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).
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Method for decoupling a power take-off of a motor vehicle transmission while driving a motor vehicle
Patent number: 9381808Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ingo Sauter, Thomas Hafen, Melchor Moro-Oliveros -
Patent number: 8979707Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kemler, Joachim Staudinger, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter
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METHOD FOR DECOUPLING A POWER TAKE-OFF OF A MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE
Publication number: 20150039182Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Ingo SAUTER, Thomas HAFEN, Melchor MORO-OLIVEROS -
Patent number: 8939870Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
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Patent number: 8744701Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ingo Sauter, Melchor Moro-Oliveros, Michael Burkhart
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Patent number: 8744739Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Maik Wurthner, Peter Herter, Ingo Sauter, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
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Patent number: 8700277Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Joachim Staudinger, Ingo Sauter, Maik Würthner, Johannes Kemler
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Publication number: 20130345942Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Joachim STAUDINGER, Ingo SAUTER, Maik WURTHNER, Johannes KEMLER
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Patent number: 8527163Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Joachim Staudinger, Ingo Sauter, Maik Wurthner, Johannes Kemler
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Patent number: 8521379Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Maik Wurthner, Johannes Kemler, Joachim Staudinger, Ingo Sauter
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Patent number: 8386123Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Maik Wurthner, Joachim Staudinger, Ingo Sauter
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Patent number: 8370033Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wuerthner, Ingo Sauter
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Patent number: 8321102Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Maik Wurthner, Werner Wolfgang, Ingo Sauter
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Publication number: 20120220422Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2010Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
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Publication number: 20120209503Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2010Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Maik Wurthner, Peter Herter, Ingo Sauter, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
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Publication number: 20120178586Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2010Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Johannes Kemler, Joachim Staudinger, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter
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Patent number: 8188385Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Würthner, Ingo Sauter
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Patent number: 8165763Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter
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Patent number: 8140232Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter
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Publication number: 20120065835Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Maik Wurthner, Joachim Staudinger, Ingo Sauter