Patents by Inventor Thilo Schmidt

Thilo Schmidt 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: 10788126
    Abstract: An actuation arrangement (23) including an actuating device for actuating a transmission parking lock (1). The actuating device having a piston (2) movable into an engaged position (E), which engages the transmission parking lock (1), and into a disengaged position (A), which disengages the transmission parking lock (1). The actuating device further has a cylinder (3) including a cavity (4), in which the piston (2) is arranged and into which transmission oil is supplied to move the piston (2), and a locking unit (5) configured for selectively fixing the piston (2). The actuation arrangement further includes a valve (13). When the valve (13) is in a first valve position, transmission oil is supplied to the transmission shift element (12) through a first line (14), to actuate the transmission shift element (12), and into the cavity (4) through the second line (15), to actuate the transmission parking lock (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Armin Haugg, Thilo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10655727
    Abstract: A greaser for a transmission includes a shaft (1) having an axial bore (3) and a plurality of axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b, 6c). Each of at least one tube (8a, 8b) is inserted into a respective one of the axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b) and extends radially inwardly into the axial bore (3) beyond a circumferential surface (4) of the axial bore (3) that is adjacent the respective one of the axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b). Each of the at least one tube (8a, 8b) includes a slot (11a, 11b) at a tube end (10a, 10b) facing a central axis (2) of the shaft (1). The slot (11a, 11b) of each of the at least one tube (8a, 8b) extends along a central axis (9a, 9b) of the respective tube (8a, 8b) into an interior space of the axial bore (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rainer Grundler, Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Dietmar Gehring, Dirk Winkler
  • Publication number: 20200149562
    Abstract: A cooling prioritization valve (5) for a hydraulic system (4) of a motor vehicle transmission (3) includes a valve housing (6), a valve slide (7), an inlet (18), an outlet (15), and a further outlet (21). A secondary system pressure circuit (39) of the hydraulic system (4) can be connected to the inlet (18), a cooler (54) can be connected to the outlet (15) or to the further outlet (21), and a suction loading (44) can be connected to the outlet (15) or to the further outlet (21). In a starting position, the inlet (18) is not connected either to the outlet (15) or to the further outlet (21). In a first control position, the inlet (18) is connected to the outlet (15). In a second control position, the inlet (18) is connected to the outlet (15) and the further outlet (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Alexander Haberstock, Armin Haugg, Thilo Schmidt, Markus Herrmann
  • Patent number: 10480641
    Abstract: A system for locking and releasing a shifting position of a shifting element that is hydraulically actuatable by an actuating pressure is provided. The shifting element is arranged coaxially with a transmission shaft. The system includes a stop valve. The stop valve is subjectable to a control pressure that is separate from the actuating pressure of the shifting element. The stop valve is arranged radially inside the shifting element in the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Josef Haupt, Christoph Margraf, Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Ulrich Doerr, Christian Sibla, Stefan Beck, Maik Wiesner, Stefan Brom
  • Patent number: 10316969
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic transmission control system (1) includes a parking lock valve (2). The electrohydraulic transmission control system (1) is configured such that, during normal operation of the electrohydraulic transmission control system (1) in which at least one electrohydraulic pressure adjuster (EDSSYS) is actuatable with current, the parking lock valve (2) can be held in a defined operating state in which an actuation pressure (p_sys) acts on a parking lock cylinder (3) above a normal pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Tobias Rolser
  • Patent number: 10293795
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic transmission control system having a parking lock valve by which a parking lock cylinder of a parking lock device can be charged with an actuation pressure adjustable in an operating-state-dependent manner by at least one pilot pressure adjustable in the region of an electrohydraulic pressure adjuster and/or one pressure source. Above a defined actuation pressure level, the parking lock valve is held in a defined operating state in which the actuation pressure can be applied to the parking lock cylinder. The actuation and pilot pressures can be applied to a valve device such that when the actuation and pilot pressure levels approximately correspond to one another, the region of the control system which conducts the actuation pressure is operatively connected, upstream of the parking lock valve, to a pressure region in the region of the valve device with a pressure lower than the defined actuation pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Tobias Rolser
  • Publication number: 20190093756
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a transmission of a motor vehicle, the system having first and second pumps for conveying hydraulic fluid into primary and/or system-pressure circuits so that an intended pressure prevails in the circuits. The system further including liquid retention means preventing a flow of hydraulic fluid conveyed by the second pump from being conducted through the first pump when the first pump is not conveying and the second pump is conveying, and preventing a flow of hydraulic fluid conveyed by the first pump from being conducted through the second pump when the second pump is not conveying and the first pump is conveying. The system additionally including a sailing-mode lubricating valve for controlling, by an open-loop system, a flow rate of hydraulic fluid conveyed by the second pump into the primary and/or secondary system-pressure circuits such that the intended pressure is set in the system-pressure circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Armin Haugg, Alexander Haberstock, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 10215280
