the actuation speed of the anchor can be reduced after a distance between a section of the anchor facing the coil and the section of the coil becomes shorter than a predefined distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Thomas SPEH, Martin RUIDER, Michael PANTKE, Thomas SCHWEGLER
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Publication number: 20190271395Abstract: A parking lock for a transmission of a motor vehicle having an interlocking element of a connecting rod that is biased against a parking lock disengagement direction to bring and keep a ratchet tooth of a locking pawl in engagement with a tooth space of a parking interlock gear during an engagement of the parking lock. The connecting rod is provided a spring force acting in a parking lock engagement direction from an inserting spring and a compressive force acting in the parking lock disengagement direction from a hydraulically actuatable actuator having first piston pressurizable to disengage the parking lock. A detent device actuatable by an electromagnet mechanically fixes the first piston in either a latched or unlatched piston position associated with an engaged or disengaged position of the parking lock, respectively. A system determines a current engagement position of the detent device by assessing an inductance at the electromagnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Thomas Schwegler, Florian Weinl, Michael Jud, Armin Haugg, Julia Klein