Patents by Inventor Julian King

Julian King 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: 20240051602
    Abstract: A trajectory planning system for a vehicle includes a sensor system for measuring an actual curvature on the basis of a respective current yaw rate, a memory containing a target trajectory with target curvatures, wherein the trajectory planning system determines target yaw rates from the target curvature, and a steering system that uses steering variables to obtain target curvatures in actual curvatures. The system determines a respective first actual derivative of the measured respective current actual yaw rate over time and a respective first target derivative of the respective current target yaw rate over time. A correlator determines a respective current delay on the basis of the respective first actual derivatives and the respective first target derivatives in a current yaw rate segment, and a parameter estimator recursively estimates the delay between the target yaw rate and the actual yaw rate on the basis of respective current delay inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Fleps-Dezasse, Julian King, Stephan Pollmeyer, Lothar Kiltz, Felix Mesmer
  • Publication number: 20240053273
    Abstract: A method, comprising: measuring a rotational speed of a wheel of a vehicle, determining a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle relative to a plurality of ambient terrestrial objects using a measurement system onboard the vehicle, determining a longitudinal speed of the vehicle relative to the plurality of ambient terrestrial objects using the measurement system, judging a slippage state of the vehicle using the longitudinal acceleration, and if a result of the judging indicates the vehicle is in a low-slippage state, estimating a coefficient of traction using the rotational speed and the longitudinal speed, wherein the measurement system is structured to radiate electromagnetic energy and to receive reflections of the electromagnetic energy reflected from the plurality of ambient terrestrial objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Julian KING, Ulrich MAIR, Yang WANG, Kanwar Bharat SINGH, Sven SCHÄFER-OREILLY
  • Publication number: 20230266300
    Abstract: A gas analysis system for a vehicle includes a measurement chamber that includes at least one sensor configured for measuring substances in exhalations from vehicle occupants and/or the ambient air in a vehicle interior. The gas analysis system may also include at least one fan placed at a discharge opening for the system and designed to convey air through the measurement chamber, at least one filter located at an intake opening in the system and designed to prevent particles from contaminating the system; at least one first check valve, located between the measurement chamber and the fan, and designed to block a return-flow of the air out of the measurement chamber and/or ambient air from the vehicle interior into the measurement chamber, and a control unit, designed to regulate and/or control the conveyance of air through the measurement chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Apell, Rene Seidemann, Julian King
  • Publication number: 20230266299
    Abstract: A vehicle control element measures concentrations of substances in air of vehicle, where the air includes the exhalations and/or body odors or other odors from occupants within the vehicle. A measurement chamber on or in the vehicle control element may include at least one first entry hole through which air can be drawn into the measurement chamber; at least one first exit hole through which air can be discharged from the measurement chamber; a polygonal, elliptical, or circular cross section; reflective inside walls; a laser located at a second entry hole in the measurement chamber, with which laser beams are projected into the measurement chamber through the second entry hole; and a detector located at a second exit hole in the measurement chamber with which laser beams exiting the measurement chamber through the second exit hole are detected. The vehicle control element also includes an interface to an evaluation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Apell, Rene Seidemann, Julian King
  • Publication number: 20230219574
    Abstract: A method for determining a longitudinal tire stiffness (Kx) for at least one wheel on a motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is in operation, may include generating a sinusoidal modulation of an axle drive torque or wheel drive torque necessary for maintaining the current vehicle speed (?), or a braking torque or recuperation torque necessary for maintaining the current braking power in at least one wheel for a sinusoidal excitation of a wheel rotational rate (?), such that a sinusoidal oscillation in the wheel rotational rate is induced. The method may also include detecting the resulting sinusoidal oscillation in the wheel rotational rate, determining the amplitude (?amp) of the oscillation in the wheel rotational rate induced, and determining longitudinal tire stiffness (Kx) from the amplitude (?amp). A corresponding apparatus for carrying out the method may be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Julian King, Ulrich Mair
  • Publication number: 20220383736
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for estimating coverage of the field of traffic scenarios includes providing various traffic scenarios, classifying and/or clustering the traffic scenarios into known or unknown traffic scenarios, using a statistical process on the classified and/or clustered traffic scenarios for estimating predefined classification numbers that describe the coverage of the fields of traffic scenarios, and generating other traffic scenarios or termination of the method, depending on the classification numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes DAUBE, Jochen KÖHLER, Mladjan RADIC, Amir OMERADZIC, Oliver SCHAUDT, Julian KING
  • Publication number: 20220371450
    Abstract: A processor unit (3) is configured for executing an MPC algorithm (13) for model predictive control of an electric machine (8) of a drive train (7) of a motor vehicle (1). The MPC algorithm (13) includes a longitudinal dynamic model (14) of the drive train (7) and a cost function (15) to be minimized. The cost function (15) includes a first term, a second term, and a third term. The processor unit (3) is configured for determining an input variable for the electric machine (8) by executing the MPC algorithm (13) as a function of the first, second, and third terms such that the cost function is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Valerie Engel, Andreas Wendzel, Lara Ruth Turner, Julian King, Edgar Menezes, Maik Dreher
  • Patent number: 11260870
    Abstract: A tire (100) rolls on a surface (105). A method (600) for providing maximum traction coefficient between the tire (100) and the surface (105) include steps for detecting a momentary slip of the tire (100) on the surface (105); detecting a momentary traction coefficient; forming a tuple (410, 510) from the slip and the current traction coefficient; choosing a characteristic curve (205, 305) from a number of predetermined characteristic curves (205, 305) on the basis of the tuple (410, 510), whereby each characteristic curve (205, 305) describes a traction behavior of the tire (100) or a corresponding characteristic pitch; determining the maximum traction coefficient on the basis of the selected characteristic curves (205, 305); and thus providing the maximum traction coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Zdych, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Volker Wagner, Ulrich Mair, Lara Ruth Turner, Julian King
  • Patent number: 11091165
    Abstract: A method for estimating a probability distribution of the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at a current and/or future waypoint (s, s*) of a vehicle. According to the method, a first probability distribution (WV1) for the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle is determined by a Bayesian network from a first data set, which is, or was determined, for one, in particular current, waypoint (s) of the vehicle and which characterizes the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Schlegel, Jochen Abhau, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Julian King, Jochen Köhler, Horst Krimmel, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Lara Ruth Turner, Volker Wagner, Robert Zdych, Vanessa Adler, Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher, Ralf Raffauf, Holger Simon, Walter Stein
  • Publication number: 20210129850
    Abstract: A tire (100) rolls on a surface (105). A method (600) for providing maximum traction coefficient between the tire (100) and the surface (105) include steps for detecting a momentary slip of the tire (100) on the surface (105); detecting a momentary traction coefficient; forming a tuple (410, 510) from the slip and the current traction coefficient; choosing a characteristic curve (205, 305) from a number of predetermined characteristic curves (205, 305) on the basis of the tuple (410, 510), whereby each characteristic curve (205, 305) describes a traction behavior of the tire (100) or a corresponding characteristic pitch; determining the maximum traction coefficient on the basis of the selected characteristic curves (205, 305); and thus providing the maximum traction coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Robert Zdych, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Volker Wagner, Ulrich Mair, Lara Ruth Turner, Julian King
  • Patent number: 10632835
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle comprising an upstream gear set (VRS), a main gear set (HRS) with a total of four shafts (W1, W2, W3, W4) referred to in order of rotational speeds as first, second, third and fourth shafts, an electric machine (EM), and at least five shift elements (A, B, C, E, F), the selective pairwise closure of which realizes at least eight selectable forward gear ratios (G1-G8) between a drive shaft (GW1) and an output shaft (GW2) of the transmission (G). The upstream gear set (VRS) provides a rotational speed at a fifth shaft (W5) increased relative to the rotational speed of the drive shaft (GW1), in a fixed transmission ratio with respect to the drive shaft (GW1). The main gear set (HRS) is a stepped planetary gear set (PS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Stefan Beck, Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Bernd Knöpke, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10634219
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), as well as four shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3). By selective engagement of the four shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3) in pairs, six forward gears (1-6) are shiftable between the input shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Viktor Warth, Uwe Griesmeier, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Beck, Raffael Kuberczyk, Michael Wechs, Stephan Scharr, Eckehard Münch, Bernd Knöpke, Matthias Horn, Jens Moraw, Julian King, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Patent number: 10598259
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission (G) for a motor vehicle, wherein the transmission (G) comprises an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), as well as at least five shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3, K4), wherein, by means of selective engagement of the at least five shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3, K4), seven forward gears (1 to 7) can be selected between the input shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2), and a drive train for a motor vehicle comprising such a transmission (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Viktor Warth, Uwe Griesmeier, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Beck, Raffael Kuberczyk, Michael Wechs, Stephan Scharr, Eckehard Münch, Bernd Knöpke, Matthias Horn, Jens Moraw, Julian King, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Patent number: 10570994
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), and four shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3). By selective engagement of the four shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3) in pairs, six forward gears (1-6) are shiftable between the input shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Viktor Warth, Uwe Griesmeier, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Beck, Raffael Kuberczyk, Michael Wechs, Stephan Scharr, Eckehard Münch, Bernd Knöpke, Matthias Horn, Jens Moraw, Julian King, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Patent number: 10570995
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes a drive shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), a first and a second planetary gear set (P1, P2), and a first, second, third, fourth and fifth shift element (04, 13, 14, 26, 36). Six forward gear ratios (1-6) between the drive shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2) are engagable through selective pairwise closure of the five shift elements (04, 13, 14, 26, 36) and rotationally fixed immobilization of the sun gear (E11) of the first planetary gear set (P1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Martin Brehmer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Eckehard Münch, Viktor Warth, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Stephan Scharr, Matthias Horn, Uwe Griesmeier, Peter Ziemer, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Bernd Knöpke, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Publication number: 20190299997
    Abstract: A method for estimating a probability distribution of the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at a current and/or future waypoint (s, s*) of a vehicle. According to the method, a first probability distribution (WV1) for the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle is determined by a Bayesian network from a first data set, which is, or was determined, for one, in particular current, waypoint (s) of the vehicle and which characterizes the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Matthias SCHLEGEL, Jochen ABHAU, Heinz-Joachim GILSDORF, Julian KING, Jochen KÖHLER, Horst KRIMMEL, Gerhard NIEDERBRUCKER, Lara Ruth TURNER, Volker WAGNER, Robert ZDYCH, Vanessa ADLER, Sascha HEINRICHS-BARTSCHER, Ralf RAFFAUF, Holger SIMON, Walter STEIN
  • Patent number: 10427515
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle having an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets, and six shift elements. By engaging the second shift element (06), the second element (E21) of the first planetary gear set (P1) is rotationally fixable. By engaging the third shift element (07), the first element (E11) of the first planetary gear set (P1) is rotationally fixable. By engaging the fourth shift element (14), the input shaft (GW1) is connectable to the second element (E22) of the second planetary gear set (P2). By engaging the fifth shift element (15), the input shaft (GW1) is connectable to the first element (E12) of the second planetary gear set (P2). By engaging the sixth shift element (57), the first element (E12) of the second planetary gear set (P2) is connectable to the first element (E11) of the first planetary gear set (P1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Horn, Martin Brehmer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Publication number: 20190291564
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), a front-mounted gear set (VRS) with a first planetary gear set (P1) and a second planetary gear set (P2), a main gear set (HRS), an electric machine (EM) with a stator (S) and a rotor (R), and a plurality of shift elements. By selective engagement of three of the shift elements in each case, a plurality of fixed transmission ratios between the input shaft (GW1) and the output shaft (GW2) are shiftable. The two planetary gear sets (P1, P2) of the front-mounted gear set (VRS) include, in addition to the first shaft (Wx1) and the second shaft (Wx2), precisely three further shafts, namely a third shaft (Wx3), a fourth shaft (Wx4), and a fifth shaft (Wx5). A drive train for a motor vehicle may include such a transmission (G).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Viktor Warth, Stefan Beck, Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10406908
    Abstract: A gearbox (G) for a motor vehicle having a drive shaft (GW1); an output shaft (GW2); an electric machine (EM); and first and second minus planetary gear sets (P1,P2), the first planetary gear set (P1) being a stepped planetary gear set. A ring gear (E31) of the first planetary gear set (P1) is rotationally fixedly immobilizable via a fourth shift element (06). The first sun gear (E111) of the first planetary gear set (P1) is rotationally fixedly immobilizable via a fifth shift element (03). The output shaft (GW2) is connected to the ring gear (E32) of the second planetary gear set (P2). A rotor (R) of the electric machine (EM) is continuously connected to the drive shaft (GW1). The first sun gear (E111) of the first planetary gear set (P1) is not continuously rotationally fixedly connected to or operatively connectable by the shift elements with any further electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Martin Brehmer, Stefan Beck, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10406907
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle including an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3) with three elements each, and five shift elements (B1, K1, K2, K3, K4). The third planetary gear set (P3) has first and second couplings (V1, V2), wherein the first coupling (V1) is between the first elements (E12, E13) of the second and third planetary gear sets (P2, P3), the second coupling (V2) is between the third element (E33) of the third planetary gear set (P3) and the output shaft (GW2), and the second element (E23) of the third planetary gear set (P3) is permanently connected to the input shaft (GW1). One of the first and second couplings (V1, V2) is a permanently rotationally conjoint connection and the other one of the first and second couplings (V1, V2) is a connection selectable by the third shift element (K2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Bernd Knöpke, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk