Patents by Inventor Eckehard Münch

Eckehard Münch 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: 20230373527
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a planned trajectory of a vehicle, such as a vehicle for highly automated driving. A plurality of different limit data sets are produced for implementing the planned trajectory using at least one drive-dynamical characteristic value of the vehicle and an estimated value for a friction coefficient between the vehicle and a road. Each limit data set contains limit values for a kinematic driving condition of the vehicle. A data set having the lowest limit values with which the planned trajectory can be implemented is selected from the limit data sets produced. The planned trajectory is calculated as a function of current trajectory control data and as a function of the selected limit data set, where the trajectory control data comprise current environment data from an environment sensor of the vehicle and/or current position data from a position sensor of the vehicle. The planned trajectory is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Eckehard Münch, Stephan Pollmeyer, Katharina Hansen
  • Patent number: 11305815
    Abstract: An evaluation device (10) for an interconnection of at least one first control circuit and one second control circuit for incorporating an interference signal (w), wherein the interconnection comprises at least one first controller (A) for regulating a first control variable (yA) on the basis of a first steering signal (sA) in the first control circuit, and at least one second controller (B) for regulating a second control variable (yB) on the basis of a second steering signal (sB) in the second control circuit, wherein the first steering signal (sA) of the first controller (A) comprises a second output signal (uB) of the second controller (B), comprising an input interface (11) for receiving an interference signal (2), wherein the evaluation device (10) is configured to determine at least one first model steering signal (wA) for the first controller (A) and a second model steering signal (wB) for the second controller (B) based on the interference signal (w), and at least one output interface (12) for incorp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Eckehard Münch
  • Patent number: 10634219
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), as well as four shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3). By selective engagement of the four shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3) in pairs, six forward gears (1-6) are shiftable between the input shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Viktor Warth, Uwe Griesmeier, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Beck, Raffael Kuberczyk, Michael Wechs, Stephan Scharr, Eckehard Münch, Bernd Knöpke, Matthias Horn, Jens Moraw, Julian King, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Patent number: 10632835
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle comprising an upstream gear set (VRS), a main gear set (HRS) with a total of four shafts (W1, W2, W3, W4) referred to in order of rotational speeds as first, second, third and fourth shafts, an electric machine (EM), and at least five shift elements (A, B, C, E, F), the selective pairwise closure of which realizes at least eight selectable forward gear ratios (G1-G8) between a drive shaft (GW1) and an output shaft (GW2) of the transmission (G). The upstream gear set (VRS) provides a rotational speed at a fifth shaft (W5) increased relative to the rotational speed of the drive shaft (GW1), in a fixed transmission ratio with respect to the drive shaft (GW1). The main gear set (HRS) is a stepped planetary gear set (PS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Stefan Beck, Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Bernd Knöpke, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10598259
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission (G) for a motor vehicle, wherein the transmission (G) comprises an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), as well as at least five shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3, K4), wherein, by means of selective engagement of the at least five shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3, K4), seven forward gears (1 to 7) can be selected between the input shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2), and a drive train for a motor vehicle comprising such a transmission (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Viktor Warth, Uwe Griesmeier, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Beck, Raffael Kuberczyk, Michael Wechs, Stephan Scharr, Eckehard Münch, Bernd Knöpke, Matthias Horn, Jens Moraw, Julian King, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Patent number: 10570994
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), and four shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3). By selective engagement of the four shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3) in pairs, six forward gears (1-6) are shiftable between the input shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Viktor Warth, Uwe Griesmeier, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Beck, Raffael Kuberczyk, Michael Wechs, Stephan Scharr, Eckehard Münch, Bernd Knöpke, Matthias Horn, Jens Moraw, Julian King, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Patent number: 10570995
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes a drive shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), a first and a second planetary gear set (P1, P2), and a first, second, third, fourth and fifth shift element (04, 13, 14, 26, 36). Six forward gear ratios (1-6) between the drive shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2) are engagable through selective pairwise closure of the five shift elements (04, 13, 14, 26, 36) and rotationally fixed immobilization of the sun gear (E11) of the first planetary gear set (P1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Martin Brehmer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Eckehard Münch, Viktor Warth, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Stephan Scharr, Matthias Horn, Uwe Griesmeier, Peter Ziemer, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Bernd Knöpke, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Publication number: 20190322313
    Abstract: An evaluation device (10) for an interconnection of at least one first control circuit and one second control circuit for incorporating an interference signal (w), wherein the interconnection comprises at least one first controller (A) for regulating a first control variable (yA) on the basis of a first steering signal (sA) in the first control circuit, and at least one second controller (B) for regulating a second control variable (yB) on the basis of a second steering signal (sB) in the second control circuit, wherein the first steering signal (sA) of the first controller (A) comprises a second output signal (uB) of the second controller (B), comprising an input interface (11) for receiving an interference signal (2), wherein the evaluation device (10) is configured to determine at least one first model steering signal (wA) for the first controller (A) and a second model steering signal (wB) for the second controller (B) based on the interference signal (w), and at least one output interface (12) for incorp
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Eckehard Münch
  • Patent number: 10427515
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle having an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets, and six shift elements. By engaging the second shift element (06), the second element (E21) of the first planetary gear set (P1) is rotationally fixable. By engaging the third shift element (07), the first element (E11) of the first planetary gear set (P1) is rotationally fixable. By engaging the fourth shift element (14), the input shaft (GW1) is connectable to the second element (E22) of the second planetary gear set (P2). By engaging the fifth shift element (15), the input shaft (GW1) is connectable to the first element (E12) of the second planetary gear set (P2). By engaging the sixth shift element (57), the first element (E12) of the second planetary gear set (P2) is connectable to the first element (E11) of the first planetary gear set (P1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Horn, Martin Brehmer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Publication number: 20190291564
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), a front-mounted gear set (VRS) with a first planetary gear set (P1) and a second planetary gear set (P2), a main gear set (HRS), an electric machine (EM) with a stator (S) and a rotor (R), and a plurality of shift elements. By selective engagement of three of the shift elements in each case, a plurality of fixed transmission ratios between the input shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2) are shiftable. The two planetary gear sets (P1, P2) of the front-mounted gear set (VRS) include, in addition to the first shaft (Wx1) and the second shaft (Wx2), precisely three further shafts, namely a third shaft (Wx3), a fourth shaft (Wx4), and a fifth shaft (Wx5). A drive train for a motor vehicle may include such a transmission (G).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Viktor Warth, Stefan Beck, Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10408305
    Abstract: A transmission system (1) including a transmission input shaft (2), a transmission output shaft (3), and three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3) having a total of seven interface shafts (W1-W7). The planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3) are at least partially functionally connected to each other by planetary gear set shafts (S1-HR3), are at least partially connectable to each other through a plurality of shift elements (B1, B2, K1-K3; B1-B3, K1-K3), and are coupled to the seven interface shafts (W1-W7) by the planetary gear set shafts (S1-HR3) such that at least six gear ratios (1VM-6VM, R1VM, R2VM) are selectable such that the transmission input shaft (2) and the transmission output shaft (3) revolve with the same or different direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Bernd Knöpke, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10406908
    Abstract: A gearbox (G) for a motor vehicle having a drive shaft (GW1); an output shaft (GW2); an electric machine (EM); and first and second minus planetary gear sets (P1,P2), the first planetary gear set (P1) being a stepped planetary gear set. A ring gear (E31) of the first planetary gear set (P1) is rotationally fixedly immobilizable via a fourth shift element (06). The first sun gear (E111) of the first planetary gear set (P1) is rotationally fixedly immobilizable via a fifth shift element (03). The output shaft (GW2) is connected to the ring gear (E32) of the second planetary gear set (P2). A rotor (R) of the electric machine (EM) is continuously connected to the drive shaft (GW1). The first sun gear (E111) of the first planetary gear set (P1) is not continuously rotationally fixedly connected to or operatively connectable by the shift elements with any further electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Martin Brehmer, Stefan Beck, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10406907
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle including an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3) with three elements each, and five shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3, K4). The third planetary gear set (P3) has first and second couplings (V1, V2), wherein the first coupling (V1) is between the first elements (E12, E13) of the second and third planetary gear sets (P2, P3), the second coupling (V2) is between the third element (E33) of the third planetary gear set (P3) and the output shaft (GW2), and the second element (E23) of the third planetary gear set (P3) is permanently connected to the input shaft (GW1). One of the first and second couplings (V1, V2) is a permanently rotationally conjoint connection and the other one of the first and second couplings (V1, V2) is a connection selectable by the third shift element (K2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Bernd Knöpke, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10315503
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), an electric motor (EM) and five shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3, K4). Selective engagement of the five shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3, K4) realizes at least eight selectable forward gear ratios (G1-G8) between an input shaft (GW1) and an output shaft (GW2) of the transmission (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ZP FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Bernd Knöpke, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10272766
    Abstract: A transmission includes a main gear set, an auxiliary gear set and an electric motor with a rotor and a stator. A third shaft of the main gear set is connected to the transmission output shaft, and a first shaft of the auxiliary gear set is connected to the rotor. A second shaft of the auxiliary gear set is constantly connected to a first shaft of the main gear set. A third shaft of the auxiliary gear set is constantly connected to a second shaft of the main gear set, the third shaft of the main gear set or a fourth shaft of the main gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Raffael Kuberczyk, Christian Sibla, Andreas Beisswenger, Eckehard Münch
  • Patent number: 10195932
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle has an input shaft, output shaft, first and second minus planetary gear sets, and first electric machine with a rotationally fixed stator and a rotatable rotor connectable to the input shaft. The first planetary gear set is stepped and has planet gears of a larger and a smaller effective diameter. In the first planetary gear set, first sun gear engages the larger planet gears and is connected or connectable to the rotor; second sun gear engages the smaller planet gears and is connected to a sun gear of the second planetary gear set and connectable to the input shaft; a carrier is connected to a ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and a ring gear is rotationally fixable. In the second planetary gear set, the carrier is connectable to the input shaft and the ring gear is connected to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Peter Ziemer, Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10174816
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes a drive shaft, an upstream gear set and a main gear set. A shaft of the upstream gear set is configured to make available reduced rotational speed and is a component of a first power path at a first shaft of the main gear set. The drive shaft is a component of a second power path at a second shaft of the main gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Stefan Beck, Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Publication number: 20190003556
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission (G) for a motor vehicle, wherein the transmission (G) comprises an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), as well as at least five shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3, K4), wherein, by means of selective engagement of the at least five shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3, K4), seven forward gears (1 to 7) can be selected between the input shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2), and a drive train for a motor vehicle comprising such a transmission (G).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Viktor Warth, Uwe Griesmeier, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Beck, Raffael Kuberczyk, Michael Wechs, Stephan Scharr, Eckehard Münch, Bernd Knöpke, Matthias Horn, Jens Moraw, Julian King, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Patent number: 10166854
    Abstract: A transmission includes a main gear set, an auxiliary gear set and an electric motor with a rotor and a stator. A third shaft of the main gear set is connected to a transmission output shaft, and a first shaft of the auxiliary gear set is connected to the rotor. When a second shaft of the auxiliary gear set is connected to a first shaft of the main gear set, a third shaft of the auxiliary gear set is constantly connected to the third shaft of the main gear set or a fourth shaft of the main gear set. When the second shaft of the auxiliary gear set is connected to the third shaft of the main gear set, the third shaft of the auxiliary gear set is constantly connected to the fourth shaft of the main gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Raffael Kuberczyk, Christian Sibla, Andreas Beisswenger, Eckehard Münch
  • Publication number: 20180328466
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), as well as four shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3). By selective engagement of the four shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3) in pairs, six forward gears (1-6) are shiftable between the input shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Viktor Warth, Uwe Griesmeier, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Beck, Raffael Kuberczyk, Michael Wechs, Stephan Scharr, Eckehard Münch, Bernd Knöpke, Matthias Horn, Jens Moraw, Julian King, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Gerhard Niederbrucker