Patents by Inventor Ulrich Reith
Ulrich Reith 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).
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Patent number: 11242065Abstract: A device for controlling a signal connection in a vehicle is presented. The signal connection represents a connection between at least one control unit in a vehicle and at least one actuator in the vehicle. The device is configured to establish, and/or monitor, and/or disconnect the signal connection based on an input signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Ulrich Reith, Thomas Jäger, Mauro Cesar Zanella
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Publication number: 20220009551Abstract: A method may determine transformation parameters for a transformation of a position of a vehicle between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system. In the method, a trajectory may be traveled with the vehicle in a step. In another step, the positions of the vehicle while traveling the trajectory may be acquired in the first coordinate system with a first position detection system, and in the second coordinate system with a second position detection system. In a further step, transformation parameters between the coordinate systems may be derived based on the positions of the vehicle acquired in the coordinate systems, and based on at least one geometric parameter of the trajectory.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich Reith, Tomas Szabo
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Publication number: 20200172119Abstract: A device for controlling a signal connection in a vehicle is presented. The signal connection represents a connection between at least one control unit in a vehicle and at least one actuator in the vehicle. The device is configured to establish, and/or monitor, and/or disconnect the signal connection based on an input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich REITH, Thomas JÄGER, Mauro Cesar ZANELLA
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Patent number: 9387848Abstract: A method of controlling and regulating a transmission brake which, for the purpose of synchronization, determines a target rotational speed of a shaft to be synchronized on the basis of an actual rotational speed of a transmission shaft, and controls a transmission brake such that the determined target rotational speed is set for the shaft that is to be synchronized. The transmission brake also carries out additional functions. These functions require no, or only minimal, additional hardware complexity in a cost-neutral way, but considerably increase the functional and practical value of the transmission brake. The comfort and speed of shifting operations, the protection or, as the case may be, the detection of error states in sensors, a clutch, a main clutch or a motor control are improved, and undesirable transmission states avoided. It is also possible to account for and influence other conditions, such as the operation of ancillary devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith, Wolfgang Groner, Rupert Kramer
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Publication number: 20130296134Abstract: A method of controlling and regulating a transmission brake which, for the purpose of synchronization, determines a target rotational speed of a shaft to be synchronized on the basis of an actual rotational speed of a transmission shaft, and controls a transmission brake such that the determined target rotational speed is set for the shaft that is to be synchronized. The transmission brake also carries out additional functions. These functions require no, or only minimal, additional hardware complexity in a cost-neutral way, but considerably increase the functional and practical value of the transmission brake. The comfort and speed of shifting operations, the protection or, as the case may be, the detection of error states in sensors, a clutch, a main clutch or a motor control are improved, and undesirable transmission states avoided. It is also possible to account for and influence other conditions, such as the operation of ancillary devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Rainer PETZOLD, Mario STEINBORN, Ulrich REITH, Wolfgang GRONER, Rupert KRAMER
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Patent number: 8452497Abstract: A method of controlling a shifting operation in an automatic transmission of a commercial vehicle. A targeted gear and an associated target rotational speed are determined, via a transmission control, depending on predetermined parameters, and the shifting operation is executed upon reaching a determined shifting rotational speed. A shift interlock is activated, at least temporarily, during a downshifting operation when, upon reaching the shifting rotational speed, the determined target rotational speed lies below a predetermined rotational speed limit.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich Reith, Werner Wolfgang, Bertram Wengert, Maik Wurthner
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Patent number: 8447481Abstract: A transmission, such as an automated manual transmission for a motor vehicle, with at least one shift group, such that the shift group or each shift group comprises a shift rail which actuates a shift fork that co-operates with a shift sleeve of the shift group concerned. Associated with the shift rail of the shift group or of each shift group there is a sensor that moves together with the respective shift rail relative to a corresponding measurement receiver such that in the area of at least one shift group, a first relative position between the measurement receiver and the sensor in the actuation direction and a second relative position between the measurement receiver and the sensor perpendicular to the actuation direction of the shift rail concerned can be detected, and from the second relative position, an evaluation device deduces system conditions of the shift group concerned.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich Reith, Mario Steinborn
