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: 9927024
    Abstract: A method is described for determining a reference value of an actuating current that corresponds to a defined operating point of an electro-hydraulically actuated frictional shifting element of a continuously variable power-branched transmission, at which the shifting element transmission capacity is zero, and starting from which an increase of actuating force immediately increases the transmission capacity. The actuating current reference value of the shifting element, when closed with a further shifting element decoupled from the transmission output and when a transmission input rotational speed is higher than a defined threshold, is reduced until a rotational speed difference between the rotational speeds of the shifting element halves exceeds a predefined limit value such that, at the time when the limit value is exceeded, the reference value of the actuating current is the reference value of the actuating current that corresponds to the defined operating point of the shifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Sven Bieber, Jan-Frederik Kuhn, Marcus Hiemer, Stephan Schinacher, Mario Brugger, Markus Lukassek
  • Patent number: 9719531
    Abstract: A device for varying the swept volumes of first and second hydraulic machines, whose swept volumes depends upon pivoting positions of adjustable axes thereof which can be connected to one another by first and second lines. The axes can be coupled to a piston-cylinder device which is adjustable by a control valve unit for pivoting the axes. Pressures in the area of the hydraulic machines can be limited by the control valve unit. The control valve unit can be coupled to a respective first or second line with the highest pressure. A device for determining an existing actual pressure is located upstream of the control valve unit, at least in the area of one of the first and the second lines that connects with the first and the second hydraulic machines. The control valve unit can be actuated based on the actual pressure value determined by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jan-Frederik Kuhn, Timo Maise, Marcus Hiemer, Stephan Schinacher, Sven Bieber
  • Publication number: 20170203761
    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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Marcus HIEMER, Jan-Frederik KUHN, Stephan SCHINACHER, Sven BIEBER, Jürgen LEGNER
  • Patent number: 9695890
    Abstract: A method for determining a draining behavior of a hydraulically actuated transmission shifting element. By applying actuating pressure, the shifting element is changed from a completely drained, open operating condition to a completely filled closed operating condition, and the reference filling time, until the closed condition has been reached, is determined. Upon recognition of the closed condition, then by adjusting the actuating pressure for a predefined draining time, the shifting element is changed to its open condition and, thereafter, again completely filled and closed. Upon recognition of the closed condition, the shifting element is actuated direction toward the open condition by reducing the actuating pressure. Then, before completely opening, the shifting element is again returned to its closed operating condition and the filling time, until the partially drained shifting element has reached the completely filled and closed operating condition, is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Sven Bieber, Jan-Frederik Kuhn, Marcus Hiemer, Stephan Schinacher, Mario Brugger, Markus Lukassek
  • Publication number: 20170174217
    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: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Jan-Frederik KUHN, Marcus HIEMER, Stephan SCHINACHER, Sven BIEBER
  • Publication number: 20160131249
    Abstract: A method for determining a draining behavior of a hydraulically actuated transmission shifting element. By applying actuating pressure, the shifting element is changed from a completely drained, open operating condition to a completely filled closed operating condition, and the reference filling time, until the closed condition has been reached, is determined. Upon recognition of the closed condition, then by adjusting the actuating pressure for a predefined draining time, the shifting element is changed to its open condition and, thereafter, again completely filled and closed. Upon recognition of the closed condition, the shifting element is actuated direction toward the open condition by reducing the actuating pressure. Then, before completely opening, the shifting element is again returned to its closed operating condition and the filling time, until the partially drained shifting element has reached the completely filled and closed operating condition, is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Sven BIEBER, Jan-Frederik KUHN, Marcus HIEMER, Stephan SCHINACHER, Mario BRUGGER, Markus LUKASSEK
  • Publication number: 20160131684
    Abstract: A method is described for determining a reference value of an actuating current that corresponds to a defined operating point of an electro-hydraulically actuated frictional shifting element of a continuously variable power-branched transmission, at which the shifting element transmission capacity is zero, and starting from which an increase of actuating force immediately increases the transmission capacity. The actuating current reference value of the shifting element, when closed with a further shifting element decoupled from the transmission output and when a transmission input rotational speed is higher than a defined threshold, is reduced until a rotational speed difference between the rotational speeds of the shifting element halves exceeds a predefined limit value such that, at the time when the limit value is exceeded, the reference value of the actuating current is the reference value of the actuating current that corresponds to the defined operating point of the shifting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Sven BIEBER, Jan-Frederik KUHN, Marcus HIEMER, Stephan SCHINACHER, Mario BRUGGER, Markus LUKASSEK
  • Publication number: 20150345518
    Abstract: A device for varying the swept volumes of first and second hydraulic machines, whose swept volumes depends upon pivoting positions of adjustable axes thereof which can be connected to one another by first and second lines. The axes can be coupled to a piston-cylinder device which is adjustable by a control valve unit for pivoting the axes. Pressures in the area of the hydraulic machines can be limited by the control valve unit. The control valve unit can be coupled to a respective first or second line with the highest pressure. A device for determining an existing actual pressure is located upstream of the control valve unit, at least in the area of one of the first and the second lines that connects with the first and the second hydraulic machines. The control valve unit can be actuated based on the actual pressure value determined by the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Jan-Frederik KUHN, Timo MAISE, Marcus HIEMER, Stephan SCHINACHER, Sven BIEBER
  • Patent number: 9011290
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle drive-train during a starting process. The drive-train has a drive mechanism which can couple a continuously-variable power-branched transmission in which a plurality of transmission ratios can be engaged. The transmission ratios can be varied continuously by adjusting a variator, the transmission driving a drive output. A force flow between the drive mechanism and the drive output can be produced by a frictional shifting element by appropriately adjusting the transmission capacity of the shifting element. When a start command is issued, a starting transmission ratio is engaged in the area of the transmission device. During the engagement of the starting transmission ratio the transmission capacity of the frictional shifting element is adjusted to values greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stephan Schinacher, Marcus Hiemer, Timo Maise, Jan-Frederik Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20140148308
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle drive-train during a starting process. The drive-train has a drive mechanism which can couple a continuously-variable power-branched transmission in which a plurality of transmission ratios can be engaged. The transmission ratios can be varied continuously by adjusting a variator, the transmission driving a drive output. A force flow between the drive mechanism and the drive output can be produced by a frictional shifting element by appropriately adjusting the transmission capacity of the shifting element. When a start command is issued, a starting transmission ratio is engaged in the area of the transmission device. During the engagement of the starting transmission ratio the transmission capacity of the frictional shifting element is adjusted to values greater than zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stephan SCHINACHER, Marcus HIEMER, Timo MAISE, Jan-Frederik KUHN
  • Patent number: 8660757
    Abstract: A method and a control device for triggering passenger protection means for a vehicle are provided, at least one sensor signal from an accident sensor system being provided by an interface. Furthermore, at least two characteristics are generated from the sensor signal, which are mapped onto one single value range. The triggering of the passenger protection means occurs as a function of the at least two mapped characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Becker, Marcus Hiemer
  • Patent number: 8655552
    Abstract: A control device and a method for triggering a passenger protection arrangement for a vehicle are provided, at least two acceleration signals being provided by at least two acceleration sensors oriented in different spatial directions. The orientations are angled in relation to a coordinate system oriented toward the vehicle longitudinal direction. The at least two acceleration signals are transformed on at least two axes of the coordinate system. The triggering signal is generated as a function of the comparison of the at least two acceleration signals and the transformed acceleration signals. The passenger protection arrangement is triggered as a function of the triggering signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Hiemer
  • Patent number: 8626397
    Abstract: A method and a control device for triggering a passenger protection arrangement for a vehicle are provided, at least one sensor signal from an accident sensor system being provided. A characteristic is derived from this at least one sensor signal, and a flatness is determined from this first characteristic in relation to at least one second characteristic. The crash type is then determined as a function of this flatness. The triggering the passenger protection arrangement (PS) takes place as a function of this crash type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christof Kaerner, Josef Kolatschek, Marcus Hiemer
  • Publication number: 20120078569
    Abstract: A method for detecting a collision of a vehicle is described, including a step of receiving a linear signal and a rotation signal via an interface, the linear signal containing information about a linear motion, and the rotation signal containing information about a rotational motion of the vehicle. The method also includes a step of supplying an evaluation signal based on the linear signal and the rotation signal, the evaluation signal containing information about the collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Alfons Doerr, Marcus Hiemer
  • Publication number: 20120004811
    Abstract: A method and a control device for triggering passenger protection means for a vehicle are provided, at least one sensor signal from an accident sensor system being provided by an interface. Furthermore, at least two characteristics are generated from the sensor signal, which are mapped onto one single value range. The triggering of the passenger protection means occurs as a function of the at least two mapped characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Jens Becker, Marcus Hiemer
  • Publication number: 20110190988
    Abstract: In a method for activating a passenger protection unit for a vehicle, features are generated from at least one sensor signal of a crash sensor system. Furthermore, a difference of a feature vector with a first threshold value is formed. This difference is weighted as a function of at least one of the features. The passenger protection unit is subsequently activated as a function of a comparison of a variable, derived from the weighted difference, with a second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Christof Kaerner, Vincent Judalet, Alfons Doerr, Josef Kolatschek, Marcus Hiemer, Olaf Koerner
  • Publication number: 20110153164
    Abstract: A method for activating at least one safety device that has a first step of acquiring at least two features from at least one signal of a crash sensor system in order to form a feature vector from the features acquired. In a second method step, the formed feature vector is subsequently classified with the aid of a classifier based on the statistical learning theory in order to classify the feature vector in one of at least three possible feature classes. As a third method step, the safety devices are activated in accordance with an activation instruction for the feature class in which the feature vector was classified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Marcus Hiemer, Mike Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20110112726
    Abstract: A control device and a method for triggering a passenger protection arrangement for a vehicle are provided, at least two acceleration signals being provided by at least two acceleration sensors oriented in different spatial directions. The orientations are angled in relation to a coordinate system oriented toward the vehicle longitudinal direction. The at least two acceleration signals are transformed on at least two axes of the coordinate system. The triggering signal is generated as a function of the comparison of the at least two acceleration signals and the transformed acceleration signals. The passenger protection arrangement is triggered as a function of the triggering signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Marcus Hiemer
  • Publication number: 20110066334
    Abstract: A method and a control device for triggering a passenger protection arrangement for a vehicle are provided, at least one sensor signal from an accident sensor system being provided. A characteristic is derived from this at least one sensor signal, and a flatness is determined from this first characteristic in relation to at least one second characteristic. The crash type is then determined as a function of this flatness. The triggering the passenger protection arrangement (PS) takes place as a function of this crash type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Christof Kaerner, Josef Kolatschek, Marcus Hiemer
  • Publication number: 20100305818
    Abstract: A control unit and a method for activating an occupant protection arrangement are described, a feature vector having at least two features being formed from at least one signal of a crash sensor system. The occupant protection arrangement is activated by a kernel algorithm as a function of the feature vector or a first partial feature vector. The feature vector or a second partial feature vector is classified by a support vector machine (SVM) and the kernel algorithm is influenced by the classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Alfons Doerr, Marcus Hiemer