Patents by Inventor Klaus Steinhauser

Klaus Steinhauser 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).

  • Publication number: 20100312423
    Abstract: An method for controlling a parallel hybrid drive-train of a vehicle comprising an automatic transmission and a combustion engine which is connected, via a first shifting device, to an electrical machine, which is connected, via a drive shaft, a starting clutch positioned in the transmission. To guarantee safety and high drive comfort of the vehicle during failure of the starting clutch, shifting failures of the starting clutch are monitored. If a shifting failure is recognized, predetermined contingency procedures are initiated and executed in which either continued drive of the vehicle or slowing down of the vehicle to a stop is possible. A device comprises a monitor with a sensor and parts for analyzing and recognizing shifting failures of the starting clutch. Control parts initiate and execute contingency procedures such that a continued drive operation or slowing down of the vehicle to a stop is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Klaus STEINHAUSER, Michael SOHLER, Falko PLATZER, Peter SCHIELE
  • Patent number: 7811199
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-speed automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The automatic transmission has multiple shift elements for transmitting torque and/or power. When in forward and reverse gears, a first number of shift elements are engaged, and a second number of shift elements are disengaged. To improve the shift speed of successive upshifts and/or successive downshifts which are implemented in an overlapped manner, during a first upshift and/or downshift, at least one shift element, necessary for a successive second upshift and/or downshift, is prepared during the first upshift and/or downshift such that when the first upshift and/or downshift reaches a synchronous point, immediate implementation of the successive second upshift and/or downshift is possible. Depending on a gear change to be implemented, the first upshift and/or downshift from a current gear to a desired gear is preferably implemented as a multiple shift rather than a single shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Klaus Steinhauser, Gerald Klein
  • Patent number: 7798271
    Abstract: A process for actuating a hydraulic storage device (5) of a transmission unit comprising a storage space (9) whose volume can be varied between a minimum and a maximum. The volume of the storage space can be changed by acting upon the storage space with pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pressure supply (19) of the transmission unit. To overcome a restoring tendency of the hydraulic storage device, the pressure is set to a threshold value. A holding device (12) holds the hydraulic storage device at least in the operating condition that corresponds to the maximum volume of the storage space against the restoring tendency. The storage space is acted upon by the pressure supply with a pressure corresponding to a threshold value (P_threshold) until the hydraulic storage device reaches the operating condition in which it can be held by the holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schiele, Armin Thiele, Klaus Steinhauser
  • Publication number: 20100204893
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Georg GIERER, Christian POPP, Thilo SCHMIDT, Klaus STEINHAUSER
  • Publication number: 20100197456
    Abstract: A method of actuating a gear step in an automatic or automated transmission of a motor vehicle. The gear step of the transmission and a parking lock, which immobilizes the vehicle, can be engaged as a function of a gear step (P, R, N, D) that can be selected by the driver via a controllable selector device, and as a function of other motor vehicle operating parameters. A separate operating device, which is in addition to the selector device, can activate a holding phase, in which the transmission is in a traction-free neutral position, independently of a predetermined gear step “Park” (P), “Reverse” (R), “Neutral” (N) and/or “Forward”’ (D) that is specified by the selector device, if the motor vehicle is at least almost at a standstill and at the same time, an ignition circuit acting on a drive motor of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Frank Worms, Stephane Klein, Walter Hecht, Bernd Zaenglein
  • Patent number: 7717821
    Abstract: A method for operation of a drivetrain including a drive motor and an automatic transmission having at least five shift elements, of which, at least three shift elements are engaged in each forward and reverse gear and the other shift elements are disengaged. Two successive shifts are accomplished by two overlapped single gear shifts such that a) during the first shift, a first shift element is engaged or disengaged while a second shift element is disengaged or engaged; b) during the first shift, second and third shift elements are prepared for either engagement or disengagement, and c) during the first and the second shifts at least one fourth shift element is kept engaged or nearly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 7717822
    Abstract: A method for operation of a drivetrain, comprising an automatic transmission and a drive motor, for improving the shift speed of successive upshifts or downshifts such that during a first shift at least one shift element required for a successive shift is prepared such that when a synchronization point is reached, the successive shift is immediately carried out. Two successive shifts can be carried out as overlapping single shifts by actuating three shift elements such that: a) during the first shift a first shift element is either disengaged or engaged while the second shift element is either engaged or disengaged; b) during the successive shift a second shift element is prepared for disengagement or engagement while the third shift element is prepared for engagement or disengagement, the actuation of the second shift element, when transiting from the first to the successive shift, takes place by a desired selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 7704188
    Abstract: A method is described for the operation of a transmission device (3) with several shift elements (5, 6) actuated hydraulically by a pressure source (4) for engaging and disengaging various transmission ratios and with several electric actors (7, 8) of a hydraulic system of the transmission device (3) for the adjustment of actuating pressures for the shift elements (5, 6). When an engine start-stop function calls for a combustion engine (2) of a drivetrain comprising the transmission device (3) to be switched off, the energizing current of the actors (7, 8) is adjusted from an operating level (I_B) in which the respective actors (7, 8) are energized with a current appropriate for producing an operating-situation-dependent actuation pressure in the shift elements (5, 6), to a standby level (I_S). When the engine start-stop function calls for the combustion engine (3) to be switched on, the energizing current of the actors (7, 8) is adjusted from the standby level (I_S) to the operating level (I_B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schiele, Klaus Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 7674203
    Abstract: Method of operating a drivetrain, comprising at least an automatic transmission and a drive motor, for improving a speed of successive upshifts or successive downshifts in an overlap manner so that, during a first upshift or downshift, at least one shift element, required for a subsequent second upshift or downshift, is prepared during the first upshift or downshift and, when a synchronization point is reached, the subsequent second upshift or downshift can be carried out immediately. Two successive respective upshifts or downshifts can be carried out as an overlapping single shift by actuating first, second and third shift elements. Implementing the first and the second upshifts or downshifts so that actuation of the second shift element, from the first upshift or downshift to the subsequent second upshift or downshift, occurs via a minimum selection of a first alternative or by a maximum selection of a second alternative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 7664580
    Abstract: A method for operating power train side components of a motor vehicle. Using a control device of a motor, at least one motor parameter is issued and delivered via a databus to at least one control device of one other power drive side component working independently of the motor control device in order to operate all or each one of the power drive side components dependent. in a first inventive aspect, a behavior of the respective other power drive side components that adjusts itself according to the motor torque actually made available by the motor is evaluated. In second inventive aspect, the motor torque issued by the motor control device is compared with a torque stored according to motor operation parameters in the control device working independently of the motor control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt, Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele, Bernd Allgaier, Christian Schwemer, Ruben Cüppers
  • Patent number: 7658693
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, having an automatic transmission and a drive motor, to improve the shift speed. Successive upshifts or successive downshifts are carried out with overlap during a first upshift or downshift. At least one shift element required for a subsequent second upshift or downshift is prepared during the first upshift or downshift, in progress, when a synchronization point is reached. The subsequent second upshift or downshift are carried out immediately. Two successive upshifts or two successive downshifts are carried out by actuation of four shift elements of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Publication number: 20090280951
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle drivetrain (1) having a drive motor (9), a transmission (10) and a drive output (2). When a gear ratio change is called for in the transmission (10), between an actually engaged gear and a target gear, one of a frictional or an interlock-type shift element is engaged in a flow of force in the vehicle drivetrain (1) and the other of an interlock-type or a frictional shift element is disengaged from the flow of force in the vehicle drivetrain (1). An actual speed that is at least equivalent to a transmission input speed is monitored and an actuation pressure of the frictional shift element involved in the shift operation and/or a torque of the drive motor (9) is/are varied to change the actual speed to a nominal speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Christian POPP, Klaus STEINHAUSER, Jorg ARNOLD, Valentine HERBETH
  • Publication number: 20090250310
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus (10) having at least one form-lock shifting element (12) that can be actuated by a hydraulic system (11) which, in the region of a piston chamber, can be subjected to hydraulic pressure (p—12) via a hydraulic fluid-conducting feed line (20) and which can be actuated from a disengaged to an engaged operating state. The hydraulic fluid-conducting feed line (20) of the shifting element (12) is effectively connected to a damping device (22) by which pressure fluctuations, of the hydraulic pressure (p—12) in the feed line (20), can be at least partially compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian POPP, Thilo SCHMIDT, Klaus STEINHAUSER, Jorg ARNOLD, Valentine HERBETH
  • Publication number: 20090249777
    Abstract: A transmission device (10) having at least one form-fitting shifting element (12) which is hydraulically actuated via a hydraulic system (11) with hydraulic pressure (p—12), in the area of a piston chamber, via a feed line (20) that conveys hydraulic fluid, to shift from a disengaged to and engaged operating state. A non-return valve device (27) is arranged upstream of the form-fit shifting element (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian POPP, Thilo SCHMIDT, Klaus STEINHAUSER, Jorg ARNOLD, Valentine HERBETH
  • Publication number: 20090233764
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrechshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele, Bernd Allgaier, Thilo Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20090206292
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for operating a transmission's valve system of a vehicle's drive train through a valve unit and said valve unit's electro-magnetic activator configuration. In a transmission's hydraulic system and being part of the vehicle's drive train, its hydraulic pressure value (p_EDS) can be employed and adjusted through a valve unit's configuration by applying to the electro-magnetic activator system a pulse-width-modulated current signal (i_EDS). The pulse-width modulated current signal (i_EDS) and its signal's amplitude (A) and/or its pulse duration (pw1) will periodically change during the applied Dither-Modulation, by maintaining at the same time the required pressure value (p_EDS), whereby a horizontally moving anchor, which is attached the valve system's valve shaft, receives hereby an imposed vibrating oscillation. As shown in this invention, the Dither-Modulation will be activated or deactivated accordingly during pre-defined operating conditions of the vehicle's drive train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian POPP, Thilo SCHMIDT, Klaus STEINHAUSER, Christoph BRAUN
  • Patent number: 7559875
    Abstract: A method for controlling the shift sequence of a multispeed automatic gearbox in which, to reach a target gear called for, multiple shifts through one gear-step can be carried out. A target gear from a currently engaged gear is proposed and, which is several gear-steps away from this current gear, is engaged as a function of the current driving situation, optionally by a direct multiple shift in one step or by a combination of several successive single shifts each of only one gear-step or by a combination of several successive double or multiple shifts each of two or more than two gear-steps or by a combination of at least one double or multiple shift and at least one single shift or by a combination of at least one double shift and at least one multiple shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Publication number: 20090176612
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele, Bernd Allgaier, Thilo Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20090111649
    Abstract: A method for selecting a neutral position of an automatic or automated motor vehicle transmission and for selecting a parking device of the motor vehicle intended for immobilizing the motor vehicle, wherein the neutral position and the parking device can be engaged or actuated as a function of a position chosen by the driver of the motor vehicle on a selector device and as a function of other operating parameters of the motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle controlled by this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Walter HECHT, Armin GIERLING, Klaus STEINHAUSER, Frank WORMS, Bernd ZANGLEIN, Stephane KLEIN
  • Publication number: 20090111647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to select a neutral position of an automatic or automated motor vehicle transmission and to select a parking gear provided to immobilize a motor vehicle, wherein the neutral position and parking device can be set or activated, depending on a gear selected by the driver of the motor vehicle on a selector device and depending on other operating parameters of the motor vehicle. In addition, the invention relates to a motor vehicle controlled by this method. It is proposed that only if the motor vehicle is at least almost stopped and simultaneously an ignition circuit acting on the drive motor vehicle is electrically interrupted and simultaneously a “Neutral (N) gear is selected on a selector device, an N-holding phase, in which the transmission is in a friction-free neutral position, can be activated by a separate control device provided in addition to the selector device, as long as an energy management system of the motor vehicle allows the activation of the N-holding phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Walter HECHT, Armin GIERLING, Klaus STEINHAUSER, Frank WORMS, Bernd ZANGLEIN, Stephane KLEIN