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Patent number: 8251867Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a vehicle in which the drive train has at least an internal combustion engine, an engine clutch, an electric machine, a single and a multi-group manual transmission with synchronized and/or unsynchronized shift elements for shifting gears, an axle transmission, as well as an associated control device for controlling the gear shifts. It is provided for the purpose of expanding the functional possibilities, that the electric machine is used, during gear shifts in the manual transmission, as a mode of synchronization, a synchronization aid, or at least as a shifting aid such that changes in the direction of rotation of the transmission shafts are taken into consideration.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich Reith, Mario Steinborn
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Publication number: 20120116624Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid drive train of a vehicle that comprises an internal combustion engine with a drive shaft, an automatic stepped transmission with an input shaft that can be connected, via a clutch, to the engine drive shaft, an electric machine, which can be operated as a motor and a generator, a rotor connected with the engine drive shaft, and a power take-off connected with the engine drive shaft, the power-take-off drives an attached assembly. In order to compensate or at least diminish the inertia-dependent effects of the assembly permanently driven by the power take-off, during a controlled change of the rotational speed of the combustion engine, the inertia-dependent torque of the power take-off and the attached assembly, that is counteracting the rotational speed change, is largely compensated by the torque, counter to this, that is output or absorbed by the electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventor: Ulrich Reith
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Patent number: 8078369Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a standstill circuit of an automatic transmission of the vehicle, comprising a decision unit for selection of the target gear, a low-speed monitoring unit and a standstill circuit, which, when the vehicle is standing still or when its speed falls below a predetermined limit speed, brings about or prepares the activation of a starting gear. The method and the device are intended to enable a vehicle to start up safely even under the influence of considerable tractive resistance. Furthermore, they should be characterized by solutions which are as simple, inexpensive and easy to implement as possible by way of available methods and devices. To this end, the low-speed monitoring unit reads data concerning at least one state of the vehicle and, if necessary, additional data, and, on the basis thereof, as a function of decision rules, renders the standstill circuit ineffective.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulrich Reith, Wolfgang Groener
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Patent number: 7998025Abstract: A method for operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having in the force flow direction and in the following order an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission and an axle gearset, or an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission input shaft, a transmission and an axle gearset. The electric motor is used for pre-lubricating and warming the transmission such that, with the vehicle clutch disengaged, the lubricant pump of the transmission is driven by the electric motor so bearings are supplied with lubricant before the engine is started, and the heat, produced by splashing the lubricant, additionally warms the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2010Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith
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Publication number: 20110144873Abstract: A transmission, such as an automated manual transmission for a motor vehicle, with at least one shift group, such that the shift group or each shift group comprises a shift rail which actuates a shift fork that co-operates with a shift sleeve of the shift group concerned. Associated with the shift rail of the shift group or of each shift group there is a sensor that moves together with the respective shift rail relative to a corresponding measurement receiver such that in the area of at least one shift group, a first relative position between the measurement receiver and the sensor in the actuation direction and a second relative position between the measurement receiver and the sensor perpendicular to the actuation direction of the shift rail concerned can be detected, and from the second relative position, an evaluation device deduces system conditions of the shift group concerned.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Ulrich Reith, Mario Steinborn
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Publication number: 20110106385Abstract: A method of controlling a shifting operation in an automatic transmission of a commercial vehicle. A targeted gear and an associated target rotational speed are determined, via a transmission control, depending on predetermined parameters, and the shifting operation is executed upon reaching a determined shifting rotational speed. A shift interlock is activated, at least temporarily, during a downshifting operation when, upon reaching the shifting rotational speed, the determined target rotational speed lies below a predetermined rotational speed limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Ulrich Reith, Werner Wolfgang, Bertram Wengert, Maik Wurthner
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Publication number: 20110021313Abstract: A method for operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having in the force flow direction and in the following order an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission and an axle gearset, or an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission input shaft, a transmission and an axle gearset. The electric motor is used for pre-lubricating and warming the transmission such that, with the vehicle clutch disengaged, the lubricant pump of the transmission is driven by the electric motor so bearings are supplied with lubricant before the engine is started, and the heat, produced by splashing the lubricant, additionally warms the transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Mario STEINBORN, Ulrich REITH
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Patent number: 7846061Abstract: A method for operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having in the force flow direction and in the following order an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission and an axle gearset, or an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission input shaft, a transmission and an axle gearset. The electric motor is used for pre-lubricating and warming the transmission such that, with the vehicle clutch disengaged, the lubricant pump of the transmission is driven by the electric motor so bearings are supplied with lubricant before the engine is started, and the heat, produced by splashing the lubricant, additionally warms the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith
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Publication number: 20100120582Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a vehicle in which the drive train has at least an internal combustion engine, an engine clutch, an electric machine, a single and a multi-group manual transmission with synchronized and/or unsynchronized shift elements for shifting gears, an axle transmission, as well as an associated control device for controlling the gear shifts. It is provided for the purpose of expanding the functional possibilities, that the electric machine is used, during gear shifts in the manual transmission, as a mode of synchronization, a synchronization aid, or at least as a shifting aid such that changes in the direction of rotation of the transmission shafts are taken into consideration.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Ulrich Reith, Mario Steinborn
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Patent number: 7699750Abstract: A method for controlling a partially unsynchronized manual transmission, which realizes the increase of a rotational speed of a transmission part to be synchronized during a gear change procedure by connecting one element of the transmission, via a shiftable clutch, to a drive motor and by making available to this drive motor the required rotational speed as well as the necessary torque at its output shaft. It is also provided that when the rotational speed and/or the torque made available by the drive motor is not sufficient to ensure the synchronization of the manual transmission within a fixed time period, a shifting strategy is pursued, which prevents an unintentional holding of the manual transmission in its neutral position or idle position.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Reinhard Mertinkat, Rainer Petzold, Andreas Wolf, Gerd Sauermann, Klaus Hensinger, Wolfgang Gröner, Ulrich Reith
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Publication number: 20090203480Abstract: A device for controlling a fluid-actuated, double-action operating cylinder (2) having two cylinder chambers (6, 8) separated from one another by a piston (4). Each cylinder chamber (6, 8) communicates with a respective valve (12, 14) for controlling the flow of fluid in and out of the cylinder chamber (6, 8) and a pressure sensor (40) for detecting the fluid supply pressure. A control unit (20) is connected to the switching valves (12, 14) and the pressure sensor (40). To determine the actual control force of the operating cylinder (2), the pressure sensor (40) is arranged between the cylinder chambers (6, 8) and the control unit (20). The output from the pressure sensor (40) can be processed in the control unit (20) and used for actuating a pressure regulation valve (22) arranged in the pressure line (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Bernd Müller, Werner Wolfgang, Thomas Jäger, Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith, Peter Herter, Roland Mair
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Publication number: 20080312031Abstract: A method of controlling a mechanical drive train (2, 4, 6, 8) of a motor vehicle having an automatic or automated transmission (6) and a stabilization system (16) that acts on the wheels (14) of the vehicle. The stabilization system including an electronic vehicle control device (18), which shifts the transmission (6) depending on the standard drive states detected by sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2006Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Ulrich Reith
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Publication number: 20080227601Abstract: A method for controlling a partially unsynchronized manual transmission, which realizes the increase of a rotational speed of a transmission part to be synchronized during a gear change procedure by connecting one element of the transmission, via a shiftable clutch, to a drive motor and by making available to this drive motor the required rotational speed as well as the necessary torque at its output shaft. It is also provided that when the rotational speed and/or the torque made available by the drive motor is not sufficient to ensure the synchronization of the manual transmission within a fixed time period, a shifting strategy is pursued, which prevents an unintentional holding of the manual transmission in its neutral position or idle position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2005Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Reinhard Mertinkat, Rainer Petzold, Andreas Wolf, Gerd Sauermann, Klaus Hensinger, Wolfgang Groner, Ulrich Reith