Patents by Inventor Werner Wolfgang

Werner Wolfgang 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).

  • Publication number: 20100185367
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automated multi-step change-speed transmission of a vehicle having an electronic control unit connected to sensors for detecting operating parameters and to gear and/or clutch control elements for carrying out shift operations. The control comprises a data memory such that the multi-step change-speed transmission can be operated automatically to initiate gearshifts in an automatic mode, manually initiated by a driver in a manual mode to provide gearshifts, and manually actuated in a learning mode in which gearshifts and operating parameters can be recorded automatically. When necessary to assist technicians in the application of the transmission, a configuration-learning mode that can be activated in which, during a test drive with manual gearshift initiation, operating parameters are automatically detected in an event-dependent manner, processed to produce control data for the transmission, and the control data stored in the data memory for the future control of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wuerthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Publication number: 20100108406
    Abstract: A method and device for provisionally determining the mass of a vehicle when it is initialized. After initialization of the vehicle, the method determines a vehicle mass value by a static mass determination method and then checks whether this value is within a predetermined tolerance band around the dynamically last-determined vehicle mass value, which has been stored for that purpose. If this is so, and there has in the meantime been no significant change of the vehicle's mass, the previously stored dynamic vehicle mass value is probably more accurate and is used in the determination. Otherwise it can be assumed that the vehicle mass value has changed substantially, and the statically determined vehicle mass value is therefore used until a device for the dynamic determination of a vehicle mass can supply a more accurate vehicle mass value after a short time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Maik Wuerthner, Werner Wolfgang, Ingo Sauter
  • Publication number: 20100042300
    Abstract: A process of controlling and/or regulating an automatic transmission in which a predetermined shifting speed of the gear shift is carried out and adjusted during a shift program, and in which the detection of a constant-speed driving of the vehicle is carried out at least during the shift program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Publication number: 20100017082
    Abstract: A method for controlling and/or regulating an automatic transmission of a vehicle, depending on the driving route slope in which a winding mountain pass road detection is carried out, depending upon a topography of the driving route, in such a way that a time for either setting or resetting winding mountain pass road detection is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Matthias Winkel, Bertram Wengert
  • Patent number: 7635317
    Abstract: A method for establishing malfunctions of components of a motor vehicle power train as well as the reaction to the same. The power train has a drive motor and an automatic transmission with respectively allocated control devices, setting apparatus and sensors, and the transmission input shaft is allocated a torque sensor for recording the transmission input shaft. During operation of the motor vehicle, the functions of the control devices, the operating elements, the sensors and their data transmission apparatus as well as the measured values of the transmission input torque are recorded and checked for signs of malfunction. After recognizing such a malfunction, operations are conducted by means of which the motor vehicle can be further operated in an emergency type of operation or with the aid of which the driving operation can be safely ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Werner Wolfgang, Thomas Jäger, Mario Steinborn, Rupert Kramer, Franz Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20090265067
    Abstract: A method for controlling gear shifts in an automated stepped gear transmission of a motor vehicle in which operating parameters of the motor vehicle are continuously determined and evaluated for initiating and carrying out a shift from a currently engaged gear to a target gear such that, before a shift, the shift speed for initiating the shift and the target gear are determined. For better adaptation of the shift, in particular the determination of the shift speed and the target gear, to the current driving and operating conditions of the motor vehicle, the shift types “shift-speed-orientated shift” and “target-speed-orientated shift” are provided and, immediately before a shift operation, it is decided, as a function of at least one of the operating parameters in which, of the two shift types, the shift is to be carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Publication number: 20090240408
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle's automated transmission, which is arranged in a drive train in the force flow between a engine and a drive axle or a transfer box, depending on certain operating parameters and control actions of an adaptive cruise control system (ACC) that can be operated using engine and brake mechanisms to regulate speed and distance from a car in front. The method controls the transmission when an engine torque demand differs from the torque demand of the ACC. The operating mode of the ACC, which is active at the time, and the load direction of the torque demand of the ACC are determined, and the torque demand, used for controlling the transmission when speed or distance regulation is activated, is determined depending on the ACC operating mode and the load direction of the torque demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Werner WOLFGANG, Maik WURTHNER
  • Publication number: 20090203480
    Abstract: A device for controlling a fluid-actuated, double-action operating cylinder (2) having two cylinder chambers (6, 8) separated from one another by a piston (4). Each cylinder chamber (6, 8) communicates with a respective valve (12, 14) for controlling the flow of fluid in and out of the cylinder chamber (6, 8) and a pressure sensor (40) for detecting the fluid supply pressure. A control unit (20) is connected to the switching valves (12, 14) and the pressure sensor (40). To determine the actual control force of the operating cylinder (2), the pressure sensor (40) is arranged between the cylinder chambers (6, 8) and the control unit (20). The output from the pressure sensor (40) can be processed in the control unit (20) and used for actuating a pressure regulation valve (22) arranged in the pressure line (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Bernd Müller, Werner Wolfgang, Thomas Jäger, Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith, Peter Herter, Roland Mair
  • Publication number: 20090198404
    Abstract: A method for determining the driving resistance of a motor vehicle simultaneously with a shift of an automated shift transmission from a load gear to a target gear such that if a difference between a first driving resistance value F_fw_1 and a second driving resistance value F_fw_2 is large, the shift operation can be corrected. The second driving resistance value F_fw_2 is determined during the shift operation. a time interval ?t which contains the traction-force-free phase of the shift, a plurality of acceleration values a_i of the motor vehicle are measured to obtain the minimum acceleration a_min if the shift operation is a traction shift or the maximum acceleration a_max if it is thrust shift. With the mass m of the vehicle, the second driving resistance value F_fw_2 is calculated with one of the formula F_fw_2=?m*a_min or F_fw_2=?m*a_max.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Würthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Publication number: 20090192664
    Abstract: A method for determining a motor vehicle mass which is implemented in conjunction with shifting an automated shift transmission from a current gear to a desired gear. In determining the mass, a value force and movement parameters are determined partly before or after the shift operation and partly during it. For the more rapid and accurate determination of mass, the drive-wheel-related traction force of the drive engine before and after the shift F_zug_vor, F_zug_nach, the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle before and after the shift, a_zug_vor, a_zug_nach, and the acceleration a_roll determined in the traction-force-free phase during the shift are determined, and from these and in accordance with the equation m=F_zug/(a_zug?a_roll), a first mass value m_vor=F_zug_vor/(a_zug_vor?a_roll) is calculated for the beginning of the shift and a second mass value m_nach=F_zug_nach/(a_zug_nach?a_roll) is calculated for the end of the shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Würthner, Ingo Sauter
  • Publication number: 20080274857
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having clutches controlled by an electronic control unit. A transmission rotational speed in an initial transmission stage is determined. If a first transmission shifting rotational speed is reached, the transmission is shifted from the initial transmission stage to a target transmission stage. A target transmission rotational speed of the target transmission stage is then ascertained. A difference is next ascertained between the target transmission rotational speed and a second shifting transmission rotational speed. An initial counter value, of a counter, is determined, which depends on the transmission rotational speed difference. The counter is next caused to carry out counting, from the initial counter value, as time progresses. If and when the counter value reaches zero, the transmission is shifted from the target transmission stage toward the initial transmission stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Wurthner, Ingo Sauter, Achim Tegen
  • Publication number: 20080183371
    Abstract: A device for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine which drives a transmission, via an automated clutch. The transmission has one or more continuous or stepped variable ratios and the vehicle has a coasting cutoff signal. While coasting, the coasting cutoff signal can interrupt the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine and, upon reaching or falling below a previously defined rotational speed, causes the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine is resumed. The transmission has, In addition to the gear ratios needed for driving, coasting ratios for operating the transmission with a coasting cutoff signal, which enables lower reduction ratios than the ratios for the driving operation in order to reduce the drag torque of the internal combustion engine that acts on the output. The additional ratios are either stepped or continuously variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Werner WOLFGANG, Olrik WEINMANN, Peter REITZ, Uwe GRIESMEIER, Maik WURTHNER
  • Publication number: 20060154783
    Abstract: A method for establishing malfunctions of components of a motor vehicle power train as well as the reaction to the same. The power train has a drive motor and an automatic transmission with respectively allocated control devices, setting apparatus and sensors, and the transmission input shaft is allocated a torque sensor for recording the transmission input shaft. During operation of the motor vehicle, the functions of the control devices, the operating elements, the sensors and their data transmission apparatus as well as the measured values of the transmission input torque are recorded and checked for signs of malfunction. After recognizing such a malfunction, operations are conducted by means of which the motor vehicle can be further operated in an emergency type of operation or with the aid of which the driving operation can be safely ended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Werner Wolfgang, Thomas Jager, Mario Steinborn, Rupert Kramer, Franz Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20060154781
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for operating an automatically actuated friction clutch and/or a transmission within the drive train, in which a torque sensor is assigned to the input shaft of the transmission. In order to improve the operation of such a drive train, it is provided according to the invention that the curve of the measured transmission input torque is determined and evaluated in order to determine the load properties of the friction clutch and/or the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Werner Wolfgang, Thomas Jager, Mario Steinborn, Rupert Kramer, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 6691806
    Abstract: The invention concerns a drive unit for a tracked vehicle with a first and a second electric generator (6, 8) and with a first and a second internal combustion engine (10, 12), such that one generator (6, 8) can be driven respectively by one combustion engine (10, 12), and with electric drive motors (14, 16, 18, 20) for driving a right-hand and a left-hand drive track (4, 2). According to the invention it is proposed that the elements of the drive unit are linked in such manner that the right-hand drive track (4) is associated with first and second right-hand electric drive motors (14, 16), the left-hand drive track (2) is associated with first and second left-hand electric drive motors (18, 20), the two first drive motors (14, 18) being fed by the first generator (6) and the two second drive motors (16, 20) being fed by the second generator (8). Due to the wiring of the energy paths according to the invention, very great operational security is achieved even when the drive unit is partially damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Hubert Hund, Thomas Rösch, Bruno Walter
  • Publication number: 20030015356
    Abstract: The invention concerns a drive unit for a tracked vehicle with a first and a second electric generator (6, 8) and with a first and a second internal combustion engine (10, 12), such that one generator (6, 8) can be driven respectively by one combustion engine (10, 12), and with electric drive motors (14, 16, 18, 20) for driving a right-hand and a left-hand drive track (4, 2). According to the invention it is proposed that the elements of the drive unit are linked in such manner that the right-hand drive track (4) is associated with first and second right-hand electric drive motors (14, 16), the left-hand drive track (2) is associated with first and second left-hand electric drive motors (18, 20), the two first drive motors (14, 18) being fed by the first generator (6) and the two second drive motors (16, 20) being fed by the second generator (8). Due to the wiring of the energy paths according to the invention, very great operational security is achieved even when the drive unit is partially damaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Hubert Hund, Thomas Rosch, Bruno Walter
  • Patent number: 6313592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a motor vehicle having electric drive mechanism, especially a city autobus, in which one or more wheels are driven by one electric motor and which is provided with an electric brake and a control circuit, wherein when a first defined threshold value (1) of the rotational speed (n) of the electric motor is exceeded, the drive torque (m) is cut back and is reduced down to zero when the rotational speed (n) continues to increase, and that when a second defined threshold value (3) of the rotational speed (n) which is higher than the first threshold value (1) is exceeded, the electric brake is engaged and as the rotational speed increases exerts a maximum brake torque when a limit value (4) is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Voss, Bernd Müller, Bert Hellwig, Gerald Karch, Werner Wolfgang