ZF Lenksysteme GmbH Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150198949 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DRIVING OF A BIG RIG AND DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEM - A method for remotely controlling a big rig comprises a tractor unit and one or more trailers coupled to the tractor unit, wherein the tractor unit comprises a drive train which can be electronically actuated by control means of the tractor unit and by way of which the tractor unit can be driven automatically. The control means of the tractor unit have a wireless communication link to a touchscreen device so that automatic driving of the big rig can be remotely controlled by way of the touchscreen device during which at least one articulation angle between a longitudinal axis of the tractor unit and a longitudinal axis of the trailer is continuously regulated. | 07-16-2015 |
20140376839 | STEERING SHAFT - A steering shaft for a steering system of a motor vehicle, comprises an inner shaft mounted axially displaceably in a hollow shaft, wherein a rolling bearing having multiple metallic rolling elements, which are disposed axially in at least two rows, is disposed between the hollow shaft and the inner shaft. Previously known steering shafts cannot reliably present vibrations from being transmitted from the inner shaft to the hollow shaft. Therefore, the diameters of the metallic rolling elements decreases proceeding from the center of the rolling bearing toward the end faces thereof, wherein multiple mutually adjacent metallic rolling elements have identical and/or different diameters. | 12-25-2014 |
20140309890 | OUTPUT STAGE CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF A FAULT - A method for implementing a transition from a functioning steering assistance system to a deactivated steering assistance system when a fault occurs, comprising the following steps: establishing the fault of the steering assistance system; establishing that all high-side power switches are functional (first case), or establishing that all low-side power switches are functional (second case); and in the first case: opening all high-side power switches and performing PWM-like control of the low-side power switches; or in the second case: opening all low-side power switches and performing PWM-like control of the high-side power switches. | 10-16-2014 |
20140230533 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A RACK FORCE FOR A STEERING APPARATUS AND STEERING APPARATUS - A method for determining a rack force for a steering apparatus of a vehicle, in which the rack force is determined as a function of a steering angle variable which characterizes an actual wheel steering angle or a set point of the wheel steering angle. In order to specify a method for determining a rack force, with which a target steering torque can be generated such that a comfortable steering feel is imparted to the driver and the steering apparatus nevertheless gives the driver feedback that is as realistic as possible regarding the motion state of the vehicle, the method comprises: determining a variable which characterizes a lateral force on a shaft of the steering apparatus, and determining the rack force as a function of the lateral force, wherein the determination of the rack force comprises a filtering by means of a signal processing element having a proportional-differential transfer function. | 08-21-2014 |
20140210394 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - A method for operating an electric motor which is used as an electric servo drive in an electronic power steering system of a motor vehicle for power assistance and which has a number of magnetic elements and phase windings and is actuated and/or controlled by an electronic control unit of the electronic power steering system, wherein a temperature of at least one magnetic element of the electric motor is continuously determined during the operation of the electric motor by way of a temperature model and wherein, based on the temperature of the at least one magnetic element of the electric motor determined by way of the temperature model, an electrical current flowing in at least one of the phase windings of the electric motor is limited, taking into account a predeterminable limit temperature of the at least one magnetic element of the electric motor. | 07-31-2014 |
20140190761 | STEERING SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE COMPRISING AN ELECTRIC SERVOMOTOR - A steering system in a vehicle comprising an electric servomotor which includes a switching gearbox that is integrated into the steering shaft and has a switching actuator wherein a less direct gear ratio is presented when the switching actuator is de-energized than when it is energized. | 07-10-2014 |
20140163822 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A STEERING ROCK FORCE FOR A STEERING DEVICE IN A VEHICLE, STEERING DEVICE AND OPEN-LOOP AND/OR CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL DEVICE FOR A STEERING DEVICE - A method for determining a steering rack force (FR) for a steering system of a vehicle, in which a first steering rack force (RFD) is ascertained as a function of at least one force that occurs in the steering system or at least one torque (tor_RA) that occurs in the steering system. So as to provide less strong feedback on the force conditions in the steering system for reasons of driving comfort, in particular when this is currently not required, it is proposed to ascertain a second steering rack force (RFC) as a function of at least one vehicle variable (v, ang_RA), which characterizes the state of movement of the vehicle, and to generate a resulting steering rack force (FR) based on the first steering rack force (RFD) and the second steering rack force (RFC). | 06-12-2014 |
20140144264 | APPARATUS FOR RELEASING A SECURING SCREW FOR A UNIT IN A HOUSING - In a device for releasing a securing screw for a unit in a housing, in particular a pinion unit in a steering gear of a motor vehicle, the securing screw is connected via an external thread to an internal thread in the housing, wherein the securing screw is provided with a latching device, which has latching levers disposed distributed on the circumference of the securing screw, each of which said latching levers is provided with latching lugs disposed on the free ends of the latching levers. The latching lugs latch into toothing gaps of a toothing geometry of the housing. The latching device can be connected to a tool in order to release the latching levers having the latching lugs from the latched position by means of a radially inwardly directed movement of the latching levers. | 05-29-2014 |
20140126976 | DEVICE FOR THE POSITIONAL SECURING OF A UNIT - A device for securing a unit in a housing, in particular for securing a fixed bearing of a pinion in a steering gear of a motor vehicle, comprises a securing element which is inserted into a bore in the housing. The securing element is provided with at least one latching lever, wherein the at least one latching lever latches into toothing gaps of a toothing geometry in the bore of the housing via a latching lug disposed at the free end of the latching lever, or wherein at least one latching lug is disposed in the bore, which latches into toothing gaps of a toothing geometry in the securing element. | 05-08-2014 |
20140052338 | OPERATING DEVICE FOR STEERING A VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR STEERING THE VEHICLE - An operating device for steering a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, and a method for steering the vehicle by way of the operating device. The operating device comprises a control stick, in particular for operation by a human hand The control stick has at least one degree of freedom. A steering angle can be specified by way of the control stick. The operating device comprises a control element. The specifiable steering angle can be determined as a function of a state of the control stick and as a function of a state of the control element. | 02-20-2014 |
20140007738 | DEVICE FOR EXPOSING AN OPENING IN A HOUSING PART OF A STEERING GEAR - A device for exposing at least one opening in a housing part of a steering gear in a vehicle steering system is provided with a closure element, which closes the opening, and an operating element. At least one of the properties of the operating element changes when coming in contact with a liquid so that the opening can be exposed by the closure element after cooperation of the operating element with the closure element. The closure element is at least partially covered by a cover part and is designed as a buoyant body, or is provided with one or more buoyant bodies, wherein the cover part completely exposes the opening when liquid makes contact with the cover part. | 01-09-2014 |
20130228026 | POWER STEERING SYSTEM - A power steering system, and more particularly a power-assisted steering system for a vehicle, comprises a lead screw which is driven by a servo motor and is composed of a nut, which is mounted axially non-displaceably in a frame, and an axially displaceable component, the thread of which is engaged with a thread of the nut, and further comprising a belt pulley, which is non-rotatably connected to the nut and forms part of a traction mechanism gear between the servo motor and the nut, wherein the nut is mounted in the frame by a rolling bearing. So as to provide a power steering system which produces little noise and is easy to install, very precise in operation and also cost-effective to produce, the belt pulley is produced from plastic. | 09-05-2013 |
20130213727 | STEERING GEAR WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR, CONTROL UNIT AND SENSOR ARRANGEMENT, AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM EQUIPPED THEREWITH - A steering gear comprises a helical pinion and a helical gear which are mounted in the gear housing and driven by an electric motor, wherein a control unit and a sensor system connected thereto are also disposed in or on the steering gear so as to detect and control the rotor position and/or rotation of the rotor of the electric motor. A section of the shaft of the worm located on the drive side extends in the axial direction and protrudes from the gear housing, wherein the protruding end of the section on the drive side is designed as a rotor shaft of the electric motor, and the control unit and/or the sensor system are disposed on the gear housing. The control unit and the sensor system are preferably disposed on differing sections of the gear housing. This allows a very compact, cost-saving and flexible implementation of the design. | 08-22-2013 |
20130118291 | BEARING BUSH ASSEMBLY FOR A TELESCOPIC STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING SYSTEM EQUIPPED THEREWITH - A bearing bushing assembly for a telescopic steering shaft comprises an outer tube and an inner tube, wherein the bearing bushing assembly comprises a bearing bushing, which is seated against the inner tube and made of an inflexible plastic material, and a sealing element, which is molded onto the bearing bushing and made of an elastic plastic material so as to connect the inner tube to the outer tube in an axially movable and sealing manner, the bearing bushing being enclosed by an elastic bushing, which in turn is enclosed by an end section of the outer tube, the outer circumference of the elastic bushing comprising outwardly extending rib-shaped elements, the elastic bushing comprises at least one sealing lip extending in the axial direction. | 05-16-2013 |
20120125132 | Bearing system for a worm in a steering gear - Disclosed is a bearing system for a worm engaging with a worm wheel as part of a steering gear, wherein the bearing system comprises at least one bearing with an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling bodies that are movably accommodated between the outer an inner rings, the bearing being pivotally arranged in a bearing seat for accommodating the outer ring of the bearing, and wherein the inner ring accommodates one of the two shaft ends of the worm in order to seat said shaft end of the worm radially in the housing of the steering gear. For an improved dampening of the worm at least one spring element, which exerts a spring force on a region of the outer ring of the bearing, is provided at the bearing, said spring force supporting a pivotal motion of the worm toward the worm wheel. | 05-24-2012 |
20120072074 | Determining a target steering torque in a steering device - In order to achieve a steering feel for SbW systems and EPS systems having a control design for controlling the steering torque by generating a target steering torque (torTB) that can be adapted to various steering systems, vehicle types, or requirements, in which the resulting steering feel is a steering feel, in all driving conditions and driving situations, which is equivalent to, or better than, hydraulic and electromechanical steering systems available on the market today, according to the invention: a base steering torque (torB) is determined as a function of an externally acting force (torR) and a vehicle speed (velV); a damping torque (torD) is determined as a function of a steering speed (anvSW) and the vehicle speed (velV); a hysteresis torque (torF) is determined as a function of the steering speed (anvSW) and the vehicle speed (velV); a centering torque (torCF; torC) in the direction of the straight-ahead position is determined as a function of a steering wheel angle (angSW) and the vehicle speed (velV); and the base steering torque (torB), the damping torque (torD), the hysteresis torque (torF) and the centering torque (torCF; torC) form individual components, as a function of which the target steering torque (torTB) is determined. | 03-22-2012 |
20120061164 | Power steering for a motor vehicle - Disclosed is a power steering system for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing in which a steering rod is held in an axially movable manner. The steering rod comprises a spindle section which, together with a rotatably mounted recirculating ball nut forms a recirculating ball screw and nut gear. A support bushing is provided between an axial end of the steering rod and the recirculating ball nut, the bushing providing a through-hole for guiding the steering rod through. The inner face of the support bushing which faces the steering rod has a curved contour so that the opening cross-section of the through-hole increases toward the end of the steering rod. The curved contour is adapted to a bending line of the steering rod so that the steering rod, when it comes in contact with the support bushing as a result of a bending load, abuts the curved contour thereof in a planar manner. | 03-15-2012 |
20120035811 | Determination of a correcting variable for controlling a moment regulator in a vehicle steering system - So as to provide, with high accuracy, an actuating variable for actuating a torque control element in an electric vehicle steering system and achieve this with reduced complexity as compared to the known methods and devices, an actual torsion-bar torque (M | 02-09-2012 |
20100332081 | Method for activating a superimposed steering system - Disclosed is a method for actuating a superimposed steering system, a superimposed steering system, a controller, a computer program, and a computer program product. In the method, a steering ratio is produced as a function of the driving speed, with the magnitude of a time delay being adjusted as a function of the driving speed. | 12-30-2010 |
20100260448 | Radially mobile floating bearing - Disclosed is a radially movable floating bearing for a shaft of a gear of a steering system, comprising a bushing or an inner ring or a rolling bearing, which is supported in a seat of a frame or housing of the gear. The inner ring or the bushing or the rolling bearing is held by at least one support element made of material having elastomeric properties which is inserted into a gap between the seat and the inner ring, the support element being designed as a pivot bearing. In order to provide a radially movable floating bearing for a steering system gear shaft, which is low-noise, easy to pivot and highly resilient, the pivot bearing cooperates with a damping stop disposed tangentially at a distance thereto, the stop being disposed at a radial distance from the inner ring or the seat. | 10-14-2010 |
20100236860 | Electric power steering - An electric power steering system, and in particular a power-assisted steering system for a vehicle, comprises a steering transmission housing and a housing cover which forms an axial closure of the steering transmission housing and which is penetrated by an axially displaceable component of the steering transmission. In order to provide an electric power steering system which is easy to assemble and is not susceptible to wear, in an axially outer region of the housing cover, a first guide bushing for the axially displaceable component is integrated in the housing cover. | 09-23-2010 |
20100116125 | Auxiliary force steering device for a vehicle - A power steering device for a vehicle which is disposed in the transmission path between a steering handle and a steerable vehicle wheel, comprises a servo cylinder having two pressure chambers, which are separated by a working piston and are each connected to a pressure supply unit. A valve plunger, which seals a bypass channel between the pressure chambers, is movably disposed on the working piston. Furthermore, an adjustment bushing comprising an adjustment section is disposed in the servo cylinder, the valve plunger being moved against this section upon approaching an axial limit position, thereby opening the bypass channel. The adjustment bushing is clamped into the servo cylinder, yet held displaceably, wherein, on the adjustment bushing, a sealing section is provided, which is to be moved into a sealing position with the working piston so as to interrupt the flow connection between the pressure chambers. | 05-13-2010 |
20090133485 | Device for Uncovering an Opening in a Housing Part of a Steering Gear - A device for exposing an opening in a housing part of a steering gear in a vehicle steering system has a closure element that closes the opening and a component that, when it comes into contact with a liquid, changes at least one of its properties such that, after the component cooperates with the closure element, the closure element exposes the opening. | 05-28-2009 |
20080196964 | Method for stabilizing a vehicle combination - A method of stabilizing a vehicle combination including a towing vehicle and a trailer, includes determining at least one vehicle state variable describing the state of the vehicle from a comparison with an assigned nominal value. A correcting variable is produced, which is supplied to an actuator in the vehicle. The correcting variable acts upon a steering actuator in order to adjust the wheel steering angle. | 08-21-2008 |