Patents by Inventor Christian Villing

Christian Villing 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: 11718302
    Abstract: A drive train control method includes transmitting a total time period of a stroke phase and a torque phase of an upshift from a transmission control unit of an automatic transmission to an engine control unit of an engine. The method also includes closing a first shift element of the automatic transmission and opening a second shift element of the automatic transmission during the upshift. A control pressure of the first shift element increases during the torque phase relative to the control pressure of the first shift element at an end of the stroke phase. A control pressure of the second shift element decreases during the torque phase relative to the control pressure of the second shift element at the end of the stroke phase. The method further includes, based at least in part on the total time period of the stroke and torque phases, increasing an actual torque of the engine during the upshift such that the actual torque of the engine increases to a higher gear torque prior to an end of the torque phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Frieder Mohr, Christian Villing, Thomas Stark, Yoshitaka Shitani, Matthew J. Tucker, Yasuhiro Gokan, Christopher Hopp, Ryuichi Mori, Makoto Kobayashi, Ryuji Murata
  • Publication number: 20210146931
    Abstract: A drive train control method includes transmitting a total time period of a stroke phase and a torque phase of an upshift from a transmission control unit of an automatic transmission to an engine control unit of an engine. The method also includes closing a first shift element of the automatic transmission and opening a second shift element of the automatic transmission during the upshift. A control pressure of the first shift element increases during the torque phase relative to the control pressure of the first shift element at an end of the stroke phase. A control pressure of the second shift element decreases during the torque phase relative to the control pressure of the second shift element at the end of the stroke phase. The method further includes, based at least in part on the total time period of the stroke and torque phases, increasing an actual torque of the engine during the upshift such that the actual torque of the engine increases to a higher gear torque prior to an end of the torque phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Frieder Mohr, Christian Villing, Thomas Stark, Yoshitaka Shitani, Matthew J. Tucker, Yasuhiro Gokan, Christopher Hopp, Ryuichi Mori, Makoto Kobayashi, Ryuji Murata
  • Patent number: 10626984
    Abstract: A gearbox (100) includes an input shaft (105), which is connected to a drive source, and a first and a second proportionally controllable shift element (A-F). A method (200) for open-loop control of the gearbox (100) includes: determining (210) an absolute torque demand (330) on the drive source on the basis of a profile controlled by way of an open-loop system (340) and a profile controlled by way of a closed-loop system (345); determining (220) whether the absolute torque demand (330) threatens to exceed a predetermined threshold value (335); and, in response, reducing (225) the portion controlled by way of the closed-loop system (345).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Harald Stehle, Günther Maier, Christian Villing
  • Publication number: 20190219160
    Abstract: A gearbox (100) includes an input shaft (105), which is connected to a drive source, and a first and a second proportionally controllable shift element (A-F). A method (200) for open-loop control of the gearbox (100) includes: determining (210) an absolute torque demand (330) on the drive source on the basis of a profile controlled by way of an open-loop system (340) and a profile controlled by way of a closed-loop system (345); determining (220) whether the absolute torque demand (330) threatens to exceed a predetermined threshold value (335); and, in response, reducing (225) the portion controlled by way of the closed-loop system (345).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Harald Stehle, Günther Maier, Christian Villing
  • Patent number: 9625032
    Abstract: A method is provided for executing a gearshift in an automatic transmission with several shifting elements. Upon the execution of the gearshift, a first frictional-locking shifting element is opened and a second positive-locking shifting element is closed. If, upon the execution of the gearshift, an input torque of the automatic transmission is less than a threshold value, after at least partially opening the frictional-locking shifting element and after releasing the positive-locking shifting element, there is a monitoring of whether the positive-locking shifting element is transferred into its end position. If it is then determined that the positive-locking shifting element is not in its end position, a torque transferred by the partially open frictional-locking shifting element initially increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Maurer, Christian Villing
  • Patent number: 9598065
    Abstract: An engine controller for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided. The engine controller is in signal communication with the internal combustion engine, an automatic transmission, and a displacement adjusting mechanism. The engine controller is configured to determine an operating condition of the internal combustion engine and to communicate with the automatic transmission to shift to one of a plurality of gear configurations, and the displacement adjusting mechanism to one of activate and deactivate at least one cylinder. The engine controller determines that a shift from a first gear configuration to a second gear configuration requires a positive torque when the at least one cylinder is deactivated. The engine controller communicates with the displacement adjusting mechanism to activate the at least one deactivated cylinder such that the plurality of cylinders are activated before the shift between gear configurations and the positive torque are completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ryuichi Mori, Christopher Hopp, Kazuma Sasahara, Brian Flora, Christian Villing
  • Publication number: 20150127231
    Abstract: Method for executing a gearshift in an automatic transmission (1) with several shifting elements, whereas, upon the execution of the gearshift, a first frictional-locking shifting element (B, C, D, E) is open or switched off and a second positive-locking shifting element (A, F) is closed or switched on, whereas, if, upon the execution of the gearshift, an input torque of the automatic transmission is then smaller than a threshold value, in particular upon the execution of a coast downshift, after at least the partial opening of the frictional-locking shifting element (B, C, D, E) and after the release of the positive-locking shifting element (A, F), there is a monitoring of whether the positive-locking shifting element (A, F) is transferred into its end position, whereas, if it is then determined that the positive-locking shifting element (A, F) has not been transferred into its end position, a torque transferred by the previously at least partially open frictional-locking shifting element (B, C, D, E) initia
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Markus Maurer, Christian Villing
  • Publication number: 20150112559
    Abstract: Method for executing gearshifts interlaced into each other in an automatic transmission with several shifting elements, whereas, upon the execution of gearshifts interlaced into each other, first shifting elements are open or switched off, and second shifting elements are closed or switched on, namely in such a manner that, as a second shifting element, at least one positive-locking shifting element is closed, whereby, with the activation of a positive-locking shifting element to be closed, there is a monitoring of whether, within a time interval after the activation of the particular positive-locking shifting element to be closed, the transmission ratio of the automatic transmission is within the tolerance band and is thus constant, and/or whether an end position sensor of the particular positive-locking shifting element to be closed detects a completely engaged position of the positive-locking shifting element to be closed, whereby, if at least one of these conditions is met, a proper closing of the particu
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Markus Maurer, Christian Villing
  • Patent number: 8775042
    Abstract: A method of controlling the system pressure in an automatic transmission having interlocking shifting elements in which, during shifts and gear engagement and gear disengagement processes involving interlocking shifting elements, as a function of the engagement and disengagement times of the interlocking shifting elements involved and the shift conditions of the frictional shifting elements involved, the system pressure is increased to an elevated pressure that enables rapid engagement or disengagement of the interlocking shifting elements, in such manner that the system pressure is increased in at least two phases whose timing depends on the shift conditions of at least one of the shifting elements involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichschafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Andreas Schmidt, Christian Villing