Patents by Inventor Gerhard Eschrich

Gerhard Eschrich 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: 6314356
    Abstract: A method for terminating a warm-up program of an automatic transmission driven by an internal combustion engine in which the engine operational capacity of the internal combustion engine is calculated and summed (S2, S3, S4) and the warm-up program is abandoned when the summed energy operational capacity (SUM(E)) exceeds a limit value (GW).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmid, Gerhard Eschrich
  • Patent number: 6176810
    Abstract: For an automatic transmission a starter interlock system is proposed in which an electric position switch (2) and a starter switch (3) are located within the transmission. By moving the ignition key from the zero position to the position I, an electronic transmission controls system (1) is activated, which supplies the position switch (2) and the starter switch (3) with current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Eschrich, G{umlaut over (u)}nther Horsak, Andreas M{umlaut over (u)}ller
  • Patent number: 5947862
    Abstract: A device for controlling the gear ratio of a continuously variable transmission. The theoretical rotational speed or transmission ratio is fed to the signal input of a set-value filter (44). The time constant (T.sub.-- RS) of the set-value filter (44) is adaptively controlled so that the change in transmission ratio takes place in accordance with a transition function whose limit is defined by a maximum variation speed. The principal advantage of the invention is that the vehicle is not slowed when shifting down to lower transmission ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knapp, Gerhard Eschrich, Wolfgang Runge
  • Patent number: 5919244
    Abstract: The invention concerns a control system for shifting gears in an automatic shift transmission (3) by using fuzzy logic methods. Vehicle parameters form input variables (8) that are continuously detected by appropriate means (9). These input variables are further processed in downstream functional blocks (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17). Gearshifting points that ensure an economical driving are determined in the functional block (11) according to fuzzy logic methods. Besides a set of basic fuzzy logic generating rules, additional rules are used to improve driving. For that purpose, the input quantity "desired performance" is taken into consideration in both sets of rules. The desired performance may be a desired acceleration or a desired deceleration. A closed regulation circuit is formed by converting the fictitious quantity desired performance and the quantity driving manner to a physical quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Danz, Udo Gillich, Gerhard Eschrich, Wolfgang Runge
  • Patent number: 5911770
    Abstract: The invention concerns a gear-change control systems (10) for an automatic transmission (3). Input variables, derived from a driver-vehicle system, are established. Output variables are established by fuzzy logic methods and used to determine a gear-change ratio. A fuzzy logic module, which imitates the operating method of a logical flip-flop and additionally permits continuous intermediate values, is used to consider driving states brought about by different situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Danz, Gerhard Eschrich, Udo Gillich, Wolfgang Runge
  • Patent number: 5557521
    Abstract: The invention concerns a control system (10) for changing automatic gears (3) that operates according to fuzzy logic methods. All the fuzzy-production rules are divided into at least three sections: a set of basic rules to determine the gear-changing point in a consumption-oriented driving style, a set of adaptation rules to modify the set of basic rules depending on a current driving style and an identification set of rules for classifying the driver according to his/her driving style. By way of a supplementary set of adaptation rules the set of basic rules can be additionally modified according to a current driving condition. Individual function blocks (11 to 15) operate preferably according to the same inference mechanism. Gamma operators are used in order to approximate as closely as possible human behavior. A process is proposed for generating membership functions to determine a running condition by fuzzy-production rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Danz, Wolfgang Runge, Gerhard Eschrich, Udo Gillich
  • Patent number: 5201381
    Abstract: A traveling speed regulating device for motor vehicle provided with a drive motor and a transmission, has a transmission control for controlling the transmission, an electronic traveling speed regulator providing a nominal travelling speed, an adjusting member acting on the drive motor and changing a moment of the drive motor in dependence on a travelling speed deviation, and a further control means releasable in predetermined marginal conditions and adjusting a traveling speed by acting on the transmission control means of the transmission. The further control is designed so that a traveling speed which is over a nominal value in connection with a position of the control member which changes the moment of the motor in a zero position when the motor applies no power to wheels are provided as the marginal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Neuffer, Jochen Boeckem, Gerhard Eschrich
  • Patent number: 5157609
    Abstract: In order to adapt the shifting characteristics of an electrohydraulically controlled, automatically shifting transmission continuously to the dirver's driving style or to a just existing or real time traffic situation, the driving speed (v), the lateral acceleration (aq), the longitudinal acceleration (alb), the longitudinal deceleration (alv) and the engine rotational speed (nmot) in addition to the throttle valve position alpha, are detected and by way of characteristic diagrams and a linking function are added to form a parameter from which, by filtering, a driving activity is determined. This driving activity is finally used for the selection of a shifting program from a plurality of shifting programs ranging from a consumption-optimized shifting program (SKF1) to a power-optimized shifting program (SKF5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignees: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Robert Bosch GmbH, Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Heinz Stehle, Thomas Wehr, Joseph Petersmann, Willi Seidel, Ludwig Hamm, Thomas Foeldi, Udo Judaschke, Gerhard Eschrich, Ronald Schwamm, Wolfgang Runge, Wolf-Dieter Gruhle, Peter Wendel
  • Patent number: 5025684
    Abstract: In order to improve the shifting characteristics of an electrohydraulically controlled, automatically shifting transmission particularly during cornering and braking, the driving speed (v), the lateral acceleration (aq), and the time variation of the throttle valve position are sensed in addition to the throttle valve position (alpha) and the engine rotational speed (nmot). From the time variation of the throttle valve position, a signal can be derived for the prevention of an upshifting operation since a motor vehicle driver's foot moves away faster from the accelerator pedal when approaching a bend in the road than would be the case for the normal deceleration of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Heinz Stehle, Thomas Wehr, Joseph Petersmann, Willi Seidel, Ludwig Hamm, Thomas Foeldi, Gerhard Eschrich, Ronald Schwamm, Wolfgang Runge, Wolf-Dieter Gruhle, Peter Wendel
  • Patent number: 4742461
    Abstract: Reference values are stored for various conditions of gear shift operations of a vehicle motor of a particular type and model for various motor speed and load combinations, the reference values having a magnitude characterizing the gear shifting operation, for example the time interval required from the appearance of a gear shift command until the end of slip in a coupling indicates that the gear shift is complete. As the vehicle is driven, actual values of this magnitude are stored and averaged for a predetermined number of shift operations under the same class of condition. Correction values for the pressure of hydraulic fluid of the gear shift control, originally set at zero for all conditions, are determined by comparison of reference values with average actual values and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Eschrich, Achim Schreiber, Manfred Schwab
  • Patent number: 4584905
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are proposed for control of gear changing under load in a transmission of a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine. In all gear changing instances, the hydraulic pressure upon the frictionally engaged elements is established with a constant slippage time proportionally to the sum of the engine torque and the product of the engine speed and a constant factor. The constant factor depends on the slippage time and on the gear changing instance (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Eschrich, Alfred Muller, Joseph Sauer, Achim Schreiber
  • Patent number: 4577143
    Abstract: To eliminate the effect of hysteresis when electrical energy is supplied to an electromagnetic positioning element, for example to an electromagnetic valve, upon change in sign of the electrical energy which is provided from a previously occurring change, additional electrical energy is supplied if the change in energy is counter the direction of the magnetization curve. The extent of the additional energy may be at least as great as the gap between the ascending and descending branches of the hysteresis curves (H1, H2), or may be a quantity obtained by experience or measurement if the gap between the hysteresis curves is known or determinable. If the electromagnetic energy applied is in excess of that for reversal of magnetization, it may be applied for a period of time which is just long enough to permit remagnetization of a magnetic portion of the electromagnetic apparatus (11) but not long enough to cause change in a mechanical output thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Eschrich, Josef Juhasz, Manfred Schwab
  • Patent number: 4520694
    Abstract: To effect soft gear change, without shifting jolts or shocks, the output torque of an automotive vehicular internal combustion engine is controlled in dependence on sensing of an overrunning condition signal derived, for example, by the conjunction of the accelerator pedal being in "idle" or "unoperated" condition, and the engine operating at a speed in excess of idling speed. Use of such an "overrunning condition" signal permits ready control of the engine without requiring additional control elements or systems coupled to the gear change apparatus or to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Eschrich, Manfred Schwab
  • Patent number: 4422350
    Abstract: The time required for shifting gears from an old to a new gear and the jolt created by the shift is decreased by initiating a known overlap of disengagement of the friction elements of the old gear and engagement of the friction elements of the new gear at the time the hydraulic unit operating the friction elements of the new gear is completely filled. Since a voltage pulse occurs across the solenoid winding of the pressure regulator when the hydraulic unit is completely filled, the solenoid valve is monitored by a threshold circuit which responds to the pulse. The output of the threshold circuit sets a flipflop. The flipflop is reset in response to a gear shift initiation signal furnished by a microprocessor. The microprocessor samples the flipflop output to determine whether the hydraulic unit is completely filled and initiates the overlap portion of the gear shift when this is so.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Muller, Gerhard Eschrich, Achim Schreiber