Zf Friedrichshafen Ag

Zf Friedrichshafen

Loren Christopher Dreier

Ingo Sauter

Ingo-Gerd Sauter

Peter B Hartig

Jeff Austin

A system for preventing damage to a vehicle, such as a truck, is provided. A sensor may be operable to measure a parameter relating to a component in a vehicle and to provide a parameter signal indicative of the measured parameter. A processor may be in communication with the sensor and operable to receive the parameter signal from the sensor. The processor may be further operable to analyze the parameter signal. The processor may be further operable to initiate a damage prevention process including a reduction of heat generation in the vehicle based on the parameter.

System for preventing damage to a vehicle

A method and system for automated manual transmission shift methodologies for coasting conditions are disclosed. A coast condition is detected in a vehicle having a transmission that couples prime mover power from a transmission input to a transmission output at a plurality of different gear ratios. A target gear ratio is selected based on the power loss attributes associated with each gear ratio. Each gear ratio is associated with a power loss attribute indicative of a power loss between the transmission input and transmission output when prime mover power is coupled from the transmission input to the transmission output using that gear ratio. The transmission is shifted from a current gear ratio to the target gear ratio if the target and current gear ratios differ. By selecting the target gear ratio, vehicle fuel efficiency is improved, while keeping the vehicle under constant prime mover braking or continuous prime mover control.

Shift to direct drive during coast conditions

A method and system for hybrid automated manual transmission and non-hybrid automated manual transmission shift methodologies for tanker trucks are disclosed. A request is received to change a transmission gear ratio of a vehicle transporting a liquid. The request is rejected if a condition indicative of liquid sloshing is detected, and the gear ratio is changed from a current gear ratio to a target gear ratio if the condition indicative of liquid sloshing is not detected. A trigger may enable the detection of liquid sloshing. A transmission controller selects a current gear ratio of the transmission, detects a condition indicative of sloshing of the liquid transported by the vehicle, disables a selection of a select a target gear ratio of the transmission if the condition indicative of liquid sloshing is detected, and selects a target gear ratio of the transmission if the condition indicative of liquid sloshing is not detected.

Automated manual transmission shift methodology for tanker trucks

A vehicle mass estimation system for use in a vehicle, such as a truck, including a transmission is provided. A processor may be operable to receive a signal relating to a mass of at least a portion of the vehicle. The processor may be further operable to estimate a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the signal. The processor may be further operable to select a desired gear ratio for engagement in a transmission based, at least in part, on the estimated vehicle mass.

System for estimating a vehicle mass

An operating device for actuating the shift mechanism in multi-ratio gear transmissions in motor vehicles, incorporating a shift rail (2) which is moveable in parallel to the gear axes and arranged in a transmission housing (30), this shift rail carries coupling devices (16, 18, 20, 22, 32, 42, 46, 50). The coupling devices form a connection between the shift rail (2) and the shift forks (4) of the engaging gears and, at the same time, block the shift forks (4) of the non-engaging gears. The coupling devices (16, 18, 20, 22, 32, 42, 46, 50) have detents (22, 26, 32, 36, 42, 60) by which the engaged gears can be blocked in their engaged position.

Operating device with single-shaft actuation

An operating device for actuating the shift mechanism in multi-ratio transmissions in motor vehicles, incorporating a selector shaft (2) which is largely moveable in parallel to the gear axes and arranged in a transmission housing, this selector shaft (2) carrying coupling devices (14, 26, 32) which form a connection between the selector shaft (2) and shift forks (4, 6, 8, 56) or swing forks of the engaging gears. There is an interlock (34, 54) provided for blocking the shift forks (4, 6, 8, 56) or swing forks of the gears which are not to be engaged. This interlock (34, 54) is designed as a single shift interlock (34, 54) for all gears, which cannot be axially moved together with the selector shaft (2) but which can be rotated around the rotation axis (16) of the selector shaft (2) together with the selector shaft (2), the shift interlock (34, 54) having elements (62, 68, 78) which engage in the shift forks (4, 6, 8, 56).

Single-shaft operating device for actuating a shift mechanism including

An oil-slinger device (60) is proposed for a bearing (36) of a shaft (32) in a transmission housing (34) of a motor vehicle (2). On the oil-slinger device (60) projections (72) are provided which cooperate with intakes (74) in the transmission housing (34) to form a positive locking connection. An end (84) of the oil-slinger device (60) is situated within the transmission housing (34) between the bearing (36) to be supplied and the transmission housing (34). The oil-slinger device (60) is preferably made of a heat-resistant plastic material and is divided in three sections, a first section (62) which essentially serves to collect the oil, a second section (70) designed as tank and a third section (8) which conveys the oil to the bearing (36) to be lubricated. Above the oil-slinger device (60) there can be provided ribs (94) from which oil can drip into the oil-slinger device (60).

Growing community of inventors

Southern Pines, NC, United States of America

Loren Christopher Dreier