Patents by Inventor Ulrich Solka

Ulrich Solka 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: 20230398862
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically driveable drive axle (19) for an all-terrain utility vehicle, comprising a first drivetrain (20) with a first electric motor (21), with a first transmission (22) and with a first drive output (23), and comprising a second drivetrain (30) with a second electric motor (31), with a second transmission (32) and with a second output (33), wherein the first drivetrain (20) and the second drivetrain (30) are arranged in a common housing (40) and/or on the common housing (40), and wherein the first drivetrain (20) forms a first torque path and the second drivetrain (30) forms a second torque path. The drive axle (10) according to the invention is characterized in that the first torque path and the second torque path are mechanically separate from one another. The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Maximilian Winkler, Alexander Mühlbauer, Florian Felbinger, Willi Rometsch, Franz Reitinger, Johannes Auburger, Ulrich Solka, Hendrik Frisch
  • Patent number: 8784256
    Abstract: A power divider for a drive of a continuously driven first wheel axle and another engageable wheel axle. The power divider has an input shaft, which is driven by a manual transmission, and a coaxial first output shaft. The first output shaft drives the continuously driven wheel axle. An intermediate shaft is disposed in the countershaft and drives a second output shaft. The first output shaft can be selectively driven, via a first clutch, with either direct or reduced transmission. This clutch is fixed to the input shaft and, in a first position for direct transmission, connects the input shaft directly to the first output shaft. Furthermore, the first clutch, in a second position, couples a first input gear to the input shaft, and drives the first output shaft, via the countershaft formed on the intermediate shaft, to drive the first output shaft at a reduced speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Solka
  • Publication number: 20130178324
    Abstract: A power divider for a drive of a continuously driven first wheel axle and another engageable wheel axle. The power divider has an input shaft, which is driven by a manual transmission, and a coaxial first output shaft. The first output shaft drives the continuously driven wheel axle. An intermediate shaft is disposed in the countershaft and drives a second output shaft. The first output shaft can be selectively driven, via a first clutch, with either direct or reduced transmission. This clutch is fixed to the input shaft and, in a first position for direct transmission, connects the input shaft directly to the first output shaft. Furthermore, the first clutch, in a second position, couples a first input gear to the input shaft, and drives the first output shaft, via the countershaft formed on the intermediate shaft, to drive the first output shaft at a reduced speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Solka
  • Publication number: 20120309578
    Abstract: An arrangement for driving a vehicle wheel has at least one drive motor (2) which is integrated in a drive axle (1) of a vehicle and which is connected to a drive stage which is coupled with an output stage as output on the wheel hub side. A spur gear unit (3) is provided as drive stage and a planetary drive is provided as output stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Solka
  • Patent number: 8205896
    Abstract: An independent wheel suspension with a rotating steering knuckle which supports itself on a spring carrier is connected with the vehicle frame via a damper. The steering knuckle is connected with the spring carrier via a kingpin, and the wheel suspension has upper and lower transverse links which are positioned at the upper or lower ends of the kingpin. The steering knuckle and the transverse links are pivotally positioned relative to the kingpin and the spring carrier is connected with the kingpin in a rotationally fixed manner. The kingpin connects the spring carrier, the steering knuckle, and the upper end lower transverse links and is a two-piece part which comprises upper and lower parts. Axially, radially and rotationally fixing the upper and the lower parts and the spring carrier is achieved by a combination of the upper and the lower parts with the spring carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Gell, Ulrich Solka, Hans Wimmer
  • Publication number: 20100264616
    Abstract: An independent wheel suspension with a rotating steering knuckle which supports itself on a spring carrier is connected with the vehicle frame via a damper. The steering knuckle is connected with the spring carrier via a kingpin, and the wheel suspension has upper and lower transverse links which are positioned at the upper or lower ends of the kingpin. The steering knuckle and the transverse links are pivotally positioned relative to the kingpin and the spring carrier is connected with the kingpin in a rotationally fixed manner. The kingpin connects the spring carrier, the steering knuckle, and the upper end lower transverse links and is a two-piece part which comprises upper and lower parts. Axially, radially and rotationally fixing the upper and the lower parts and the spring carrier is achieved by a combination of the upper and the lower parts with the spring carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Klaus Gell, Ulrich Solka, Hans Wimmer
  • Patent number: 6817963
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automotive transmission (1) designed in the form of a planetary transmission with an integrated brake, preferably for final drive mechanisms of working machines such as wheel loaders or industrial trucks. A sun gear (2) drives a planet carrier (5, 105) via at least one planetary gear (3), which rolls on a fixed internal-geared wheel (4, 104). The planet carrier (5, 105) holds the inner brake plates (6) of a multi-disc plate in an outer radial area. The outer brake plates (6) and the wheel support are accommodated by a component (16) of the housing (12). The planet carrier (5, 105) is axially braced on a radially outwards pointing journal (7) via a central accessible screw (9) with an output range (8) and transmits output torque to the flange via teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Solka