Patents by Inventor Pascal Febrer

Pascal Febrer 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: 9340186
    Abstract: A system for controlling release of an automatic parking brake device onboard an automobile, that includes a transmission mechanism transmitting an instruction several times for releasing the parking brake device, and an interface provided between the transmissions of the release instruction and for transmitting a release instruction of the parking brake device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christophe Desfriches, Pascal Febrer, Alessandro Monti
  • Patent number: 9120477
    Abstract: A system for managing braking of an automotive vehicle including an assisted parking brake with at least one brake actuator capable of acting on at least one wheel of the vehicle and a mechanism applying the parking brake. The system includes a mechanism automatically increasing firmness with which the parking brake is applied after the vehicle engine stops, which includes a module that detects stopping of the engine and a module that commands an increase in the firmness of application. The module is configured to emit a signal characteristic of the stopping of the engine as a function of a status of the engine and of a status of an electrical supply. The module is configured to emit a signal demanding an increase in the firmness of application as a function of a status of the brake actuators and of signal characteristic of the stopping of the engine that comes from the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Arnaud Losq, Alessandro Monti
  • Patent number: 9079496
    Abstract: A device distributing engine torque between first and second wheel sets of a vehicle, including a mode switch movable between a first stable position and a second unstable position, activating first and second engine torque distribution modes. When the vehicle stops while the second distribution mode is activated and then restarts after a stop duration, the second distribution mode is activated if the stop duration is less than a time delay, otherwise the first distribution mode is activated. It is determined, in the second distribution mode, whether the vehicle exceeds a predetermined maximum speed threshold. If so, a transition is made to an on-road mode. In the off-road mode, it is determined whether the vehicle exceeds a predetermined intermediate speed threshold, strictly less than maximum speed threshold in an off-road mode, during a time greater than a predetermined duration, to transition back to the on-road mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Olivier Boutron, Pascal Febrer, Francois Foussard, Nicolas Romani
  • Patent number: 9079577
    Abstract: A method of operating a transmission system of an automotive vehicle, the transmission system including a mechanism of mechanically coupling first and second axles of the transmission system, a status of the coupling mechanism defining a number of transmission modes. In the method, if the automotive vehicle crosses a speed threshold for a determined length of time, for example between 30 seconds and two minutes, the transmission system switches from a first mode in which the torque that can be transmitted by the mechanical coupling mechanism is fixed, into a different transmission mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Nicolas Romani, Philippe Saint Loup
  • Patent number: 9037363
    Abstract: A method of operating a transmission system of an automotive vehicle, the transmission system including a mechanism of mechanically coupling first and second axles of the transmission system, a status of the coupling mechanism defining a number of transmission modes. The transmission system includes a button of pulse type controlling selection of a transmission mode and, after the vehicle has stalled, the transmission mode that is active following restarting of the vehicle is the mode that was active before the vehicle stalled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Nicolas Romani, Philippe Saint Loup
  • Patent number: 8977460
    Abstract: A method managing a device distributing engine torque between main and secondary wheel sets of a motor vehicle, the distributing device including an actuator distributing engine torque, a control unit exhibiting plural distribution modes of the engine torque and adopting one distribution mode as a function of a variable and a button selecting a distribution mode delivering an information item representative of the button position, the control unit determining, in regular operation, the variable, as a function of the information item; the method includes: detecting potential failure of the selection button, including verifying consistency of the information item; activation of degraded mode of operation, when a failure of the button is detected, in which a constant value is allocated to the variable; during degraded operation, monitoring end of failure, including verifying consistency of the information item; activation of regular mode of operation, when end of failure is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Francois Foussard, Stephane Guegan, Alessandro Monti
  • Patent number: 8918259
    Abstract: A splitting of drive torque between front and rear wheelsets includes an actuator to split the torque between the wheelsets, an electronic unit controlling switching of the actuator into a coupled or uncoupled mode, a mechanism electrically powering the electronic unit, and sensors. The electronic unit can make the system adopt: an active operation in which a control signal is generated and the temperature of the actuator is estimated; and a sleep mode in which the temperature of the actuator is not estimated; the switch to sleep mode being authorized: only when the engine is stopped, and if the actuator temperature is below or equal to a threshold or a maximum time period has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Francois Foussard, Stephane Guegan, Alessandro Monti
  • Patent number: 8463520
    Abstract: Following an automobile start command, at least one condition is examined before a hill start assist is executed and if the condition is fulfilled, the execution of the hill start assist is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Alessandro Monti
  • Publication number: 20130110359
    Abstract: A method of operating a transmission system of an automotive vehicle, the transmission system including a mechanism of mechanically coupling first and second axles of the transmission system, a status of the coupling mechanism defining a number of transmission modes. The transmission system includes a button of pulse type controlling selection of a transmission mode and, after the vehicle has stalled, the transmission mode that is active following restarting of the vehicle is the mode that was active before the vehicle stalled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Nicolas Romani, Philippe Saint Loup
  • Publication number: 20130096794
    Abstract: A splitting of drive torque between front and rear wheelsets includes an actuator to split the torque between the wheelsets, an electronic unit controlling switching of the actuator into a coupled or uncoupled mode, a mechanism electrically powering the electronic unit, and sensors. The electronic unit can make the system adopt: an active operation in which a control signal is generated and the temperature of the actuator is estimated; and a sleep mode in which the temperature of the actuator is not estimated; the switch to sleep mode being authorized: only when the engine is stopped, and if the actuator temperature is below or equal to a threshold or a maximum time period has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Fracois Foussard, Stephane Guegan, Alessandro Monti
  • Patent number: 8412408
    Abstract: A system including a calculator and a control housing including switches having a single stable position in an opened position and with a manual control member for the switches. The control member is of monostable type with automatic return into a rest position in which all switches are open. The housing includes: a single first switch controlling actuation of brakes and adapted to be closed upon an action on the control member in a first direction; a single second switch controlling release of the brakes and adapted to be closed upon an action on the control member in a second direction opposite the first direction; and a diagnosis circuit providing, according to the position of the control member, an analog information distinguishing between a system activated state in which one of the first and second switches is closed, a system deactivated state in which the first and second switches are open, and malfunction states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Gael Hedouin, Ramiro Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20130080002
    Abstract: A method of operating a transmission system of an automotive vehicle, the transmission system including a mechanism of mechanically coupling first and second axles of the transmission system, a status of the coupling mechanism defining a number of transmission modes. In the method, if the automotive vehicle crosses a speed threshold for a determined length of time, for example between 30 seconds and two minutes, the transmission system switches from a first mode in which the torque that can be transmitted by the mechanical coupling mechanism is fixed, into a different transmission mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Nicolas Romani, Philippe Saint Loup
  • Publication number: 20130066531
    Abstract: A device distributing engine torque between first and second wheel sets of a vehicle, including a mode switch movable between a first stable position and a second unstable position, activating first and second engine torque distribution modes. When the vehicle stops while the second distribution mode is activated and then restarts after a stop duration, the second distribution mode is activated if the stop duration is less than a time delay, otherwise the first distribution mode is activated. It is determined, in the second distribution mode, whether the vehicle exceeds a predetermined maximum speed threshold. If so, a transition is made to an on-road mode. In the off-road mode, it is determined whether the vehicle exceeds a predetermined intermediate speed threshold, strictly less than maximum speed threshold in an off-road mode, during a time greater than a predetermined duration, to transition back to the on-road mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s
    Inventors: Olivier Boutron, Pascal Febrer, Francois Foussard, Nicolas Romani
  • Publication number: 20130054105
    Abstract: A method managing a device distributing engine torque between main and secondary wheel sets of a motor vehicle, the distributing device including an actuator distributing engine torque, a control unit exhibiting plural distribution modes of the engine torque and adopting one distribution mode as a function of a variable and a button selecting a distribution mode delivering an information item representative of the button position, the control unit determining, in regular operation, the variable, as a function of the information item; the method includes: detecting potential failure of the selection button, including verifying consistency of the information item; activation of degraded mode of operation, when a failure of the button is detected, in which a constant value is allocated to the variable; during degraded operation, monitoring end of failure, including verifying consistency of the information item; activation of regular mode of operation, when end of failure is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Francois Foussard, Stephane Guegan, Alessandro Monti
  • Publication number: 20120296516
    Abstract: A system including a calculator and a control housing including switches having a single stable position in an opened position and with a manual control member for the switches. The control member is of monostable type with automatic return into a rest position in which all switches are open. The housing includes: a single first switch controlling actuation of brakes and adapted to be closed upon an action on the control member in a first direction; a single second switch controlling release of the brakes and adapted to be closed upon an action on the control member in a second direction opposite the first direction; and a diagnosis circuit providing, according to the position of the control member, an analog information distinguishing between a system activated state in which one of the first and second switches is closed, a system deactivated state in which the first and second switches are open, and malfunction states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Gael Hedouin, Ramiro Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20110272225
    Abstract: A system for managing braking of an automotive vehicle including an assisted parking brake with at least one brake actuator capable of acting on at least one wheel of the vehicle and a mechanism applying the parking brake. The system includes a mechanism automatically increasing firmness with which the parking brake is applied after the vehicle engine stops, which includes a module that detects stopping of the engine and a module that commands an increase in the firmness of application. The module is configured to emit a signal characteristic of the stopping of the engine as a function of a status of the engine and of a status of an electrical supply. The module is configured to emit a signal demanding an increase in the firmness of application as a function of a status of the brake actuators and of signal characteristic of the stopping of the engine that comes from the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Arnaud Losq, Alessandro Monti
  • Publication number: 20110276244
    Abstract: Following an automobile start command, at least one condition is examined before a hill start assist is executed and if the condition is fulfilled, the execution of the hill start assist is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Alessandro Monti
  • Publication number: 20100250062
    Abstract: A system for controlling release of an automatic parking brake device onboard an automobile, that includes a transmission mechanism transmitting an instruction several times for releasing the parking brake device, and an interface provided between the transmissions of the release instruction and for transmitting a release instruction of the parking brake device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christophe Desfriches, Pascal Febrer, Alessandro Monti