Patents by Inventor Friedrich Tenbrock
Friedrich Tenbrock 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).
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Publication number: 20220203797Abstract: A control unit for a vehicle that has a chassis and a driver's cab on the chassis, comprising a first data interface for receiving image data generated by an imaging sensor, a second data interface for receiving vehicle state data generated by a vehicle state sensor, an evaluation unit for evaluating the image data and/or the vehicle state data in order to generate a first control signal on the basis of the evaluation of the image data, which is configured to counteract a relative movement between the chassis and the driver's cab and/or generate a second control signal on the basis of the evaluation of the vehicle state data, which is configured to correct a setting of the imaging sensor, and a signal output unit for outputting the first and/or second control signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Marc ABELE, Mark MOHR, Friedrich TENBROCK
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Patent number: 11027712Abstract: A method for determining a coefficient-of-friction, the method including braking a first wheel of a vehicle such that a slip between the first wheel and a roadway is less than a slip between a second wheel of the vehicle and the roadway, and determining a coefficient-of-friction between the first wheel and the roadway based on the behavior of the first wheel during the braking. The method optionally including hazard braking the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, WABCO EUROPE BVBA, TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventors: Friedrich Tenbrock, Sven Gohl, Christoph Schall, Dan Williams, Stephan Kallenbach, Klaus Plähn, Thomas Dieckmann, Ralph-Carsten Lülfing
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Publication number: 20190193697Abstract: A method for determining a coefficient-of-friction, the method including braking a first wheel of a vehicle such that a slip between the first wheel and a roadway is less than a slip between a second wheel of the vehicle and the roadway, and determining a coefficient-of-friction between the first wheel and the roadway based on the behavior of the first wheel during the braking. The method optionally including hazard braking the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicants: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, WAB-CO EUROPE BVBA, TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventors: Friedrich Tenbrock, Sven Gohl, Christoph Schall, Dan Williams, Stephan Kallenbach, Klaus Plähn, Thomas Dieckmann, Ralph-Carsten Lülfing
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Patent number: 9037330Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle comprises conducting unfire operation in an internal-combustion engine in a fuel cut-off mode during a hybrid-mode ride in deceleration of the internal-combustion engine, disconnecting the internal-combustion engine from an output while maintaining the fuel cut-off mode, and reducing a transmission capacity of a clutch configured to couple the internal-combustion engine and an electric motor. During a hybrid-mode ride in deceleration of the internal-combustion engine for transition to the purely electric drive, the internal-combustion engine may be disconnected from the output and shut down. When the internal-combustion engine is operated unfired in a fuel cut-off mode, the internal-combustion engine may be disconnected from the output and shut down by reducing the transmission capacity of the clutch that is connected between the internal-combustion engine and the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Michael Gromus, Friedrich Tenbrock, Thomas Lemp
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Patent number: 8666584Abstract: A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle in which the drive train comprises at least a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, a clutch connected between the combustion engine and the electric motor, a transmission arranged between the hybrid drive and a drive output, and preferably a transmission-internal or -external starting element. When the combustion engine is entrained into motion with the help of the electric motor, the clutch connected between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor is partially engaged to a slipping condition where the clutch transmits a constant torque, and during this entrainment, and comparing an actual gradient of the combustion engine's speed produced with a nominal gradient of the combustion engine's speed. When the actual gradient is greater than the nominal gradient, the method concludes that the combustion engine is started and actively providing torque.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Friedrich Tenbrock, Michael Gromus
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Publication number: 20130288852Abstract: A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle in which the drive train comprises at least a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, a clutch connected between the combustion engine and the electric motor, a transmission arranged between the hybrid drive and a drive output, and preferably a transmission-internal or -external starting element. When the combustion engine is entrained into motion with the help of the electric motor, the clutch connected between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor is partially engaged to a slipping condition where the clutch transmits a constant torque, and during this entrainment, and comparing an actual gradient of the combustion engine's speed produced with a nominal gradient of the combustion engine's speed. When the actual gradient is greater than the nominal gradient, the method concludes that the combustion engine is started and actively providing torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Bernd ALLGAIER, Friedrich TENBROCK, Michael GROMUS
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Publication number: 20130274979Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle comprises conducting unfire operation in an internal-combustion engine in a fuel cut-off mode during a hybrid-mode ride in deceleration of the internal-combustion engine, disconnecting the internal-combustion engine from an output while maintaining the fuel cut-off mode, and reducing a transmission capacity of a clutch configured to couple the internal-combustion engine and an electric motor. During a hybrid-mode ride in deceleration of the internal-combustion engine for transition to the purely electric drive, the internal-combustion engine may be disconnected from the output and shut down. When the internal-combustion engine is operated unfired in a fuel cut-off mode, the internal-combustion engine may be disconnected from the output and shut down by reducing the transmission capacity of the clutch that is connected between the internal-combustion engine and the electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Michael Gromus, Friedrich Tenbrock, Thomas Lemp
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Patent number: 8521355Abstract: A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle in which the drive train comprises at least a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, a clutch connected between the combustion engine and the electric motor, a transmission arranged between the hybrid drive and a drive output, and preferably a transmission-internal or -external starting element. When the combustion engine is entrained into motion with the help of the electric motor, the clutch connected between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor is partially engaged to a slipping condition where the clutch transmits a constant torque, and during this entrainment, and comparing an actual gradient of the combustion engine's speed produced with a nominal gradient of the combustion engine's speed. When the actual gradient is greater than the nominal gradient, the method concludes that the combustion engine is started and actively providing torque.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Friedrich Tenbrock, Michael Gromus
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Patent number: 8521375Abstract: A transmission control device (7) of a transmission (3) for a drivetrain which includes, in addition to the transmission (3), a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine (1) and an electric motor (2). The transmission control device (7) stores parameters which form the basis of the manner with which gearshifts are controlled or regulated. At least some parameters are stored in duplicate, firstly, for operating the transmission (3) under purely electric-motor power using only the electric motor (2), and secondly for operating the transmission (3) during hybrid driving using both the internal combustion engine (1) and the electric motor (2).Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Friedrich Tenbrock, Michael Gromus
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Patent number: 8509977Abstract: A method of operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle which comprises a hybrid drive with a combustion engine coupled by a clutch to an electric motor. To start the combustion engine with the electric motor, the clutch is partially engaged to a slipping condition to deliver electric motor torque from a starting value, the torque transmitted by the clutch is increased to a first final value. If during this, the combustion engine begins turning, the break-away torque of the internal combustion engine is determined. If the combustion engine does not begin turning, the clutch is further engaged to a slipping condition starting from a second initial value, such that torque transmitted by the clutch increases linearly until the combustion engine begins turning, and the break-away torque of the internal combustion engine is determined from the clutch torque at which the combustion engine begins turning.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Friedrich Tenbrock, Michael Gromus
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Patent number: 8388492Abstract: A method for determining conditions of a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle. The method determines, the actual conditions (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) of the drive train from predetermined condition parameters of the actuating device of the hybrid control. The condition parameters include whether or not a flow of force is present between a combustion engine (VM) and an electrical engine (EM), whether or not the combustion engine (VM) is operating, and whether or not a flow of force to the output is present.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner, Ralf Dreibholz, Friedrich Tenbrock
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Patent number: 8187146Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid drive train of a vehicle which comprises, in series, an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor and a transmission with an output connected to the drive axle. During traction operation, the vehicle changes from an electric driving mode into a combination driving mode or a combustion engine driving mode, in that the clutch is engaged and the electric torque is temporarily increased. The method includes regulating engagement of the clutch at least until reaching a starting rotational speed of the combustion engine such that the acceleration of the combustion engine occurs according to a predetermined progression of rotational speed and that the torque of the combustion engine is increased by the same amount as the transferable torque of the clutch is increased by the engagement process.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Friedrich Tenbrock, Thomas Lemp, Michael Gromus
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Patent number: 8062173Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid drivetrain of a motor vehicle such that, during a thrust operation of the vehicle, a change takes place from a combustion-powered driving mode, in which the combustion engine is in a thrust operation, the separator clutch is engaged and the electric machine contributes no force, or from a combined driving mode in which the engine is in a thrust operation, the clutch is engaged and the electric machine operates as a generator, to an electric driving mode in which the engine is switched off, the clutch is disengaged and the electric machine operates as a generator. To efficiently change driving modes, the clutch is partially disengaged to a slip limit; the clutch is then completely disengaged; and when the clutch reaches the slip limit, the generator torque of the electric machine is increased inversely to the torque that can be transmitted by the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Friedrich Tenbrock, Thomas Lemp, Michael Gromus
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Publication number: 20110130911Abstract: A method of operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle which comprises a hybrid drive with a combustion engine coupled by a clutch to an electric motor. To start the combustion engine with the electric motor, the clutch is partially engaged to a slipping condition to deliver electric motor torque from a starting value, the torque transmitted by the clutch is increased to a first final value. If during this, the combustion engine begins turning, the break-away torque of the internal combustion engine is determined. If the combustion engine does not begin turning, the clutch is further engaged to a slipping condition starting from a second initial value, such that torque transmitted by the clutch increases linearly until the combustion engine begins turning, and the break-away torque of the internal combustion engine is determined from the clutch torque at which the combustion engine begins turning.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Friedrich Tenbrock, Michael Gromus
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Publication number: 20110130912Abstract: A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle in which the drive train comprises at least a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, a clutch connected between the combustion engine and the electric motor, a transmission arranged between the hybrid drive and a drive output, and preferably a transmission-internal or -external starting element. When the combustion engine is entrained into motion with the help of the electric motor, the clutch connected between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor is partially engaged to a slipping condition where the clutch transmits a constant torque, and during this entrainment, and comparing an actual gradient of the combustion engine's speed produced with a nominal gradient of the combustion engine's speed. When the actual gradient is greater than the nominal gradient, the method concludes that the combustion engine is started and actively providing torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Friedrich Tenbrock, Michael Gromus
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Publication number: 20110120790Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle comprising a hybrid drive including a combustion engine and electric motor, a clutch connected between the engine and motor, a transmission arranged between the hybrid drive and a drive output, and a transmission starting element. The method comprises the steps of engaging the clutch, from its fully disengaged condition, into a slipping condition and disengaging the starting element, starting from a fully engaged condition, into a slipping condition. Once the engine begins rotation, the clutch is maintained in the slipping condition until the rotational speeds of the engine and the motor correspond with one another. Then the clutch is completely engaged; the transmission starting element, from the slipping condition, is completely re-engaged when a difference between the drive output speed and the engine or electric motor speed reaches or exceeds a specified value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Bernd Allgaier, Friedrich Tenbrock, Michael Gromus
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Patent number: 7836988Abstract: A method for operating a parallel hybrid drive train of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric engine and an output. The electric engine being located in the power drive between the output and the internal combustion engine. A second shifting element is located between the internal combustion engine and the electric engine and a first shifting element between the electric engine and the output. Output torque driving the output can be adjusted according to the transmitting capacities of the first and second shifting elements and according to the input torque of the electric engine and/or internal combustion engine. These adjustments are corrected according to standards derived from divergences found in parameters during operation of the drive train.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ralf Dreibholz, Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Gromus, Stefan Blattner, Bernd Allgaier, Stefan Kilian, Peter Schiele, Friedrich Tenbrock, Gerd Frotscher
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Patent number: 7770676Abstract: A method for operating a parallel hybrid powertrain (1) of a vehicle having one internal combustion engine (2) and one electric motor (3). The electric motor is located in the drivetrain between an output and the internal combustion engine. Between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, a frictionally engaged shifting element is provided, while between the electric motor and the output, a starting element (6) having a hydrodynamic torque converter (6A) and a converter lock-up clutch (6B) is disposed. A target output torque to be applied to the output is dependent on the slippage of the starting element. During a starting phase of the internal combustion engine via the electric motor, an input torque produced by the electric motor is directed at least in part via the torque converter and in part via the converter lock-up clutch.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Friedrich Tenbrock, Peter Schiele, Johannes Kaltenbach, Bernd Allgaier, Christian Schwemer, Michael Gromus, Martin Neumann, Klaus Habe
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Patent number: 7762922Abstract: A method is described for operating a parallel hybrid device train (1) of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine (2), an electric engine (3) and an output (5) wherein the electric engine (3) is disposed in the power train between the output (5) and the internal combustion engine (2) and both between the internal combustion engine (2) and the electric engine (3) and between the electric engine (3) and the output (5) is respectively provided a frictionally engaged shifting element (7, 8). In addition, a nominal output torque abutting on the output (5) can be adjusted according to the transmitting capacity of the first shifting element (8) located between the electric engine (3) and the output (5). According to the invention, the transmitting capacity of the first shifting element (8) is adjusted under control according to the nominal input torque required so that the first shifting element (8) has a transmitting capacity needed for producing the nominal output torque on the output (5).Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ralf Dreibholz, Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Gromus, Stefan Blattner, Bernd Allgaier, Stefan Kilian, Peter Schiele, Friedrich Tenbrock, Gerd Frotscher
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Publication number: 20100023231Abstract: A transmission control device (7) of a transmission (3) for a drivetrain which includes, in addition to the transmission (3), a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine (1) and an electric motor (2). The transmission control device (7) stores parameters which form the basis of the manner with which gearshifts are controlled or regulated. At least some parameters are stored in duplicate, firstly, for operating the transmission (3) under purely electric-motor power using only the electric motor (2), and secondly for operating the transmission (3) during hybrid driving using both the internal combustion engine (1) and the electric motor (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Bernd ALLGAIER, Friedrich TENBROCK, Michael GROMUS