Patents by Inventor Hans Hofler

Hans Hofler 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: 20200324771
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a characteristic diagram for a drive-train of a working machine, which contains a brake pedal characteristic of a brake system and a clutch characteristic of a drive clutch, in which an opening point at which the drive clutch is disengaged when a brake pedal of the brake system is actuated as a function of a pedal path, and/or a closing point at which the drive clutch is engaged when the brake pedal is released as a function of the pedal path, is calibrated. When the brake pedal is actuated and/or released an actual rotational speed profile of the drive-train is determined, the actual rotational speed profile determined is compared with a stored corresponding target rotational speed profile, and the opening point and/or closing point of the drive clutch is adapted to minimize deviation of the actual rotational speed profile from the target rotational speed profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Hans HÖFLER, Udo BREHMER, Thomas KURZ
  • Publication number: 20200276980
    Abstract: A method is described for calibrating a characteristic diagram of a working machine. The characteristic diagram includes a brake pedal characteristic of a brake system and at least one clutch characteristic of a drive input clutch which, in the calibrated condition, have a nominal relationship to one another. The method having the steps of: determining a wheel-side drive output torque; determining an actual brake pedal characteristic with reference to the drive output torque; determining an actual relationship that differs from the nominal relationship by comparing the actual brake pedal characteristic with a nominal brake pedal characteristic; and calibrating the brake pedal characteristic or the clutch characteristic in such manner that the actual relationship corresponds to the nominal relationship. In addition a working machine with a control unit for carrying out the method is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Hans HÖFLER, Udo BREHMER, Thomas KURZ
  • Patent number: 10208855
    Abstract: A method of starting or holding a mobile vehicle and, in particular, a working machine. The method determines whether the vehicle is rolling backward on an inclined surface and, as a function of that knowledge, the rotational speed of the drive engine is increased, or a downshift by one gear is carried out in the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Höfler, Joachim Sauter, Norbert Brugger, Matthias Duller
  • Patent number: 10077053
    Abstract: A rotational speed-regulated internal combustion engine in a working machine, for example a wheel loader, shortly before the engaging a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter, is switched over in such manner that the internal combustion engine operates under torque regulation when the bridging clutch of the hydrodynamic torque converter is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Höfler, Thomas Kurz, Andreas Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10065624
    Abstract: A method of transmitting power of an inching clutch of a working machine, the power transmitted by the inching clutch is determined and the transmitted power exceeds a predefined inching clutch power, first the rotational speed of the drive engine is reduced and then the torque, that can be transmitted by the inching clutch, is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hans Höfler
  • Publication number: 20170210387
    Abstract: A rotational speed-regulated internal combustion engine in a working machine, for example a wheel loader, shortly before the engaging a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter, is switched over in such manner that the internal combustion engine operates under torque regulation when the bridging clutch of the hydrodynamic torque converter is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Hans HÖFLER, Thomas KURZ, Andreas SCHWARZ
  • Publication number: 20170016531
    Abstract: A method of starting or holding a mobile vehicle and, in particular, a working machine. The method determines whether the vehicle is rolling backward on an inclined surface and, as a function of that knowledge, the rotational speed of the drive engine is increased, or a downshift by one gear is carried out in the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Hans HÖFLER, Joachim SAUTER, Norbert BRUGGER, Matthias DULLER
  • Publication number: 20170015294
    Abstract: A method of transmitting power of an inching clutch of a working machine, the power transmitted by the inching clutch is determined and the transmitted power exceeds a predefined inching clutch power, first the rotational speed of the drive engine is reduced and then the torque, that can be transmitted by the inching clutch, is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Hans HÖFLER
  • Patent number: 9470307
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle drive-train including a drive engine, a transmission device and a drive output. At least one shifting element is provided in the transmission, whose transmission capacity for obtaining an operating condition of the transmission device can at least, in part, be continuously varied. During overdrive operation of the drive-train, torque present at the output can be supported at least partially by the transmission device in the area of the drive engine. During overdrive operation, the transmission capacity of one of the transmission shifting elements, which to obtain the current operating condition of the transmission device is essentially at least approximately zero, is set to a value at which at least part of the torque present at the drive output can be supported in the area of the transmission device, and the rotational speed of the drive engine has a value below a predefined limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hans Hofler
  • Publication number: 20140315685
