Patents by Inventor Ruben Cüppers

Ruben Cüppers 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: 9909662
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission includes shifting the automatic transmission to a substitute gear if, after adjusting a first one of at least one positive-locking shift element towards a closed configuration, the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element occupies an intermediate position. The first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element does not participate in the transmission of power in the substitute gear. A related transmission control device for an automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ruben Cueppers, Georg Mihatsch, Andreas Schmidt, Max Trautwein
  • Patent number: 9777831
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes initiating a synchronization of a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission while the automatic transmission is operating at less than a threshold output speed. The method also includes closing a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission and positioning a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission at an engaged configuration of the second non-positive shifting element during the synchronization of the first positive shifting element in order to synchronize the first positive shifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Georg Mihatsch, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein, Thorsten Schaetzle
  • Patent number: 9777832
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes initiating a synchronization of a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission. The method also includes closing a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission and positioning a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission at an engaged configuration of the second non-positive shifting element during the synchronization of the first positive shifting element in order to synchronize the first positive shifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Markus Maurer, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Patent number: 9777833
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission includes determining at least one of an elapsed time from adjusting a first one of at least one positive-locking shift element towards a closed configuration or a differential speed rotation of the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element and shifting the automatic transmission to a substitute gear if the elapsed time from adjusting the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element towards the closed configuration reaches or exceeds a time limit and/or the differential speed rotation of the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element reaches or exceeds a rotational speed limit. A related transmission control device for an automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ruben Cueppers, Markus Maurer
  • Patent number: 9593771
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes disengaging a shifting element of the automatic transmission and measuring an input speed of the automatic transmission while the shifting element is disengaging. A command pressure of the shifting element is adjusted to a target command pressure based at least in part on the input speed of the automatic transmission while the shifting element is disengaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hess, Philipp Kölbl, Ruben Cueppers
  • Patent number: 9458929
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes synchronizing a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission, braking the automatic transmission with a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission, establishing a position of the positive shifting element, and increasing a pressure of fluid supplied to a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission if the position of the positive shifting element is an intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Maurer, Martina Jehle, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Publication number: 20160258530
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes synchronizing a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission, braking the automatic transmission with a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission, establishing a position of the positive shifting element, and increasing a pressure of fluid supplied to a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission if the position of the positive shifting element is an intermediate position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Markus Maurer, Martina Jehle, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Patent number: 9410621
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a method for operating an automatic transmission in a limp mode. The method includes actuating a first non-positive shifting element to an engaged configuration and actuating a second non-positive shifting element to the engaged configuration. A positive shifting element is substantially synchronized after actuating the second non-positive shifting element. The method also includes commanding the positive shifting element to actuate from a disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Patent number: 9399466
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes commanding a positive shifting element to actuate to a disengaged configuration or an engaged configuration and opening at least one non-positive shifting element if the positive shifting element does not properly actuate. Opening the at least one non-positive shifting element may terminate power flow from the automatic transmission in order to protect the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Ruben Cueppers
  • Publication number: 20160169378
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission includes determining at least one of an elapsed time from adjusting a first one of at least one positive-locking shift element towards a closed configuration or a differential speed rotation of the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element and shifting the automatic transmission to a substitute gear if the elapsed time from adjusting the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element towards the closed configuration reaches or exceeds a time limit and/or the differential speed rotation of the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element reaches or exceeds a rotational speed limit. A related transmission control device for an automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Ruben Cueppers, Markus Maurer
  • Publication number: 20160169379
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission includes shifting the automatic transmission to a substitute gear if, after adjusting a first one of at least one positive-locking shift element towards a closed configuration, the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element occupies an intermediate position. The first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element does not participate in the transmission of power in the substitute gear. A related transmission control device for an automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Ruben Cueppers, Georg Mihatsch, Andreas Schmidt, Max Trautwein
  • Publication number: 20160102759
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a method for operating an automatic transmission in a limp mode. The method includes actuating a first non-positive shifting element to an engaged configuration and actuating a second non-positive shifting element to the engaged configuration. A positive shifting element is substantially synchronized after actuating the second non-positive shifting element. The method also includes commanding the positive shifting element to actuate from a disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Publication number: 20160102756
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes initiating a synchronization of a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission. The method also includes closing a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission and positioning a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission at an engaged configuration of the second non-positive shifting element during the synchronization of the first positive shifting element in order to synchronize the first positive shifting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Markus Maurer, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Publication number: 20160102760
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes disengaging a shifting element of the automatic transmission and measuring an input speed of the automatic transmission while the shifting element is disengaging. A command pressure of the shifting element is adjusted to a target command pressure based at least in part on the input speed of the automatic transmission while the shifting element is disengaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Christoph Hess, Philipp Kölbl, Ruben Cueppers
  • Publication number: 20160102753
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes initiating a synchronization of a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission while the automatic transmission is operating at less than a threshold output speed. The method also includes closing a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission and positioning a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission at an engaged configuration of the second non-positive shifting element during the synchronization of the first positive shifting element in order to synchronize the first positive shifting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Georg Mihatsch, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein, Thorsten Schaetzle
  • Publication number: 20160101781
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes commanding a positive shifting element to actuate to a disengaged configuration or an engaged configuration and opening at least one non-positive shifting element if the positive shifting element does not properly actuate. Opening the at least one non-positive shifting element may terminate power flow from the automatic transmission in order to protect the automatic transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventor: Ruben Cueppers
  • Patent number: 9228656
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes synchronizing a first positive shifting element of the at least one positive shifting element with a first process, a second process or a third process depending upon an input speed and/or an output speed of the automatic transmission. The first process, the second process and the third process can provide smooth and/or satisfactory shifting of the first positive shifting element at various input speeds and output speeds of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Publication number: 20120192675
    Abstract: A modular housing, which comprises a first housing assembly for accommodating at least one main transmission by which various gear ratios can be obtained, and whose transmission output shaft can be brought, in an area of the first housing assembly, into functional connection with a drive output of a vehicle that comprises at least one driven vehicle axle. The first housing assembly has an interface, at least in this area, by which the first housing assembly can be connected with an interface of a second housing assembly for accommodating at least one further transmission element. The interface of the first housing assembly is designed as a universal interface for connection of variously designed second housing assemblies with a respectively corresponding interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ulrich MAIR, Ruben CÜPPERS
  • Publication number: 20110275478
    Abstract: A method of operating at least one form-locking shifting element of an automatic transmission integrated in a drivetrain which comprises an oil pump that can be driven mechanically by an internal combustion engine and an auxiliary oil pump that can be electrically driven, before start-up of the internal combustion engine. The method including the steps of recognizing the start-up of the combustion engine and, when a start-up of the combustion engine is recognized, controlling the electrically driven auxiliary oil pump and the at least one form-locking shifting element such that, directly after the generation of a defined rotational speed difference of the at least one form-locking shifting element by the internal combustion engine, the at least one form-locking shifting element is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ruben Cüppers, Thilo SCHMIDT
  • 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