Patents by Inventor Reinhard Berger

Reinhard Berger 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: 6874381
    Abstract: An aim of the invention is to provide a double clutch transmission enabling shift actuation in multiple gear trains with a single actuator device. The time required for a gear ratio change should also be reduced, hereby improving comfort and operability. To this end, the invention provides that a gear ratio can be shifted with an actuating element through a shifting element and that in the shifted state of this gear ratio, the same actuating element can actuate at least one other shifting element in order to select other gear ratios. A neutral channel wide enough to allow the selection movement of an actuation element is advantageously retained in the shifted state of one or more gear ratios. A shifting element may follow an actuating element with a path hysteresis that is identical to or greater than the path of the shifting element between the neutral position and a final gear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: LUK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Gunter Hirt
  • Publication number: 20050064990
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out a gearshift in a twin-clutch transmission, which is characterized in that a downshift is carried out subject to the kind of shift and/or of at least one predetermined vehicle parameter. The invention also relates to a twin-clutch transmission, especially for carrying out the inventive method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Berger
  • Patent number: 6865467
    Abstract: Specific shift positions of an electrically actuated vehicle transmission, such as first to fifth, neutral and reverse gears, are detected by monitoring one or more characteristic electrical variables, e.g., actuator currents, during a shift movement of the transmission and by correlating increased or decreased levels of current with the arrival at or passage through the specific shift positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Martin Vornehm, Stefan Winkelmann, Marc Hauptmann, Klaus Henneberger, Klaus Küpper
  • Publication number: 20040255707
    Abstract: A powershift transmission is proposed using two transmission paths, a friction clutch being assigned to each transmission path and the transmission paths being coupleable to an output shaft for torque transmission. The transmission has a device that detects the clutch torque transmitted by the friction clutch of the active transmission path, which is coupled to the output shaft, and, when the clutch torque falls below threshold value, initiates a disengagement of the active gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Marian Preisner, Jurgen Benz, Reinhard Berger, Dietmar Lang, Alexander Schweizer, Olaf Werner
  • Publication number: 20040237694
    Abstract: A parking lock for an automated transmission of a motor vehicle includes a first spring-type actuator for engaging the parking lock, a transmission actuator, a release device operable using the transmission actuator for disengaging the parking lock, and a retaining device. The retaining device is configured to counteract at least one of the spring-type actuator and a second spring-type actuator so as to hold the parking lock in a disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
    Inventors: Christoph Lindenschmidt, Reinhard Berger
  • Publication number: 20040231943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drivetrain comprising an internal combustion engine, at least one friction clutch having at least one disengagement device with a pressure relief device and a transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Burkhard Pollak
  • Patent number: 6808054
    Abstract: The invention relates to a torque transmission device comprising a first and at least one second coupling device, of which each can be switched into different switching positions The torque transmission device also comprises a drive device, an actuating device and a drive release device or a spring device or a change-over device or a release lever device or a valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Gunter Hirt, Reinhard Berger, Rolf Meinhard
  • Publication number: 20040192498
    Abstract: A device for controlling an electrically-operated holding magnet of a parking lock of a motor vehicle transmission in which a holding magnet supplied with power via a transmission control resettable to a basic setting holds the parking lock in the disengaged state, an apparatus for bridging a reset of the transmission control that maintains the power supply of the holding magnet during the reset being provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Christoph Lindenschmidt, Reinhard Berger, Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20040188218
    Abstract: A clutch-actuating device for a clutch in a motor vehicle power train has an actuator motor driving an actuating member and a transfer mechanism which transmits the movement of the actuating member to a clutch release element that is movable against an opposing force of a clutch spring to displace the clutch from a closed position to an open position. The transfer mechanism has a first movement range in which the movement of the actuating member in the opening direction of the clutch does not displace the clutch from its closed position, and a second movement range in which the movement of the actuating member causes a displacement of the clutch. The transfer mechanism has an interval of loose play, which is used up within the first range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Thomas Rammhofer, Martin Zimmermann, Holger Stork, Gunter Hirt, Andreas Pfeiffer, Thomas Jager, Martin Brandt, Andreas Deimel
  • Publication number: 20040176213
    Abstract: A method is described for controlling a clutch which is located between a drive motor and an automated manual transmission of a drive train. In this method, vibrations during load alternations are reduced by controlling the clutch so that a free-wheeling function is implemented during an engine braking mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
    Inventors: Juergen Benz, Reinhard Berger
  • Patent number: 6785599
    Abstract: Specific shift positions of an electrically actuated vehicle transmission, such as first to fifth, neutral and reverse gears, are detected by monitoring one or more characteristic electrical variables, e.g., actuator currents, during a shift movement of the transmission and by correlating increased or decreased levels of current with the arrival at or passage through the specific shift positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: LUK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Martin Vornehm, Stefan Winkelmann, Marc Hauptmann, Klaus Henneberger, Klaus Küpper
  • Publication number: 20040129100
