Patents by Inventor Damiano Molfetta

Damiano Molfetta 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: 8504268
    Abstract: In a method for applying a parking brake of a vehicle depending on the roadway conditions, at least one electromechanical braking system has a parking brake and an operational brake function. An operational brake force is produced on each wheel to slow the vehicle down to a standstill. A parking brake force is generated on at least two wheels of the vehicle. The parking brake forces have an amount that corresponds to the total of the previous parking brake forces applied to all of the wheels and subsequently the stopping of the vehicle is tesste. When the vehicle is maintained in the stop position, the amount of the parking brake force on the at least two wheels is reduced and simultaneously, the service brake forces that are reduced by a certain amount corresponding to the parking brake forces are built up at least on the other wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Baier-Welt, Damiano Molfetta
  • Publication number: 20100211281
    Abstract: In a method for applying a parking brake of a vehicle depending on the roadway conditions, at least one electromechanical braking system has a parking brake and an operational brake function. An operational brake force is produced on each wheel to slow the vehicle down to a standstill. A parking brake force is generated on at least two wheels of the vehicle. The parking brake forces have an amount that corresponds to the total of the previous parking brake forces applied to all of the wheels and subsequently the stopping of the vehicle is tested. When the vehicle is maintained in the stop position, the amount of the parking brake force on the at least two wheels is reduced and simultaneously, the service brake forces that are reduced by a certain amount corresponding to the parking brake forces are built up at least on the other wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Christian Baier-Welt, Damiano Molfetta
  • Patent number: 7630814
    Abstract: In a system for controlling a parking brake of a brake system of a motor vehicle, a first target value for the braking force of the parking brake is predefined by a operating element for the parking brake and the braking force for the parking brake is released by a operating element. When a start-up intention is detected, the control system minimizes the braking force of the parking brake in relation to the first target value, in accordance with the environmental conditions of the motor vehicle. For the first time a provisional minimization of the braking force of a parking brake for a foreseeable start-up situation is permitted, thus allowing the start-up operation of a motor vehicle to be as comfortable as possible with maximum security of the automatic functions. The system is particularly suitable for electromechanical parking brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Goss, Alexander Kalbeck, Damiano Molfetta
  • Publication number: 20080202870
    Abstract: A holding brake device has a brake body, a drive output body and a brake surface. The drive output body is arranged so as to be axially moveable. The drive output body can be coupled to a drive output unit, by which an axial drive output force can be exerted on the drive output body in a predefined direction. The drive output body has a guide element. The brake body has a guide in which the guide element of the drive output body is guided. The brake body and the guide are designed such that the brake body is clamped between the guide element and the brake surface, or the clamping of the brake body between the guide element and the brake surface is released, depending on a current position of the brake body in relation to the guide element of the drive output body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Damiano Molfetta
  • Publication number: 20080147286
    Abstract: In a system for controlling a parking brake of a brake system of a motor vehicle, a first target value for the braking force of the parking brake is predefined by a operating element for the parking brake and the braking force for the parking brake is released by a operating element. When a start-up intention is detected, the control system minimizes the braking force of the parking brake in relation to the first target value, in accordance with the environmental conditions of the motor vehicle. For the first time a provisional minimization of the braking force of a parking brake for a foreseeable start-up situation is permitted, thus allowing the start-up operation of a motor vehicle to be as comfortable as possible with maximum security of the automatic functions. The system is particularly suitable for electromechanical parking brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stefan Goss, Alexander Kalbeck, Damiano Molfetta
  • Publication number: 20080087509
    Abstract: To securely park a motor vehicle (1) a parking brake (5) is often used, the brake actuating a hydraulically or electrically-assisted braking system (5, 5a) by means of a control button. If a speed signal is not available the reliable functioning of the parking brake (5) is no longer guaranteed. To activate the parking brake (5), the control button (2) is depressed for least a predetermined time period, the displacement mode of the motor vehicle (1) is detected using a signal of a further device (3,4, 6 to 9) and the parking brake (5) is only activated if the motor vehicle (1) has attained a predetermined limit value for the displacement mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Alexander Kalbeck, Damiano Molfetta