Patents by Inventor Christian Popp
Christian Popp 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: 8311715Abstract: A method for monitoring frictional engagement in an automatic or automated motor vehicle transmission having a hydrodynamic starter element when the transmission is in a preset neutral or parking position and the automatic or automated motor vehicle transmission controlled by this method. When the motor vehicle is at or close to a standstill in a preset neutral or parking position, the current transmission rotational input speed and a current engine rotational speed of the drive motor are determined and based on the speed ratio between the current transmission rotational input speed and the current engine rotational speed an error is found to be present if the speed ratio is less than a predefined threshold value, which is less than/equal to 1.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Georg Gierer, Christian Popp, Thilo Schmidt, Klaus Steinhauser
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Patent number: 8311712Abstract: A method of operating of a drivetrain, having at least a drive motor and an automatic transmission with at least five shift elements, to improve a shift speed such that during a first upshift or a first downshift, at least one required shift element is prepared such that, when a synchronization point is reached, the successive upshift or the successive downshift can be immediately carried out. The method comprises the steps of requiring, at most, two of the at least five shift elements be disengaged and a remainder of the shift elements be disengaged for each gear for transferring one of torque and force; and one of increasing and decreasing a torque of the drive motor, relative to a torque of the drive motor derived from a driver's wish, during one of the first upshift or downshift and the successive upshift or downshift to assist with an overlapped implementation of the successive upshifts or the successive downshifts.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
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Publication number: 20120272768Abstract: A mechanism for actuating a transmission having shifting elements. A self-holding valve device is movable into a first position, by a pilot pressure, against a force directed to a second position and held by a pressure holding signal in the first position. Transmission of a pressure signal, to a switching valve, is blocked by the self-holding valve device in the first position but, in the second position, is applied to the switching valve. When the driver sets the switching valve to a first shift position, the pressure signal can be applied to valve devices of at least two of the shifting elements that produce an actuating pressure and, in a second shift position of the switching valve, the onward transmission of the pressure signal, to the valve devices of the shifting elements that produce an actuating pressure, is blocked in the area of the switching valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Thilo SCHMIDT, Christian POPP
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Patent number: 8249787Abstract: A process of monitoring a drive direction of an automatic or automated vehicle transmission at near-zero vehicle speed via an engaged gear. A desired direction of drive of the transmission is determined from an engaged gear at the time the vehicle begins motion. An actual direction of drive is determined from the transmission and, if different from the desired direction of drive, an error signal is produced. The process includes determining the actual drive either from a sensed rotational direction of a transmission input shaft and a sensed rotational direction of a transmission output shaft or a sensed valve setting, a sensed pressure in an transmission electro-hydraulic control system or on a transmission shifting element or from a sensed direction of rotation of a transmission gearset element or from axial movement or force of a transmission constructional element.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Georg Gierer, Christian Popp, Thilo Schmidt, Klaus Steinhauser
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Patent number: 8185282Abstract: A method for the operation of a drivetrain comprising an automatic transmission, a motor and at least five shift elements in which two shift elements are engaged and three shift elements are disengaged. When carrying out an upshift or downshift, a first shift element is either disengaged or engaged, and a second shift element is engaged or disengaged. While the first upshift or downshift is being carried out, a second shift element is prepared for disengaging or engaging and a third shift element is prepared for engaging or disengaging. Actuation of the second shift element occurs by virtue of a minimum selection of a first alternative or a maximum selection a second alternative. While the first upshift or downshift is being carried out and while the second upshift or downshift is being carried out, at least one fourth shift element is kept engaged or nearly engaged.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
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Patent number: 8162796Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, in particular a variable-speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission has five shift elements and for transferring torque or force in a forward gear and in a reverse gear at least three of the five shift elements are engaged. In a neutral position of the automatic transmission, to prevent torque or force flow at least one of the shift elements that are engaged in the respective forward or reverse gear is fully disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Christian Popp, Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele, Bernd Allgaier, Thilo Schmidt