    Abstract: A transmission system including a shift mechanism for operating and controlling the transmission system. To automatically detect geometric characteristic values of the transmission system or of the shifting device a selector motor and a shift motor actuate a selector finger that is displaceably mounted in a selection-shift-passageway layout. Starting from an initial position whose coordinates within the selection-shift-passageway layout are unknown, the selector finger is displaced in the directions of shifting and in the directions of selection in order to detect paths of movement in the direction of selection or shifting. The selector finger is repeatedly displaced to establish the maximum paths of movement until the predetermined transmission geometric characteristic values are completely detected. Also disclosed are a control device for controlling a transmission system that includes a shift mechanism, and a method for controlling such a transmission system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Holger Stork, Georg Schneider, Klaus Henneberger, Martin Eckert, Gunter Hirt, Thomas Jager, Martin Vornehm, Volker Kretz-Busch, Reinhard Berger
  • Publication number: 20040112158
    Abstract: A power transmission for a motor vehicle. The transmission includes a plurality of transmission ratio steps defined by pairs of gear carried on parallel shafts, and final output mechanisms for engaging desired transmission ratio steps. The final output mechanisms are operable for controlling the engagement of respective transmission ratio steps to minimize tractive force interruption by allowing rapid gear changes to be effected to reduce the times between shifts of gears. By sensing accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed a new transmission ratio step to be subsequently engaged can be pre-selected while an engaged gear remains engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Viggo L. Norum, Lars Lein, Geir Huseby, Gunter Hirt, Reinhard Berger, Carsten Bunder, Boris Serebrennikov, Jorg Metzger, Robert Fischer, Burkhard Pollak, Gerd Ahnert
  • Patent number: 6729456
    Abstract: First and second automatically operable friction clutches in the power train of a motor vehicle are connected between a rotary output element of the prime mover and first and second input elements of a change-speed gearbox. The wear upon the friction linings on the clutch disc of one of the clutches is frequently different from the wear upon the friction linings on the clutch disc of the other clutch. This is compensated for by automatically ascertaining the extent of wear upon the friction linings of the two clutches and by carrying out remedial undertakings such as temporarily reducing or interrupting the wear upon the friction linings which were subjected to more pronounced wear and/or increasing the wear upon the other friction linings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: LUK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Sebastien Beneton, Christopher Raber, Rolf Meinhard, Reinhard Berger
  • Publication number: 20040077457
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle transmission, gears representing different transmission ratios are engaged by applying a force to an actuator output element that couples a selected gear to a rotary shaft. A synchronizing device blocks the coupling of the gear to the shaft until at least an approximate synchronization of rpm-rates has been achieved. A synchronization threshold position corresponding to the blocked condition of the actuator element is stored in a memory of a controller device. The controller device periodically performs an automatic adaptation of the stored value for the synchronization threshold position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG.
    Inventors: Boris Serebrennikov, Klaus Henneberger, Martin Eckert, Frank Bast, Reinhard Berger, Martin Vornehm, Stefan Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6722219
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission is shiftable in a track pattern with a selector track and shift tracks. A shifter element moves along the tracks when the transmission is shifted from one gear ratio to another. The shifts are directed by a control device sending command signals to an actuator device which, in turn, applies an actuating force to the transmission. A main position-detecting device detects the position of the shifter element relative to the selector track and shift tracks, and a redundant position-detecting device performs an additional, redundant determination of the shifter-element position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Marc Hauptmann, Michael Gallion, Martin Vornehm, Martin Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20040063541
    Abstract: A method for recognition of the sychronization position and the end of the synchronization operation in an automated shiftable transmission with an electromotive shift actuator is disclosed, which is characterized in that the rotational speed of the shift actuator is detected and the synchronization position, as will as the end of the synchronized operation,is determined based upon the change of the rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Martin Vornehm, Stefan Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6695747
    Abstract: A transmission system including a shift mechanism for operating and controlling the transmission system. To automatically detect geometric characteristic values of the transmission system or of the shifting device a selector motor and a shift motor actuate a selector finger that is displaceably mounted in a selection-shift-passageway layout. Starting from an initial position whose coordinates within the selection-shift-passageway layout are unknown, the selector finger is displaced in the directions of shifting and in the directions of selection in order to detect paths of movement in the direction of selection or shifting. The selector finger is repeatedly displaced to establish the maximum paths of movement until the predetermined transmission geometric characteristic values are completely detected. Also disclosed are a control device for controlling a transmission system that includes a shift mechanism, and a method for controlling such a transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Holger Stork, Georg Schneider, Klaus Henneberger, Martin Eckert, Gunter Hirt, Thomas Jäger, Martin Vornehm, Volker Kretz-Busch, Reinhard Berger
  • Patent number: 6679362
    Abstract: A clutch-actuator device is equipped with a position-detecting device for detecting at least one of the different possible positions of engagement, disengagement and partial engagement of a clutch that serves to control the amounts of torque being transmitted between two rotary components of a torque-transmitting mechanism. The position-detecting device performs its detecting function independently of any measurement of the clutch position which may be performed by a displacement-measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Michael Gallion
  • Patent number: 6679361
    Abstract: A motor vehicle power train with an engine, a transmission and a clutch includes a means to operate the transmission and/or clutch automatically through at least one electric actuator motor. The electric actuator motor, which acts on an input element of the transmission and/or clutch, comprises a brushless direct current motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Ahnert, Andreas Deimel, Andreas Rogg, Reinhard Berger