Patents by Inventor Mario Steinborn
Mario Steinborn 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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Publication number: 20100174457Abstract: A method for controlling and/or regulating a staring or maneuvering process in an automated transmission of a vehicle in which a required starting torque is provided by a starting clutch and a required braking torque is provided by a brake device. The required braking torque, during the starting or maneuvering process, is provided at least in part by at least a transmission brake.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2008Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn
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Publication number: 20100120582Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a vehicle in which the drive train has at least an internal combustion engine, an engine clutch, an electric machine, a single and a multi-group manual transmission with synchronized and/or unsynchronized shift elements for shifting gears, an axle transmission, as well as an associated control device for controlling the gear shifts. It is provided for the purpose of expanding the functional possibilities, that the electric machine is used, during gear shifts in the manual transmission, as a mode of synchronization, a synchronization aid, or at least as a shifting aid such that changes in the direction of rotation of the transmission shafts are taken into consideration.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Ulrich Reith, Mario Steinborn
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Patent number: 7703478Abstract: In a shifting unit (1) for a vehicle transmission gearbox, the switching unit comprising valves which are connected between with one another by a pressure supply line conduit (58) and by a pressure exhaust line (60) associated with a switch chamber (10) of a switch cylinder (2). The switch chamber (10) of switch cylinder (2) has exhibits at least one opening valve (26) and at least one closing valve (28) through additional valves (62, 64, 66, 68); and the pressure supply line (58) and the pressure exhaust line (60) are separately closed, opened, blocked and/or swapped.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2005Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Mario Steinborn, Rainer Petzold, Martin Miller
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Publication number: 20100071491Abstract: A transmission arrangement (1) with at least two countershafts for a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, comprises an auxiliary drive output (10) that is coupled by way of a torque-transmitting element (11) to a first countershaft (7) and a second countershaft (8) can be coupled with a transmission brake device (12) to bring about load equalization between the countershafts (7, 8) when the auxiliary output (10) is coupled to the first countershaft (7). A method for load equalization between the countershafts (7, 8) of a transfer transmission when an auxiliary output (10) is engaged such that, in a first shift position of a main group (2) of the transfer transmission, in which the countershaft (7) not coupled to the auxiliary output (10) is free from load, and a load torque is applied to the load-free countershaft (8) for load equalization.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Bernd MULLER, Mario STEINBORN
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Patent number: 7681703Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure and a control apparatus for the control of a drivetrain, which comprises at least one automatic clutch, at least one automatic shifting transmission, one control apparatus for the control of the at least one automatic clutch and of at least one automatic shifting transmission as well as at least two transmission idling positions in the drivetrain. In order to avoid dangerous situations, which could arise from an improper automatic input of a neutral position of a transmission and a thereto connected automatic closure of the clutch. The proposal is, that the control apparatus, by way of the shifting of an automatized shifting transmission into a neutral position, to at least two transmission idling positions, the neutral position is put into action.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Volker Bachmann, Mario Steinborn, Rudolf Kalthoff
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Publication number: 20100051408Abstract: A control device for and a method of controlling a gearbox having a pressure-limiting device connected to a pressure medium source. A first controllable valve device is connected downstream of the pressure-limiting device and an actuating device is connected further downstream and adjusts the gearbox. A second controllable valve device is connected directly to the pressure medium source, via a supply line, and another actuating device is connected downstream of the second controllable valve device. An electric control device is provided for actuating the controllable valve devices and a sensor is connected to the electric control device for measuring pressure of the pressure medium in the supply line. The electric control device is connected to the second controllable valve device such that the second controllable valve device and the further actuating device are controlled by the pressure of the pressure medium in the supply line.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2007Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn
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Publication number: 20100016119Abstract: A clutch system for producing and interrupting a force flow between the engine and transmission of a motor vehicle, with a clutch, which is disengaged unless actuated, and one or more valves, which regulate the flow of pressure medium and which are electrically actuated by a control and regulation unit. If there is electrical failure while driving and when a gear is engaged or when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is running and a transmission gear is engaged, unintended clutch engagement is prevented. The valves are designed such that if there is a failure of the voltage supply and consequently also of the actuation of the valves by the electronic control and regulation system, the operating condition of the clutch existing at the time of failure, namely the disengaged or engaged operating condition, remains as it is.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Martin Miller, Mario Steinborn, Peter Herter, Franz Bitzer