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automatic transmission a valve slide longitudinally adjustable in a valve housing between a first axial position and a second axial position such that a plurality of valve seat pockets are selectively brought into operative connection with each other. A control surface of the valve slide, first and second additional control surface of the valve slide and a spring of a parking brake valve are matched to one another such that the total actuating force applied to the slide valve displaces the slide valve to the first axial position when an actuating pressure of the parking brake unit, a pressure signal at the control surface of the valve slide and an additional pressure signal at the second additional control surface of the valve slide are applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20190003589
    Abstract: An actuation arrangement (23) including an actuating device for actuating a transmission parking lock (1). The actuating device having a piston (2) movable into an engaged position (E), which engages the transmission parking lock (1), and into a disengaged position (A), which disengages the transmission parking lock (1). The actuating device further has a cylinder (3) including a cavity (4), in which the piston (2) is arranged and into which transmission oil is supplied to move the piston (2), and a locking unit (5) configured for selectively fixing the piston (2). The actuation arrangement further includes a valve (13). When the valve (13) is in a first valve position, transmission oil is supplied to the transmission shift element (12) through a first line (14), to actuate the transmission shift element (12), and into the cavity (4) through the second line (15), to actuate the transmission parking lock (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Armin Haugg, Thilo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10132419
    Abstract: A valve device which comprises a valve housing having a plurality of shifting tongues and a valve slide that can move longitudinally in the valve housing. The valve slide is made with diameter sections which co-operate with the shifting tongues depending on an axial position of the valve slide. At least one of the diameter sections is made with at least one, at least approximately groove-like recess that extends in the circumferential direction of the valve slide. The groove-like recesses are functionally connected to an axial bore extending in the valve slide essentially in the axial direction, by way of at least one radial bore extending at least approximately in the radial direction in the valve slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Thilo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10125867
    Abstract: A device for actuating multiple shift elements of a transmission device is described. Each of the pistons for a change in operating state of the shift elements in the area of active surfaces can be subjected to a fluid pressure acting in a first or second actuating direction. The fluid pressure actively applied in the first actuating direction can be separately adjusted for each of the shift elements, while the fluid pressure actively applied in the second actuating direction is essentially the same for all shift elements. The pistons are arranged coaxially to each other, radially into each other, and in a manner axially displaceable in sections in one intermediate plate. The intermediate plate features areas for applying the fluid pressures acting in the first actuating direction. The area through which the fluid pressure acting in the second actuating direction can be guided to the pistons is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Thilo Schmidt, Martin Brehmer, Andreas Beisswenger, Ingo Tetzlaff
  • Patent number: 10113635
    Abstract: A drag torque reduction device for an automatic transmission includes a hydraulic controller with a radiator. In one embodiment, the drag torque reduction device also includes a parallel connection of a pressure relief valve, a constant aperture and a temperature-dependent, switchable aperture positioned upstream of the radiator. In another embodiment, the drag torque reduction device includes an overflow cooling oil diversion with a temperature-dependent, switchable aperture and a pressure relief valve that is positioned upstream of the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Gerhard Martin, Ahmed Mouhcine, Rainer Grundler, Dirk Winkler, Valentine Vincent
  • Publication number: 20180266539
    Abstract: A greaser for a transmission includes a shaft (1) having an axial bore (3) and a plurality of axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b, 6c). Each of at least one tube (8a, 8b) is inserted into a respective one of the axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b) and extends radially inwardly into the axial bore (3) beyond a circumferential surface (4) of the axial bore (3) that is adjacent the respective one of the axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b). Each of the at least one tube (8a, 8b) includes a slot (11a, 11b) at a tube end (10a, 10b) facing a central axis (2) of the shaft (1). The slot (11a, 11b) of each of the at least one tube (8a, 8b) extends along a central axis (9a, 9b) of the respective tube (8a, 8b) into an interior space of the axial bore (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Rainer Grundler, Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Dietmar Gehring, Dirk Winkler
  • Patent number: 10060525
    Abstract: When the stop valve is in a first shifting position, a torque-transferring shift element is sealed tight against the rest of a hydraulic system by a stop valve, such that the actuating pressure enclosed in the shift element remains essentially constant or does not decrease. The stop valve is formed and arranged in the hydraulic system such that the stop valve is held in the first shifting position by the force of a barrier pressure generated by the pump, and, upon a standstill of the pump or falling below a certain value of the pressure generated by the pump, the stop valve is automatically displaceable at least through the action of the trapped shift element pressure into a second shifting position, in which the respective shift element is connected to the rest of the hydraulic system and the shift element is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Bernd Allgaier
  • Patent number: 9897197
    Abstract: A valve system for controlling a system pressure control system, in particular a hydraulic control unit of an automatic transmission, includes a multi-stage system pressure valve, a pilot valve and a control valve with a control piston downstream from the pilot valve that governs the pressure at a differential area of the system pressure valve, depending on the pilot pressure. The pilot pressure/system pressure characteristic curve features a continuous development, and whereas, from a predefined pilot pressure, on the basis of a sudden change to the dependency of the change to the system pressure as a function of the change to the pilot pressure, the gradient of the system pressure as a function of the pilot pressure is significantly steeper than that prior to the predefined pilot pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thilo Schmidt, Hans-Joachim Martin, Hans-Juergen Bader
  • Patent number: 9856975
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for actuating an interlocking shifting element of a transmission which comprises two piston chambers and a piston element that delimits the piston chambers. The piston element can be acted upon in one piston chamber by a pressure to open the shifting element and, in the other piston chamber, by another pressure to close the shifting element. Pressure can be delivered by a valve to two piston chamber and the valve can be actuated by an actuator by a pilot pressure. The valve and the electro-hydraulic actuator are designed and functionally connected to one another such that, in the event of a pressure drop, a total hydraulic force, acting to close the shifting element, is applied to the piston element and, if the current supply to the actuator fails, a total hydraulic force acting, in the opening direction of the shifting element, acts upon the piston element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thilo Schmidt, Manuel Straub
  • Publication number: 20170369040
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic transmission control system having a parking lock valve by which a parking lock cylinder of a parking lock device can be charged with an actuation pressure adjustable in an operating-state-dependent manner by at least one pilot pressure adjustable in the region of an electrohydraulic pressure adjuster and/or one pressure source. Above a defined actuation pressure level, the parking lock valve can be held in a defined operating state in which the actuation pressure can be applied to the parking lock cylinder. The actuation and pilot pressures can be applied to a valve device such that when the actuation and pilot pressure levels approximately correspond to one another, the region of the control system which conducts the actuation pressure is operatively connected, upstream of the parking lock valve, to a pressure region in the region of the valve device with a pressure lower than the defined actuation pressure level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Tobias Rolser
  • Publication number: 20170370468
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic transmission control system (1) includes a parking lock valve (2). The electrohydraulic transmission control system (1) is configured such that, during normal operation of the electrohydraulic transmission control system (1) in which at least one electrohydraulic pressure adjuster (EDSSYS) is actuatable with current, the parking lock valve (2) can be held in a defined operating state in which an actuation pressure (p_sys) acts on a parking lock cylinder (3) above a normal pressure level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Tobias Rolser
  • Patent number: 9816595
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a transmission device includes a primary pressure circuit and a secondary pressure circuit suppliable with hydraulic fluid from a defined saturation condition of the primary pressure circuit. A converter lock-up clutch is subjected to an operating pressure by a converter clutch valve. An inner torus chamber is suppliable with hydraulic fluid at a converter pressure of the secondary pressure circuit by a converter switching valve and by a valve device and a throttle device of the primary pressure circuit. The throttle device of the primary pressure circuit is downstream of the valve device of the primary pressure circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20170314670
    Abstract: Proposed is a hydraulic supply system in an automatic transmission of a vehicle, said hydraulic supply system having a primary hydraulic circuit (I) for supplying the transmission components, having a secondary hydraulic circuit (II) for lubricating and cooling the transmission components and having at least one pump (P) for generating a supply flow rate in the hydraulic circuits (I, II), wherein a detecting device (E) for detecting the current hydraulic fluid volumetric flow rate in the secondary hydraulic circuit (II) for adjusting a minimum supply flow rate of the pump (P) is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Adriano Handrich, Rolf Braun, Tim Rose, Thilo Schmidt, Peter Schiele, Florian Mayer