Patents by Inventor Marcus Hiemer

Marcus Hiemer 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: 11964675
    Abstract: A system for safely operating an automated vehicle includes a first network including a sensor set comprising a plurality of sensors configured to detect the surroundings of the vehicle. The sensor set is coupled to a high-performance electronic control unit (ECU) configured to process the signals of the sensors for orientation, control, and collision avoidance. The system further includes a secure motion-control ECU redundantly coupled to at least one drive element via at least two control signals for controlling the vehicle. The high-performance ECU is configured to output an object recognition indicator signal for orientation, control, and collision avoidance to the motion-control ECU. The system also includes a second, hierarchical, redundant network for safely operating the vehicle. The motion-control ECU is designed to securely evaluate the signals of a human/remote-machine interface (HMI/RMI), a ground truth sensing device, and a perception-safety ECU for the recognition of an emergency state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Marcus Hiemer, Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher, Mark Mohr
  • Patent number: 11339555
    Abstract: A process for determining a setpoint rotational speed of a work machine engine, having a continuously variable transmission, based on operation of power hydraulics. The setpoint rotational speed for highly productive operation is determined, without knowledge current operation of the power hydraulics, by a basic engine speed setting. With knowledge of the current operating state, the setpoint rotational speed is determined by the basic speed settings and low or high engine speed settings. The low speed setting alone determines setpoint rotational speeds that are lower than the basic speed setting or a combination of the low and basic speed settings. The high speed setting alone determines setpoint rotational speeds that are higher than the basic speed setting or a combination of the basic and high speed settings. The speed settings can comprise a setpoint rotational speed range of above a reciprocal transmission range of the variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jan-Frederik Kuhn, Stefan Traub, Stephan Schinacher, Marcus Hiemer, Robert Morrison, Jürgen Legner, Sven Bieber
  • Publication number: 20220144313
    Abstract: A system for safely operating an automated vehicle includes a first network including a sensor set comprising a plurality of sensors configured to detect the surroundings of the vehicle. The sensor set is coupled to a high-performance electronic control unit (ECU) configured to process the signals of the sensors for orientation, control, and collision avoidance. The system further includes a secure motion-control ECU redundantly coupled to at least one drive element via at least two control signals for controlling the vehicle. The high-performance ECU is configured to output an object recognition indicator signal for orientation, control, and collision avoidance to the motion-control ECU. The system also includes a second, hierarchical, redundant network for safely operating the vehicle. The motion-control ECU is designed to securely evaluate the signals of a human/remote-machine interface (HMI/RMI), a ground truth sensing device, and a perception-safety ECU for the recognition of an emergency state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Marcus Hiemer, Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher, Mark Mohr
  • Publication number: 20220144259
    Abstract: A method for avoiding a collision of a vehicle with a potential collision object includes defining a safety zone around the potential collision object. The safety zone is located outside a danger zone around the vehicle. The method further includes predicting a trajectory corridor which is covered by the vehicle along a future trajectory and during a certain time period and performing a safety measure on the vehicle in order to avoid a collision of the vehicle with the potential collision object. The safety measure is performed as a function of a geometric comparison of the predicted trajectory corridor with the defined safety zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventor: Marcus Hiemer
  • Publication number: 20220142035
    Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous agricultural machine, which is configured to not traverse a predetermined geographic boundary, includes determining a trajectory of a moving object in surroundings of the agricultural machine. The method further includes determining a trajectory of the agricultural machine, determining a predicted collision point between the agricultural machine and the moving object based on the trajectories, and adapting a planned trajectory of the agricultural machine such that an adapted collision point lies on another side of the boundary relative to the agricultural machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Amann, Marcus Hiemer
  • Publication number: 20220137633
    Abstract: A method for online calibration of an environment detection system (12) of an agricultural utility vehicle (10). The method is carried out during operation of the agricultural utility vehicle (10). During a first step, the environment detection system (12) detects the current environment of the agricultural utility vehicle (10). During a further step, current extrinsic calibration parameters are determined on the basis of the current environment (20) detected. Furthermore, a calibration device (14) for carrying out the method and an agricultural utility vehicle (10) with such a calibration device (14) are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Zhihu CHEN, Marcus HIEMER
  • Publication number: 20220100194
    Abstract: A method for delimiting and monitoring at least one working area for at least one autonomously operated vehicle includes transmitting, by a transmitter and receiver unit, an output signal through a signal loop. The transmitter and receiver unit is arranged outside the vehicle and is connected using signaling technology to the signal loop. The method further includes comparing the transmitted output signal with an input signal received from the signal loop, determining, by the transmitter and receiver unit, a malfunction of the signal loop in response to a deviation between the output signal and the input signal, and initiating a securing sequence for the autonomous driving operation of the at least one vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Amann, Marcus Hiemer
  • Patent number: 11167698
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising an articulated joint and a sensor arranged on the articulated joint and configured to detect a lateral area of the vehicle. The sensor is configured to be swiveled in order to change a sensed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Morrison, Marcus Hiemer
  • Publication number: 20210122298
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising an articulated joint and a sensor arranged on the articulated joint and configured to detect a lateral area of the vehicle. The sensor is configured to be swiveled in order to change a sensed area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Morrison, Marcus Hiemer
  • Publication number: 20200190772
    Abstract: A process for determining a setpoint rotational speed of a work machine engine, having a continuously variable transmission, based on operation of power hydraulics. The setpoint rotational speed for highly productive operation is determined, without knowledge current operation of the power hydraulics, by a basic engine speed setting. With knowledge of the current operating state, the setpoint rotational speed is determined by the basic speed settings and low or high engine speed settings. The low speed setting alone determines setpoint rotational speeds that are lower than the basic speed setting or a combination of the low and basic speed settings. The high speed setting alone determines setpoint rotational speeds that are higher than the basic speed setting or a combination of the basic and high speed settings. The speed settings can comprise a setpoint rotational speed range of above a reciprocal transmission range of the variable transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Jan-Frederik KUHN, Stefan TRAUB, Stephan SCHINACHER, Marcus HIEMER, Robert MORRISON, Jürgen LEGNER, Sven BIEBER
  • Patent number: 10580229
    Abstract: A method for determining operating conditions of a working machine (2) having a vehicle drive-train (1) while the working machine (2) is operating. The operating conditions are determined by a classifier generated by a machine learning process. By way of the classifier, the values of at least one operating variable of the vehicle drive-train (1), determined while the working machine (2) is operating, can be assigned to respective predefined categories which, in each case, represent at least one operating condition of the working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Marcus Hiemer, Robin Cramer
  • Publication number: 20200055520
    Abstract: A method for performing a cold start in a vehicle having a power-spat transmission with a hydrostatic element comprising hydrostatic units. Several cold-start steps are performed sequentially for a cold start, the length of at least one of the cold-start steps is adapted depending on a temperature representing the start temperature of the power-split transmission. A state of the power-split transmission deviating from the temperature of the power-split transmission is monitored, during the execution of at least one of the cold-start steps, and, depending on this state, a transition from the respective cold-start steps to the subsequent cold-start step is performed, thus adapting the length of time of the respective cold-start steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Rico GLÖCKNER, Jan-Frederik KUHN, Marcus HIEMER, Robert MORRISON, Andreas WEBER
  • Publication number: 20200011416
    Abstract: A method for operating a hydrostatic transmission of a drive train of a motor vehicle. An automatic creep function of the motor vehicle is made possible by the hydrostatic transmission. in order to be able to realize the creep function in a reliable manner, a current value of a first parameter that is independent of a pedal position of an accelerator and a current value of a second parameter that is dependent on the pedal position are compared to each another. The creep function is then activated as long as the current value of the first parameter is greater than the current value of the second parameter. In the context of the creep function, the current value of the first parameter is used to determine a current value of a target delivery quantity of a hydrostatic machine of the transmission operated as a pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Marcus HIEMER, Martin LAUPHEIMER, Jan-Frederik KUHN
  • Patent number: 10359111
