Patents by Inventor Erhard Hodrus
Erhard Hodrus 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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Publication number: 20230145914Abstract: A motor braking procedure is controlled for an electric motor that provides a drive torque for a vehicle and is driven electrically by an inverter circuit having a plurality of switching elements via at least two motor connections and has a rotor rotateable at a motor speed. A braking switch position is adopted by the inverter circuit in braking switch position intervals. An open switch position is adopted by the inverter circuit in open switch position intervals. The braking switch position intervals are alternately switched with the open switch position intervals based on a motor speed being less than a limit speed during the motor braking procedure. The rotor, during the electric motor braking procedure, is subject to a speed-dependent braking torque based on the inverter circuit adopting a braking switch position and is subject to a braking torque less than that in the braking switch position or no braking torque based on the inverter circuit adopting an open switch position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Patent number: 11536297Abstract: A hydrostatic actuator system includes an electric motor for delivering a hydraulic fluid via a piston unit. The actuator system is operating using a method in which a change in volume caused by a temperature change is sensed by a pressure measurement. The method reliably identifies a state of the transfer of the hydraulic fluid from a planetary roller transmission compartment into the master piston. The pressure measurement is continuously evaluated, and, in the event of a negative signal of the pressure measurement, suction of the hydraulic fluid by a planetary roller transmission lying in the hydraulic fluid between the electric motor and the piston unit into the piston unit is recognized and a fault signal is output.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Patent number: 11378143Abstract: A method sets a predefined position of a clutch actuator comprising a friction spring element. An activation path of the clutch actuator that actuates the clutch is predefined by a coupling torque via a coupling characteristic curve, wherein the predefined position (zo, zu) to be assumed by the clutch actuator is set by a closed-loop controller. To enable the predefined position of the clutch actuator to be set precisely without using additional energy, the predefined position (zo, zu) is corrected by a turning back value (ro, ru) of the friction spring element and the corrected position (zo+ro; zu?ru) of the clutch actuator is approached by the closed-loop controller. After reaching the corrected position (zo+ro; zu?ru) the closed-loop controller is switched off by dissipating the potential energy stored in the friction spring element.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Publication number: 20210341023Abstract: A method sets a predefined position of a clutch actuator comprising a friction spring element. An activation path of the clutch actuator that actuates the clutch is predefined by a coupling torque via a coupling characteristic curve, wherein the predefined position (zo, zu) to be assumed by the clutch actuator is set by a closed-loop controller. To enable the predefined position of the clutch actuator to be set precisely without using additional energy, the predefined position (zo, zu) is corrected by a turning back value (ro, ru) of the friction spring element and the corrected position (zo+ro; zu?ru) of the clutch actuator is approached by the closed-loop controller. After reaching the corrected position (zo+ro; zu?ru) the closed-loop controller is switched off by dissipating the potential energy stored in the friction spring element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Publication number: 20210285469Abstract: A hydrostatic actuator system includes an electric motor for delivering a hydraulic fluid via a piston unit. The actuator system is operating using a method in which a change in volume caused by a temperature change is sensed by a pressure measurement. The method reliably identifies a state of the transfer of the hydraulic fluid from a planetary roller transmission compartment into the master piston. The pressure measurement is continuously evaluated, and, in the event of a negative signal of the pressure measurement, suction of the hydraulic fluid by a planetary roller transmission lying in the hydraulic fluid between the electric motor and the piston unit into the piston unit is recognized and a fault signal is output.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2019Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Patent number: 11098771Abstract: A method determines the travel of a clutch in a hydraulic clutch-actuation system. A hydraulic signal which extends between a transmitting end and a receiving end is acted upon by an acoustic signal for the generation of a wave packet. The acoustic signal on the transmitting end of the clutch-actuation system is fed into the hydraulic fluid, a wave packet generated by the acoustic signal on the receiving end is reflected back to the transmitting end, a running time of the transmitted and reflected wave packet on the transmitting end is evaluated to determine the coupling travel.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Erhard Hodrus, Raphael Künzig
