Patents by Inventor Wilhelm Hardtle

Wilhelm Hardtle 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: 8662785
    Abstract: A shaft-gear connection comprises a shaft and a shrunk-on gear that has an axial first section, attached by a first shrink-fit bond, and an axial second section, attached by a second shrink-fit bond. The second shrink-fit bond is greater than the first shrink-fit bond so that a greater maximum torque to be transmitted from the gear to the shaft by the second shrink-fit bond than by the first shrink-fit bond. An axial intermediate section, attached by a third shrink-fit bond, is located between the axial first section and the axial second section. Both a surface pressure and a maximum torque that can be transmitted by the third shrink-fit bond are greater than the surface pressure and the maximum torque that can be transmitted by the first shrink-fit bond, but are less than the surface pressure and the maximum torque that can be transmitted by the second shrink-fit bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Hardtle
  • Publication number: 20120282018
    Abstract: A shaft-gear connection comprises a shaft and a shrunk-on gear that has an axial first section, attached by a first shrink-fit bond, and an axial second section, attached by a second shrink-fit bond. The second shrink-fit bond is greater than the first shrink-fit bond so that a greater maximum torque to be transmitted from the gear to the shaft by the second shrink-fit bond than by the first shrink-fit bond. An axial intermediate section, attached by a third shrink-fit bond, is located between the axial first section and the axial second section. Both a surface pressure and a maximum torque that can be transmitted by the third shrink-fit bond are greater than the surface pressure and the maximum torque that can be transmitted by the first shrink-fit bond, but are less than the surface pressure and the maximum torque that can be transmitted by the second shrink-fit bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm HARDTLE
  • Publication number: 20100092237
    Abstract: A shaft-gear connection and method for producing the connection which includes a shaft (2) and a shrunk-on gear (4). The gear (4) has a first axial section (5) attached to the shaft (2) by a first shrink-fit (8) and a second axial section (6) attached to the shaft (2) by a second shrink-fit (9). The second shrink-fit (9) allows greater torques to be transmitted from the gear (4) to the shaft (2) than the first shrink-fit (8). An intermediate axial section (7) of the gear (4), attached to the shaft (2) by a third shrink-fit (10), is located between the first and second axial sections (5, 6). The torque transmitted from the gear (4) to the shaft (2) by the third shrink-fit (10) is greater than the first shrink-fit (8) but smaller than the second shrink-fit (9). The connection allows greater torque to be transmitted without increasing the risk of damaging the external gearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Hardtle
  • Publication number: 20100051409
    Abstract: A device for encapsulating fine clutch dust is proposed which comprises caverns (5) provided in the clutch housing (4) for collecting fine dust by the rotation-related centrifugal force. During servicing of the clutch, the fine dust received in the caverns (5) can be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Hardtle
  • Patent number: 7445582
    Abstract: A method for the control of an actuator of a starting clutch of a motor vehicle. The actuator is so regulated by a control apparatus that the starting clutch is closed upon the presence of a desire for starting, as well as closed by an adjusted, transmission ratio, and the clutch is opened upon the termination of the starting procedure. For the freeing of a vehicle from a roadway obstruction by way of a rocking process of the vehicle, it is proposed that the starting clutch, during a starting procedure and by way of control of the actuation actuator, is operated in a fully automatic manner in such a way, that the torque (M_K) periodically varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Härdtle
  • Publication number: 20080223680
    Abstract: The invention concerns an automated transmission, for example a multi-stage motor-vehicle shift transmission, with at least one controllable actuating drive provided as a gear actuator (26) to engage and disengage a gear of the transmission or as a clutch actuator (7) to engage and disengage an associated automated engine clutch, and an automated friction clutch, for example an automated engine clutch arranged in the drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive engine and a transmission, with a controllable actuating drive provided as the clutch actuator (7) for engaging and disengaging the friction clutch. To improve the controllability and achieve a longer service life while reducing production costs, it is proposed to use as the actuating drive (7, 26) a pneumatic muscle (8, 8.1, 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Hardtle, Ludger Ronge, Frank-Detlef Speck
  • Patent number: 7419455
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process for the prevention of the rollback of a vehicle with a vehicle braking system (18), wherein a braking system (18) comprises a vehicle brake pressure modifying apparatus (20); a device (28, 34, 36) which are enabled to recognize a forward movement of the vehicle, and a brake control apparatus (16), which is connected to the vehicle brake pressure modifying apparatus (20) and the device (28). There is generated in the control apparatus (16) a signal which, upon a standstill of the vehicle, activates a brake and sensor combination (8, 28) which acts upon a transmission (2) of the vehicle, the brake and the sensor combination (8, 28) being supplementary to the brakes of the vehicle brake system (18) and, upon a recognition of a forward motion of the vehicle, the braking fluid pressure in the vehicle brake pressure modifying apparatus (20) is reduced and thus the brake and the sensor combination (8, 28) acting upon the transmission is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Härdtle, Manfred Schwab
  • Publication number: 20080045379
    Abstract: A method for the control of an actuator of a starting clutch of a motor vehicle. The actuator is so regulated by a control apparatus that the starting clutch is closed upon the presence of a desire for starting, as well as closed by an adjusted, transmission ratio, and the clutch is opened upon the termination of the starting procedure. For the freeing of a vehicle from a roadway obstruction by way of a rocking process of the vehicle, it is proposed that the starting clutch, during a starting procedure and by way of control of the actuation actuator, is operated in a fully automatic manner in such a way, that the torque (M_K) periodically varies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2004
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Wilhelm Hardtle
  • Patent number: 7032730
    Abstract: A vehicle gearbox (2) comprises a centrally operating device (28) for releasing the clutch (6), which is provided between the clutch disc and the clutch bell housing of the gearbox (2). A transmission control unit (22) provided on or in the gearbox (2) is both electrically connected directly with the device (28) and the medium for actuating the clutch (6) is received directly from the transmission control unit (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Härdtle
  • Publication number: 20050247538
    Abstract: One vehicle clutch (6) is situated in a vehicle between a prime mover (2) and a transmission (4) and is controlled according to the rotational speed of the prime mover (2). As centrifugal clutch, the vehicle clutch (6) has elements (26, 32) which cause a variable torque transmission according to the rotational speed of the prime mover (2). The vehicle clutch (6) is actuatable without an externally actuated actuator, is the only clutch located between prime mover (2) and transmission (4) and is provided as starting clutch without possibility of interruption of traction during shifting operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Bernd Dobele, Wilhelm Hardtle, Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann, Christoph Ruchardt
  • Publication number: 20040189081
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process for the prevention of the rollback of a vehicle with a vehicle braking system (18), wherein a braking system (18) comprises a vehicle brake pressure modifying apparatus (20); a device (28, 34, 36) which are enabled to recognize a forward movement of the vehicle, and a brake control apparatus (16), which is connected to the vehicle brake pressure modifying apparatus (20) and the device (28). There is generated in the control apparatus (16) a signal which, upon a standstill of the vehicle, activates a brake and sensor combination (8, 28) which acts upon a transmission (2) of the vehicle, the brake and the sensor combination (8, 28) being supplementary to the brakes of the vehicle brake system (18) and, upon a recognition of a forward motion of the vehicle, the braking fluid pressure in the vehicle brake pressure modifying apparatus (20) is reduced and thus the brake and the sensor combination (8, 28) acting upon the transmission is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Wilhelm Hardtle, Manfred Schwab
  • Patent number: 6687586
    Abstract: In a method for determining evaluation data for transmissions in vehicles, data is measured in the vehicle via sensors, the measured data is used to form intermediate data specific to the vehicle and then, from the measured data and the intermediate data, evaluation data is determined which is shown, stored or transmitted to a data collecting station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Härdtle, Christoph Rüchardt
  • Patent number: 6626796
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (2) has a transmission (6) with an automated clutch (8) with a control device (20), a gas pedal, a brake pedal and an actuating element (28, 30, 32) which is released for activating an inching procedure. In the method for determining a defined inching procedure, time is measured by the actuating element (28, 30, 32) after the inching procedure has been activated and, after a reference value has been exceeded, the inching procedure starts at a predeterminable speed as long as neither the brake pedal nor the gas pedal has been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventors: Manfred Schwab, Wilhelm Härdtle
  • Publication number: 20030092530
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (2) has a transmission (6) with an automated clutch (8) with a control device (20), a gas pedal, a brake pedal and an actuating element (28, 30, 32) which is released for activating an inching procedure. In the method for determining a defined inching procedure, time is measured by the actuating element (28, 30, 32) after the inching procedure has been activated and, after a reference value has been exceeded, the inching procedure starts at a predeterminable speed as long as neither the brake pedal nor the gas pedal has been activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Manfred Schwab, Wilhelm Hardtle
  • Publication number: 20030010590
    Abstract: A vehicle gearbox (2) comprises a centrally operating device (28) for releasing the clutch (6), which is provided between the clutch disc and the clutch bell housing of the gearbox (2). A transmission control unit (22) provided on or in the gearbox (2) is both electrically connected directly with the device (28) and the medium for actuating the clutch (6) is received directly from the transmission control unit (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Wilhelm Hardtle
  • Publication number: 20020077730
    Abstract: In a method for determining evaluation data for transmissions in vehicles, data is measured in the vehicle via sensors, the measured data is used to form intermediate data specific to the vehicle and then, from the measured data and the intermediate data, evaluation data is determined which is shown, stored or transmitted to a data collecting station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Wilhelm Hardtle, Christoph Ruchardt
  • Patent number: 5388477
    Abstract: A gearshift device for electrically controlled transmissions is provided having a shifting lever pivotable in two parallel planes and guided in slides which have a connecting link only in the area of a neutral shifting position. Such gearshift devices are used particularly in construction machines. By way of a lock, which is activated below an admissible speed, a shift to the neutral position and into the opposite direction of travel is prevented. At higher speeds, accidental faulty shifts are prevented by a step-by-step gearshift mechanism. The locks, according to the invention, require only few regulation measures since they contain two mutually independent locking systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Walter Frei, Wilhelm Hardtle, Gunter Schwarz
  • Patent number: 5251443
    Abstract: In a pressure-control device for affecting the closing behavior of powershift clutches (K.sub.1 -K.sub.X) in a powershift transmission, a regulating valve (1) cooperates with a damping device (2) as pressure-control valve. Chokes (4, 40, 400) for a more or less smooth connection are arranged in combination with pressure lines (P.sub.S, P.sub.R) over the pressure cycle when the clutch concerned (K.sub.1 -K.sub.X) is engaged. The travel of the damper piston (21) in a direction toward the regulating valve (1) is shortened by a pressurizing piston device (3) cooperating with the piston (21) of the damping device (2). Thus the time for the slipping phase in the engaged clutch concerned is shortened and, together with a higher initial pressure after the clutch is filled, the friction is limited.The limitation of the friction can also be obtained by adding a second choke in parallel in the control pressure line (Pr) by which the choked cross section is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Ehrlinger, Wilhelm Hardtle, Peter Hartig
  • Patent number: 3938568
    Abstract: An apparatus for debarking logs has a plurality of longitudinally spaced frames each of which carries a pair of horizontally and transversely spaced upper wheels and at least one lower wheel below and between the upper wheels. At least one conveyor element is spanned over the wheels in each frame and has a pair of inner stretches defining a V in line with the inner stretches of the other frame and forming therewith a log-receiving cradle. At least one of the wheels, preferably the lower wheel is driven, and it is possible either to tip the frames so as to unload the logs or to cant them about vertical axes relative to the longitudinal direction of the logs so as to move the log along the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1976
    Inventor: Wilhelm Hardtle