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Publication number: 20100017078Abstract: A method for controlling an automated vehicle transmission during the process of starting such that a gear is selected, depending on predetermined criteria, and engaged by a transmission control device. For maintaining the availability of the vehicle, so far as possible, even if there is a failure in the gearshift system, the method provides that if a gear preselected by the driver or by a starting strategy system should fail, a substitute gear is engaged automatically. To give the driver enough time to react appropriately to the unexpected starting situation, a delayed starting sequence (substitute starting mode), which is implemented by an electronic vehicle control system, is independent of the dynamics of accelerator pedal actuation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2007Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn
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Publication number: 20090319135Abstract: The invention concerns a hydraulic or pneumatic control device for an automated shift transmission, comprising actuating devices with actuating cylinders (15, 16) having pressure spaces (19a, 19b; 20a, 20b), such that the pressure spaces (19a, 19b; 20a, 20b) of the actuating cylinders (15, 16) can be connected by a respective control valve (22a, 22b; 32a, 32b) to a pressure line (26) and the said pressure line (26) can be selectively connected to a main pressure line (8) or cut off therefrom by means of a main shut-off valve (45a). To improve the control characteristics and increase the operational reliability, at least one further main shut-off valve (45b) is arranged in parallel with the first main shut-off valve (45a) between the main pressure line (8) and the pressure line (26).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicants: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUR NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBHInventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn, Markus Deeg, Friedbert Roether
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Patent number: 7635317Abstract: A method for establishing malfunctions of components of a motor vehicle power train as well as the reaction to the same. The power train has a drive motor and an automatic transmission with respectively allocated control devices, setting apparatus and sensors, and the transmission input shaft is allocated a torque sensor for recording the transmission input shaft. During operation of the motor vehicle, the functions of the control devices, the operating elements, the sensors and their data transmission apparatus as well as the measured values of the transmission input torque are recorded and checked for signs of malfunction. After recognizing such a malfunction, operations are conducted by means of which the motor vehicle can be further operated in an emergency type of operation or with the aid of which the driving operation can be safely ended.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Werner Wolfgang, Thomas Jäger, Mario Steinborn, Rupert Kramer, Franz Bitzer
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Publication number: 20090239704Abstract: A method of controlling an automated step-down transmission, arranged in a drivetrain between an engine and a drive axle, which includes a multi-stage main transmission and a range group. The main transmission has an intermediate transmission style with a countershaft having a transmission brake and an input shaft connected, via a clutch, to the engine. The main transmission shifts, without being synchronized, and the range group shifts, after synchronization, such that the engaged gear ratio of the main transmission remains engaged during a range shift operation. The range shift is accomplished by firstly reducing drive engine torque; secondly, disengaging the existing gear ratio of the range group; thirdly, remotely synchronizing the target gear ratio in the range group; fourthly, engaging the target gear ratio in the range group; and fifthly, increasing the drive engine torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Mario STEINBORN, Jochen BREUER
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Publication number: 20090235770Abstract: A shift device (13) for a manual transmission having actuation mechanisms for shifting and selecting in which the selection motion is carried out by way of a selector actuator (10), which is connected to a driving lug (5) of a selector plate (4). An anchor (1) of the selector actuator (10) consists of a permanent magnet (2). End stops (3) of the selector actuator (10) are configured of ferromagnetic material, where the anchor (1) of the selector actuator (10) is fixed in a defined position for the installation of the selector actuator (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Josef Bader, Gerhard Birkenmaier, Kim Führer, Frank Gessler, Andreas Graf, Kai Heinrich, Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann, Gerhard Höring, Hubert König, Ludger Ronge, Henrik Schuh, Mario Steinborn, Markus Ulbricht, Manfred Vetter, Bernhard Walter, Klaus Wöhr
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Publication number: 20090203480Abstract: A device for controlling a fluid-actuated, double-action operating cylinder (2) having two cylinder chambers (6, 8) separated from one another by a piston (4). Each cylinder chamber (6, 8) communicates with a respective valve (12, 14) for controlling the flow of fluid in and out of the cylinder chamber (6, 8) and a pressure sensor (40) for detecting the fluid supply pressure. A control unit (20) is connected to the switching valves (12, 14) and the pressure sensor (40). To determine the actual control force of the operating cylinder (2), the pressure sensor (40) is arranged between the cylinder chambers (6, 8) and the control unit (20). The output from the pressure sensor (40) can be processed in the control unit (20) and used for actuating a pressure regulation valve (22) arranged in the pressure line (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Bernd Müller, Werner Wolfgang, Thomas Jäger, Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith, Peter Herter, Roland Mair
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Publication number: 20090132136Abstract: A method and device for controlling a fluid-actuated control system, to optimize post-switching times for actuation of control elements in such systems. The system includes at least one pressure medium source, at least one hydraulically controlled control element and a device for controlling the fluid-actuated control system. The optimum post-switching time after hydraulic actuation of the control element, depends on a number of different factors such as a control-element-specific parameter, a specific mounting location of the control element, at least one operating parameter of the fluid-actuated control system and/or of the vehicle. A post-switching time control device controls and/or regulates at least the duration of a post-switching time of the at least one control element and with the above factors determines the post-switching time.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
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Patent number: 7530262Abstract: A method for determining an actuating pressure of an operating element (1), for example in a motor vehicle, where the element is displaced as a result of the application of the actuating pressure. The actuating pressure of the operating element is determined without the use of a pressure sensor by way of deformation measurement.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Robert Ingenbleek, Mario Steinborn
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Publication number: 20090093935Abstract: A method and a device for actuating a shifting arrangement with electric actuators with directly controlled valves of an electrohydraulic, electropneumatic, electromagnetic or electromotor transmission control of a motor vehicle. A current monitoring function, in which a total current of the shifting arrangement available at a point in time is determined, shift requests of shift elements are detected and compared with the total available current, the shift requests are tested according to preset priorities, and sequential shifting of shift elements according to the priority test is performed, is provided in order to avoid exceeding a preset allowed current load with a comparatively high current requirement of the electric consumers directly controlled valves, when the shift requests would cause the total available current to be exceeded, or direct shifting of the shift elements is carried out when the shift requests would not cause the total available current to be exceeded.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
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Publication number: 20090071274Abstract: A method for shifting an automated transmission situated in a drive train of a motor vehicle between an engine and a drive axle and having at least one multi-speed main transmission and a two-speed range change group rear-mounted thereon. The main transmission has at least one counter-shaft with an transmission brake. A clutch engages the prime mover and the main transmission and the range change group is shifted via unsynchronized dog clutches, which are combined in pairs in a common shift set having two shift positions and one neutral position such that during a range change gearshift, both in the main transmission and in the range change group, a change between two ratio stages occurs. A range change up-shift and down-shift each include active synchronization of the dog clutch by way of the transmission brake and of the separating clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Josef BADER, Andreas Graf, Martin Miller, Mario Steinborn, Thomas Hafen
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Publication number: 20090071277Abstract: A method for shifting an automated transmission situated in a drive train of a motor vehicle between an engine and a drive axle and having at least one multi-speed main transmission and a two-speed range change group rear-mounted thereon. The main transmission has at least one counter shaft with a transmission brake. A clutch engages the prime mover and the main transmission and the range change group is shifted via unsynchronized dog clutches which are combined in pairs in a common shift set and have two shift positions and one neutral position such that, during a range change gear shift both in the main transmission and the range change group a change between two ratio stages occurs. A range change up-shift includes synchronizing the input shaft and the target gear utilizing the transmission brake and passively synchronizing the dog shifted transmission parts by the edge beveling of the concerned dog clutches.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Josef BADER, Andreas Graf, Martin Miller, Mario Steinborn, Thomas Hafen
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Publication number: 20090048067Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a fluid-actuated control system of an automatic or automated transmission of a motor vehicle, which has at least one pressure medium source, at least two control elements that are actuated by pressurized fluid and a control device for controlling the fluid-actuated control system. A further control module is used to reduce; the number and power consumption of valves that are actuated simultaneously to control the control elements; and the mechanical loading of the control elements (1, 2). The control module reads signals concerning at least one current control action and, in accordance with predetermined patterns, calculation rules and/or models, generates signals that cause non-switched control elements to be manipulated by pressurized working fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2007Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
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Publication number: 20090004027Abstract: A method of actuating a piston having a first side and a second side includes the steps of generating a counter-ventilation pulse having a duration and amplitude defined to achieve a predetermined operating speed of the piston and a predetermined damping of a final position of a piston, applying an actuating pressure to the first side of the piston, and venting a second side of the piston in a defined manner using the counter-ventilation pulse so as to prevent a buildup of a maximum possible ventilation pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2006Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel