Patents by Inventor Bernard Hunold

Bernard Hunold 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).

  • Patent number: 8919216
    Abstract: A double clutch transmission of a motor vehicle with a first input shaft (W1) formed as a hollow shaft and a longer, second input shaft (W2) arranged coaxially inside the first input shaft (W1). Each of input shaft is in driving connection, by way of an associated input constant (EK1, EK2), with at least one countershaft (W3a, W3b) arranged axis-parallel to the first and the second input shafts (W1, W2). To avoid jamming of the gearteeth (4, 5a, 5b; 6, 7a, 7b) of the respective, non-load-transmitting input constant (EK1, EK2), the fixed wheel (6), arranged on the associated input shaft (W2) in at least one of the input constants, is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner by first carrier gearteeth (19) on a support sleeve (20) which, in turn, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner by second carrier gearteeth (21, 21?) to the input shaft (W2) concerned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernard Hunold, Eckhardt Lubke, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20140329633
    Abstract: A motor vehicle powershift transmission which comprising two partial transmissions (TG1, TG2) each with a respective input shaft (GE1, GE2) that can be drivingly connected, via a main separator clutch (CL1, CL2; CL1?, CL2?; CL1*, CL2*), with the driveshaft (TW) of a drive engine (VM) and, on the output side, with a common output shaft (GA). To enable powershifts without frictional slipping, the two input shafts (GE1 GE2), on the input side, can be connected to and disconnected from a respective intermediate shaft (ZW1, ZW2) by the respective main separator clutch (CL1, CL2; CL1?, CL2?; CL1*, CL2*). The first intermediate shaft (ZW1) is directly connected to the driveshaft (TW) and the second intermediate shaft (ZW2) is in driving connection with the first intermediate shaft (ZW1) by way of a variator (V) which has a continuously adjustable transmission ratio (iV) and a rest transmission ratio having the value one iV—0=1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Kai BORNTRAEGER, Bernard HUNOLD, Johannes KALTENBACH
  • Publication number: 20140305239
    Abstract: A transmission having two clutches connected between a drive and respective transmission input shafts, one being hollow which supports the other within. A hollow countershaft which supports another countershaft therein. A main shaft arranged coaxially between the inner input shaft and an output shaft. Shifting elements can engage a variety of transmission connections in which transmission elements of the main group couple transmission elements of the range group which can couple the output shaft. The hollow countershaft has three fixed wheels which engage respective loose wheels, and the countershafts are rigidly coupled by a shifting element. With respect to this shifting element: an adjacent loose wheel rotates on and can rigidly couple the main shaft; a remote loose wheel rotates on and can rigidly couple the inner input shaft; and a central loose wheel rotates on and can rigidly couple at least one of the inner input and main shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Eckhardt Lubke, Johannes Kaltenbach, Bernard Hunold
  • Patent number: 8821343
    Abstract: A method of operating a drive-train comprising an auxiliary output on the engine side that can be coupled to the combustion engine via a continuously variable transmission and a generator such that when the engine is running, the generator can be driven at a constant rotational speed regardless of the speed of the engine, such that a condition parameter of the auxiliary output is regulated between a pair of limit values. The condition parameter is regulated as a function of its current actual value, the limit values of the condition parameter and also as a function of a current and/or anticipated driving situation such that parameters are determined, in the regulator, for the energy input into the auxiliary output as a function of these input data, and hence for a corresponding energy uptake from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alexander Banerjee, Bernard Hunold
  • Patent number: 8701515
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle with a clutch device on the input side. The drive assembly includes a transmission having input and output shafts, loose and fixed gearwheels, shifting devices for coupling the loose gearwheels to the transmission shafts, a power take-off (PTO) gearwheel that can be driven by the input of the clutch device, and a PTO clutch for engaging the PTO gearwheel in the torque flow. The PTO clutch is arranged in the torque flow after and axially adjacent a starting and shifting clutch. The clutch device comprises the starting and shifting clutch, the PTO clutch and two actuators. The starting and shifting clutch is a friction clutch and the PTO clutch is a claw clutch. The two clutches have a clutch cover and a common actuator housing, and the coupling device of the PTO clutch is arranged radially outside the clutch cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernard Hunold, Eckhardt Lubke
  • Publication number: 20140013881
    Abstract: A method of synchronizing a double clutch transmission having two input shafts and an output shaft. The input shafts can couple a motor drive shaft via an input friction clutch to synchronize rotation of the forward gears. The input shafts are coaxial with one located within the other, and the transmission output shaft is likewise coaxial. Each of the forward and reverse gears are arranged in a respective gearset plane. The gear clutches for the forward and reverse gears form gear shifting devices with some being actuated on two sides. Progressive gear steps are realized between the forward gears, and the gear clutches are unsynchronized shift elements. The rotational speed of one or more gear clutches, necessary for a gear change, is adapted as needed by actuating one or both of the input clutches and controlling the rotational speed of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Eckhardt Luebke, Bernard Hunold
  • Publication number: 20140011624
    Abstract: A transmission, preferably for driving a motor vehicle, includes a multi-gear main transmission and a range group, that is connected downstream from the main transmission and comprises an input shaft and an epicyclic gear system. The epicyclic gear system comprises elements in the form at least of a central gearwheel and a planetary carrier. Furthermore, the transmission comprises a first connection for driving one of the elements of the epicyclic gear system by way of the input shaft of the range group and a variator, as well as a second connection that can be engaged with the first connection for driving a further element of the elements of the epicyclic gear system. When the second connection is engaged, the input shaft of the range group drives the variator and a drive output of the variator drives the further element of the epicyclic gear system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Matthias REISCH, Bernard HUNOLD
  • Patent number: 8528433
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle with a transmission that can be powershifted and comprises splitter and main transmissions, input and output shafts, loose and fixed gearwheels which form transmission gears, and shifting devices for coupling the loose gearwheels to at least one of the transmission shafts. The splitter transmission has first and second gear constants, and the inputs of the first and second gear constants can be driven by the outputs of two clutches whose inputs can be driven by a motor. One of the clutches is a frictional starting and shifting clutch and the other is a claw clutch, the inputs of the first and second gear constants can be driven alternatively by the output of the starting and shifting clutch, and that by way of the output of the claw clutch the input of only one of the gear constants can be driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernard Hunold, Eckhardt Lubke
  • Patent number: 8490727
    Abstract: A hybrid drive train for a motor vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, and electric machine, with a stator and rotor, and a transmission. A disk clutch is located in the force flow, between the combustion engine and the transmission input shaft, and an outer disk carrier of the disk clutch is fixed to a transmission input stage and an inner disk carrier of the disk clutch is connected to the combustion engine. The rotor of the electric machine drives another element of the transmission input stage, and the disk carriers of the clutch are mounted and centered by two roller bearings which center the inner and outer disk carriers relative to one another and bring them into axial alignment, and axial tolerances within the unit which comprises the electric machine, the separator clutch and the transmission input stage are compensated by displacing and aligning the disk packet of the clutch in the drive gearing of the inner disk carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Kai Borntrager, Bernard Hunold, Max Bachmann, Rene Budach
  • Patent number: 8485939
    Abstract: A method of controlling a drive-train of a motor vehicle, which comprises an internal combustion engine with a driveshaft, an electric machine in driving connection with the driveshaft of the internal combustion engine, a semi-automatic transmission with an input shaft and a plurality of gears that can be engaged selectively, and an automated friction clutch arranged between the driveshaft of the internal combustion engine and the input shaft of the transmission, such that a gearshift of the transmission occurs in combination with suitable control of the internal combustion engine while the friction clutch is at least partially and/or briefly engaged. To speed up the shifting process and to attenuate torque and speed surges during the shifting process, the electric machine is operated briefly as a generator and/or as a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Gluckler, Alexander Maier, Bernard Hunold
  • Publication number: 20130090209
    Abstract: A method of operating a drive-train comprising an auxiliary output on the engine side that can be coupled to the combustion engine via a continuously variable transmission and a generator such that when the engine is running, the generator can be driven at a constant rotational speed regardless of the speed of the engine, such that a condition parameter of the auxiliary output is regulated between a pair of limit values. The condition parameter is regulated as a function of its current actual value, the limit values of the condition parameter and also as a function of a current and/or anticipated driving situation such that parameters are determined, in the regulator, for the energy input into the auxiliary output as a function of these input data, and hence for a corresponding energy uptake from the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Alexander Banerjee, Bernard Hunold
  • Publication number: 20120240700
    Abstract: A double clutch transmission of a motor vehicle with a first input shaft (W1) formed as a hollow shaft and a longer, second input shaft (W2) arranged coaxially inside the first input shaft (W1). Each of input shaft is in driving connection, by way of an associated input constant (EK1, EK2), with at least one countershaft (W3a, W3b) arranged axis-parallel to the first and the second input shafts (W1, W2). To avoid jamming of the gearteeth (4, 5a, 5b; 6, 7a, 7b) of the respective, non-load-transmitting input constant (EK1, EK2), the fixed wheel (6), arranged on the associated input shaft (W2) in at least one of the input constants, is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner by first carrier gearteeth (19) on a support sleeve (20) which, in turn, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner by second carrier gearteeth (21, 21?) to the input shaft (W2) concerned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Bernard Hunold, Eckhardt Lubke, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20120115675
    Abstract: A method of controlling a drive-train of a motor vehicle, which comprises an internal combustion engine with a driveshaft, an electric machine in driving connection with the driveshaft of the internal combustion engine, a semi-automatic transmission with an input shaft and a plurality of gears that can be engaged selectively, and an automated friction clutch arranged between the driveshaft of the internal combustion engine and the input shaft of the transmission, such that a gearshift of the transmission occurs in combination with suitable control of the internal combustion engine while the friction clutch is at least partially and/or briefly engaged. To speed up the shifting process and to attenuate torque and speed surges during the shifting process, the electric machine is operated briefly as a generator and/or as a motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes GLÜCKLER, Alexander MAIER, Bernard HUNOLD
  • Publication number: 20120103116
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle with a transmission that can be powershifted and comprises splitter and main transmissions, input and output shafts, loose and fixed gearwheels which form transmission gears, and shifting devices for coupling the loose gearwheels to at least one of the transmission shafts. The splitter transmission has first and second gear constants, and the inputs of the first and second gear constants can be driven by the outputs of two clutches whose inputs can be driven by a motor. One of the clutches is a frictional starting and shifting clutch and the other is a claw clutch, the inputs of the first and second gear constants can be driven alternatively by the output of the starting and shifting clutch, and that by way of the output of the claw clutch the input of only one of the gear constants can be driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Bernard Hunold, Eckhardt Lubke
  • Publication number: 20120042743
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle with a clutch device on the input side. The drive assembly includes a transmission having input and output shafts, loose and fixed gearwheels, shifting devices for coupling the loose gearwheels to the transmission shafts, a power take-off (PTO) gearwheel that can be driven by the input of the clutch device, and a PTO clutch for engaging the PTO gearwheel in the torque flow. The PTO clutch is arranged in the torque flow after and axially adjacent a starting and shifting clutch. The clutch device comprises the starting and shifting clutch, the PTO clutch and two actuators. The starting and shifting clutch is a friction clutch and the PTO clutch is a claw clutch. The two clutches have a clutch cover and a common actuator housing, and the coupling device of the PTO clutch is arranged radially outside the clutch cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Bernard Hunold, Eckhardt Lubke
  • Publication number: 20110224043
    Abstract: A hybrid module for the hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising an electric motor, a planetary gear assembly and a clutch (6) which connects the drive shaft of the internal combustion engine to the planet carrier (5) of the planetary gear assembly in a releasable manner, wherein the mounting for the rotor (1) and stator (2) is provided by the electric motor by way of the cover (3) of the electric motor, whereby the hub of the rotor (1) serves as the ring gear of the planetary gear assembly of the hybrid module and features a ring gear gearing and whereby the subassembly, comprised of the cover (3), the rotor (1) and the stator (2) can be preassembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Max Bachmann, Bernard Hunold, Kai Borntraeger, Rene Budach
  • Publication number: 20110132674
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine/hybrid transmission assembly of a motor vehicle, comprising an internal combustion engine and a hybrid module mounted on the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a flywheel. The hybrid transmission comprises a transmission and a hybrid module. The hybrid module has an electric motor which comprises a stator, on the stator side, and a rotor, on the rotor side, and the stator on the stator side comprises a stator housing, a stator liner which accommodates a stator core, and an end winding positioned on both sides of the stator core, when viewed in the axial direction. The section of the end winding, positioned on the side of the stator core facing the flywheel, is at least partially covered by a section of the flywheel, when viewed in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Kai Borntrager, Bernard Hunold, Max Bachmann, Rene Budach
  • Publication number: 20110124455
    Abstract: A hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle which comprises a combustion engine with a drive shaft and an electric machine which operates as either a motor or generator. The electric machine has a stator and a rotor and surrounds a planetary automatic transmission. The combustion engine drive shaft communicates, via a controllable separating clutch, and the rotor of the electric machine communicates, via the input transmission section, with the automatic transmission input shaft. The electric machine, the separating clutch, and the input transmission section are coaxially combined within a module enclosure of a preassembled hybrid module that has input and output elements. The input element is connected with the drive shaft of the combustion engine and the output element is connected with the input shaft of the automatic transmission, and the hybrid module maintains the dimensions of a conventional hydrodynamic torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Kai Borntraeger, Bernard Hunold, Max Bachmann, Rene Budach
  • Publication number: 20110120568
    Abstract: A hydraulic system of a transmission comprises a main transmission pump that can be driven by torque transmitted via the transmission unit and with an auxiliary pump that can be driven by an electric machine, by which primary and secondary pressure circuits can be supplied with hydraulic fluid. Pressure sides of the main transmission pump and the auxiliary pump are connected to the primary pressure circuit upstream of a pressure relief valve provided for adjusting a main pressure in the primary pressure circuit. The pressure relief valve is arranged between the pressure sides of the main transmission pump and the auxiliary pump and the secondary pressure circuit. The pressure side of the auxiliary pump can be actively connected with the secondary pressure circuit, via a hydraulic line which can be blocked in the direction toward the primary and secondary pressure circuits, and which bypasses the pressure-relief valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Kai Borntraeger, Bernard Hunold, Max Bachmann, Rene Budach
  • Publication number: 20110116859
    Abstract: A device for mounting a hybrid transmission, comprising a transmission unit and a hybrid module, onto an internal combustion engine, namely, for coupling a transmission shaft (10) of the hybrid transmission to a flywheel (13) of the internal combustion engine via a torsion damper (14). The torsion damper (14) can be connected to the transmission shaft (10) by a connecting element (18). The connecting element (18) has a first part (19), with a relatively small diameter, which is clamped to a hub (16) of the torsion damper (14) and a second part (20), with a relatively large diameter, with which, via driving splines (21), the transmission shaft (10) engages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Kai Borntrager, Bernard Hunold, Max Bachmann, Rene Budach