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Patent number: 8165762Abstract: A method of operating a valve system of a transmission comprising part of the vehicle drive train through a valve unit and said valve unit's electro-magnetic activator configuration. In a transmission's hydraulic system and is part of the vehicle drive train, its hydraulic pressure value (p_EDS) can be employed and adjusted through a valve unit configuration by applying a pulse-width-modulated current signal (i_EDS) to the electro-magnetic activator system. The pulse-width modulated current signal (i_EDS) and its amplitude (A) and/or its pulse duration (pw1) will periodically change, during the applied Dither-Modulation, by maintaining the required pressure value (p_EDS) at the same time, whereby a lengthwise movable anchor, which is attached a valve shaft of the valve system, receives hereby an imposed vibrating oscillation. According to the invention, the Dither-Modulation is activated or deactivated during pre-defined operating conditions of the vehicle drive train.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Christian Popp, Thilo Schmidt, Klaus Steinhauser, Christoph Braun
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Publication number: 20120078496Abstract: A driver assistance system for driver assistance for consumption controlled driving combines tactile and visual feedback functions, especially in the form of a drive configuration, a display concept and/or a deceleration assistant, wherein the emphasis is, on the one hand, on a modified accelerator pedal characteristic and, on the other hand, on the ECO tips for interactive output of efficient driving instructions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stefan LINDHUBER, Christian Popp, Christof Schulze
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Publication number: 20120078468Abstract: A driver assistance system for driver assistance for consumption controlled driving combines tactile and visual feedback functions, especially in the form of a drive configuration, a display concept and/or a deceleration assistant, wherein the emphasis is, on the one hand, on a modified accelerator pedal characteristic and, on the other hand, on providing ECO tips for an interactive output of efficient driving instructions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christian POPP, Norman Wiebking, Henrik Wigermo, Andreas Pfeiffer
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Publication number: 20120078467Abstract: A driver assistance system for assisting a driver in achieving consumption-controlled driving combines haptic and visual acknowledgment functions, particularly in the form of a drive configuration, a display concept, and/or a deceleration assistant. A modified characteristic accelerator pedal curve is utilized, and ECO tips of the interactive output of efficient driving instructions are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Johann SCHWEIKL, Christof Schulze, Juergen Geus, Georg Mumelter, Christian Popp
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Publication number: 20120022752Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle drive-train with an engine and a transmission during a gearshift in which an interlocking shift element is disengaged and a frictional shift element is engaged. Upon a shift command, the shifting time and a transmission input speed are monitored. If the input speed deviates from a synchronous speed equivalent to the gear ratio being disengaged, recognizing disengagement of the interlocking shifting element. If an engaged operating condition of the interlocking shifting element to be disengaged is detected, after the lapse of a time interval beginning with the shift command, a current drive torque of the drive machine is brought by motor actuation to a level that corresponds to a difference between the current transmission input torque and a torque that can be transmitted by the frictional shifting element to be engaged, operating with slip, plus a torque offset value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Jorg Arnold, Klaus Steinhauser, Valentine Herbeth, Christian Popp
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Publication number: 20120011842Abstract: A hydraulic transmission unit comprises at least one pressure regulation valve (1) and a pilot control valve (2) which is connected to the pressure regulation valve (1) by a pilot control line (35). A pre-filling valve (3, 303) sets a pre-filling pressure (p—3) to avoid draining of a clutch (20) and the lines (231, 331) connected to the clutch (20) in an operating condition in which the clutch (20) is not actuated. To avoid draining when the clutch when in the operating condition, the pilot control line (35) is also connected to at least one line (236, 238, 336, 338) which is pressurized with a second pre-filling pressure (p—3).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt, Christian Popp
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Patent number: 8088041Abstract: A pressure (p_3) setting system (200) with a pressure control valve (1), comprising a valve gate (10) arranged to be displace in a valve bore (12). The valve bore has at least one pressure chamber (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), in which the valve gate may be axially exposed to a pressure. A first pressure chamber (21) is connected to at least one acceleration-dependent compensation member (203) for full or partial compensation of any pressure (p_3) setting disturbances caused by mass forces (F_a1, F_a2) resulting from the acceleration (a) of the system.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Thilo Schmidt, Christian Popp
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Patent number: 8083641Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, in particular a variable-speed transmission. The automatic transmission includes at least five shift elements and to transfer torque or force transfer in a forward gear and a reverse gear at least three shift of the at least five elements are engaged. When shifting the automatic transmission from a neutral position to a forward or a reverse gear, at least one of the three shift elements of the automatic transmission that are engaged in the respective forward or reverse gear, is engaged in a controlled manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Christian Popp, Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele, Bernd Allgaier, Thilo Schmidt
