Patents by Inventor Hubert Bohner

Hubert Bohner 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: 6814177
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system has a steering grip, in particular a steering wheel, which is operated by the driver, an actuating unit which operates steered vehicle wheels, and a manual force regulator which is coupled via a flexible coupling element with the steering grip and simulates parameter-dependent steering forces on the steering grip. A damping device is provided for reducing the formation of vibrations between the steering grip and the manual force regulator. The damping device interacts with the steering grip either directly or indirectly to damp relative motions between the steering grip and the manual force regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser
  • Publication number: 20040168848
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system has a steering grip, in particular a steering wheel, which is operated by the driver, an actuating unit which operates steered vehicle wheels, and a manual force regulator which is coupled via a flexible coupling element with the steering grip and simulates parameter-dependent steering forces on the steering grip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser
  • Patent number: 6712174
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system has a steering grip, in particular a steering wheel, which is operated by the driver, an actuating unit which operates steered vehicle wheels, and a manual force regulator which is coupled via a flexible coupling element with the steering grip and simulates parameter-dependent steering forces on the steering grip. A damping device is provided for reducing the formation of vibrations between the steering grip and the manual force regulator. The damping device interacts with the steering grip either directly or indirectly to damp relative motions between the steering grip and the manual force regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser
  • Patent number: 6612393
    Abstract: A steering system functions in accordance with the “steer by wire” concept and has a normal operating system without positive coupling between the steering handle and the steered vehicle wheels, as well as an emergency operating system, which functions with positive coupling between the steered vehicle wheels and the steering handle. An auxiliary operating system is additionally provided, which, in response to malfunctions of the normal operating system, assumes its tasks and, in a transitional phase, adapts the performance characteristics of the steering system to those of the emergency system, which is switched on upon conclusion of the transitional phase. Thus, at the transition from the normal operating system to the emergency operating system, the driver is given time to become accustomed to the other steering performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Rainer Freitag, Mathias Hartl, Wolfgang Schrock, Tobias Speidel
  • Publication number: 20020092696
    Abstract: A steering system functions in accordance with the “steer by wire” concept and has a normal operating system without positive coupling between the steering handle and the steered vehicle wheels, as well as an emergency operating system, which functions with positive coupling between the steered vehicle wheels and the steering handle. An auxiliary operating system is additionally provided, which, in response to malfunctions of the normal operating system, assumes its tasks and, in a transitional phase, adapts the performance characteristics of the steering system to those of the emergency system, which is switched on upon conclusion of the transitional phase. Thus, at the transition from the normal operating system to the emergency operating system, the driver is given time to become accustomed to the other steering performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Rainer Freitag, Mathias Hartl, Wolfgang Schrock, Tobias Speidel
  • Patent number: 6367575
    Abstract: A steering system for motor vehicles, in which a steering member or steering wheel and the steered vehicle wheels are hydraulically positively coupled for the steering actuation of the wheels. An additional servo system is provided which is responsive to torque transmitted between the steering wheel and master unit of the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser
  • Patent number: 6336519
    Abstract: A steering system is provided for motor vehicles, in which, during the normal operation, the driver adjusts an actual steering angle value generator by way of a steering handle. A control and automatic control arrangement correspondingly operates the steered vehicle wheels by a motor-operated adjusting assembly. For an emergency, a forced coupling is provided between the steering handle and the steered vehicle wheels which switches on automatically. This forced coupling is constructed such that a centering mode can be switched on, during which, when the forced coupling is at least partially switched off, the manual steering wheel can be adjusted until a position is reached. Thereby, in the straight-ahead position of the steered vehicle wheels, the manual steering wheel takes up a defined normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Gerhard Kurz, Karl-Eugen Laubacher, Tobias Speidel
  • Patent number: 6323763
    Abstract: A steering system for motor vehicles, has a steering handle, for example steering handwheel, capable of being operated by the driver. A steering actuating drive provides for the steering adjustment of steerable vehicle wheels. A steering-angle desired-value encoder is capable of being operated by the steering handle, and a steering-angle actual-value encoder operates via the steerable vehicle wheels. A regulating and control arrangement operates the steering actuating drive as a function of a comparison of the desired and actual values of the steering angle. The risk of a collision between a vehicle equipped with the steering system and an obstacle is reduced, and the steering system is suitable for steer-by-wire operation by equipping the steering system with collision prevention apparatus which determine steering angles (collision steering angles) making a collision possible between the motor vehicle and an obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Rainer Freitag, Martin Moser, Reinhold Schneckenburger
  • Patent number: 6305490
    Abstract: A steering valve arrangement of a hydraulic steering system has a rotary valve with a first and a second control part that are rotationally movable relative to one another. By rotational adjustment of the control parts a hydraulic servomotor is controlled which is connected drivewise with the steered wheels of a vehicle. An electric motor is mounted in a fixed location for actuating the rotary valve relative to the first control part and is connected drivewise with the second control part. The driving connection from the electric motor to the second control part is provided indirectly by a step-down transmission, including a small gear fixed to the motor drive shaft and a large gear connection with the second control part. The steering valve and the motor are disposed side by side and parallel to one another in a compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, Mercedes-Benz Lenkungen GmbH
    Inventors: Hendrik Loos, Martin Rothmund, Bernd Schiek, Hubert Bohner
  • Patent number: 6298940
    Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system for motor vehicles which is suitable for a steer-by-wire operation, having a steering handle which can be operated by a driver. A servo motor operates steered vehicle wheels. A servo valve operates the servo motor and is constructed as a rotary slide valve arrangement having mutually rotationally movable control parts which, together, are pushed by a spring system into a normal position relative to one another. An actuator is coupled with the control parts for their rotational adjustment relative to one another and operates the servo valve. A desired steering angle value generator is operated by way of the manual steering handle. An actual steering angle value generator is operated by way of the steered vehicle wheels. An automatic control circuit operates the actuator as a function of a comparison of the desired and actual steering angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser, Reinhold Schneckenburger
  • Patent number: 6285936
    Abstract: A steering system for vehicles can be operated in a normal mode, in which a steering handle actuated by the driver and steered vehicle wheels are connected to one another via a control system, and in an emergency mode, in which the steering handle and the steered vehicle wheels are positively coupled. To achieve a steering system which increases the operational reliability of the steering system by simple design measures, a steering-angle control unit for a steering-angle actuator actuates the steered vehicle wheels. The control unit contains a first steering-angle control system, and a manual-torque control unit for a manual-torque actuator actuates the steering handle for the purpose of simulating manual torques. The control unit also contains a first manual-torque control system, and the steering-angle control unit comprises a second manual-torque control system, which is connected redundantly with the first manual-torque control system of the manual-torque control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Mathias Hartl, Gerhard Kurz, Martin Moser, Reinhold Schneckenburger
  • Patent number: 6283243
    Abstract: A way is provided to simulate the steering handle manual torques which correspond to a steering stop of the steered vehicle wheels for a vehicle steering system which can be operated in a normal mode and in an emergency mode. The steering system is capable of being switched between a steer-by-wire level assigned to the normal mode, on which level a steering handle is connected to steered vehicle wheels via an electric or electronic control system, and a fall-back level assigned to the emergency mode, on which level the steering handle is positively coupled mechanically and/or hydraulically to the steered vehicle wheels. The fall-back level is activated in normal mode if the steered vehicle wheels are displaced into the region of the steering stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: DaimChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Mathias Hartl, Reinhold Schneckenburger
  • Patent number: 6279675
    Abstract: A steering system of a non-tracked motor vehicle has steered vehicle wheels are connected in normal operation with respect to the effect with a steering handle only by way of an electronic automatic control unit which continuously monitors itself with respect to a correct operation. As a function of a desired-value generator, which is operated by the steering handle, this automatic control system operates an adjusting drive for the steering adjustment of the steered vehicle wheels. In the event of a malfunctioning of the automatic control system, a forced coupling is automatically switched effective between the steering handle and the steered vehicle wheels. This also takes place if the performance limit of the adjusting drive is reached so that the driver is capable of assisting the adjusting drive by the driver's manual force on the steering handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser, Reinhold Schneckenburger
  • Patent number: 6279673
    Abstract: In order to allow a traffic-lane following device in a vehicle to be used at relatively high vehicle speeds, a steering system is provided with a steering handle and a steering run which couples the steering handle to vehicle steered wheels. A servomotor is coupled to the steering run. A servovalve is arranged in the steering run and has a first control part (which is associated with a section on the steering handle side of the steering run) as well as a second control part (which is associated with a section on the vehicle steered wheel side of the steering run) to operate the servomotor as a function of relative movements between the control parts. An actuating drive is coupled to the section on the steering handle side of the steering run and is used to produce a steering force. A regulating and control arrangement uses a sensor system to determine required steering angle values which allow a traffic lane to be followed and uses a steering angle sensor to determine actual steering angle values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler A.G.
