Patents by Inventor Volker Knop

Volker Knop 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: 20250060015
    Abstract: A brake actuator unit having a brake housing, a spindle, and an axial spindle bearing, which receives the spindle and absorbs the axial reaction forces of the spindle when the brake is applied. The brake housing has a brake calliper having a pad support portion and a pot-shaped brake piston bearing portion, which is integrally connected to the pad support portion and has a circumferential wall and a bottom. When the brake is operated, the spindle bearing is supported axially on the bottom, and the circumferential wall has a sliding guide face against which the brake piston bears. An electromechanical brake having such a brake actuator unit is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventor: Volker Knop
  • Publication number: 20250060016
    Abstract: A brake actuator unit for an electromechanical brake has a spindle, a spindle bearing, which receives the spindle, and a cup-shaped brake piston bearing section, which has a circumferential wall and a base, against which the spindle bearing is supported axially during the actuation of the brake. The brake actuator unit furthermore has a strain sensor having a sensor element, which is arranged on an outer circumference of an axial section of the circumferential wall and is configured to detect a strain of the axial section in a circumferential direction. Moreover, a strain sensor for a brake actuator unit of this kind is provided. Furthermore, an electromechanical brake having a brake actuator unit of this kind and/or having a strain sensor of this kind is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventor: Volker Knop
  • Publication number: 20250060013
    Abstract: An electromechanical service brake having an integrated electrical parking brake and comprising an electric motor and a control unit is presented. The parking brake has a blocking element which, in an arrested state of the parking brake, mechanically blocks a transmission of the electromechanical service brake. The electric motor and the transmission are surrounded by a housing which has a cutout that allows the blocking element to be manually actuated from the outside, such that the blocking element can, from the outside, be mechanically transferred from the arrested state into an opened state. In the opened state, the transmission is freely movable. The cutout is a non-circular formation that has at least one axially running guide groove and/or at least one axially running guide rib. Also presented are an unlocking tool and an assembly comprising the electromechanical service brake and the unlocking tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventor: Volker Knop
  • Patent number: 12145551
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake is described. It comprises a carrier assembly (22) on which an activating carriage (88) for a brake lining is guided linearly. Moreover, an electric motor fastened to the carrier assembly (22) is provided which is coupled drivingly to the activating carriage via a gear unit and a spindle drive such that the activating carriage can be displaced selectively between a retracted position and an extended position. In addition, the actuator assembly comprises a locking assembly (106) for selectively immobilizing in rotation an output shaft (38) of the electric motor. The locking assembly (106) here comprises a locking lever (114) which at a first end (116) is mounted rotatably on the carrier assembly (22) and at a second opposite end (118) is coupled to a locking actuator (112). A locking tooth (124) is moreover positioned between the first end (116) and the second end (118). A method for activating an actuator assembly for a vehicle brake is furthermore presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignees: ZF Active Safety GmbH, ZF Active Safety US Inc.
    Inventors: Galus Chelaidite, Volker Knop, Nicholas Alford, Christoph Beuerle, Werner Seibert, Markus Mallmann
  • Publication number: 20240328471
    Abstract: A ball screw drive for an actuator assembly of a vehicle brake is disclosed. The ball screw drive has a rotatably mounted recirculating ball screw spindle, on which a spindle nut open on one side is mounted. At least one thread groove is formed on the circumferential surface of the recirculating ball screw spindle, and a corresponding thread groove is formed on the inner surface of the spindle nut. A multiplicity of balls is guided in the thread grooves in such a way that rotation of the recirculating ball screw spindle brings about axial movement of the spindle nut along a rotational axis of the recirculating ball screw spindle. The spindle nut is hardened by ferritic nitrocarburizing. Moreover, a method for producing a ball screw drive and a vehicle brake are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Volker Knop, Michael Weins
  • Publication number: 20240208479
    Abstract: An electromechanical vehicle brake for a motor vehicle is disclosed, having a housing with a piston chamber containing gas, an actuating piston for a brake lining, and an electric motor for driving the actuating piston. The actuating piston can be moved optionally between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the actuating piston is accommodated movably in the housing, such that an end of the actuating piston directed towards the brake lining protrudes from the housing and an opposite end of the actuating piston is accommodated in the housing. At least one venting unit is accommodated in the housing in order to allow a gas exchange between the piston chamber and the environment. The venting unit comprises a gas-permeable filter element and a holding element for the filter element, and the venting unit is fixed on the housing by the holding element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventor: Volker Knop
  • Publication number: 20240209909
    Abstract: An actuator assembly has a ball screw drive, having a ball screw spindle rotatably mounted about a spindle axis and on which a spindle nut is received, wherein at least one thread track is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the ball screw spindle, which track extends over less than 360° of the circumference of the ball screw spindle. A ball return is arranged on the outer circumferential surface for each thread track and connects a beginning and an end of the thread track to one another. A ball race for the balls is formed in a separate insert, which is inserted into a depression arranged in the outer circumferential surface. To produce the ball screw spindle, a thread is introduced into the outer circumferential surface of the ball screw spindle and at least one depression is introduced into the outer circumferential surface. The depression defines the beginning and end of a thread track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventor: Volker Knop
  • Publication number: 20240209928
    Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a ball screw drive having a ball screw spindle rotatably mounted about a spindle axis, on which a spindle nut is received, and a thread track on an outer circumferential surface of the ball screw spindle, has a portion of a ball return on a circumferential wall of the ball screw spindle, which return connects a beginning and an end of the thread track to one another. At the beginning and at the end of the thread track, an insert is inserted in which a ball race is formed, which is part of the ball return. The inserts are arranged such that each end of a ball race adjoins a portion of the ball return and another end adjoins a beginning of a thread track or an end of the thread track. In a section perpendicular to a spindle axis, an angle of the ball race to a tangent to the thread track at an adjacent beginning or end of the thread track is greater than 90° in a central portion between the first and the second end of the ball race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventor: Volker Knop
  • Publication number: 20230150472
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a brake actuator unit and to an electromechanical brake. The brake actuator unit has a spindle, which is driven in rotation by an electric motor, and a brake piston in the form of a spindle nut, which surrounds the spindle and is configured to press against a brake lining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: Volker Knop
  • Publication number: 20230150470
    Abstract: A spindle drive for an actuator assembly of a vehicle brake is provided, with a spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the spindle, which forms an actuating carriage which can be displaced between a retracted and an extended position in order to apply a brake lining against a brake rotor. The spindle nut has a pressure-distributing element at an end of the spindle nut which is close to the brake lining, and a contact surface of the pressure-distributing element which faces away from the spindle is continuously or discontinuously annular. Furthermore, an actuator assembly with a spindle drive is provided. In addition, a method for producing a spindle drive is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Volker Knop, Nicholas Alford
  • Publication number: 20230150471
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vehicle brake actuator and an electromechanical brake. The vehicle brake actuator comprises a brake housing, a spindle drive which is arranged in the brake housing and which has a spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the spindle, and a brake piston and a pot sleeve. The brake piston is movable between a retracted and a deployed position in order to apply a brake pad to a brake rotor. The brake piston is at least partially guided in axially displaceable fashion in an interior space of the pot sleeve. The pot sleeve has a base and is pushed in its longitudinal direction into the brake housing and is mounted radially therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: Volker Knop
  • Publication number: 20230151860
    Abstract: A carrier assembly for an actuator assembly for a vehicle brake is described. It comprises a plate-like frame part which has a receiving space for a planetary gear stage and a first fastening interface for an electric motor. A centre axis of the receiving space and a centre axis of the first fastening interface run generally parallel. In addition, a drive assembly for an actuator assembly for a vehicle brake is proposed which has such a carrier assembly. An actuator assembly with a drive assembly of this type is moreover presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Volker Knop, Nicholas Alford, Werner Seibert, Christoph Beuerle, Markus Mallmann
  • Publication number: 20230151864
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a brake actuator unit for an electromechanical brake and to an electromechanical brake. The brake actuator unit comprises a spindle, a spindle nut, and a spindle bearing, which receives the spindle, has a spherical bearing contact surface and absorbs the axial reaction forces of the spindle when the brake is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: Volker Knop
  • Publication number: 20230151862
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake is described, with a brake calliper in which a space is formed for a brake disc, and an actuating slide for a brake pad. The actuating slide can be moved optionally between a retracted position and an extended position. In the brake calliper, adjoining the space, a sleeve-like portion is formed with a running face for the actuating slide. The actuating slide is received in the sleeve-like portion and is guided linearly on the running face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Volker Knop, Nicholas Alford, Werner Seibert, Christoph Beuerle
  • Publication number: 20230151879
    Abstract: A ball-screw drive for an actuator assembly of a vehicle brake is disclosed, comprising a rotatably mounted recirculating ball screw on which a screw nut which is closed on one side is mounted, at least one thread being formed on the circumferential surface of the recirculating ball screw, in which thread a plurality of balls are guided in such a way that a rotation of the recirculating ball screw brings about an axial displacement of the screw nut along an axis of rotation of the recirculating ball screw. A ball return system is integrated in the recirculating ball screw. Furthermore, an actuator assembly comprising a ball-screw drive and a method for producing a ball-screw drive are indicated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Volker Knop, Nicholas Alford, Werner Seibert, Christoph Beuerle
  • Publication number: 20230151863
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for an electromechanical vehicle brake is disclosed, having a carrier assembly with a frame part, and a guide part in which an actuating slide for a brake pad is mounted so as to be linearly displaceable. The guide part has a rotational locking geometry by which the guide part is rotationally fixedly received in the frame part by form fit. An electromechanical brake is also proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Volker Knop, Nicholas Alford, Werner Seibert, Christoph Beuerle, Markus Mallmann
  • Publication number: 20230151861
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake is described, which comprises a control assembly, which can be installed as a separate sub-unit and has a partition panel and a circuit board fastened to said partition panel. The actuator assembly furthermore has a drive assembly (14), which can be installed as a separate sub-unit and which comprises a carrier assembly on which an electric motor, a spindle drive and a gear unit are mounted, which gear unit drivingly couples the electric motor and the spindle drive. The control assembly and the drive assembly are arranged in a common housing. A method for manufacturing an actuator assembly for a vehicle brake is furthermore presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Volker Knop, Nicholas Alford, Werner Seibert, Christoph Beuerle, Markus Mallmann
  • Publication number: 20230150467
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake is described. It comprises a carrier assembly (22) on which an activating carriage (88) for a brake lining is guided linearly. Moreover, an electric motor fastened to the carrier assembly (22) is provided which is coupled drivingly to the activating carriage via a gear unit and a spindle drive such that the activating carriage can be displaced selectively between a retracted position and an extended position. In addition, the actuator assembly comprises a locking assembly (106) for selectively immobilizing in rotation an output shaft (38) of the electric motor. The locking assembly (106) here comprises a locking lever (114) which at a first end (116) is mounted rotatably on the carrier assembly (22) and at a second opposite end (118) is coupled to a locking actuator (112). A locking tooth (124) is moreover positioned between the first end (116) and the second end (118). A method for activating an actuator assembly for a vehicle brake is furthermore presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Galus Chelaidite, Volker Knop, Nicholas Alford, Christoph Beuerle, Werner Seibert, Markus Mallmann
  • Publication number: 20220299080
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electromechanical brake for a motor vehicle. The electromechanical brake comprises an actuating piston which is set up to be moved translationally in a direction of a piston axis in order to actuate at least one brake shoe. The electromechanical brake also comprises a brake carrier having a gas-containing piston chamber in which the actuating piston is received such that it can be moved translationally in a direction of the piston axis. Furthermore, the electromechanical brake comprises an electric motor for driving the actuating piston. In the case of the electromechanical brake, a venting device is provided, which is set up to vent the piston chamber with respect to an exterior. The disclosure also relates to a disc brake, to a brake system, and to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Heinrich Plewnia, Werner Seibert, Markus Mallmann, Volker Knop
  • Patent number: 10272559
    Abstract: A side handle for a power tool includes a base, a grip with an elongated tubular inner section having a first end and a second end, an outer sleeve which surrounds at least part of the inner section. The outer sleeve is connected to the inner section at the first end via a connecting section. The connecting section is resiliently deformable to allow pivotal movement of the outer sleeve relative to the inner section. Damping masses can be attached to the inner section and/or outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Friedrich, Volker Knop