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Patent number: 8086381Abstract: A method for emergency actuation of an automated dual-clutch transmission of a vehicle with electrohydraulic control via a transmission control device. The method includes disengaging one clutch of the dual-clutch transmission, in order to realize emergency operation of the transmission and applying pressure on the other clutch after an error signal is transmitted indicating a malfunction of the transmission and/or the transmission control device. In order to keep the complexity of the hardware of the hydraulic system low, both clutches are disengaged, when an error signal occurs, and adjusted to a safe initial state, and an actuating pressure is only re-applied to one of the two clutches after the initial state is reached. In addition to the already existing elements of the hydraulic system, only one device or software is required which detects and selects the clutch that is more advantageous for continued driving operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Anton Fritzer, Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Christian Popp, Georg Gierer
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Publication number: 20110284335Abstract: A method of operating a transmission of a vehicle drive train with at least one drive machine. The transmission is formed with at least one interlocking shift element and a plurality of frictional shift elements in order to obtain various gear ratios. During an engaging process of the interlocking shift element, starting from a disengaged operating condition, in which halves of the interlocking shift element are out of engagement, to an engaged operating condition, in which the shift element halves are interlocked in a rotationally fixed manner, when interlock between the shift element halves is obstructed, a rotational speed difference is produced at least temporarily between the shift element halves, at which the interlock in the area of the interlocking shift element can be engaged. To produce the speed difference between the shift element halves, the transmission capacity of at least one frictional shift element is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Jorg Arnold, Klaus Steinhauser, Valentine Herbeth, Christian Popp
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Publication number: 20110263382Abstract: A method is described for the operation of a transmission device (1) with a plurality of frictional shift elements (A, D, E, F) and at least one interlocking shift element (B, C) for obtaining various gear ratios. When a command is received for a gearshift during which the interlocking shift element (C) has to be changed from an open to a closed operating condition, the interlocking shift element (C) is at least approximately synchronized by increasing the transmission capacity of at least one frictional shift element (A) which does not have to be engaged in the force flow either to obtain the gear ratio that is to be disengaged or to obtain the gear ratio that is to be engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Jorg Arnold, Klaus Steinhauser, Valentine Herbeth, Christian Popp, Thilo Schmidt, Peter Ziemer, Gabor Diosi, Christoph Margraf
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Publication number: 20110237390Abstract: A method of operating of a drivetrain, having at least a drive motor and an automatic transmission with at least five shift elements, to improve a shift speed such that during a first upshift or a first downshift, at least one required shift element is prepared such that, when a synchronization point is reached, the successive upshift or the successive downshift can be immediately carried out. The method comprises the steps of requiring, at most, two of the at least five shift elements be disengaged and a remainder of the shift elements be disengaged for each gear for transferring one of torque and force; and one of increasing and decreasing a torque of the drive motor, relative to a torque of the drive motor derived from a driver's wish, during one of the first upshift or downshift and the successive upshift or downshift to assist with an overlapped implementation of the successive upshifts or the successive downshifts.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Klaus STEINHAUSER, Christian POPP
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Publication number: 20110231074Abstract: A method of operating of a drivetrain, having a drive motor and an automatic transmission with at least five shift elements, to improve a shift speed of at least one of a successive upshift and a successive downshift, such that at least one required shift element is prepared so that, when a synchronization point is reached, the successive upshift or downshift can be immediately carried out. The method comprises the steps of requiring, at most, two of the at least five shift elements be disengaged and a remainder of the shift elements be engaged, in each of the gears; and preparing a shift element, to be engaged before reaching the synchronization point, by a first time interval, that is applied in a time-controlled manner or an event-controlled manner for engagement, while the first upshift or the first downshift is being carried out while giving consideration to the successive upshift or the successive downshift.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Klaus STEINHAUSER, Christian POPP
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Patent number: 8002669Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle drivetrain comprising at least an automatic transmission and a drive assembly. The automatic transmission includes at least five shifting elements to transmit torque and/or power. In each forward and reverse gear, three shifting elements are engaged and the remaining two shifting elements are disengaged. Two consecutive gearshifts are carried out through selection of the five shifting elements. During a first gearshift, implemented as a multiple gearshift, a subsequent second gearshift, implemented as either a single or multiple gearshift, is prepared. During the first gearshift, a first shifting element is disengaged, a second shifting element is engaged, a third shifting element is prepared for disengagement in a subsequent second gearshift and a fourth shifting element is prepared for engagement. Further, during the first gearshift and the subsequent second gearshift, a fifth shifting element is retained in at least a substantially engaged state.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp