Patents by Inventor Georg Mihatsch

Georg Mihatsch 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: 9909662
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission includes shifting the automatic transmission to a substitute gear if, after adjusting a first one of at least one positive-locking shift element towards a closed configuration, the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element occupies an intermediate position. The first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element does not participate in the transmission of power in the substitute gear. A related transmission control device for an automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ruben Cueppers, Georg Mihatsch, Andreas Schmidt, Max Trautwein
  • Patent number: 9777831
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes initiating a synchronization of a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission while the automatic transmission is operating at less than a threshold output speed. The method also includes closing a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission and positioning a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission at an engaged configuration of the second non-positive shifting element during the synchronization of the first positive shifting element in order to synchronize the first positive shifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Georg Mihatsch, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein, Thorsten Schaetzle
  • Patent number: 9546710
    Abstract: A method of engaging a form-interlocking shifting element to obtain a gear in an automatic transmission in which at least one further, frictional shifting element is involved in obtaining the gear to be engaged and a shifting element, not involved in obtaining the gear to be engaged but which serves as a synchronizing shifting element, is actuated in order to synchronize the interlocking shifting element to be engaged. The further, frictional shifting element, involved in engaging the gear, is engaged and then disengaged, to a defined extent, to bring the frictional shifting element to a slipping condition, in order to ensure the engagement of the interlocking shifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg Mihatsch, Andreas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9404569
    Abstract: A method for operating a 9-speed transmission which changes operating states by actuating shift elements. At least one of the shift elements is a form-locking shift element, which disengages to implement a defined transmission operating state during which the power flow, between transmission input and output shafts, is present or interrupted. A sensor is associated with the locking shift element. An operating state of the locking shift element can be determined by the sensor. Upon a request to disengage the locking shift element, a disengagement control signal is generated and the locking shift element is actuated in the disengagement direction, depending on the disengagement control signal. The transmission is shifted to a safe operating state, in which at least the transmission output shaft can rotate, when an engaged operating state of the locking shift element is determined by the sensor even though a disengagement control signal was generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jorg Arnold, Georg Mihatsch
  • Publication number: 20160169379
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission includes shifting the automatic transmission to a substitute gear if, after adjusting a first one of at least one positive-locking shift element towards a closed configuration, the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element occupies an intermediate position. The first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element does not participate in the transmission of power in the substitute gear. A related transmission control device for an automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Ruben Cueppers, Georg Mihatsch, Andreas Schmidt, Max Trautwein
  • Patent number: 9347552
    Abstract: A method for operating a transmission device, which is transferable into different operating states through the actuation of shifting elements, is described. At least one of the shifting elements is designed as a positive-locking shifting element, which is supplied with operating pressure for presenting a defined operating state of the transmission device. Through a sensor device upstream of a valve device, which is connected to a transmission area essentially featuring ambient pressure, a value of a pressure signal corresponding to the operating pressure can be determined. Upon exceeding a threshold value of the pressure signal, currently in the area of the positive-locking shifting element, a change in operating state is determined, and, upon falling short of an additional threshold value of the pressure signal, the reaching of the requested operating state is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Georg Mihatsch, Patrick Riedel
  • Patent number: 9328820
    Abstract: A method for detecting a malfunctioning shift element in an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes operating the automatic transmission in an intermediate gear. A selected shift element of the automatic transmission is commanded to a disengaged configuration in the intermediate gear. The method also includes measuring a gear ratio of the automatic transmission while the automatic transmission is operating in the intermediate gear, and determining whether the selected shift element of the automatic transmission is malfunctioning based at least in part on the gear ratio of the automatic transmission in the intermediate gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Jens Weller, Georg Mihatsch, Jörg Arnold
  • Publication number: 20160102753
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes initiating a synchronization of a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission while the automatic transmission is operating at less than a threshold output speed. The method also includes closing a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission and positioning a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission at an engaged configuration of the second non-positive shifting element during the synchronization of the first positive shifting element in order to synchronize the first positive shifting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Georg Mihatsch, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein, Thorsten Schaetzle
  • Publication number: 20160102758
    Abstract: A method for detecting a malfunctioning shift element in an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes operating the automatic transmission in an intermediate gear. A selected shift element of the automatic transmission is commanded to a disengaged configuration in the intermediate gear. The method also includes measuring a gear ratio of the automatic transmission while the automatic transmission is operating in the intermediate gear, and determining whether the selected shift element of the automatic transmission is malfunctioning based at least in part on the gear ratio of the automatic transmission in the intermediate gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Jens Weller, Georg Mihatsch, Jörg Arnold
  • Patent number: 9217503
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle drive-train comprising an internal combustion engine and a transmission system functionally connected to the internal combustion engine. The transmission has an interlocking shifting element, one shifting element half of which is functionally connected to the transmission input shaft while the other shifting element half is functionally connected to a transmission output shaft. Upon receipt of a command to change the transmission from a neutral position, in which a force flow through the transmission is interrupted, to an operating condition, in which the force flow through the transmission is produced, the interlocking shifting element is changed to an engaged operating condition. A speed difference between the shifting element halves is brought by varying the speed of the internal combustion engine into a speed difference window within which the interlocking shifting element can be changed to its engaged operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Valentine Herbeth, Jorg Arnold, Georg Mihatsch, Andreas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9194478
    Abstract: A method for recording an initial position of at least one positive-locking shifting element of a transmission of a vehicle is proposed, whereas an initial position of the shifting element is determined and assigned depending on a recorded operating pressure curve for the actuation of the shifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG.
    Inventor: Georg Mihatsch
  • Patent number: 9188219
    Abstract: A method of operating a transmission device. At least one of the shift elements is a form-locking shift element. A sensor is associated with the form-locking shift element which can determine an operating state of the form-locking shift element. When a request to disengage the form-locking shift element occurs, a disengagement control signal is generated and the form-locking shift element is actuated in the direction of disengagement, depending on the disengagement control signal. The transmission device is transferred to a safe operating state in which the transmission output shaft can rotate, when an actuating pressure that changes the operating state of the form-locking shift element is determined with the sensor, even though a disengagement control signal was not generated, and/or when the sensor is associated with at least two form-locking shift elements and the form-locking shift elements are subjected to actuating pressure to implement a requested operating state change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jorg Arnold, Georg Mihatsch
  • Patent number: 9086146
    Abstract: A method of shifting a vehicle drive-train transmission having frictional and interlocking shifting elements which are engageable to obtain various gears. When shifting from a current gear to a target gear, in which the interlocking shifting element is engaged, if after the shift starts it becomes necessary to engage the current gear in the transmission while engaging the interlocking shifting element, a current operating condition of the interlocking shifting element is determined. If the current operating condition of the interlocking shifting element indicates that engagement can be interrupted and the interlocking shifting element can be disengaged, the interlocking shifting element is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jorg Arnold, Georg Mihatsch
  • Publication number: 20150133252
    Abstract: A method for operating a transmission device (1), which is transferable into different operating states through the actuation of shifting elements (A to F), is described. At least one of the shifting elements (A, F) is designed as a positive-locking shifting element, which is supplied with operating pressure (p_sys) for presenting a defined operating state of the transmission device (1). Through a sensor device upstream of a valve device, which is connected to a transmission area essentially featuring ambient pressure, a value of a pressure signal corresponding to the operating pressure can be determined. Upon exceeding a threshold value of the pressure signal, currently in the area of the positive-locking shifting element (A, F), a change in operating state is determined, and, upon falling short of an additional threshold value of the pressure signal, the reaching of the requested operating state is established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Georg Mihatsch, Patrick Riedel
  • Publication number: 20150105986
    Abstract: A method for recording an initial position of at least one positive-locking shifting element (A, F) of a transmission of a vehicle is proposed, whereas an initial position of the shifting element (A, F) is determined and assigned depending on a recorded operating pressure curve (III) for the actuation of the shifting element (A, F).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Georg Mihatsch
  • Patent number: 9002603
    Abstract: A method of operating a transmission of a vehicle drive-train when a gearshift from a current gear toward a target gear has been requested. The transmission having frictional shifting elements and at least one interlocking shifting element. If an actuating electrical current, equivalent to a closed operating condition of the frictional shifting element to be engaged, and an actuating electrical current, equivalent to an open operating condition of the interlocking shifting element to be disengaged, are determined while, at the same time, a closed operating condition of the interlocking shifting element to be disengaged is detected by a sensor, a fault is recognized. If the fault is recognized during a predefined test period, one or more selected shifting elements are disengaged and a force flow in the transmission is interrupted. Alternatively, by disengaging the frictional shifting element to be engaged, the current gear is engaged in the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jorg Arnold, Valentine Herbeth, Georg Mihatsch
  • Patent number: 8989974
    Abstract: When a request is made to change gears, the form-fitting shifting element being disengaged, for the requested gear change, is disengaged at a predefined target disengagement moment following the target disengagement moment. When the gear is actually changed, an actual disengagement moment is determined based on when the form-fitting shifting element begins disengaging and a transmission operating state variable. If there is a deviation between the actual moment and the target moment of disengagement, then the target disengagement moment is modified by a time value, and the moment when the form-fitting shifting element begins to be actuated is shifted in time in relation to the target moment of disengagement and/or actuation of the shifting element to be connected is adjusted to a determined characteristic of the operating state of the form-fitting shifting element to be disconnected such that it is disengaged approximately at the target disengagement moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jörg Arnold, Valentine Herbeth, Georg Mihatsch
  • Publication number: 20140290404
    Abstract: A method of engaging a form-interlocking shifting element to obtain a gear in an automatic transmission in which at least one further, frictional shifting element is involved in obtaining the gear to be engaged and a shifting element, not involved in obtaining the gear to be engaged but which serves as a synchronizing shifting element, is actuated in order to synchronize the interlocking shifting element to be engaged. The further, frictional shifting element, involved in engaging the gear, is engaged and then disengaged, to a defined extent, to bring the frictional shifting element to a slipping condition, in order to ensure the engagement of the interlocking shifting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg MIHATSCH, Andreas SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 8840517
    Abstract: A method of operating a transmission device (3) having a plurality of frictionally engaging shift elements (B, C, D and E) and at least one form-locking shift element (A, F) for implementing different transmission ratios. Upon a requested change in operating state of the transmission device (3), the at least one form-locking shift element (A) is transferred into an at least nearly load-free state, during which the form-locking shift element (A) is transferred from an engaged to a disengaged operating state by increasing the transfer capability of at least one frictionally engaging shift element (E), which is not engaged in the power flow of the transmission device (3) either to represent the present operating state or to represent the requested operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Valentine Herbeth, Jorg Arnold, Georg Mihatsch, Andreas Schmidt, Thilo Schmidt, Gabor Diosi, Christoph Margraf
  • Publication number: 20140236438
    Abstract: A method for operating a 9-speed transmission which changes operating states by actuating shift elements. At least one of the shift elements is a form-locking shift element, which disengages to implement a defined transmission operating state during which the power flow, between transmission input and output shafts, is present or interrupted. A sensor is associated with the locking shift element. An operating state of the locking shift element can be determined by the sensor, Upon a request to disengage the locking shift element, a disengagement control signal is generated and the locking shift element is actuated in the disengagement direction, depending on the disengagement control signal. The transmission is shifted to a safe operating state, in which at least the transmission output shaft can rotate, when an engaged operating state of the locking shift element is determined by the sensor even though a disengagement control signal was generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Jorg ARNOLD, Georg MIHATSCH