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).

  • Publication number: 20260043470
    Abstract: A method for ensuring a desired shifting state in a shiftable electric drivetrain (16) of a vehicle (15) is characterized in that the method includes an ascertaining process during which it is ensured that the desired shifting state corresponds to an actual shifting state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2025
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hannes WERNER, Stefan BEMETZ, Alexey RYABININ, Christian MITTELBERGER, Stefan BLATTNER, Xianghui SHEN, Mario STEINBORN, Matthias MÜLLER, Benjamin BERGER, Franz BITZER, Anton FRITZER
  • Publication number: 20250229754
    Abstract: A method is for adjusting an application pressure of a vehicle brake, in particular a commercial vehicle disc brake, of a motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is in motion. The method includes the following steps: applying an initial application pressure to the vehicle brake, determining a braking effect of the vehicle brake while the initial application pressure is applied to the vehicle brake, comparing the determined braking effect with a limit braking effect, reducing the initial application pressure to a reduced application pressure if the determined braking effect exceeds the limit braking effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Felix Müller-Deile, Rupert Kramer, Franz Bitzer, Uwe Bensch
  • Publication number: 20250196651
    Abstract: A method is for regulating a generator braking moment of an electric drive for a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle. The method includes: sensing a call for braking for the purpose of braking the vehicle using a setpoint braking moment; and, regulating the generator braking moment in dependence on the setpoint braking moment and on a trigger condition. The regulating is effected within a plurality of cycles. Within a cycle, changing of a generator braking moment provided by the electric drive is effected. Each of the cycles includes a first sub-cycle and a second sub-cycle. In the first sub-cycle, the changing includes reducing the generator braking moment and, in the second sub-cycle, the changing includes increasing the generator braking moment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas Kattenberg, Johannes Heseding, Felix Müller-Deile, Winfried Fakler, Franz Bitzer, Andreas Marx
  • Publication number: 20250065884
    Abstract: A method is for estimating coefficients of friction for a vehicle, in particular utility vehicle, which can be driven by an electric drive. The method includes the steps of: operating, with a torque, a wheel of the vehicle, in particular utility vehicle, that is arranged on an underlying surface; ascertaining the slip of the wheel; applying a temporally predetermined excitation torque to the wheel, wherein the excitation torque is applied to the wheel periodically with a frequency; ascertaining a change in slip depending on the excitation torque, wherein the change in slip is ascertained taking into account the frequency; and ascertaining a coefficient of friction on the basis of the change in slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Felix Müller-Deile, Johannes Heseding, Franz Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20240308328
    Abstract: A method (8) is disclosed for cooling a drive system having a first component (1), a second component (2), and a common cooling circuit (3). The drive system is designed such that the common cooling circuit (3) is suitable for cooling the first component (1) and the second component (2), where the first component (1) has a first maximum temperature and a first threshold temperature, and where the first threshold temperature is lower than the first maximum temperature. The second component (2) has a second maximum temperature, where the first maximum temperature is lower than the second maximum temperature, and when the first threshold temperature is reached a cooling performance applied to cool the second component (2) is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Grossmann, Franz Bitzer, Markus Eisele
  • 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