    Abstract: A device for controlling a gear ratio of a hydrostatic mechanical power-split transmission comprises an input switch (1) which, when rotated, produces a particular transmission characteristic and, at the same time, limits the maximum pressure. The selected position of the input switch (1) selects a particular maximum pressure curve from a large number of stored maximum pressure curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Marcus Hiemer, Jürgen Legner
  • Patent number: 10358135
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a vehicle drive-train of a working machine having a drive motor, a transmission whose transmission ratio can be varied continuously, and a drive output. A rotational speed (nmot) of the drive motor can be varied by the driver, by the driver's actuation of a first control element (50), within a rotational speed range (53) delimited by an upper characteristic line (nmoto) and a lower characteristic line (nmotu). The characteristic lines (nmoto, nmotu) are functions of a reciprocal transmission ratio (irez) of the transmission. Furthermore, the rotational speed (nmot1) of the drive motor that can be set by the driver by way of the first control element (50), can be influenced by the driver's actuation of a second control element (51) and as a function of an operating condition of the working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Marcus Hiemer, Jan-Frederik Kuhn, Stephan Schinacher, Sven Bieber, Jürgen Legner
  • Patent number: 10316964
    Abstract: A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission for a vehicle. The continuously variable transmission has a hydrostat with a position-regulating valve and is designed to co-operate in driving connection with a drive input shaft and a drive output shaft such that when the position-regulating valve is energized, the hydrostat is adjusted to accelerate the vehicle. The method includes monitoring the energization of the position-regulating valve cyclically by a safety function. The safety function is provided in order to recognize undesired energization of the position-regulating valve that leads to unwanted acceleration of the vehicle, and then to separate the transmission at least from the drive output shaft so as to prevent unwanted acceleration of the vehicle. The safety function is triggered at least when a limit value for the energization of the position-regulating valve is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Traub, Jan-Frederik Kuhn, Martin Laupheimer, Matthias Madlener, Marcus Hiemer
  • Patent number: 10011280
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle drive-train having a continuously power-branched transmission with secondary coupling. In the open operating condition of reversing clutches of a reversing gear unit, torque applied in the area of a drive output can be supported by a range group in the area of a variator. In the event of a command to interrupt the power flow between a drive engine and the drive output, it is checked whether the vehicle is on an inclined surface and if the result of that inquiry is positive, the power flow between the drive engine and the transmission is interrupted at the latest when the rotational speed of the drive output is reduced to zero by opening the reversing clutches, while the active connection between the drive output and the variator is maintained by way of the range group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jan-Frederik Kuhn, Marcus Hiemer, Stephan Schinacher, Sven Bieber
  • Publication number: 20180149265
    Abstract: A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission for a vehicle. The continuously variable transmission has a hydrostat with a position-regulating valve and is designed to co-operate in driving connection with a drive input shaft and a drive output shaft such that when the position-regulating valve is energized, the hydrostat is adjusted to accelerate the vehicle. The method includes monitoring the energization of the position-regulating valve cyclically by a safety function. The safety function is provided in order to recognize undesired energization of the position-regulating valve that leads to unwanted acceleration of the vehicle, and then to separate the transmission at least from the drive output shaft so as to prevent unwanted acceleration of the vehicle. The safety function is triggered at least when a limit value for the energization of the position-regulating valve is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Stefan TRAUB, Jan-Frederik KUHN, Martin LAUPHEIMER, Matthias MADLENER, Marcus HIEMER
  • Publication number: 20180114381
    Abstract: A method for determining operating conditions of a working machine (2) having a vehicle drive-train (1) while the working machine (2) is operating. The operating conditions are determined by a classifier generated by a machine learning process. By way of the classifier, the values of at least one operating variable of the vehicle drive-train (1), determined while the working machine (2) is operating, can be assigned to respective predefined categories which, in each case, represent at least one operating condition of the working machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Marcus HIEMER, Robin CRAMER
  • Publication number: 20180087663
    Abstract: A device for controlling a gear ratio of a hydrostatic mechanical power-split transmission comprises an input switch (1) which, when rotated, produces a particular transmission characteristic and, at the same time, limits the maximum pressure. The selected position of the input switch (1) selects a particular maximum pressure curve from a large number of stored maximum pressure curves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Marcus HIEMER, Jürgen LEGNER