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Patent number: 10968965Abstract: A method for determining an actuator path of a hydraulic clutch actuator, includes measuring a first temperature of the hydraulic clutch actuator with a first temperature sensor, measuring a second temperature of the hydraulic clutch actuator with a second temperature sensor, calculating a first temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, using the first temperature or the second temperature as a clutch actuator temperature to determine a compensation value of the actuator path when the first temperature difference is less than a threshold value, and modifying the actuator path using the compensation value. In an example embodiment, the first temperature sensor measures a one of a circuit board temperature, an angle sensor temperature or a pressure sensor temperature, and the second temperature sensor measures another one of the circuit board temperature, the angle sensor temperature or the pressure sensor temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Publication number: 20200362927Abstract: A method determines the travel of a clutch in a hydraulic clutch-actuation system. A hydraulic signal which extends between a transmitting end and a receiving end is acted upon by an acoustic signal for the generation of a wave packet. The acoustic signal on the transmitting end of the clutch-actuation system is fed into the hydraulic fluid, a wave packet generated by the acoustic signal on the receiving end is reflected back to the transmitting end, a running time of the transmitted and reflected wave packet on the transmitting end is evaluated to determine the coupling travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2018Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Erhard Hodrus, Raphael Künzig
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Publication number: 20200318697Abstract: A method for determining an actuator path of a hydraulic clutch actuator, includes measuring a first temperature of the hydraulic clutch actuator with a first temperature sensor, measuring a second temperature of the hydraulic clutch actuator with a second temperature sensor, calculating a first temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, using the first temperature or the second temperature as a clutch actuator temperature to determine a compensation value of the actuator path when the first temperature difference is less than a threshold value, and modifying the actuator path using the compensation value. In an example embodiment, the first temperature sensor measures a one of a circuit board temperature, an angle sensor temperature or a pressure sensor temperature, and the second temperature sensor measures another one of the circuit board temperature, the angle sensor temperature or the pressure sensor temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Patent number: 10385935Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the availability of a hybrid separating clutch in a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle, wherein the hybrid separating clutch is disposed between an internal combustion engine and an electric traction drive. In the method where even in the event of a fault the motor vehicle continues to be driven, the hybrid separating clutch is controlled by a hydrostatic actuator, and when a malfunction of the hydrostatic actuator is detected, for actuation of the hybrid separating clutch which is engaged in the non-actuated state, the last state of the hydrostatic actuator detected by a control mechanism is used for estimation of a minimum clutch torque which can be transmitted.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Patent number: 10337574Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining an engagement point of a hybrid clutch in a hybrid vehicle; which hybrid clutch is actuated by a hydrostatic clutch actuator and disconnects or connects an internal combustion engine and an electric traction drive; the engagement point is determined by slowly actuating the clutch starting from a position in which the hybrid clutch is in the non-actuated state, and monitoring a moment of the electric traction drive when a defined increase in the momentum is detected. In a method in which engagement point adaptation is optimized, a current engagement point (tp) is adapted during operation of the hybrid vehicle using a start-up routine, by which a first engagement point is determined when the hybrid vehicle is started; the hybrid clutch is moved close to a previously determined engagement point, and starting from said last determined engagement point, the hybrid clutch is displaced further until the defined increase in the moment is detected.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Patent number: 10124786Abstract: A method for determining a measuring point of a hybrid decoupler of a hybrid vehicle, which is operated by a hydrostatic clutch actuator, with the hybrid decoupler coupling or decoupling an internal combustion engine and an electro-traction drive. The measuring point is determined by a slow operation of the hybrid decoupler, starting from a position of the hybrid decoupler which it assumes in the idle state, when a defined increase in torque is detected at the electro-traction drive. In the method, the term for measuring adaption is considerably shortened, and the measuring point is adapted at a running internal combustion engine and a stationary electro-traction drive.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Patent number: 10066678Abstract: A hydrostatically operated clutch system having a hydrostatic clutch actuator for hydrostatically operating a clutch, in particular a pulse separation clutch of a hybrid drive, such that the hydrostatic clutch actuator is combined with a valve arrangement which is to be opened actively and enables the clutch to be engaged rapidly.