Patents by Inventor Kai-Uwe Herbster

Kai-Uwe Herbster 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: 7831365
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a ratio of a continuously variable automatic transmission where a nominal ratio is determined according to an accelerator pedal signal value. The nominal ratio is determined according to a modified accelerator pedal signal. When the periodic curve of the accelerator pedal signal has a relative extreme value to the modified accelerator pedal signal, a starting value is assigned which is equal to this extreme value. Until the value of the modified accelerator pedal signal is again equal to the value of the unmodified accelerator pedal signal, the value of the modified accelerator pedal signal is determined by a transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Herbster, Peter Spörl, Oliver Iden
  • Publication number: 20080004781
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a ratio of a continuously variable automatic transmission where a nominal ratio is determined according to an accelerator pedal signal value. The nominal ratio is determined according to a modified accelerator pedal signal. When the periodic curve of the accelerator pedal signal has a relative extreme value to the modified accelerator pedal signal, a starting value is assigned which is equal to this extreme value. Until the value of the modified accelerator pedal signal is again equal to the value of the unmodified accelerator pedal signal, the value of the modified accelerator pedal signal is determined by a transfer function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Herbster, Peter Sporl, Oliver Iden
  • Patent number: 7188539
    Abstract: Within the framework of the procedure for optimizing the rocking free of vehicles with an automatic transmission, a multiple clutch gear or an automatic shift gear, in order to recognize a situation which requires a rocking free of the vehicle, the speeds of the driving wheels are compared to the speeds of the non-driven wheels. When the driving wheels are spinning or have a specific speed, without a corresponding increase in speed or speed of the non-driven wheels, the necessity for rocking free of a vehicle is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Herbster, Martin-Joachim Bader
  • Patent number: 7090616
    Abstract: In the method for kick-down switching speed optimization in a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission, the kick-down upshift point is determined as a function of the load conditions and the road inclination in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Patent number: 7069132
    Abstract: A method for modifying a defined adaptive driving strategy, which is stored in the control system for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, for adaptation to another type of driver with a different driving style, consists in that the parameters used for the driving strategy are modified by the other driver, the data for this being input to the transmission electronics via an input unit and an interface with the electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Publication number: 20050235765
    Abstract: Within the framework of the procedure for optimizing the rocking free of vehicles with an automatic transmission, a multiple clutch gear or an automatic shift gear, in order to recognize a situation which requires a rocking free of the vehicle, the speeds of the driving wheels are compared to the speeds of the non-driven wheels. When the driving wheels are spinning or have a specific speed, without a corresponding increase in speed or speed of the non-driven wheels, the necessity for rocking free of a vehicle is recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Herbster, Martin-Joachim Bader
  • Publication number: 20050107935
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a ratio of a continuously variable automatic transmission where a nominal ratio is determined according to an accelerator pedal signal value. The nominal ratio is determined according to a modified accelerator pedal signal. When the periodic curve of the accelerator pedal signal has a relative extreme value to the modified accelerator pedal signal, a starting value is assigned which is equal to this extreme value. Until the value of the modified accelerator pedal signal is again equal to the value of the unmodified accelerator pedal signal, the value of the modified accelerator pedal signal is determined by a transfer function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Herbster, Peter Sporl, Oliver Iden
  • Patent number: 6801845
    Abstract: A method for control of an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle equipped with cruise control consists in that during cruise control of the transmission control changes to a separate driving program which is function of external influences, especially of the road inclination. This driving program is updated according to external influences. In the “set” state, change is made to the separate driving program and in the “restore” state the control can be adjusted so that the separate driving program be activated immediately or not until reaching the “set” control state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Publication number: 20040162659
    Abstract: In the method for kick-down switching speed optimization in a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission, the kick-down upshift point is determined as a function of the load conditions and the road inclination in each case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Patent number: 6773373
    Abstract: In the method for kick-down switching speed optimization in a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission, the kick-down upshift point is determined as a function of the load conditions and the road inclination in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Publication number: 20030139868
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle which is equipped with cruise control. Said method is characterized in that the control of the transmission during cruise control passes into a separate driving programme, which depends on external influences, in particular the inclination of the carriageway. Said driving programme is updated according to the external influences. In the “set” position, the change to the separate driving programme is initiated and in the “restore” position, the transmission control can be adjusted in such a way that the separate driving programme is activated immediately, or only once the control position “set” has been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedmann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Publication number: 20030139869
    Abstract: A method for modifying a defined adaptive driving strategy, which is stored in the control system for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, for adaptation to another type of driver with a different driving style, consists in that the parameters used for the driving strategy are modified by the other driver, the data for this being input to the transmission electronics via an input unit and an interface with the electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedmann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Patent number: 6571164
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for control of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle wherein an electronic transmission control, by means of signals proportional to wheel speeds (NRA3, NRA4), determines a transverse acceleration value (AQ) for outputting to additional program modules. The determined wheel speeds (NRA3, NRA4) which enter in the transversal acceleration value (AQ) are corrected by vehicle wheels in a tolerance balance module of the wheels (M1) when a dynamic tire radius (RDYN) in one of the vehicle wheels diverges from a tire radius given in an optimum tire geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Publication number: 20030065434
    Abstract: In the method for kick-down switching speed optimization in a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission, the kick-down upshift point is determined as a function of the load conditions and the road inclination in each case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Patent number: 6529813
    Abstract: The invention relates to an urban driving operating method for an electronically controlled automatic transmission in which a driving speed characteristic (vf) is determined and it is possible to recognize an urban driving state when the driving speed characteristic (vf) is within a presettable value range with an upper limit and in which in addition a driving activity characteristic (FCOUNTER) is continuously determined. It is proposed according to the invention that the urban driving state be recognized when the driving activity characteristic (FCOUNTER) is also within a presettable value range with an upper limit and that a drive program optimized for the urban driving state be accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Patent number: 6527672
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronically controlled automatic transmission wherein the spontaneous gas/pedal release (FastOff) is detected and an upshift prevention system is activated when a pedal position gradient (PSTG) is lower than a pedal position gradient threshold (KF_PSTG); the state of the upshift prevention system (FFO=1) is active until a) a traction operation is detected when the actual pedal position value (PST) exceeds a traction-thrust characteristic line (KF_ZS) and of an acceleration potential value (FBN) equivalent to a road gradient value; and/or b) a time (T1, T2) has elapsed after a defined time period (THSV1, THSV2) wherein the state of the upshift prevention system (FFO=1) is abandoned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Patent number: 6490516
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having an electronic gear control (EGS) that continuously exchanges signals with a vehicle dynamics regulator (FDR), the electronic gear control (EGS) receives signals (SL) of an anti-slip control system (ASC) and/or of an anti-blocking system (ABS). In addition the vehicle dynamics regulator (FDR) is functionally linked with a dynamic stabilizer (DS) which in predefined operating situations issues a signal (SV) to the electronic gear control (EGS) via the vehicle dynamics control (FDR), which signal is processed simultaneously with the incoming signals (SL) from the anti-slip control system (ASC) and/or the anti-blocking system (ABS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Patent number: 6487485
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an automatic transmission wherein several shift programs are provided and allocated to specific values of a driving activity characteristic (FAKG) and in each shift program shifting characteristic lines and shifting rotational speeds are determined by accelerator pedal positions. The shifting rotational speeds are immediately increased to higher rotational speeds when the driver quickly depresses the accelerator pedal causing the accelerator pedal position gradient to exceed a presettable limit value. According to the invention, it is proposed that the shifting rotational speeds be determined according to the actual value of the driving activity characteristic by interpolation between shifting characteristic lines from two respective adjacent shift programs and the driving activity characteristic be immediately increased by a presettable offset amount when the accelerator pedal position gradient exceeds the presettable limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Patent number: 6466854
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a high-temperature operating mode of an automatic transmission wherein at least one value of an actual engine (CMO) or transmission (CGT) temperature is continuously measured. In the electronic control unit several gear shift control programs are stored and are accessed at normal operating temperatures according to an evaluation counter provided with a driving activity characteristic. It is proposed that the evaluation counter be provided with a high-temperature operating value (MAX(UDCHMMO, UDCHMGT)) with which is associated a gear shift program which also has temperature-lowering properties when the actual temperature value (CMO, CGT) is higher than a first limit value (MOMIN, GTMIN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
  • Patent number: 6370464
    Abstract: For an automatic transmission (3) a downshift function is proposed in which, with the actuation of a brake pedal, a new downshift point (RA(NEU)) is calculated when the throttle valve is closed by adding to a basic downshift point (RS(ORD)) a characteristic variable (K1) wherein the characteristic variable (K1) is determined from a driving activity (FA) and a calculated brake pressure via a characteristic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler