Patents by Inventor Maik Wuerthner
Maik Wuerthner 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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Patent number: 12128903Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle, where the drive train includes a drive aggregate, a group transmission connected between the drive aggregate and a drive output, and a separating cutch connected between the drive aggregate and the group transmission. If a speed is lower than a limit value, the separating clutch is opened and for transmission preselection one or all the other sub-transmission(s) is/are changed to a friction-force-locking condition. The separating clutch is then at least partially closed and the drive aggregate is brought to a defined rotation speed. When a friction-force-locking group transmission is required, it is checked whether a starting gearshift or a driver-desired shift for the group transmission is called for and the target rotation speed of the drive aggregate is checked. Depending on the results, the sub-transmission can be synchronized by a transmission brake or by the drive aggregate.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Mario Steinborn, Maik Würthner, Thea Schlueter, Frieder Norrenberg, Martin Fajfr
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Publication number: 20240326799Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a motor vehicle having a drive aggregate and a transmission. If the transmission is torque-transmitting, a cruise-control function is active, and a cruise-control target speed has been specified, then based on travelling route data about a travelling route ahead of the motor vehicle, a forecast speed profile is calculated. A maximum deviation between the cruise-control target speed and the forecast speed profile is determined, and as a function of this maximum deviation, a maximum permissible time duration for rolling or coasting operation is determined. It is checked whether the forecast speed profile would revert to the cruise-control target speed within the maximum permissible time duration, and if so, the rolling or coasting operating mode is activated. If the forecast speed profile would not revert to the cruise-control target speed within the maximum permissible time duration, the rolling or coasting operating mode remains deactivated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2022Publication date: October 3, 2024Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rachid Mansour, Thomas Ascher, Manuel Riß, Freddy Josef Frombach, Maik Würthner
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Publication number: 20240300497Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle, where the drive train includes a drive aggregate, a group transmission connected between the drive aggregate and a drive output, and a separating cutch connected between the drive aggregate and the group transmission. If a speed is lower than a limit value, the separating clutch is opened and for transmission preselection one or all the other sub-transmission(s) is/are changed to a friction-force-locking condition. The separating clutch is then at least partially closed and the drive aggregate is brought to a defined rotation speed. When a friction-force-locking group transmission is required, it is checked whether a starting gearshift or a driver-desired shift for the group transmission is called for and the target rotation speed of the drive aggregate is checked. Depending on the results, the sub-transmission can be synchronized by a transmission brake or by the drive aggregate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2022Publication date: September 12, 2024Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Mario Steinborn, Maik Würthner, Thea Schlueter, Frieder Norrenberg, Martin Fajfr
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Patent number: 11899119Abstract: A method for processing GPS route data of a vehicle is proposed, in which the GPS route data are used for the route guidance of the vehicle along a route (1), wherein vehicle positions and an offroad position information or an onroad position information are generated as route data, wherein a vehicle position calculation function for route guidance of the vehicle is used, if erroneous vehicle positions are generated from the GPS route data. Furthermore, a control device for carrying out a method is proposed.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rachid Mansour, Robert Gronner, Thomas Ascher, Freddy Josef Frombach, Maik Würthner
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Patent number: 11892075Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining a position of a motor vehicle by means of a location device of the motor vehicle. First, a first position (x1) related to an installation point of the location device in the motor vehicle is determined. In order to determine a position suitable for controlling the motor vehicle, with reference to the said first position (x1) a second position (x2) related to a center of gravity of the vehicle is determined, in that the first position (x1) is offset by a distance (a) between the said installation point of the location device and the center of gravity of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rachid Mansour, Thomas Ascher, Freddy Josef Frombach, Maik Würthner, Robert Gronner
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Publication number: 20220412455Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining a position of a motor vehicle by means of a location device of the motor vehicle. First, a first position (x1) related to an installation point of the location device in the motor vehicle is determined. In order to determine a position suitable for controlling the motor vehicle, with reference to the said first position (x1) a second position (x2) related to a center of gravity of the vehicle is determined, in that the first position (x1) is offset by a distance (a) between the said installation point of the location device and the center of gravity of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2020Publication date: December 29, 2022Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rachid Mansour, Thomas Ascher, Freddy Josef Frombach, Maik Würthner, Robert Gronner
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Publication number: 20220381925Abstract: A method for processing GPS route data of a vehicle is proposed, in which the GPS route data are used for the route guidance of the vehicle along a route (1), wherein vehicle positions and an offroad position information or an onroad position information are generated as route data, wherein a vehicle position calculation function for route guidance of the vehicle is used, if erroneous vehicle positions are generated from the GPS route data. Furthermore, a control device for carrying out a method is proposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rachid Mansour, Robert Gronner, Thomas Ascher, Freddy Josef Frombach, Maik Würthner
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Publication number: 20220342087Abstract: A method for processing GPS position signals in a vehicle is proposed, wherein the GPS position signals of the vehicle are received successively at a predefined time interval and are processed in order to control the vehicle, and wherein at least one intermediate position value of the vehicle is determined within the time period formed by the time interval between two successive GPS position signals. Furthermore, a control device is proposed for carrying out the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2020Publication date: October 27, 2022Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rachid Mansour, Robert Gronner, Thomas Ascher, Freddy Josef Frombach, Maik Würthner
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Patent number: 10351136Abstract: A method for controlling a rolling or a freewheeling mode of a vehicle having a drive-train with an engine, an automatic or automated transmission and controllable means for interrupting force flow in the drive-train. A current vehicle position and a first road stretch, between the current vehicle position and a road stretch section ahead along which a speed limit applies, are determined. While driving with the drive-train engaged, for the road stretch section ahead, a predicted speed variation, if the force flow in the drive-train is interrupted, is calculated and, based this speed variation, a second road stretch is determined which the vehicle, with the force flow interrupted covers, until a value of the predicted speed variation corresponds to a value of the speed limit ahead. With regard to the determined road stretches, a road stretch point for initiating the rolling or freewheeling mode is determined.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rachid Mansour, Maik Würthner
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Publication number: 20180162402Abstract: A method for controlling a rolling or a freewheeling mode of a vehicle having a drive-train with an engine, an automatic or automated transmission and controllable means for interrupting force flow in the drive-train. A current vehicle position and a first road stretch, between the current vehicle position and a road stretch section ahead along which a speed limit applies, are determined. While driving with the drive-train engaged, for the road stretch section ahead, a predicted speed variation, if the force flow in the drive-train is interrupted, is calculated and, based this speed variation, a second road stretch is determined which the vehicle, with the force flow interrupted covers, until a value of the predicted speed variation corresponds to a value of the speed limit ahead. With regard to the determined road stretches, a road stretch point for initiating the rolling or freewheeling mode is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Rachid Mansour, Maik Würthner
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Patent number: 9085293Abstract: A method of shift control for an automatic transmission of vehicle power train, having a permanent brake between a drive motor and a final drive, in which current vehicle-specific, road-specific and driver-specific operating parameters, topographical data relating to an upcoming stretch of road ahead of the vehicle are determined while driving, and from which a tractive resistance value for the upcoming stretch of road is determined, and control commands for thrust downshifts and/or upshifts are derived and implemented, within the transmission, during a thrust operation depending upon the tractive resistance value. This is achieved in that the maximum permanent braking force curves that are possible for the upcoming stretch of road, in the currently engaged gear, and each adjacent gear is determined based on the current traveling and engine speeds and analyzed to derive control commands for a thrust downshift and/or upshift in relation to the tractive resistance value.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Alexander Maier, Maik Wuerthner, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
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Patent number: 9020717Abstract: A method of controlling an automated motor vehicle transmission. A current driving resistance is taken into account when selecting a target gear to be engaged as part of a shifting process. In order to be able to regulate shifting processes in a driving-resistance-dependent manner so as to ensure that the motor vehicle can always able to continue driving on, during selection of the target gear, disregarding gears for shifting from a currently engaged gear, in a driving-resistance-dependent manner, when the required associated shifting times are longer than a respective permitted maximum shifting time. In connection with the above, the method is incorporated in an automated motor vehicle transmission, a computer program product and a data carrier, containing the computer program product.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kemler, Maik Wuerthner, Joachim Staudinger
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Publication number: 20150032346Abstract: A method of controlling an automated motor vehicle transmission. A current driving resistance is taken into account when selecting a target gear to be engaged as part of a shifting process. In order to be able to regulate shifting processes in a driving-resistance-dependent manner so as to ensure that the motor vehicle can always able to continue driving on, during selection of the target gear, disregarding gears for shifting from a currently engaged gear, in a driving-resistance-dependent manner, when the required associated shifting times are longer than a respective permitted maximum shifting time. In connection with the above, the method is incorporated in an automated motor vehicle transmission, a computer program product and a data carrier, containing the computer program product.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Johannes KEMLER, Maik WUERTHNER, Joachim STAUDINGER
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Patent number: 8781698Abstract: A method for controlling shifts in an automated multi-step variable-speed transmission, in a drive-train of a motor vehicle, between a drive engine in the form of an internal combustion engine and an axle drive. During driving, besides current vehicle, road and driver-specific operating parameters, topographical data relating to a road section ahead of the motor vehicle, in particular the road section height profile, are determined, and from this information, the driving resistance profile (FFW(xF)) of the motor vehicle for the road section ahead is determined. In the automatic mode of the multi-step variable-speed transmission, control commands for traction upshifts and/or traction downshifts are derived, during the traction operation, as a function of the driving resistance profile (FFW(xF)) and are implemented in the transmission. A limiting gear progression (GGr(xF)) is determined, which consists of the sequence of gears, and is evaluated for the derivation of control commands.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Alexander Maier, Maik Wuerthner, 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: 20130211681Abstract: A method for controlling shifts in an automated multi-step variable-speed transmission, in a drive-train of a motor vehicle, between a drive engine in the form of an internal combustion engine and an axle drive. During driving, besides current vehicle, road and driver-specific operating parameters, topographical data relating to a road section ahead of the motor vehicle, in particular the road section height profile, are determined, and from this information, the driving resistance profile (FFW(xF)) of the motor vehicle for the road section ahead is determined. In the automatic mode of the multi-step variable-speed transmission, control commands for traction upshifts and/or traction downshifts are derived, during the traction operation, as a function of the driving resistance profile (FFW(xF)) and are implemented in the transmission. A limiting gear progression (GGr(xF)) is determined, which consists of the sequence of gears, and is evaluated for the derivation of control commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2011Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Alexander Maier, Maik Wuerthner, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
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Publication number: 20130179045Abstract: A method of shift control for an automatic transmission of vehicle power train, having a permanent brake between a drive motor and a final drive, in which current vehicle-specific, road-specific and driver-specific operating parameters, topographical data relating to an upcoming stretch of road ahead of the vehicle are determined while driving, and from which a tractive resistance value for the upcoming stretch of road is determined, and control commands for thrust downshifts and/or upshifts are derived and implemented, within the transmission, during a thrust operation depending upon the tractive resistance value. This is achieved in that the maximum permanent braking force curves that are possible for the upcoming stretch of road, in the currently engaged gear, and each adjacent gear is determined based on the current traveling and engine speeds and analyzed to derive control commands for a thrust downshift and/or upshift in relation to the tractive resistance value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2011Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Alexander Maier, Maik Wuerthner, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler
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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: 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: 8165764Abstract: A method of controlling an automatic transmission arranged in a vehicle between a drive motor and an axle drive of a drive axle or a transfer box such that the current road inclination is determined and, after driving onto a downhill stretch of road, to increase a braking action of the drive motor and/or a permanent brake, a shift to a lower gear is carried out and after a transition to a traction operation or after driving onto level ground, a shift to a higher gear is carried out. To improve transmission shifting behavior, when transitioning between a downhill stretch and level ground, it is provided that a function for detecting a downhill run-out is started and if a downhill run-out is detected, and a shift to a higher gear is carried out while still in a thrust operation before driving onto the level ground and/or before the transition to traction operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wuerthner