Patents by Inventor Ulrich Mair
Ulrich Mair 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: 12024179Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process of ascertaining an input variable of a vehicle actuator using a model-based predictive control. A processor unit accesses trajectory information and a state data set, which represents a state of surroundings of a vehicle, the vehicle, and/or the vehicle, by an interface. The processor unit carries out a secondary condition algorithm in order to calculate a secondary condition and an MPC algorithm for a model-based predictive control. By carrying out the secondary condition algorithm, a secondary condition is ascertained for the MPC algorithm based on the trajectory information and the state data set. By carrying out the MPC algorithm, an input variable is ascertained for an actuator of the vehicle based on the secondary condition. This is carried out such that in a future predicted trajectory, the vehicle follows the specified trajectory with a specified degree of reliability.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Fleps-Dezasse, Michel Wilde, Nils Mühl, Ulrich Mair
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Publication number: 20240053273Abstract: A method, comprising: measuring a rotational speed of a wheel of a vehicle, determining a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle relative to a plurality of ambient terrestrial objects using a measurement system onboard the vehicle, determining a longitudinal speed of the vehicle relative to the plurality of ambient terrestrial objects using the measurement system, judging a slippage state of the vehicle using the longitudinal acceleration, and if a result of the judging indicates the vehicle is in a low-slippage state, estimating a coefficient of traction using the rotational speed and the longitudinal speed, wherein the measurement system is structured to radiate electromagnetic energy and to receive reflections of the electromagnetic energy reflected from the plurality of ambient terrestrial objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Julian KING, Ulrich MAIR, Yang WANG, Kanwar Bharat SINGH, Sven SCHÄFER-OREILLY
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Publication number: 20230358577Abstract: A detection device may be attached to or secured in a vehicle component, with which physical and/or chemical values can be detected. The device may include of at least one of the following: a detection unit placed or formed on a first mount for detecting a physical and/or chemical value, wherein the first mount has at least one mounting interface for attaching the first mount to the vehicle component; and a functional unit to which the detection unit is dedicated, placed or formed on or in a second mount, wherein the second mount has at least one connecting interface for connecting the second mount to the first mount.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2021Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Philipp Lang, Martin Hermann, Michael Schwab, Christopher Winter, Thomas Stauderer, Ulrich Mair
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Publication number: 20230219574Abstract: A method for determining a longitudinal tire stiffness (Kx) for at least one wheel on a motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is in operation, may include generating a sinusoidal modulation of an axle drive torque or wheel drive torque necessary for maintaining the current vehicle speed (?), or a braking torque or recuperation torque necessary for maintaining the current braking power in at least one wheel for a sinusoidal excitation of a wheel rotational rate (?), such that a sinusoidal oscillation in the wheel rotational rate is induced. The method may also include detecting the resulting sinusoidal oscillation in the wheel rotational rate, determining the amplitude (?amp) of the oscillation in the wheel rotational rate induced, and determining longitudinal tire stiffness (Kx) from the amplitude (?amp). A corresponding apparatus for carrying out the method may be included.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Julian King, Ulrich Mair
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Publication number: 20220363271Abstract: The disclosure relates to the process of ascertaining an input variable of a vehicle actuator using a model-based predictive control. According to one exemplary arrangement, a processor unit is designed to access trajectory information and a state data set, which represents a state of surroundings of a vehicle and/or the state of the vehicle and/or a driving state of the vehicle, by an interface. The processor unit carries out a secondary condition algorithm in order to calculate a secondary condition and an MPC algorithm for a model-based predictive control. By carrying out the secondary condition algorithm, a secondary condition is ascertained for the MPC algorithm on the basis of the trajectory information and on the basis of the state data set. By carrying out the MPC algorithm, an input variable is ascertained for an actuator of the vehicle on the basis of the secondary condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2020Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Michael Fleps-Dezasse, Miche! Wilde, Nils Mühl, Ulrich Mair
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Patent number: 11486468Abstract: A gearwheel for a gear system for a planetary gear system of a chassis assistance system. The gearwheel is divided into at least a first spur gear and a second spur gear which are spaced apart from one another along a common rotational axis. The gearwheel has, in addition, an open spring ring with a first end, which is supported in a circumferential direction against the first spur gear, and a second end, which is supported in the direction opposite to the circumferential direction against the second spur gear in such manner that by rotating the spur gears, relative to one another about the common rotational axis, the spring ring can be stressed in order to exert a restoring torque on the spur gears. A recess is formed on at least one of the spur gears for holding part of the spring ring.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rene Schwarze, Christian Stephan, Marc Schieß, Ulrich Mair, Lars Schories, Karl Benkler, Carsten Stamm
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Patent number: 11260870Abstract: A tire (100) rolls on a surface (105). A method (600) for providing maximum traction coefficient between the tire (100) and the surface (105) include steps for detecting a momentary slip of the tire (100) on the surface (105); detecting a momentary traction coefficient; forming a tuple (410, 510) from the slip and the current traction coefficient; choosing a characteristic curve (205, 305) from a number of predetermined characteristic curves (205, 305) on the basis of the tuple (410, 510), whereby each characteristic curve (205, 305) describes a traction behavior of the tire (100) or a corresponding characteristic pitch; determining the maximum traction coefficient on the basis of the selected characteristic curves (205, 305); and thus providing the maximum traction coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Robert Zdych, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Volker Wagner, Ulrich Mair, Lara Ruth Turner, Julian King
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Publication number: 20210129850Abstract: A tire (100) rolls on a surface (105). A method (600) for providing maximum traction coefficient between the tire (100) and the surface (105) include steps for detecting a momentary slip of the tire (100) on the surface (105); detecting a momentary traction coefficient; forming a tuple (410, 510) from the slip and the current traction coefficient; choosing a characteristic curve (205, 305) from a number of predetermined characteristic curves (205, 305) on the basis of the tuple (410, 510), whereby each characteristic curve (205, 305) describes a traction behavior of the tire (100) or a corresponding characteristic pitch; determining the maximum traction coefficient on the basis of the selected characteristic curves (205, 305); and thus providing the maximum traction coefficient.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2018Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Robert Zdych, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Volker Wagner, Ulrich Mair, Lara Ruth Turner, Julian King
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Publication number: 20200217413Abstract: A gearwheel for a gear system for a planetary gear system of a chassis assistance system. The gearwheel is divided into at least a first spur gear and a second spur gear which are spaced apart from one another along a common rotational axis. The gearwheel has, in addition, an open spring ring with a first end, which is supported in a circumferential direction against the first spur gear, and a second end, which is supported in the direction opposite to the circumferential direction against the second spur gear in such manner that by rotating the spur gears, relative to one another about the common rotational axis, the spring ring can be stressed in order to exert a restoring torque on the spur gears. A recess is formed on at least one of the spur gears for holding part of the spring ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2018Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Rene SCHWARZE, Christian STEPHAN, Marc SCHIEß, Ulrich MAIR, Lars SCHORIES, Karl BENKLER, Carsten STAMM
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Publication number: 20200070616Abstract: An adjustable roll stabilizer (9), for a chassis of a motor vehicle, having an actuator (13) arranged between two partial sections (10,11) of a stabilizer. The actuator has an actuator housing (20) and an output (21) and is designed to produce a torsional moment acting between the two partial sections. A damping element (23,25) is arranged outside of the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2017Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Rene SCHWARZE, Ulrich MAIR
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Patent number: 10436321Abstract: The present disclosure describes a parking lock gear mechanism including a planetary gear train with a sun gear, a ring gear, and at least one planet gear that meshes with the sun gear and the ring gear. The at least one planet gear may be attached to a rotating planet carrier. The parking lock gear mechanism may also have a spring unit coupled to the ring gear, where the spring unit is configured such that it is tensioned by a rotation of the ring gear, and exerts a torque and/or force on the ring gear when it is tensioned. A ring gear securing unit may be configured to secure the ring gear against rotation in a first operating state, and to release the ring gear such that it can rotate in a second operating state.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Joachim Spratte, Angela Squeri, Ulrich Mair, Michael Linder
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Publication number: 20180172155Abstract: The present disclosure describes a parking lock gear mechanism including a planetary gear train with a sun gear, a ring gear, and at least one planet gear that meshes with the sun gear and the ring gear. The at least one planet gear may be attached to a rotating planet carrier. The parking lock gear mechanism may also have a spring unit coupled to the ring gear, where the spring unit is configured such that it is tensioned by a rotation of the ring gear, and exerts a torque and/or force on the ring gear when it is tensioned. A ring gear securing unit may be configured to secure the ring gear against rotation in a first operating state, and to release the ring gear such that it can rotate in a second operating state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Joachim Spratte, Angela Squeri, Ulrich Mair, Michael Linder
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Patent number: 9919574Abstract: A stabilizer (105) for the anti-roll stabilization of a vehicle (100). The stabilizer (105) has a first stabilizer element (110) and a second stabilizer element (115). The first stabilizer element (110) is, or can be, coupled to a first wheel suspension element (120) of the vehicle (100) and the second stabilizer element (115) is, or can be, coupled to a second wheel suspension element (125) of the vehicle (100). Furthermore, the stabilizer (105) is provided with an electric motor (135) designed to rotate the first stabilizer element (110), relative to the second stabilizer element (115) in response to a control signal, so as to decouple the first wheel suspension element (120) from the second wheel suspension element (125). In this case the control signal represents a signal determined on the basis of a field-orientated control system.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Füssl, Roman Frei, Joachim Engel, Notker Amann, Mesut Er, Ulrich Mair
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Publication number: 20170008366Abstract: A stabilizer (105) for the anti-roll stabilization of a vehicle (100). The stabilizer (105) has a first stabilizer element (110) and a second stabilizer element (115). The first stabilizer element (110) is, or can be, coupled to a first wheel suspension element (120) of the vehicle (100) and the second stabilizer element (115) is, or can be, coupled to a second wheel suspension element (125) of the vehicle (100). Furthermore, the stabilizer (105) is provided with an electric motor (135) designed to rotate the first stabilizer element (110), relative to the second stabilizer element (115) in response to a control signal, so as to decouple the first wheel suspension element (120) from the second wheel suspension element (125). In this case the control signal represents a signal determined on the basis of a field-orientated control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas FÜSSL, Roman FREI, Joachim ENGEL, Notker AMANN, Mesut ER, Ulrich MAIR
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Patent number: 9248733Abstract: A device for propelling a vehicle includes at least two electric motors, whereas each of the electric motors is equipped with a cooling device. The cooling device includes at least one cooling fluid line, whereas the cooling fluid lines are connected to the two cooling devices through a common cooling fluid connection line.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich Mair, Jens Heimann
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Patent number: 9233602Abstract: A drive unit, for an electric vehicle, comprising an electric machine that can be arranged in the area of an end of a vehicle axle of the electric vehicle and also a transmission unit, which co-operates with the electric machine, for driving a wheel of the electric vehicle. The electric machine and the transmission unit can be arranged adjacent to the wheel. The electric machine is designed so that the electric machine can be arranged adjacent to a wheel at either of the two ends of the vehicle axle in the drive unit for driving the wheel concerned. The invention also concerns a vehicle axle incorporating the drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich Mair, Stephan Pollmeyer, Martin Munster
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Patent number: 9227506Abstract: A drive device located closely adjacent to the wheel for a single wheel of a motor vehicle. The drive device has an electric drive that has at least one driveshaft for the wheel. A gearing interacts with the at least one drive shaft for transmitting torque to drive the wheel and is connectable to the individual wheel. A locking mechanism is disposed to lock the wheel and is designed to block the gearing and/or the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich Mair, Stephan Pollmeyer, Martin Munster
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Patent number: 9132723Abstract: A drive device (11) for driving a wheel (7) of an electrically powered vehicle having an electric machine (12) and a transmission unit. The transmission unit has a spur gear transmission (14) and a planetary transmission (13) which, when viewed in the direction of the flow of force during a traction operation, is positioned on the output side of the electric machine (12) in the sequence of the planetary transmission (13) and then the spur gear transmission (14).Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Martin Munster, Stephan Pollmeyer, Jens Heimann, Ulrich Mair
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Patent number: 9045029Abstract: A vehicle axle, in particular a torsion beam axle for an electric vehicle, with at least one trailing arm on which is arranged a drive unit located close to a wheel, and the drive unit comprises an electric machine and a transmission unit. The drive unit, close to the wheel, has at least one supply line and at least one damper such that the drive unit, close to the wheel, is formed at least partially as a trailing arm and the damper is connected, on at least one side, to the drive unit at least in a single-shear manner and can be connected, on at least the other side, to a body of the electric vehicle. The at least one vehicle axle is utilized on a motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich Mair, Stephan Pollmeyer, Martin Munster
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Patent number: 9038707Abstract: A method of producing a trailing arm of a torsion beam axle in which an integrated drive unit of a wheel-adjacent electric drive has an electric machine and a transmission. By using the method, the trailing arm is produced in the form of a casting with a box profile. The contours for producing the area that accommodates the transmission, the connection point to the vehicle body, the bore that receives the cross-member which connects the two trailing arms to one another, the U-profile of the trailing arm, the box profile and the area that accommodates the electric machine, are modeled by cores such that the contours for producing the connection point of the trailing arm to the vehicle body, the bore that receives the cross-member and the U-profile of the trailing arm are modeled by one core.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich Mair, Stephan Pollmeyer