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Patent number: 9803703Abstract: A method for adjusting a co-efficient of friction of a disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid disconnect clutch separating or connecting an internal combustion engine and an electrical motor, including: delivering, to drive wheels of the hybrid vehicle, a torque output by the internal combustion engine and the electrical motor; determining the co-efficient of friction while the disconnect clutch is in a slipping state; operating the disconnect clutch in first and second operating modes, the first mode including an open state of the disconnect clutch and the second mode including a closed state of the disconnect clutch; and increasing the co-efficient of friction for more rapid adjustment of the slipping state only in the transition from the closed state to the opened state.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Publication number: 20170067518Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining an engagement point of a hybrid clutch in a hybrid vehicle; which hybrid clutch is actuated by a hydrostatic clutch actuator and disconnects or connects an internal combustion engine and an electric traction drive; the engagement point is determined by slowly actuating the clutch starting from a position in which the hybrid clutch is in the non-actuated state, and monitoring a moment of the electric traction drive when a defined increase in the momentum is detected. In a method in which engagement point adaptation is optimized, a current engagement point (tp) is adapted during operation of the hybrid vehicle using a start-up routine, by which a first engagement point is determined when the hybrid vehicle is started; the hybrid clutch is moved close to a previously determined engagement point, and starting from said last determined engagement point, the hybrid clutch is displaced further until the defined increase in the moment is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Patent number: 9562576Abstract: A method for ascertaining a biting point of a friction clutch device of a motor vehicle that is actuatable between a disengaged and an engaged position, the friction clutch device having a hydrostatic actuator device with at least one position sensor and at least one pressure force sensor, the friction clutch device being actuated in the disengagement and/or engagement direction, and data are obtained with the help of the at least one position sensor and the at least one pressure force sensor, while based on the obtained data a position force characteristic curve having a first section and a second section is obtained, the first section being approximated with the help of a linear equation and the second section being approximated with the help of a parabolic equation.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Publication number: 20170016495Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the availability of a hybrid separating clutch in a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle, wherein the hybrid separating clutch is disposed between an internal combustion engine and an electric traction drive. In the method where even in the event of a fault the motor vehicle continues to be driven, the hybrid separating clutch is controlled by a hydrostatic actuator, and when a malfunction of the hydrostatic actuator is detected, for actuation of the hybrid separating clutch which is engaged in the non-actuated state, the last state of the hydrostatic actuator detected by a control mechanism is used for estimation of a minimum clutch torque which can be transmitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Publication number: 20160356322Abstract: A hydrostatically operated clutch system having a hydrostatic clutch actuator for hydrostatically operating a clutch, in particular a pulse separation clutch of a hybrid drive, such that the hydrostatic clutch actuator is combined with a valve arrangement which is to be opened actively and enables the clutch to be engaged rapidly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2014Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Publication number: 20160075321Abstract: A method for adjusting a co-efficient of friction of a disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid disconnect clutch separating or connecting an internal combustion engine and an electrical motor, including: delivering, to drive wheels of the hybrid vehicle, a torque output by the internal combustion engine and the electrical motor; determining the co-efficient of friction while the disconnect clutch is in a slipping state; operating the disconnect clutch in first and second operating modes, the first mode including an open state of the disconnect clutch and the second mode including a closed state of the disconnect clutch; and increasing the co-efficient of friction for more rapid adjustment of the slipping state only in the transition from the closed state to the opened state.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Publication number: 20160046277Abstract: A method for determining a measuring point of a hybrid decoupler of a hybrid vehicle, which is operated by a hydrostatic clutch actuator, with the hybrid decoupler coupling or decoupling an internal combustion engine and an electro-traction drive. The measuring point is determined by a slow operation of the hybrid decoupler, starting from a position of the hybrid decoupler which it assumes in the idle state, when a defined increase in torque is detected at the electro-traction drive. In the method, the term for measuring adaption is considerably shortened, and the measuring point is adapted at a running internal combustion engine and a stationary electro-traction drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus