Patents by Inventor Franz Bitzer

Franz Bitzer 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: 11585430
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle that has an internal combustion engine and an automated manual transmission, connected between the engine and a drive output. The transmission includes a shifting element group with a plurality of shifting elements. The transmission further includes an oil pump and an electric machine, both of which are integrated in the transmission and coupled to an input shaft of the transmission. The oil pump delivers a flow of transmission oil for cooling the shifting element group and cooling the electric machine, and the shifting elements of the shifting element group are controlled and shifted by an actuator system that is independent of the oil pump. When the motor vehicle is at rest, the oil pump is driven by the electric machine in order to cool the electric machine while the motor vehicle is at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Sauter, Markus Eisele, Martin Dietrich, Franz Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20200362958
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle that has an internal combustion engine and an automated manual transmission, connected between the engine and a drive output. The transmission includes a shifting element group with a plurality of shifting elements. The transmission further includes an oil pump and an electric machine, both of which are integrated in the transmission and coupled to an input shaft of the transmission. The oil pump delivers a flow of transmission oil for cooling the shifting element group and cooling the electric machine, and the shifting elements of the shifting element group are controlled and shifted by an actuator system that is independent of the oil pump. When the motor vehicle is at rest, the oil pump is driven by the electric machine in order to cool the electric machine while the motor vehicle is at rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Michael SAUTER, Markus EISELE, Martin DIETRICH, Franz BITZER
  • Patent number: 9551410
    Abstract: A method for assuring that a signal, for damping drive train vibrations, is overlaid during the same time period as the drive train vibration, and not delayed by one time period. The method comprises the steps of continuously calculating a correction torque for the vibration damping, determining, through a parallel signal path, whether the vibration damping is to be activated or deactivated, and overlaying the correction torque to the drive train vibration, if the necessity arises for activation of the vibration damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Franz Bitzer, Peter Herter
  • Patent number: 9523377
    Abstract: A method of controlling a pneumatic actuator for actuation of a pneumatically actuated device. The actuator comprises a piston and a pneumatic cylinder, the piston is arranged to move axially within the pneumatic cylinder. The piston is moved as a function of a pressure in a pressure chamber of the pneumatic cylinder, and the pressure in the pressure chamber is adjusted by a control unit which controls at least a valve and/or a pressure regulator and/or a pressure generating device. A pilot control component, for the control, is determined as a function of at least a sliding friction force and/or at least a static friction force of the pneumatic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rupert Kramer, Peter Herter, Franz Bitzer, Roland Mair, Florian Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150094920
    Abstract: A method for assuring that a signal, for damping drive train vibrations, is overlaid during the same time period as the drive train vibration, and not delayed by one time period. The method comprises the steps of continuously calculating a correction torque for the vibration damping, determining, through a parallel signal path, whether the vibration damping is to be activated or deactivated, and overlaying the correction torque to the drive train vibration, if the necessity arises for activation of the vibration damping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Franz BITZER, Peter HERTER
  • Patent number: 8746426
    Abstract: A through-connection clutch, for transferring torque between a motor and transmission of a vehicle, which has a friction clutch and a form-locking clutch. The form-locking clutch is disposed radially within the friction clutch, and the clutches can be actuated independently of each other. To minimize the required installation space, the through-connection clutch can be activated flexibly, but is still inexpensive to produce and ensures low-wear yet safe and comfortable torque transfer in a drive train of a vehicle. A pressure plate of the friction clutch and a form-locking element of the form-locking clutch are concentric, rotationally fixed together, and movable toward one another, and can be actuated via an actuation unit, which is rotationally decoupled from the pressure plate and the form-locking element. Depending on the operating situation, the friction clutch and/or the form-locking clutch is selectively activated one or more times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter, Mario Steinborn, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8651256
    Abstract: A method of determining the wear condition of a shifting clutch (1) of a motor vehicle which is provided either for interrupting the force flow or equalizing the rotation speed between a drive output shaft (2) of an internal combustion engine (3) and a drivetrain (4). The wear condition of the clutch (1) is determined from the parameters of clutch release path (sausrück) the and release force (Fausrück), at a release bearing (5) of the clutch (1) and, for this purpose, a difference between the clutch release path (sausrück), at a first increase-point (11; 12) of the release force (Fausrück) and at a reference point (13) represented by a second increase of the release force (Fausrück), is measured when the clutch is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8641579
    Abstract: A method is proposed for controlling a through-connection clutch of a vehicle, in which an interlocking portion of the clutch is opened when the drive-train is virtually free from torque, a shifting operation is then carried out, and after the shifting operation the clutch is closed again. According to the invention, the torque transmitted by the interlocked connection in the clutch is influenced by controlling the motor in order to produce a torque-free condition at the interlocked connection in the clutch, in such manner that the interlocked connection is pre-stressed before the torque-free condition has been reached and separated immediately only when the torque-free condition is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter, Mario Steinborn, Franz Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20130298757
    Abstract: A method of controlling a pneumatic actuator for actuation of a pneumatically actuated device. The actuator comprises a piston and a pneumatic cylinder, the piston is arranged to move axially within the pneumatic cylinder. The piston is moved as a function of a pressure in a pressure chamber of the pneumatic cylinder, and the pressure in the pressure chamber is adjusted by a control unit which controls at least a valve and/or a pressure regulator and/or a pressure generating device. A pilot control component, for the control, is determined as a function of at least a sliding friction force and/or at least a static friction force of the pneumatic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Rupert Kramer, Peter Herter, Franz Bitzer, Roland Mair, Florian Schneider
  • Patent number: 8352140
    Abstract: A method of determining and reducing vibrations caused by a clutch (3) in a drivetrain (1) of a motor vehicle, in which the disturbing vibrations are detected by a control and regulating unit aided by suitable sensors and, if predetermined limit values are exceeded, at least one device is actuated by the control and regulating unit in such manner that the disturbing vibrations are completely eliminated or at least reduced in amplitude. At least one torque sensor (8, 9, 10) is used to detect the occurrence of vibrations in the drivetrain (1) and the torque sensor (8, 9, 10) is used to determine vibration amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Herter, Joachim Staudinger, Rainer Petzold, Franz Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20120234641
    Abstract: A through-connection clutch, for transferring torque between a motor and transmission of a vehicle, which has a friction clutch and a form-locking clutch. The form-locking clutch is disposed radially within the friction clutch, and the clutches can be actuated independently of each other. To minimize the required installation space, the through-connection clutch can be activated flexibly, but is still inexpensive to produce and ensures low-wear yet safe and comfortable torque transfer in a drive train of a vehicle. A pressure plate of the friction clutch and a form-locking element of the form-locking clutch are concentric, rotationally fixed together, and movable toward one another, and can be actuated via an actuation unit, which is rotationally decoupled from the pressure plate and the form-locking element. Depending on the operating situation, the friction clutch and/or the form-locking clutch is selectively activated one or more times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter, Mario Steinborn, Franz Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20120220421
    Abstract: A method is proposed for controlling a through-connection clutch of a vehicle, in which an interlocking portion of the clutch is opened when the drive-train is virtually free from torque, a shifting operation is then carried out, and after the shifting operation the clutch is closed again. According to the invention, the torque transmitted by the interlocked connection in the clutch is influenced by controlling the motor in order to produce a torque-free condition at the interlocked connection in the clutch, in such manner that the interlocked connection is pre-stressed before the torque-free condition has been reached and separated immediately only when the torque-free condition is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter, Mario Steinborn, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8219294
    Abstract: A method for actuating a clutch (6) of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle such that, when the motor vehicle is rolling downhill with the accelerator pedal not being actuated and when the motor vehicle is coasting on level ground with the accelerator pedal not being actuated, a clutch position of the clutch (6) is determined as a function of a rotational speed difference between an input speed of a transmission (2) of the drivetrain and an idling speed of a power engine (1) of the drivetrain. The method includes the steps of determining the clutch position from the rotational speed difference between the transmission input speed and the power engine idling speed and correcting the clutch position using at least one parameter that depends on acceleration of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Herter, Joachim Staudinger, Rainer Petzold, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8187148
    Abstract: A clutch system for producing and interrupting a force flow between the engine and transmission of a motor vehicle, with a clutch, which is disengaged unless actuated, and one or more valves, which regulate the flow of pressure medium and which are electrically actuated by a control and regulation unit. If there is electrical failure while driving and when a gear is engaged or when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is running and a transmission gear is engaged, unintended clutch engagement is prevented. The valves are designed such that if there is a failure of the voltage supply and consequently also of the actuation of the valves by the electronic control and regulation system, the operating condition of the clutch existing at the time of failure, namely the disengaged or engaged operating condition, remains as it is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Martin Miller, Mario Steinborn, Peter Herter, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8162799
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a hydraulic or pneumatic transmission control system, which comprises a pressure supply unit with a conduit directing a pressure medium under a supply pressure, and an actuating member for a clutch control element of a friction clutch. The actuating member has a pressure space which can be connected by a clutch control valve to the conduit, and in which the supply pressure is determined by a pressure sensor that can be connected to the conduit. The method includes the steps of determining the supply pressure by the pressure sensor, given that briefly opening the clutch control valve produces a pressure increase and/or a pressure gradient of the control pressure in the pressure space, and the currently existing supply pressure can be calculated from the control pressure, the pressure increase and/or the pressure gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rupert Kramer, Marcus Gansohr, Johannes Kemler, Franz Bitzer, Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter
  • Patent number: 8131438
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automated friction clutch arranged in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle in the force flow, between a motor and transmission, and the automated friction clutch is designed to be passively engaged by spring pressure and can be disengaged and engaged by a controllable clutch actuator. The automated friction clutch is provided with a path sensor for detecting the clutch actuator travel such that during the operation of the motor a current key point of a torque characteristic, provided for controlling the friction clutch, is determined and used for adapting the torque characteristic. With the friction clutch engaged and without the clutch actuator exerting any force, several values of the actuator travel are determined at intervals from which a current engagement point, close to the actual engagement point of the torque characteristic, is determined and with which the torque characteristic is adapted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Herter, Joachim Staudinger, Rainer Petzold, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8102137
    Abstract: A method of detecting a useful signal from a measurement signal that is overlaid by at least one interference signal for use in a control or regulating device, where the interference signal occurs with at least one known interference signal frequency. The method including the steps of detecting the measurement signal, performing a Fourier transformation on the measurement signal with reference to the interference signal frequency to detect the interference signal amplitude and phase, detecting the interference signal on the basis of the interference signal amplitude and phase, and removing the interference signal from the measurement signal to detect the useful signal. The Fourier transformation is performed only with reference to the known interference signal frequency to simplify the computation making it possible to detect the useful signal in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8090513
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automated friction clutch in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive motor and a manual transmission. During clutch actuation, at least one operating parameter of the friction clutch is detected by a sensor and from variation of the operating parameter at least one adaptation parameter is derived for correcting a control parameter of the associated clutch control element. To obtain information about variation of the clutch release force and to improve the control of an associated clutch control element, the friction clutch is fully disengaged with constant control or actuation of the clutch control element. During the disengagement process, the release travel path is determined as a function of release time, and from the time variation of the release travel path, a characteristic value is determined which is used to determine an adaptation parameter for correcting the control parameter of the clutch control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter, Franz Bitzer, Roland Mair
  • Patent number: 8083044
    Abstract: A clutch actuator (6), as well as a method for operating a clutch (3), between the drive motor and the transmission (1) of a motor vehicle. The clutch actuator includes a cylinder with a piston (14) and an actuator (15), such that a clutch release bearing (4), arranged co-axially to the central axis of the clutch, may be operated to apply an axial pre-tensioning force on the clutch release bearing and conduct an operating medium into the clutch actuator for axially displacing the piston and/or the clutch release bearing. To simplify a clutch actuator of this type and enhance its utilization, the clutch actuator is configured and used for generating the pre-tensioning force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8002100
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for actuating a diaphragm spring clutch (20) for vehicles by means of a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator (24), comprising a controller connected upstream of the actuator (24), whose output control variable actuates the actuator (24). To compensate for the strong nonlinearity of the releasing force over the releasing stroke that is typical of diaphragm springs, a controller is used, whose characteristic curve is plotted in such a way that this nonlinear curve of the releasing force is at least approximately compensated via a correspondingly coordinated actuation of the actuator (24), so that it remains essentially identical over the releasing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Herter, Franz Bitzer