Patents by Inventor Ingo Sauter

Ingo Sauter 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: 9381808
    Abstract: A method of decoupling a power take-off drive of a motor vehicle transmission during travel of a motor vehicle in which a form-locking shift element of the power take-off drive is controlled for disengaging the power take-off drive. To implement reliable decoupling without interrupting travel of the motor vehicle, if disengagement of the shift element initially did not occur, control of the shift element is immediately implemented the next time a separating clutch, placed between the motor vehicle transmission and a drive engine of the motor vehicle, is actuated and/or a connection of the shift element toward an output side of the motor vehicle transmission is interrupted, over the course of a subsequent gear shift in the motor vehicle transmission. A drive train of a motor vehicle, a computer program product, and a data carrier having the computer program product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ingo Sauter, Thomas Hafen, Melchor Moro-Oliveros
  • Patent number: 8979707
    Abstract: A method of operating a drive-train which comprises an automated shift transmission having an unsynchronized main transmission and a synchronized downstream group that is drivingly coupled downstream from the main transmission. An input shaft of the automated transmission is connected, via a clutch, to a drive aggregate and an output shaft of the automated transmission is connected to a drive axle. When the vehicle is driven and the main transmission is in a neutral position, if the drive aggregate malfunctions, to engage a gear, the downstream group is adjusted to stop transmitting power and thereby coast to a stop. A shifting impulse is applied to a shifting cylinder of the main transmission so that shifting elements, of the main transmission, ratchet over one another and eventually mesh thus engaging the main transmission, and once the main transmission is engaged, the downstream group is brought to a power-flow-transmitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kemler, Joachim Staudinger, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Publication number: 20150039182
    Abstract: A method of decoupling a power take-off drive of a motor vehicle transmission during travel of a motor vehicle in which a form-locking shift element of the power take-off drive is controlled for disengaging the power take-off drive. To implement reliable decoupling without interrupting travel of the motor vehicle, if disengagement of the shift element initially did not occur, control of the shift element is immediately implemented the next time a separating clutch, placed between the motor vehicle transmission and a drive engine of the motor vehicle, is actuated and/or a connection of the shift element toward an output side of the motor vehicle transmission is interrupted, over the course of a subsequent gear shift in the motor vehicle transmission. A drive train of a motor vehicle, a computer program product, and a data carrier having the computer program product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Ingo SAUTER, Thomas HAFEN, Melchor MORO-OLIVEROS
  • Patent number: 8939870
    Abstract: A method of controlling a rolling or coasting function of a vehicle with a drive train having a drive motor, an automatic or automated transmission, a controllable shifting means, a brake device and a drive speed control device. The vehicle speed is regulated by the drive speed control device and the braking device is activated, as needed, when driving on a downhill gradient section. To effectively and reliably use the rolling or coasting function in suitable driving situations, taking into account the influence of the driving speed control device, a rolling or a coasting condition for a downhill gradient taper is checked, when driving on the downhill gradient section, and, when the rolling or coasting condition is satisfied, the transmission controls interrupt the flow of power in the drive train before the vehicle entering a flat area, and/or before the driving speed control device generates an engine torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
  • Patent number: 8744701
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling a motor vehicle drivetrain which comprises a drive motor, a multi-step, automated change-speed transmission and an automated separating clutch arranged between the drive motor and the transmission, and a shifting device with a selector lever which can be moved at least from a particular position in an upshift direction (“+” direction) for manually initiating an upshift and in a downshift direction (“?”) for manually initiating a downshift, and in which the transmission and the separating clutch can be controlled by a transmission control unit which is connected at least to a speed sensor, a brake pedal actuation sensor and a selector lever actuation sensor, such that when the motor vehicle is rolling with its drivetrain open the closing of the drivetrain is initiated by actuating the selector lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ingo Sauter, Melchor Moro-Oliveros, Michael Burkhart
  • Patent number: 8744739
    Abstract: A method of initializing the mass of a motor vehicle after a restart, for controlling a starting process of the motor vehicle a from a standstill. During operation of the motor vehicle, its mass is computed and the determined mass values are stored and, from the stored mass values, a vehicle-specific maximum mass value and/or a vehicle-specific minimum mass value is determined. The vehicle-specific maximum mass value and/or the vehicle-specific minimum mass value, determined in this manner, is subsequently used for initializing the mass of the motor vehicle after restarting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Peter Herter, Ingo Sauter, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
  • Patent number: 8700277
    Abstract: A transmission control device (6) for an automatic or automated transmission (2). A shifting strategy of the transmission control device (6) controls and/or regulates the operation of the transmission (2) based on driving condition data such as vehicle mass, driving resistance, vehicle inclination, vehicle velocity, vehicle acceleration, engine rotational speed and/or engine torque, and based on data about the driver's wishes. The transmission control device (6) continuously calculates the driving condition data of the vehicle mass, driving resistance and/or vehicle inclination based on topographic data of a current position of the motor vehicle, and/or the shifting strategy determines a gear change from an actual gear into a target gear based on topographic data of a defined distance ahead of a motor vehicle. The defined distance ahead of the motor vehicle depends on the currently velocity of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joachim Staudinger, Ingo Sauter, Maik Würthner, Johannes Kemler
  • Publication number: 20130345942
    Abstract: A transmission control device (6) for an automatic or automated transmission (2). A shifting strategy of the transmission control device (6) controls and/or regulates the operation of the transmission (2) based on driving condition data such as vehicle mass, driving resistance, vehicle inclination, vehicle velocity, vehicle acceleration, engine rotational speed and/or engine torque, and based on data about the driver's wishes. The transmission control device (6) continuously calculates the driving condition data of the vehicle mass, driving resistance and/or vehicle inclination based on topographic data of a current position of the motor vehicle, and/or the shifting strategy determines a gear change from an actual gear into a target gear based on topographic data of a defined distance ahead of a motor vehicle. The defined distance ahead of the motor vehicle depends on the currently velocity of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Joachim STAUDINGER, Ingo SAUTER, Maik WURTHNER, Johannes KEMLER
  • Patent number: 8527163
    Abstract: A transmission control device (6) for an automatic or automated transmission (2). A shifting strategy of the transmission control device (6) controls and/or regulates the operation of the transmission (2) based on driving condition data such as vehicle mass, driving resistance, vehicle inclination, vehicle velocity, vehicle acceleration, engine rotational speed and/or engine torque, and based on data about the driver's wishes. The transmission control device (6) continuously calculates the driving condition data of the vehicle mass, driving resistance and/or vehicle inclination based on topographic data of a current position of the motor vehicle, and/or the shifting strategy determines a gear change from an actual gear into a target gear based on topographic data of a defined distance ahead of a motor vehicle. The defined distance ahead of the motor vehicle depends on the currently velocity of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joachim Staudinger, Ingo Sauter, Maik Wurthner, Johannes Kemler
  • Patent number: 8521379
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle in a freewheel mode or a rolling mode, in which the vehicle has a drive train comprising a controllable drive engine, an automatic or automated transmission, and a controllable shifter for interrupting a flow of power in the drive train. To enable fuel-efficient and low-emission, as well as safe and comfortable driving, it is intended that the freewheel mode or the rolling mode is prognostically activated, deactivated or retained by performing a plausibility check of a currently active, automatic driving speed control function or a driving speed and a distance control function and/or other current driving operation or driving state data. The method includes coordinating and adapting relevant marginal conditions of the active driving speed control function or the driving speed and the distance control function, and of the freewheel mode or the rolling mode, according to the driving situation, and initiating control measures by a transmission control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Johannes Kemler, Joachim Staudinger, Ingo Sauter
  • Patent number: 8386123
    Abstract: A method for automatically determining a current offset value for the zero-point correction of a vehicle inclination sensor including the steps of while driving in a first driving direction, the current driving resistance is determined repeatedly, without regard to the sensor and stored temporarily, and a current raw signal value of the sensor is noted. Upon a change in the driving direction, the last-noted raw signal value is stored temporarily and while driving in the second driving direction. The current driving resistance is determined repeatedly, without regard to the sensor and stored temporarily. Then, if the difference between the two stored driving resistances agree with a tolerance threshold, the noted raw signal value is stored as the offset value for the zero-point correction of the inclination sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Joachim Staudinger, Ingo Sauter
  • Patent number: 8370033
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automated multi-step change-speed transmission of a vehicle having an electronic control unit connected to sensors for detecting operating parameters and to gear and/or clutch control elements for carrying out shift operations. The control comprises a data memory such that the multi-step change-speed transmission can be operated automatically to initiate gearshifts in an automatic mode, manually initiated by a driver in a manual mode to provide gearshifts, and manually actuated in a learning mode in which gearshifts and operating parameters can be recorded automatically. When necessary to assist technicians in the application of the transmission, a configuration-learning mode that can be activated in which, during a test drive with manual gearshift initiation, operating parameters are automatically detected in an event-dependent manner, processed to produce control data for the transmission, and the control data stored in the data memory for the future control of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wuerthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Patent number: 8321102
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drive train of a motor vehicle comprising a drive engine, an automated transmission, and an automated clutch arranged in the force flow between the drive engine and the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Werner Wolfgang, Ingo Sauter
  • Publication number: 20120220422
    Abstract: A method of controlling a rolling or coasting function of a vehicle with a drive train having a drive motor, an automatic or automated transmission, a controllable shifting means, a brake device and a drive speed control device. The vehicle speed is regulated by the drive speed control device and the braking device is activated, as needed, when driving on a downhill gradient section. To effectively and reliably use the rolling or coasting function in suitable driving situations, taking into account the influence of the driving speed control device, a rolling or a coasting condition for a downhill gradient taper is checked, when driving on the downhill gradient section, and, when the rolling or coasting condition is satisfied, the transmission controls interrupt the flow of power in the drive train before the vehicle entering a flat area, and/or before the driving speed control device generates an engine torque request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
  • Publication number: 20120209503
    Abstract: A method of initializing the mass of a motor vehicle after a restart, for controlling a starting process of the motor vehicle a from a standstill. During operation of the motor vehicle, its mass is computed and the determined mass values are stored and, from the stored mass values, a vehicle-specific maximum mass value and/or a vehicle-specific minimum mass value is determined. The vehicle-specific maximum mass value and/or the vehicle-specific minimum mass value, determined in this manner, is subsequently used for initializing the mass of the motor vehicle after restarting the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Peter Herter, Ingo Sauter, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
  • Publication number: 20120178586
    Abstract: A method of operating a drive-train which comprises an automated shift transmission having an unsynchronized main transmission and a synchronized downstream group that is drivingly coupled downstream from the main transmission. An input shaft of the automated transmission is connected, via a clutch, to a drive aggregate and an output shaft of the automated transmission is connected to a drive axle. When the vehicle is driven and the main transmission is in a neutral position, if the drive aggregate malfunctions, to engage a gear, the downstream group is adjusted to stop transmitting power and thereby coast to a stop. A shifting impulse is applied to a shifting cylinder of the main transmission so that shifting elements, of the main transmission, ratchet over one another and eventually mesh thus engaging the main transmission, and once the main transmission is engaged, the downstream group is brought to a power-flow-transmitting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kemler, Joachim Staudinger, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Patent number: 8188385
    Abstract: A method and device for provisionally determining the mass of a vehicle when it is initialized. After initialization of the vehicle, the method determines a vehicle mass value by a static mass determination method and then checks whether this value is within a predetermined tolerance band around the dynamically last-determined vehicle mass value, which has been stored for that purpose. If this is so, and there has in the meantime been no significant change of the vehicle's mass, the previously stored dynamic vehicle mass value is probably more accurate and is used in the determination. Otherwise it can be assumed that the vehicle mass value has changed substantially, and the statically determined vehicle mass value is therefore used until a device for the dynamic determination of a vehicle mass can supply a more accurate vehicle mass value after a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Würthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Patent number: 8165763
    Abstract: A method for controlling gear shifts in an automated stepped gear transmission of a motor vehicle in which operating parameters of the motor vehicle are continuously determined and evaluated for initiating and carrying out a shift from a currently engaged gear to a target gear such that, before a shift, the shift speed for initiating the shift and the target gear are determined. For better adaptation of the shift, in particular the determination of the shift speed and the target gear, to the current driving and operating conditions of the motor vehicle, the shift types “shift-speed-orientated shift” and “target-speed-orientated shift” are provided and, immediately before a shift operation, it is decided, as a function of at least one of the operating parameters in which, of the two shift types, the shift is to be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Patent number: 8140232
    Abstract: A process of controlling and/or regulating an automatic transmission in which a predetermined shifting speed of the gear shift is carried out and adjusted during a shift program, and in which the detection of a constant-speed driving of the vehicle is carried out at least during the shift program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Publication number: 20120065835
    Abstract: A method for automatically determining a current offset value for the zero-point correction of a vehicle inclination sensor including the steps of while driving in a first driving direction, the current driving resistance is determined repeatedly, without regard to the sensor and stored temporarily, and a current raw signal value of the sensor is noted. Upon a change in the driving direction, the last-noted raw signal value is stored temporarily and while driving in the second driving direction. The current driving resistance is determined repeatedly, without regard to the sensor and stored temporarily. Then, if the difference between the two stored driving resistances agree with a tolerance threshold, the noted raw signal value is stored as the offset value for the zero-point correction of the inclination sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Joachim Staudinger, Ingo Sauter