Patents by Inventor Stefan Traub

Stefan Traub 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: 12595640
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric drivetrain of a working machine is provided wherein the drivetrain comprises a work drive with an electric work motor and a travel drive with an electric travel motor and vehicle wheels, wherein the working machine experiences a speed deceleration from the outside that may result in a braking force acting on the vehicle wheels lower than a driving force acting on the vehicle wheels due to a moment of inertia of the travel motor. The method includes supplying the travel motor with a power in a direction opposite to an operating direction of the travel motor in order to reduce a rotational speed of the travel motor, if it is detected in advance using a situation detection that the braking force acting on the vehicle wheels as a result of the speed deceleration is lower than the driving force acting on the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rico Glöckner, Raphael Zohner, Migen Bebeti, Stephan Schinacher, Stefan Traub, Andreas Rothmund, Jürgen Legner
  • Publication number: 20260044155
    Abstract: A method for inverting driving instructions of a working machine includes a first step of entering and initiating a driving instruction. In a second step, position data of the working machine are associated with the driving instruction. In a third step, a cancellation of the driving instruction is entered and the driving instruction is terminated. In a fourth step, position data of the working machine are associated with the cancellation of the driving instruction. With reference to the associated position data a corridor for the driving instruction is defined, and in a fifth step the driving instruction is inverted in such manner that the driving instruction is initiated and cancelled in the reverse sequence when the working machine travels along the corridor in the reverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Dieter Balz, Udo Brehmer, Raphael Gonzalez, Stefan Traub
  • Patent number: 12510651
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement with a data processing device and a second vehicle (103), which comprises at least one radar sensor (107). The data processing device is designed to recognize at least one radar reflector (105) which is attached to a first vehicle (101), in a signal of the at least one radar sensor (107). The data processing device is designed to locate the at least one radar reflector (105) by means of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Steffen Biel, Stefan Traub
  • Publication number: 20250340414
    Abstract: A method for controlling an industrial truck in a warehouse includes reading-in (S1) a point cloud of the warehouse is the surroundings of the industrial truck, wherein the point cloud read in contains point information of at least one object present in the surroundings, converting (S3) the point information into a frequency distribution of the point information, determining (S4) a statistical distribution parameter of the point information in the frequency distribution, classification (S5) of the object as a person or as a warehouse technology object on the basis of the statistical distribution parameter, and emitting (S6) a control signal to control the industrial truck in the warehouse on the basis of the result of the classification in the classification step (S5). The invention also describes a control unit for carrying out the method and an industrial truck with a control unit of that type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gabriela Jager, Michael Walter, Markus Birk, Stefan Traub
  • Publication number: 20250100314
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a digital emergency card, the method including a user creating (S1) the digital emergency card for a building (2) and storing (S2) the created emergency card in a storage medium (4) of the building (2). In addition, the method includes reading (S3) the stored emergency card from the storage medium (4) and transmitting (4) the emergency card, once read. Furthermore, a system is disclosed which consists of a storage medium (4), a terminal (6), and a transmission and receptions device (8), the system being designed to carry out steps of such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Stefan Traub
  • Patent number: 12125323
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for registering items of equipment (103) for a vehicle. In each case an ID code is assigned to the items of equipment (103) and wherein the items of equipment (103) comprise in each case at least one transmission means (105). The ID codes are transmitted by the transmission means (105) concerned to the recording means (101) and registered by the recording means (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Traub, Alan Dittrich
  • Patent number: 12093376
    Abstract: A safety device for detecting manipulations on a bus system of a vehicle includes a receiver configured to connect to the bus system of the vehicle and to receive a signal from the bus system, an analyzer configured to analyze a transition between signal states of the signal, and an evaluator configured to evaluate the signal as a manipulated signal or an unmanipulated signal based on analysis performed by the analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Traub, Mauro Cesar Zanella, Joao Curti
  • Patent number: 11967100
    Abstract: A navigational system and method for guiding a boat onto a trailer, which comprises at least one marker mounted on the trailer; a camera located on the boat to assist the system with determining a longitudinal axis of the boat, and generating images of at least a front area of the boat and the at least one marker; an image processing unit for 1) receiving and processing the images to determine the at least one marker, 2) estimating the longitudinal axis of the trailer, 3) generating a desired boat trajectory for aligning the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer; and 4) periodically generating guidance output commands to the user to assist the user with following the desired boat trajectory and facilitate loading of the boat on the trailer; and an image display for sequentially displaying the generated images of the camera to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Marine Propulsion Systems Miramar, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Traub, Gabriela Jager, Lars Hoffmann, Andrew Orvieto
  • Publication number: 20240012131
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement with a data processing device and a second vehicle (103), which comprises at least one radar sensor (107). The data processing device is designed to recognize at least one radar reflector (105) which is attached to a first vehicle (101), in a signal of the at least one radar sensor (107). The data processing device is designed to locate the at least one radar reflector (105) by means of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Steffen Biel, Stefan Traub
  • Patent number: 11787325
    Abstract: A navigational system for guiding a boat onto a trailer comprising at least a portion of a tow vehicle which forms a natural marker for the navigation system. A camera is located on the boat to assist the navigational system with aligning a longitudinal axis of the boat with a longitudinal axis of the trailer. A central vertical (mid) axis of the camera is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the boat. An image processing unit receives and processes images from the camera. The image processing unit, based upon a determination of a position of the central vertical (mid) axis of the camera relative to a target area of the detected natural marker, generating guidance commands to assist a user with alignment of the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer and thereby facilitate proper loading of the boat onto the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Marine Propulsion Systems Miramar, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Traub, Gabriela Jager, Lars Hoffmann, Andrew Orvieto
  • Publication number: 20230306798
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for registering items of equipment (103) for a vehicle. In each case an ID code is assigned to the items of equipment (103) and wherein the items of equipment (103) comprise in each case at least one transmission means (105). The ID codes are transmitted by the transmission means (105) concerned to the recording means (101) and registered by the recording means (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Traub, Alan Dittrich
  • Publication number: 20230212838
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric drivetrain of a working machine is provided wherein the drivetrain comprises a work drive with an electric work motor and a travel drive with an electric travel motor and vehicle wheels, wherein the working machine experiences a speed deceleration from the outside that may result in a braking force acting on the vehicle wheels lower than a driving force acting on the vehicle wheels due to a moment of inertia of the travel motor. The method includes supplying the travel motor with a power in a direction opposite to an operating direction of the travel motor in order to reduce a rotational speed of the travel motor, if it is detected in advance using a situation detection that the braking force acting on the vehicle wheels as a result of the speed deceleration is lower than the driving force acting on the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Rico GLÖCKNER, Raphael ZOHNER, Migen BEBETI, Stephan SCHINACHER, Stefan TRAUB, Andreas ROTHMUND, Jürgen LEGNER
  • Publication number: 20230211988
    Abstract: A handling device (103) for loads (105) includes a radar transmitter (107), a radar sensor (111) and a data-processing device. The radar transmitter (107) is configured to irradiate at least part of the handling device (103) and/or the load (105). The radar sensor (111) is configured to detect at least part of the irradiated handling device (103) and/or the irradiated load (105). The data-processing device is configured to determine the position of at least part of the handling device (103) and/or the load 105) with reference to a signal from the radar sensor (111). At least a part (405) of the handling device (103) is radar-absorbing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gabriela Jager, Stefan Traub
  • Publication number: 20220371503
    Abstract: A navigational system for guiding a boat onto a trailer comprising at least a portion of a tow vehicle which forms a natural marker for the navigation system. A camera is located on the boat to assist the navigational system with aligning a longitudinal axis of the boat with a longitudinal axis of the trailer. A central vertical (mid) axis of the camera is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the boat. An image processing unit receives and processes images from the camera. The image processing unit, based upon a determination of a position of the central vertical (mid) axis of the camera relative to a target area of the detected natural marker, generating guidance commands to assist a user with alignment of the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer and thereby facilitate proper loading of the boat onto the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan TRAUB, Gabriela JAGER, Lars HOFFMANN, Andrew ORVIETO
  • Publication number: 20220281569
    Abstract: A system and method for guiding a boat onto a trailer, which comprises at least one marker mounted on the trailer; a camera located on the boat to assist the system with determining a longitudinal axis of the boat, and generating images of at least a front area of the boat and the at least one marker; an image processing unit for 1) receiving and processing the images to determine the at least one marker, 2) estimating the longitudinal axis of the trailer, 3) generating a desired boat trajectory for aligning the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer; and 4) periodically generating guidance output commands to the user to assist the user with following the desired boat trajectory and facilitate loading of the boat on the trailer; and an image display for sequentially displaying the generated images of the camera to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan TRAUB, Gabriela JAGER, Lars HOFFMANN, Andrew ORVIETO
  • Publication number: 20220234490
    Abstract: A navigational system and method for guiding a boat onto a trailer, which comprises at least one marker mounted on the trailer; a camera located on the boat to assist the system with determining a longitudinal axis of the boat, and generating images of at least a front area of the boat and the at least one marker; an image processing unit for 1) receiving and processing the images to determine the at least one marker, 2) estimating the longitudinal axis of the trailer, 3) generating a desired boat trajectory for aligning the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer; and 4) periodically generating guidance output commands to the user to assist the user with following the desired boat trajectory and facilitate loading of the boat on the trailer; and an image display for sequentially displaying the generated images of the camera to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan TRAUB, Gabriela JAGER, Lars HOFFMANN, Andrew ORVIETO
  • Patent number: 11339555
    Abstract: A process for determining a setpoint rotational speed of a work machine engine, having a continuously variable transmission, based on operation of power hydraulics. The setpoint rotational speed for highly productive operation is determined, without knowledge current operation of the power hydraulics, by a basic engine speed setting. With knowledge of the current operating state, the setpoint rotational speed is determined by the basic speed settings and low or high engine speed settings. The low speed setting alone determines setpoint rotational speeds that are lower than the basic speed setting or a combination of the low and basic speed settings. The high speed setting alone determines setpoint rotational speeds that are higher than the basic speed setting or a combination of the basic and high speed settings. The speed settings can comprise a setpoint rotational speed range of above a reciprocal transmission range of the variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jan-Frederik Kuhn, Stefan Traub, Stephan Schinacher, Marcus Hiemer, Robert Morrison, Jürgen Legner, Sven Bieber
  • Publication number: 20220081872
    Abstract: A method for automated or automatic loading of a work tool of a work machine includes determining, as a function of operating conditions of the work machine, a probability of whether the work tool comes into or is in engagement with a material pile, and activating, in response to the determined probability being greater than a limit value, a load function for the automated or automatic loading. The method further includes ascertaining, when the load function is activated, a setpoint value for a lift position, a setpoint value for a tilt position, and a setpoint value for an accelerator pedal actuation as a function of a pressure measurement value on a hydrostat side of a power split transmission of the work machine, and ascertaining actuating signals for the automated or automatic loading as a function of a comparison of the ascertained setpoint values with corresponding actual values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventor: Stefan Traub
  • Publication number: 20220004629
    Abstract: A safety device for detecting manipulations on a bus system of a vehicle includes a receiver configured to connect to the bus system of the vehicle and to receive a signal from the bus system, an analyzer configured to analyze a transition between signal states of the signal, and an evaluator configured to evaluate the signal as a manipulated signal or an unmanipulated signal based on analysis performed by the analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Traub, Mauro Cesar Zanella, Joao Curti
  • Publication number: 20200190772
    Abstract: A process for determining a setpoint rotational speed of a work machine engine, having a continuously variable transmission, based on operation of power hydraulics. The setpoint rotational speed for highly productive operation is determined, without knowledge current operation of the power hydraulics, by a basic engine speed setting. With knowledge of the current operating state, the setpoint rotational speed is determined by the basic speed settings and low or high engine speed settings. The low speed setting alone determines setpoint rotational speeds that are lower than the basic speed setting or a combination of the low and basic speed settings. The high speed setting alone determines setpoint rotational speeds that are higher than the basic speed setting or a combination of the basic and high speed settings. The speed settings can comprise a setpoint rotational speed range of above a reciprocal transmission range of the variable transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Jan-Frederik KUHN, Stefan TRAUB, Stephan SCHINACHER, Marcus HIEMER, Robert MORRISON, Jürgen LEGNER, Sven BIEBER