Patents by Inventor Max Trautwein

Max Trautwein 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: 9909662
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission includes shifting the automatic transmission to a substitute gear if, after adjusting a first one of at least one positive-locking shift element towards a closed configuration, the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element occupies an intermediate position. The first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element does not participate in the transmission of power in the substitute gear. A related transmission control device for an automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ruben Cueppers, Georg Mihatsch, Andreas Schmidt, Max Trautwein
  • Patent number: 9777831
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes initiating a synchronization of a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission while the automatic transmission is operating at less than a threshold output speed. The method also includes closing a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission and positioning a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission at an engaged configuration of the second non-positive shifting element during the synchronization of the first positive shifting element in order to synchronize the first positive shifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Georg Mihatsch, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein, Thorsten Schaetzle
  • Patent number: 9777832
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes initiating a synchronization of a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission. The method also includes closing a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission and positioning a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission at an engaged configuration of the second non-positive shifting element during the synchronization of the first positive shifting element in order to synchronize the first positive shifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Markus Maurer, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Patent number: 9458929
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes synchronizing a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission, braking the automatic transmission with a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission, establishing a position of the positive shifting element, and increasing a pressure of fluid supplied to a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission if the position of the positive shifting element is an intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Maurer, Martina Jehle, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Publication number: 20160258530
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes synchronizing a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission, braking the automatic transmission with a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission, establishing a position of the positive shifting element, and increasing a pressure of fluid supplied to a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission if the position of the positive shifting element is an intermediate position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Markus Maurer, Martina Jehle, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Patent number: 9410621
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a method for operating an automatic transmission in a limp mode. The method includes actuating a first non-positive shifting element to an engaged configuration and actuating a second non-positive shifting element to the engaged configuration. A positive shifting element is substantially synchronized after actuating the second non-positive shifting element. The method also includes commanding the positive shifting element to actuate from a disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Publication number: 20160169379
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission includes shifting the automatic transmission to a substitute gear if, after adjusting a first one of at least one positive-locking shift element towards a closed configuration, the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element occupies an intermediate position. The first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element does not participate in the transmission of power in the substitute gear. A related transmission control device for an automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Ruben Cueppers, Georg Mihatsch, Andreas Schmidt, Max Trautwein
  • Publication number: 20160102756
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes initiating a synchronization of a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission. The method also includes closing a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission and positioning a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission at an engaged configuration of the second non-positive shifting element during the synchronization of the first positive shifting element in order to synchronize the first positive shifting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Markus Maurer, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Publication number: 20160102753
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes initiating a synchronization of a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission while the automatic transmission is operating at less than a threshold output speed. The method also includes closing a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission and positioning a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission at an engaged configuration of the second non-positive shifting element during the synchronization of the first positive shifting element in order to synchronize the first positive shifting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Georg Mihatsch, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein, Thorsten Schaetzle
  • Publication number: 20160102759
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a method for operating an automatic transmission in a limp mode. The method includes actuating a first non-positive shifting element to an engaged configuration and actuating a second non-positive shifting element to the engaged configuration. A positive shifting element is substantially synchronized after actuating the second non-positive shifting element. The method also includes commanding the positive shifting element to actuate from a disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
  • Patent number: 9228656
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes synchronizing a first positive shifting element of the at least one positive shifting element with a first process, a second process or a third process depending upon an input speed and/or an output speed of the automatic transmission. The first process, the second process and the third process can provide smooth and/or satisfactory shifting of the first positive shifting element at various input speeds and output speeds of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein