Patents Represented by Attorney Nicolas E. Seckel
  • Patent number: 8352126
    Abstract: The system of the invention includes sensors (11, 12, 13) for measuring physical values useful for driving assistance, a path correction electronic calculator (20) including a Hill Assist (HA) module for hill start assistance and a Hill Descent Control module for limiting the downhill speed, and actuators (31 to 35) controlled by said calculator for acting on the different driving parameters. The calculator further includes a Hill Assist Descent Control (HADC) for driveability control assistance in slopes, that enables or disables the Hill Assist (HA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) modules based on specific control rules for managing intermediate life situations between the situations managed by the Hill Assist (HA) module and those managed by the Hill Descent Control (HDC) module. The invention also relates to automobiles and to automobile driving assistance systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Philippe Blaise, Emmanuel Charpin, Damien Joucgnoux
  • Patent number: 8322503
    Abstract: The inventive double-clutch transmission element for a hybrid pull chain of a motor vehicle comprises a motion input shaft (37), a motion output shaft (39), an electrical machine (31) comprising a stator (61) and a rotor (63), a first clutch (33) providing a connection between the input shaft (37) and an intermediate member (73), and a second clutch (35) providing a connection between the intermediate member (73) and the output shaft (39), the intermediate member (73) being coupled in rotation to the rotor (63). A casing comprising a first half-shell (51) rotatably supporting the input shaft (37) and a second half-shell (52) rotatably supporting the output shaft (39) defines a housing in which the two clutches (33, 35) and the electrical machine (31) are mounted in a co-axial manner. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such transmission element and to a method of mounting same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Emmanuel Combes, Herve Focqueur, Johannes Heinrich, Hans Jurgen Hauck
  • Patent number: 8311692
    Abstract: The invention relates to a braking method for a hybrid vehicle (1) comprising a drivetrain (3) controlled by a drivetrain computer (12), and a hydraulic braking system (15) controlled by a braking computer (21). In this method, as soon as the drivetrain computer (12) detects that the electrical braking torque is decreasing, this drivetrain computer (12) informs the hydraulic braking computer (21) of the value of the reduction in electric braking torque. The braking computer (21) then operates the hydraulic braking system (15) in such a way that the hydraulic braking torque applied to the wheels (2) by the brakes (17) compensates for this reduction in electric braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Vincent Mulot, Remy Delplace, Olivier Mechin, Yvan Le Neindre, Nicolas Thauvin
  • Patent number: 8287413
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power transmission device (1.1) that comprises an input shaft (2) to be connected to a thermal engine (3) and an output shaft (4) to be connected to a wheel shaft (5). The device (1.1) includes first and second electric machines (6, 7) and a mechanical assembly (12) ensuring the mechanical link between the input shaft, the output shaft and the shafts (8, 9) of the machines (6, 7). According to the invention, in order to limit the use of the epicyclic gear trains, at least one of the electric machines (8, 9) comprises a rotor (6.1) and a stator (6.2) connected to the mechanical assembly (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Sebastien Besnard, Carlos Junca, Aurelien Renault, Nicolas Robart
  • Patent number: 8290752
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for designing an automotive vehicle, wherein an automotive module is an automotive vehicle part (1, 2) or a group of automotive vehicle parts, comprising: the step of modeling the automotive modules; the step of mapping the automotive module models; the step of integrating, in a modeling assembly, the links (3) between the automotive modules, which is realized directly between the modules and neither between their models nor between their mappings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Jeremy Walter-Martin, Bruno Hazet, Celine Godard, Jerome Mortain, Laurent Houillon
  • Patent number: 8275532
    Abstract: An anti-skid device for the driving wheels (10) of a vehicle, in particular an automotive vehicle, includes an active braking device (16) of the torque to be transmitted to the driving wheels; a torque regulator (12) providing a control signal (Cb) to the active braking device (16) according to information on the regulation deviations (?v) relative to a set predetermined regulation; a control unit (20) providing the regulator (12) with regulation initialization information (In). The control unit (20) obtains the regulation initialization information (In) from evolution parameters of the vehicle on all terrains, such as the adhesion and the speed of the driving wheels, the slope and/or slant of the terrain. Application: anti-skid device for the wheels of an automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignees: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Philippe Blaise, Emmanuel Charpin, Damien Joucgnoux
  • Patent number: 8275517
    Abstract: The inventive control-assisting system for a motor vehicle comprises a power steering (1) associated with a steering wheel (2) and a power steering actuator (3) whose operation is controlled by a data processing unit (4) for applying power torque to the vehicle steering and is characterized in that said data processing unit (4) is connected to means (5) for controlling the power steering (1) return to at least one predetermined position by computing a return torque according to a disturbance rejection torque corresponding to a resistance torque applied to the steering system and to a reference torque corresponding to a torque required for controlling the steering wheel rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Marc Campo, Sebastien Lefranc
  • Patent number: 8206261
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of transmitting power between a shaft of a heat engine and a wheel axle shaft of a hybrid vehicle. The inventive method involves the use of: a power transmission device comprising an electric machine which is connected to (i) the heat engine by means of a clutch and (ii) a wheel axle shaft; and a starting system which is mechanically independent of the electric machine and which is connected to the heat engine. According to the invention, the heat engine is started by applying a torque to the shaft simultaneously using the starting system and the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Gaetan Rocq, Yvan Le Neindre, Cedric Launay
  • Patent number: 8205697
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method comprising: a thermal traction chain (50) including a front axle (12), a thermal engine (18) coupled by a coupling member (20) to a gearbox (22) for transmitting to the front axle (12) and via a front transmission (24) a vehicle traction power for different gear reduction ratios of the gearbox, at least one front electric machine (42, 46) coupled to the thermal engine (18) and ensuring at least the starting thereof, an electric traction chain (60) including a rear axle (62), at least one rear electric machine (68) mechanically coupled via a rear transmission (70) to the rear axle (62), at least one power electric network (74) connecting the rear electric machine (68) to electric energy storage means (40), and control means (44) for driving the thermal traction chain (50), the electric traction chain (60), and the electric energy storage means (40) in order to take into account all the life situations of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Xavier Delisle, David Calmels, Vincent Basso
  • Patent number: 8190327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the suspension of the body shell of a motor vehicle. The inventive device comprises a calculator (CSS) which can calculate a control value (ER) for an actuator (M) of a shock absorber (AM) of the suspension (S) as a function of at least one modal body shell speed calculated from a modal body shell acceleration. The invention is characterized by a sensor (CAP-DEB) for sensing wheel (A,B, C, D) travel in relation to the body shell, which is connected to a first means (CAL) for calculating the modal body shell acceleration from the travel measurement (DEB) provided by the sensor (CAP-DEB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Francois Poilbout
  • Patent number: 8181347
    Abstract: The invention relates to a geometrical conformation unit (1) for a vehicle, including: a frame (2) for receiving the vehicle body (5); two pairs of conformers ((12, 14), (13, 15)) to be attached on the frame symmetrically relative to the vehicle symmetry plane, each conformer (12, 14, 13, 15) including holding means (16) for maintaining the portion of the body opposite which said conformer (12, 14, 13, 15) is attached, each pair of conformers ((12, 14), (13, 15)) including a front conformer (12, 13) maintaining the front portion of the body (5) and a rear conformer (14, 15) maintaining the rear portion of the body (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Bruno Martinais
  • Patent number: 8163431
    Abstract: Bipolar plate for a fuel cell, of the type comprising a cathode bipolar half-plate and an anode bipolar half-plate which are secured to each other, each bipolar half-plate (1) being constituted by a plate which comprises, in the central portion thereof, an active zone (2) and, at the peripheral portion thereof, a plurality of cut-outs (5) which are intended to constitute at least two oxidant units, at least two fuel units and at least two heat-exchange fluid units, at least one bipolar half-plate (1) comprising at least one connection between a peripheral cut-out (5) and the active zone (2), and comprising, at the periphery thereof, at least one hollow housing (140) which is intended to receive a connector (141) for electrical measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Damien Lemasson, Xavier Glipa, Jean-Philippe Poirot-Crouvezier, Pascal Schott
  • Patent number: 8157686
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the transmission of power between a shaft (2) of a heat engine (3) and a wheel (5) axle shaft (4) of a motor vehicle. The inventive device (1) comprises at least one electrical machine (6, 7) comprising a machine shaft (8, 9) and a mechanical pump (11) comprising a pump shaft (55). The shaft (2) of the engine (3) and the machine shaft (8, 9) are connected to the pump shaft (55) by means of a mechanism (12) comprising two free wheels. The connection between the pump (11) and the shafts (8, 9) of the transmission device is such that the pump (11) can be driven in any vehicle operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Thomas Boutou, Serge Belmont, Olivier Boury
  • Patent number: 8142327
    Abstract: According to this method for controlling the coupling and the decoupling of the first and second motors of a parallel hybrid motive power group comprising a first motor driving an input shaft, a second motor, and a coupling/decoupling means motors, maneuverable between an open position and a closed position, the motive power group is controlled so that the rotational speed of the input shaft at the moment of coupling and of decoupling remains unchanged while using a law of control that creates a discontinuity between the torques output to the input shaft when the first and the second motors are decoupled or coupled, selected for compensating for the difference between the inertias produced by the input shaft when the first and the second motors are decoupled or coupled in order to ensure a continuity of the acceleration of the input shaft when coupling or decoupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Yvan Le Neindre, Gaetan Rocq
  • Patent number: 8142951
    Abstract: The invention concerns a monopolar fuel cell endplate (4) of the type with proton exchanging membrane consisting of a cathode or anode monopolar half-plate (41) attached to a closure plate (42). The monopolar half-plate comprises, in its central part, a cathode or anode active region (411), and, at its periphery, at least two oxidant boxes, if the monopolar half-plate is cathodic, or fuel boxes, if the monopolar half-plate is anodic. Each oxidant or fuel box comprises at least one channel (414) emerging outside the active region (411) to enable oxidant or fuel to be circulated outside the monopolar plate on the monopolar plate side, the oxidant or fuel boxes not comprising an opening emerging into the central region of the closure plate, such that the central part of said closure plate is not swept either with fuel or with oxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Francis Roy, Jean-Philippe Poirot-Crouvezier
  • Patent number: 8131430
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a device for controlling negative torque having a central control unit; an internal combustion engine; a device for braking the wheels; an input for a resistive torque; at least one element with negative torque (generator, alternator, air conditioning compressor, lighting); and at least one device for regulating each element. The central control unit controls each regulating device in order to meet the resistive torque demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Bruno Lecointre, Emmanuel Lannelongue
  • Patent number: 8109855
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the coupling and the decoupling of the first motor and of the second motor of a parallel hybrid motive power group comprising a first motor (11) driving an input shaft (4) at the entrance of a gear box (15), a second motor (12) and a coupling/decoupling means (13) of the second motor and of the first motor, maneuverable between an open position and a closed position, for enabling a change with regard to the gearbox when the motor group operates in hybrid mode, according to which the motive power group is controlled for decoupling the second motor and the first motor then changing the ratio of the gear box, and recoupling the second motor and the first motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Yvan Le Neindre, Gaetan Rocq
  • Patent number: 8112199
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the suspension of the body shell of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the device comprises: a means for measuring the travel (DEB(A)) and travel speed (VDEB(A)) of the right and left wheels on a front and/or rear axle system in relation to the body shell, a means (61, 62) for detecting a wide range of wheel movement when the travel (DEB(A)) and speed values exceed a threshold, and a means (64) for calculating a set value (ERGD) for the shock absorber actuator when a wide range of wheel movement is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Francois Poilbout
  • Patent number: 8109082
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for assisting regeneration of a particulate filter (6) arranged in an exhaust line (3) of a diesel engine (1) associated with a oxidizing catalyst (7), the engine (1) being equipped with feeding means (8) for injecting into the cylinders thereof at least one post-injection. Said system comprises means (17) for controlling the feeding means (8) in accordance with a strategy for regenerating the filter (6) wherein the feeding means (8) are switched between a first operating mode with post-injection for priming the catalyst (7) and a second operating mode with post-injection for producing an exothermic reaction by the primed catalyst (7). Said system comprises a temperature sensor (18) arranged in the exhaust line (3) upstream of the catalyst (7), and the control means (8) are capable of switching the feeding means (8) between the first and second operating modes based on said sensed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Julien Marcelot, Frank Reyes
  • Patent number: 8104818
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dashboard seal provided between the windshield (1), the sound-proofing wall (2) of the engine compartment and the dashboard (3) in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The dashboard seal is characterized in that the upper lip (6) includes a closed pocket (8) extending along a transverse section under the latter and limited by said upper lip (6), by the clamp (5) and, at the lower portion thereof, by a connection arm (8a) connected both to the upper lip (6) and to the clamp (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Philippe Barre, Jacques Matusik