Patents by Inventor Markus Henneken

Markus Henneken 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: 8388493
    Abstract: A method for operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle including a hybrid drive with a combustion engine and an electric motor. A transmission is arranged between the hybrid drive and a drive output and a clutch is arranged between the combustion engine and the electric motor so that, if a failure occurs in the drivetrain, especially in a transmission control device of the transmission, a gear corresponding to an emergency gear is engaged or remains engaged in the transmission. When the emergency gear is engaged, the motor vehicle is in motion and the engine speed falls below a defined value, the clutch arranged between the combustion engine and the electric motor disengages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen, AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Thilo Schmidt, Bernd Allgaier
  • Publication number: 20090181821
    Abstract: A method for operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle including a hybrid drive with a combustion engine and an electric motor. A transmission is arranged between the hybrid drive and a drive output and a clutch is arranged between the combustion engine and the electric motor so that, if a failure occurs in the drivetrain, especially in a transmission control device of the transmission, a gear corresponding to an emergency gear is engaged or remains engaged in the transmission. When the emergency gear is engaged, the motor vehicle is in motion and the engine speed falls below a defined value, the clutch arranged between the combustion engine and the electric motor disengages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Thilo Schmidt, Bernd Allgaier
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7029421
    Abstract: A method is described for operating an automatic transmission in which a command for changing a current ratio of the automatic transmission is generated when achieving preset operating states of the vehicle automatically or by manual input in a manual shifting mode, the activated manual shifting mode being preferred to an automatic shifting mode. The manual shifting mode is quit when a current vehicle speed is less than a threshold value, or when a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle is within a defined range, a lateral acceleration is less than a threshold value and a driver type evaluation counter is less than a limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • Patent number: 7001308
    Abstract: A shift device for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, particularly of a motor vehicle, is proposed in which the request to change the current ratio of the automatic transmission upon reaching preset operating states of the vehicle can be automatically generated or by manual input in a manual shifting mode. A pulse counter is here provided by way of successive pulses and manual input can be functionally interlinked wherein a shift signal can be generated depending on the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • Patent number: 6931924
    Abstract: The method for testing the function of an electrohydraulically controlled automatic transmission upon a testing stand by simulation of a vehicle operation provides that the output shaft of the transmission be connected with a stationary torque-measuring hub and be blocked thereby; the shifting elements existing in the transmission are tested when the output shaft is blocked with an input rotational speed which is precisely sufficient to supply with hydraulic pressure the pressure setting members for the shifting elements. As characteristic quantity can be used the setting member current at which the shifting element slips or at which the slip tends toward zero when the shifting element closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Markus Henneken
  • Patent number: 6879900
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle in the event of a spontaneous gas/pedal release (FastOff). The automatic transmission is driven by an internal combustion engine which can be influenced by an accelerator pedal and a signal proportional to a pedal position is fed to an electronic transmission control in which shifting characteristic field is stored and the spontaneous gas/pedal release (FastOff) is detected and an upshift block (FFO=1) is activated when a pedal position gradient (PSTG) falls below a pedal gradient threshold (KF_PSTG). The mode of the upshift block (FFO=1) is removed when a traction operation is detected when an actual engine torque (MMM) exceeds a push-pull line (KL_ZS) stored as a function of a value equivalent to an engine rotational speed (NMO) in dependence on a vehicle acceleration/deceleration (AIST) dependent on an overall tractional resistance (GFW) and pedal gradient thresholds (KW_PSTGPOS, KW_PSTGNEG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20040266583
    Abstract: A method is described for operating an automatic transmission in which a command for changing a current ratio of the automatic transmission is generated when achieving preset operating states of the vehicle automatically or by manual input in a manual shifting mode, the activated manual shifting mode being preferred to an automatic shifting mode. The manual shifting mode is quit when a current vehicle speed is less than a threshold value, or when a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle is within a defined range, a lateral acceleration is less than a threshold value and a driver type evaluation counter is less than a limiting value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • 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: 20040142794
    Abstract: A shift device for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, particularly of a motor vehicle, is proposed in which the request to change the current ratio of the automatic transmission upon reaching preset operating states of the vehicle can be automatically generated or by manual input in a manual shifting mode. A pulse counter is here provided by way of successive pulses and manual input can be functionally interlinked wherein a shift signal can be generated depending on the linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20040098181
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle in the event of a spontaneous gas/pedal release (FastOff). The automatic transmission is driven by an internal combustion engine which can be influenced by an accelerator pedal and a signal proportional to a pedal position is fed to an electronic transmission control in which shifting characteristic field is stored and the spontaneous gas/pedal release (FastOff) is detected and an upshift block (FFO=1) is activated when a pedal position gradient (PSTG) falls below a pedal gradient threshold (KF_PSTG). The mode of the upshift block (FFO=1) is removed when a traction operation is detected when an actual engine torque (MMM) exceeds a push-pull line (KL_ZS) stored as a function of a value equivalent to an engine rotational speed (NMO) in dependence on a vehicle acceleration/deceleration (AIST) dependent on an overall tractional resistance (GFW) and pedal gradient thresholds (KW_PSTGPOS, KW_PSTGNEG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6550593
    Abstract: Within the scope of the method for acceleration of the torque breakdown of clutches in automatic transmissions, the follow-up of the hydraulic pressure and therewith the torque breakdown are accelerated by an over-compensation in the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Hansjörg Rosi
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030060958
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for evaluating a road layout for an automatic vehicle gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: MARKUS HENNEKEN, WOLFGANG SCHMID, MARKO POLJANSEK