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser, Wolfgang Schrock
  • Patent number: 6273468
    Abstract: A steering system has a steering wheel and steered vehicle wheels which are normally connected only controlwise by a control system, with the steering wheel actuating a steering angle setpoint generator and with the steered vehicle wheels adjusting a steering angle actual value generator so that the control system can actuate a motorized steering control assembly in accordance with a setpoint-actual value comparison of the steering angle during control of the steered vehicle wheels by steering. Axial displaceability of the steering wheel is provided so that stable mounting prevents vibrations of the steering wheel and the feedback effects on the steering angle setpoint generator originating therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Wolfgang Schuliers
  • Patent number: 6269903
    Abstract: High functional reliability for a vehicle steering system that can be switched between a normal mode with a steer-by-wire level and an emergency mode with a fall-back level is achieved by providing that the fall-back level has a hydraulic system which contains a manual-side double-acting piston-cylinder unit which is actuated with a steering handle, e.g. steering wheel. The unit is positively coupled hydraulically to a wheel-side double-acting piston-cylinder unit which actuates steered vehicle wheels. A hydraulic charging system has a hydraulic pump, the inlet side of which is connected to a hydraulic-fluid reservoir. Switchable hydraulic couplings are provided for hydraulically coupling and decoupling the hydraulic system of the fall-back level and the hydraulic charging system to and from one another, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Mathias Hartl, Martin Moser, Wolfgang Schrock
  • Patent number: 6244371
    Abstract: A steering system of a non-track-bound motor vehicle having steered vehicle wheels which are operatively connected to a steering handle in normal operation only via an electronic regulating arrangement which checks itself continuously for correct operation. In a manner dependent on a desired-value transmitter actuated by the steering handle and on an actual-value transmitter actuated by way of the vehicle wheels, this regulating arrangement actuates an actuating drive for the steering displacement of the steered vehicle wheels. If the regulating arrangement malfunctions, a positive coupling between the steering handle and the steered vehicle wheels is automatically activated. This also occurs if a characteristic variable correlated with the desired/actual value deviation of the steering angle is outside tolerance thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser, Reinhold Schneckenburger
  • Patent number: 6220385
    Abstract: A steering system for a motor vehicle is not trackbound and has steered vehicle wheels which are connected only operationally in normal operation to a steering handwheel via an electronic control arrangement which actuates a steering actuator in accordance with a desired-value stipulation by way of the steering handwheel. In emergencies, a mechanical positive coupling becomes effective between the steering handwheel and the steered vehicle wheels. The operational state of the clutch is monitored by a sensor system in the case of normal operation, with the result that the normal operation can remain switched on only if the clutch is unambiguously open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser
  • Patent number: 6213246
    Abstract: In a steering system for a motor vehicle, the steered vehicle wheels, during normal operation, are coupled with a steering handle only through an electronic regulating system that constantly checks for correct function. The regulating system controls an actuator for the steering adjustment of the steered vehicle wheels in response to a signal from a set value transmitter which is actuated by the steering handle. During abnormal operation, a mechanical or hydraulic forced coupling is introduced between the steering handle and the steered vehicle wheels. At the same time the actuator and/or a manual force adjuster associated with the steering handle operate as a servo motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser, Reinhold Schneckenburger
  • Patent number: 6209677
    Abstract: A steering system of a non-tracked motor vehicle whose steered vehicle wheels are connected in the normal operation with respect to the effect with a steering handle only by way of an electronic automatic control unit which continuously monitors itself with respect to a correct operation. As a function of a desired-value generator, which is operated by the steering handle, and an actual-value generator operated by the vehicle wheels, this automatic control system operates an adjusting drive for the steering adjustment of the steered vehicle wheels. In the event of a malfunctioning of the automatic control system, a forced coupling is automatically switched effective between the steering handle and the steered vehicle wheels. When the forced coupling is switched on, the steering system operates as much as possible in the manner of a conventional power steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser, Reinhold Schneckenburger