Patents by Inventor Stephan Schinacher

Stephan Schinacher 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: 20230212838
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric drivetrain of a working machine is provided wherein the drivetrain comprises a work drive with an electric work motor and a travel drive with an electric travel motor and vehicle wheels, wherein the working machine experiences a speed deceleration from the outside that may result in a braking force acting on the vehicle wheels lower than a driving force acting on the vehicle wheels due to a moment of inertia of the travel motor. The method includes supplying the travel motor with a power in a direction opposite to an operating direction of the travel motor in order to reduce a rotational speed of the travel motor, if it is detected in advance using a situation detection that the braking force acting on the vehicle wheels as a result of the speed deceleration is lower than the driving force acting on the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Rico GLÖCKNER, Raphael ZOHNER, Migen BEBETI, Stephan SCHINACHER, Stefan TRAUB, Andreas ROTHMUND, Jürgen LEGNER
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11279363
    Abstract: A method of controlling a drive device of a construction machine with a split transmission, which is at least coupled, at an input side, to a drive force source and, on the output side, with a drive range change transmission so as to set at least two shiftable drive ranges. The method includes a detection step (S1) for detecting drive dynamic requests for operation of the construction machine and a determination step (S2) for determining whether a drive dynamic request with an increased drive dynamic is present. If a drive dynamic request with increased drive dynamics is determined, then a shifting step (S4) is executed for shifting the drive range change transmission from a second, of the at least two drive ranges, to a first of the at least two drive ranges, to achieve increased driving dynamics of the construction machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Simon Geiger, Matthias Madlener, Stephan Schinacher, Matthias Duller
  • Publication number: 20210172834
    Abstract: A method for assessing the damage to at least one load-carrying component of a working machine, an actual load collective is determined during operation of the at least one load-carrying component and, on the basis thereof, an actual degree of damage to the at least one load-carrying component is determined. At least one test load collective is retained, which is determined during testing of the at least one load-carrying component, in order to derive from such testing a test degree of damage. During the method, the test degree of damage is compared with the actual degree of damage and at least one control signal is emitted on the basis of the comparison between the at least one test degree of damage and the actual degree of damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventor: Stephan SCHINACHER
  • Publication number: 20200298860
    Abstract: A method of controlling a drive device of a construction machine with a split transmission, which is at least coupled, at an input side, to a drive force source and, on the output side, with a drive range change transmission so as to set at least two shiftable drive ranges. The method includes a detection step (S1) for detecting drive dynamic requests for operation of the construction machine and a determination step (S2) for determining whether a drive dynamic request with an increased drive dynamic is present. If a drive dynamic request with increased drive dynamics is determined, then a shifting step (S4) is executed for shifting the drive range change transmission from a second, of the at least two drive ranges, to a first of the at least two drive ranges, to achieve increased driving dynamics of the construction machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Simon GEIGER, Matthias MADLENER, Stephan SCHINACHER, Matthias DULLER
  • 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: 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: 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
  • 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: 8596186
    Abstract: An arrangement for a hydraulic eccentric adjustment for setting a predetermined displacement volume in a hydrostatic motor and, in particular a radial piston motor (1). The arrangement has an adjustment device which, to position an eccentric element (2), can be acted upon with pressure medium via a shuttle valve (5) such that at least one actuating piston (19), of an adjustment cylinder (3) that can be acted upon on both opposed sides is provided, as the adjustment device. A first pressure chamber (7) of the cylinder is connected to a first supply line (9), for setting a smaller displacement volume while a second opposed pressure chamber (8) is connected to a second supply line (10), for setting a larger displacement volume. The two supply lines (9, 10) are connected to one another by a connecting line (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Legner, Stephan Schinacher
  • Publication number: 20110185888
    Abstract: An arrangement for a hydraulic eccentric adjustment for setting a predetermined displacement volume in a hydrostatic motor and, in particular a radial piston motor (1). The arrangement has an adjustment device which, to position an eccentric element (2), can be acted upon with pressure medium via a shuttle valve (5) such that at least one actuating piston (19), of an adjustment cylinder (3) that can be acted upon on both opposed sides is provided, as the adjustment device. A first pressure chamber (7) of the cylinder is connected to a first supply line (9), for setting a smaller displacement volume while a second opposed pressure chamber (8) is connected to a second supply line (10), for setting a larger displacement volume. The two supply lines (9, 10) are connected to one another by a connecting line (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Legner, Stephan Schinacher