Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Groner
Wolfgang Groner 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).
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Patent number: 11473633Abstract: A method for controlling an automated starter clutch (4) in a drive train of a motor vehicle (1), which drive train has a transmission (3). In at least one first mode, the starter clutch (4) is operated automatically and is transitioned in an event-controlled manner into a second mode, in which the starter clutch (4) can be operated in such a way that upon actuation of the starter clutch (4), at least one jolt-like movement of the motor vehicle (1) is caused. In the second mode, the actuation of the starter clutch (4) is initiated and controlled depending upon operation of an accelerator pedal (13).Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Lutz Müller, Wolfgang Gröner
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Publication number: 20220003282Abstract: A method for controlling an automated starter clutch (4) in a drive train of a motor vehicle (1), which drive train has a transmission (3). In at least one first mode, the starter clutch (4) is operated automatically and is transitioned in an event-controlled manner into a second mode, in which the starter clutch (4) can be operated in such a way that upon actuation of the starter clutch (4), at least one jolt-like movement of the motor vehicle (1) is caused. In the second mode, the actuation of the starter clutch (4) is initiated and controlled depending upon operation of an accelerator pedal (13).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2019Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Lutz MÜLLER, Wolfgang GRÖNER
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Patent number: 9387848Abstract: A method of controlling and regulating a transmission brake which, for the purpose of synchronization, determines a target rotational speed of a shaft to be synchronized on the basis of an actual rotational speed of a transmission shaft, and controls a transmission brake such that the determined target rotational speed is set for the shaft that is to be synchronized. The transmission brake also carries out additional functions. These functions require no, or only minimal, additional hardware complexity in a cost-neutral way, but considerably increase the functional and practical value of the transmission brake. The comfort and speed of shifting operations, the protection or, as the case may be, the detection of error states in sensors, a clutch, a main clutch or a motor control are improved, and undesirable transmission states avoided. It is also possible to account for and influence other conditions, such as the operation of ancillary devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith, Wolfgang Groner, Rupert Kramer
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Publication number: 20130296134Abstract: A method of controlling and regulating a transmission brake which, for the purpose of synchronization, determines a target rotational speed of a shaft to be synchronized on the basis of an actual rotational speed of a transmission shaft, and controls a transmission brake such that the determined target rotational speed is set for the shaft that is to be synchronized. The transmission brake also carries out additional functions. These functions require no, or only minimal, additional hardware complexity in a cost-neutral way, but considerably increase the functional and practical value of the transmission brake. The comfort and speed of shifting operations, the protection or, as the case may be, the detection of error states in sensors, a clutch, a main clutch or a motor control are improved, and undesirable transmission states avoided. It is also possible to account for and influence other conditions, such as the operation of ancillary devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Rainer PETZOLD, Mario STEINBORN, Ulrich REITH, Wolfgang GRONER, Rupert KRAMER
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Patent number: 7699750Abstract: A method for controlling a partially unsynchronized manual transmission, which realizes the increase of a rotational speed of a transmission part to be synchronized during a gear change procedure by connecting one element of the transmission, via a shiftable clutch, to a drive motor and by making available to this drive motor the required rotational speed as well as the necessary torque at its output shaft. It is also provided that when the rotational speed and/or the torque made available by the drive motor is not sufficient to ensure the synchronization of the manual transmission within a fixed time period, a shifting strategy is pursued, which prevents an unintentional holding of the manual transmission in its neutral position or idle position.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Reinhard Mertinkat, Rainer Petzold, Andreas Wolf, Gerd Sauermann, Klaus Hensinger, Wolfgang Gröner, Ulrich Reith
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Patent number: 7632211Abstract: A shift control method of a range group transmission with a multi-speed main transmission, which connects with a drive motor, via a clutch (K) and an input shaft. A transmission brake optionally engages the input shaft. At least a two range group is located downstream of the main transmission. A range change shift is accomplished by changing a gear of the main transmission and the range group. The shifting sequence is accelerated by: reducing motor torque and disengaging the clutch (K); disengaging a previous range group gear; synchronizing a new range group gear; disengaging a previous main transmission gear; engaging the new range group gear; synchronizing a new main transmission gear; engaging the new main transmission gear; and engaging the clutch (K) and increasing the motor torque, such that synchronization of the new gear occurs by influencing the input shaft of the main transmission.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Wolfgang Groner, Andelko Vesenjak, Thomas Hafen
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Publication number: 20080227601Abstract: A method for controlling a partially unsynchronized manual transmission, which realizes the increase of a rotational speed of a transmission part to be synchronized during a gear change procedure by connecting one element of the transmission, via a shiftable clutch, to a drive motor and by making available to this drive motor the required rotational speed as well as the necessary torque at its output shaft. It is also provided that when the rotational speed and/or the torque made available by the drive motor is not sufficient to ensure the synchronization of the manual transmission within a fixed time period, a shifting strategy is pursued, which prevents an unintentional holding of the manual transmission in its neutral position or idle position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2005Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Reinhard Mertinkat, Rainer Petzold, Andreas Wolf, Gerd Sauermann, Klaus Hensinger, Wolfgang Groner, Ulrich Reith
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Patent number: 7395730Abstract: A control procedure for an automatic transmission, wherein, via a gear range shifter, a change of the gear range both between the forward travel gear range and the reverse travel gear range and between a fast gear mode and a creeper gear mode can be put into action. A control apparatus selects a transmission gear to be engaged, dependent on data, input by an operator with the aid of a gear range shifter for the manual choice of a driving gear area, whereby the gear range shifter possesses at least a D-shifting position for the selection of a forward travel gear range, an N-position for the selection of an idle running position of the automatic transmission and an R-position for the selection of a reverse travel gear range, and that the automatic transmission can be driven in a fast gear mode as well as in a creeper gear mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rupert Kramer, Wolfgang Gröner, Stefan Veittinger
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Publication number: 20080113847Abstract: A shift control method of a range group transmission with a multi-speed main transmission, which connects with a drive motor, via a clutch (K) and an input shaft. A transmission brake optionally engages the input shaft. At least a two range group is located downstream of the main transmission. A range change shift is accomplished by changing a gear of the main transmission and the range group. The shifting sequence is accelerated by: reducing motor torque and disengaging the clutch (K); disengaging a previous range group gear; synchronizing a new range group gear; disengaging a previous main transmission gear; engaging the new range group gear; synchronizing a new main transmission gear; engaging the new main transmission gear; and engaging the clutch (K) and increasing the motor torque, such that synchronization of the new gear occurs by influencing the input shaft of the main transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2005Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Wolfgang Groner, Andelko Vesenjak, Thomas Hafen
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Publication number: 20080065300Abstract: A method for controlling and regulating a transmission brake which, for the purpose of synchronization, determines a target rotational speed of a shaft that is to be synchronized on the basis of an actual rotational speed of a transmission shaft, and controls a transmission brake such that the determined target rotational speed is set for the shaft that is supposed to be synchronized. The transmission brake also carries out additional functions. These functions require no, or only minimal, additional hardware complexity in a cost-neutral way, but considerably increase the functional and practical value of the transmission brake. The comfort and speed of shifting operations, the protection, or as the case may be the detection of error states in sensors, clutch, main clutch, and motor control are improved, and undesirable transmission states avoided. It is also possible to account for and influence other conditions, such as the operation of ancillary devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2005Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith, Wolfgang Groner, Rupert Kramer
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Publication number: 20070288149Abstract: A method for determining a gear transmission ratio in the drivetrain of a motor vehicle having an engine, a clutch and a variable speed gearbox. A gear transmission ratio between the engine and the variable speed gearbox being determined from the rotational speed of the output shaft of the engine and the rotational speed of the output shaft of the variable speed gearbox. A method having additional steps of determining an amount of the current speed of the motor vehicle and processing the value of the current rotational speed of the output shaft of the variable speed gearbox and the value of the current speed of the motor vehicle using a processing unit so that the gear transmission ratio of the vehicle components of the drivetrain located downstream of the variable speed gearbox is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2005Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Muller, Wolfgang Groner
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Publication number: 20060111219Abstract: A control procedure for an automatic transmission, wherein, via a gear range shifter, a change of the gear range both between the forward travel gear range and the reverse travel gear range and between a fast gear mode and a creeper gear mode can be put into action. A control apparatus selects a transmission gear to be engaged, dependent on data, input by an operator with the aid of a gear range shifter for the manual choice of a driving gear area, whereby the gear range shifter possesses at least a D-shifting position for the selection of a forward travel gear range, an N-position for the selection of an idle running position of the automatic transmission and an R-position for the selection of a reverse travel gear range, and that the automatic transmission can be driven in a fast gear mode as well as in a creeper gear mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2005Publication date: May 25, 2006Inventors: Rupert Kramer, Wolfgang Groner, Stefan Veittinger