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle drive-train including a drive engine, a transmission device and a drive output. At least one shifting element is provided in the transmission, whose transmission capacity for obtaining an operating condition of the transmission device can at least, in part, be continuously varied. During overdrive operation of the drive-train, torque present at the output can be supported at least partially by the transmission device in the area of the drive engine. During overdrive operation, the transmission capacity of one of the transmission shifting elements, which to obtain the current operating condition of the transmission device is essentially at least approximately zero, is set to a value at which at least part of the torque present at the drive output can be supported in the area of the transmission device, and the rotational speed of the drive engine has a value below a predefined limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hans Hofler
  • Patent number: 8726754
    Abstract: During reversal of drive of a vehicle, particularly a work machine with a hydrodynamic torque converter and a bypass clutch, the bypass clutch is first disengaged, during the reversal process. Next, a previously engaged first driving direction clutch, driving the vehicle in the first driving direction, is disengaged and a second driving direction clutch, for driving the vehicle in the second driving direction, is engaged so that a speed of the vehicle, in the first driving direction, is reduced and a speed of the vehicle, in the second driving direction, is subsequently accelerated, whereby the drive motor is operated at a higher rotational speed during the reversal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Patent number: 8554434
    Abstract: A method of actuating a clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter in a self-propelling working machine such that when the clutch is engaged and thereby connects a drive input of the hydrodynamic torque converter to a drive output of the hydrodynamic torque converter, and when a service brake is actuated, the clutch is disengaged thereby separating a drive input of the hydrodynamic torque converter from a drive output of the hydrodynamic torque converter. The method comprises the steps of, when the service brake is actuated, actuating the clutch in the engaging direction, and maintaining engagement of the clutch if a device for recognizing a driving status of the working machine detects that the working machine is driving downhill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Patent number: 8550960
    Abstract: A clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter, which connects the drive input of the hydrodynamic torque converter to the drive output of the hydrodynamic torque converter, is actuated in a disengaging direction when a power at an auxiliary power take-off in a vehicle exceeds a predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Patent number: 8517894
    Abstract: A clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter in which the input drive of the hydrodynamic torque converter can be connected to the output drive of the hydrodynamic torque converter. The clutch of the hydrodynamic torque converter is only engaged if a difference between the rotational speeds of the pump and the turbine of the hydrodynamic torque converter is not reached and a predefined distance traveled by the accelerator pedal is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Patent number: 8494735
    Abstract: A method of operating the torque converter lock-up clutch in a power transmission of a working machine comprising at least one hydraulically actuated lifting device. The torque converter lock-up clutch is actuated for disengagement when a predefined limit value for the position of the lifting hydraulic mechanism of the at least one lifting device is exceeded. When the position of the lifting hydraulic mechanism falls below a predefined limit value and when the turbine rotational speed exceeds a predefined threshold value, the torque converter lock-up clutch is reengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Patent number: 8491443
    Abstract: A lock-up clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter remains disengaged during shifts of a downstream transmission, when the drive motor is operated in the partial load range, and remains engaged during shifts of the downstream transmission, when drive motor is operated in a full load range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Patent number: 8210987
    Abstract: A method of actuating an interwheel differential lock of a mobile vehicle. The interwheel differential lock is actuated to engage depending on the speed of the vehicle, the accelerator pedal position and the gradient of the torque at the transmission output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Publication number: 20110203892
    Abstract: A clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter in which the input drive of the hydrodynamic torque converter can be connected to the output drive of the hydrodynamic torque converter. The clutch of the hydrodynamic torque converter is only engaged if a difference between the rotational speeds of the pump and the turbine of the hydrodynamic torque converter is not reached and a predefined distance traveled by the accelerator pedal is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Publication number: 20110197696
    Abstract: A lock-up clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter remains disengaged during shifts of a downstream transmission, when the drive motor is operated in the partial load range, and remains engaged during shifts of the downstream transmission, when drive motor is operated in a full load range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Publication number: 20110197694
    Abstract: During reversal of drive of a vehicle, particularly a work machine with a hydrodynamic torque converter and a bypass clutch, the bypass clutch is first disengaged, during the reversal process. Next, a previously engaged first driving direction clutch, driving the vehicle in the first driving direction, is disengaged and a second driving direction clutch, for driving the vehicle in the second driving direction, is engaged so that a speed of the vehicle, in the first driving direction, is reduced and a speed of the vehicle, in the second driving direction, is subsequently accelerated, whereby the drive motor is operated at a higher rotational speed during the reversal process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz