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).

  • Patent number: 11242065
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Reith, Thomas Jäger, Mauro Cesar Zanella
  • Publication number: 20220009551
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Reith, Tomas Szabo
  • Publication number: 20200172119
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich REITH, Thomas JÄGER, Mauro Cesar ZANELLA
  • Patent number: 9387848
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith, Wolfgang Groner, Rupert Kramer
  • Publication number: 20130296134
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Rainer PETZOLD, Mario STEINBORN, Ulrich REITH, Wolfgang GRONER, Rupert KRAMER
  • Patent number: 8452497
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Reith, Werner Wolfgang, Bertram Wengert, Maik Wurthner
  • Patent number: 8447481
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Reith, Mario Steinborn
  • Patent number: 8251867
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Reith, Mario Steinborn
  • Publication number: 20120116624
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Reith
  • Patent number: 8078369
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Reith, Wolfgang Groener
  • Patent number: 7998025
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith
  • Publication number: 20110144873
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Reith, Mario Steinborn
  • Publication number: 20110106385
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Reith, Werner Wolfgang, Bertram Wengert, Maik Wurthner
  • Publication number: 20110021313
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Mario STEINBORN, Ulrich REITH
  • Patent number: 7846061
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith
  • Publication number: 20100120582
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Reith, Mario Steinborn
  • Patent number: 7699750
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Mertinkat, Rainer Petzold, Andreas Wolf, Gerd Sauermann, Klaus Hensinger, Wolfgang Gröner, Ulrich Reith
  • Publication number: 20090203480
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Bernd Müller, Werner Wolfgang, Thomas Jäger, Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith, Peter Herter, Roland Mair
  • Publication number: 20080312031
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Reith
  • Publication number: 20080227601
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Mertinkat, Rainer Petzold, Andreas Wolf, Gerd Sauermann, Klaus Hensinger, Wolfgang Groner, Ulrich Reith