Patents Assigned to Lucas Automotive GmbH
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Patent number: 8007055Abstract: An electronic system to operate an electromechanical parking brake for a land vehicle comprises at least one input unit to detect a driver request for parking brake and at least two control units in connection with the input unit to evaluate the driver request for parking brake transmitted thereto. The control units are in connection with at least one actuator for activating the parking brake, in order to control said actuator. In addition, the system comprises an energy supply to feed the input unit, and the control units of the at least one actuator. On occurrence of a single fault from a set of possible fault states in the system, at least one control unit and at least one actuator are supplied with energy and/or control signals, the at least one control unit supplied controls the at least one actuator supplied so that the land vehicle is fixed in a parked position when a corresponding driver request for parking brake is present.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbhInventor: Ralf Leiter
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Patent number: 8000070Abstract: The invention relates to a control circuit which serves for security-critical control of a consumer with an inductive load portion, to be connected to a direct voltage source, and a method for failure control. It is in this case assumed that the control circuit has a power driving assembly, a free-wheeling assembly and a reverse-connection protected assembly. In order to increase the probability of failure recognition, this control circuit is extended by a method for failure control. For this purpose the semiconductor switches of the assemblies, each formed by a MOSFET, are individually driven. The different switching statuses are checked by a diagnostic device which processes voltage values to be read out at outputs of the control circuit. In this way failure-free functionality and also possible causes of failure in the control circuit can be diagnosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventors: Rudolf Mühlenbein, Andreas Nestler
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Patent number: 7987765Abstract: A hydraulic control system for high flow applications in motor vehicles, in particular for active wheel suspensions and active steering arrangements, includes at least one passive high flow valve which is controlled hydraulically by at least one low flow valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2005Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventors: Harry A. Hunnicutt, Gregory P. Campau, Dirk Kesselgruber
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Patent number: 7966813Abstract: A sealing element seals a pressure piston which is movably arranged in a housing of a brake cylinder. The sealing element may be inserted into a ring-shaped groove which is provided in the housing. The sealing element includes an outer sealing lip for contact with a floor of the ring-shaped groove, an inner sealing lip for contact with the pressure piston, and a sealing element back. At least one non-sealing spacer element is provided on the sealing element back.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventor: Martin Struschka
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Patent number: 7954908Abstract: The invention relates to a pedal simulation device for simulating the reaction behavior of a pedal, in particular of a brake pedal of a vehicle brake system, comprising a cylinder, a piston disposed displaceably inside the cylinder and coupled to the pedal and delimiting a working chamber inside the cylinder, a resetting element which, upon an actuation of the pedal, exerts a resetting force on the pedal, and a modelling device, which is fluidically connected to the working chamber, for influencing the reaction behavior of the pedal. In the invention, for achieving the reaction behavior it is provided that, upon an actuation of the pedal, by means of the modelling device a vacuum, which is arising or has arisen in the working chamber, is built up.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventors: Wilfried Giering, Erwin Michels, Benedikt Ohlig, Herbert Steinheuer
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Patent number: 7887144Abstract: In order to improve an electronic system for a motor vehicle which comprises an electronic controller which is coupled via an electronic communication system to electronic controllers of other electronic systems of the vehicle in order to co-operate through data exchanges with the other electronic systems of the vehicle, wherein electronic sensor devices for controlling and/or regulating operating states of the vehicle detect quantities which are related to the operating states of the vehicle, so as to obtain cost and functional advantages, it is proposed that at least one of the electronic sensor devices be accommodated in one of the electronic controllers.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2005Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventor: Volker Braschel
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Publication number: 20100320041Abstract: A brake actuator for an electrical parking brake comprises an electric motor and a planetary gear set. The axes on which the planet wheels are carried on the planet carrier are joined substance-to-substance to the planet carrier, i.e. formed in one piece with it or for instance mounted on its surface by means of atomic or molecular forces. Recesses on the axes can receive a lubricant. Spacers between the planet carrier and planet wheels can reduce the contact surface in the axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2007Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Ulrich Seuser, Andre Busse, Gregor Poertzgen
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Patent number: 7840330Abstract: System for evaluating the traffic environment of a motor vehicle and for influencing the speed of the motor vehicle in its own traffic lane, comprising an electronic control unit (ECU), which is connected to a signal transmitter that produces a signal characteristic of the desired speed of the motor vehicle, a signal transmitter that produces a signal characteristic of the yaw of the motor vehicle about its vertical axis, a signal transmitter that produces a signal characteristic of the articles situated, in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle, in front of the motor vehicle in terms of their spacing and orientation relative to the motor vehicle and which reproduces the speed relative to the speed of the system motor vehicle and/or the spacing relative to the system motor vehicle and/or the angular offset or the cross track distance relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis of the system motor vehicle, and a signal transmitter that produces a signal characteristic of the speed of at least one wheel ofType: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventor: Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher
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Patent number: 7831368Abstract: A system for influence the speed of a host vehicle while the host vehicle is driving in a lane based on a control unit evaluating an environment of a host vehicle. The system has an electronic control unit connected to many sensors. The sensors each generate a signal. The control unit controls the host vehicle based on the signals from the sensors and further calculates a “bendiness”characteristic value from a yaw rate signal of the host vehicle. Sensed objects including other vehicles which are further away than other vehicles from the host vehicle are excluded from selection as target vehicle based on the “bendiness” characteristic value.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventor: Marko Schröder
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Patent number: 7831367Abstract: System for evaluating the traffic environment of a motor vehicle and for influencing the speed of the motor vehicle in its own traffic lane, comprising an electronic control unit, which is connected to a signal transmitter that produces a signal characteristic of the desired speed of the motor vehicle, a signal transmitter that produces a signal characteristic of the yaw of the motor vehicle about its vertical axis, a signal transmitter that produces a signal, which is characteristic of the articles situated, in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle, in front of the motor vehicle in terms of their spacing and orientation relative to the motor vehicle and which is the speed relative to the speed of the system motor vehicle and/or the spacing relative to the system motor vehicle and/or the angular offset or the cross track distance relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis of the system motor vehicle, and a signal transmitter that produces a signal characteristic of the speed of at least one wheel of theType: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventor: Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher
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Patent number: 7823984Abstract: The invention relates to a master brake cylinder arrangement for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system having a housing, in which two adjacent cylinder bores are provided, two piston arrangements, in which a first piston arrangement is received in a first cylinder bore of the cylinder bores such that it is displaceable along a first longitudinal bore axis and in which a second piston arrangement is received in a second cylinder bore of the cylinder bores such that it is displaceable along a second longitudinal bore axis, a force input piston which can be coupled, or is coupled, to a brake pedal and which is displaceably guided along an actuating axis in a cutout of the housing, the first piston arrangement and the second piston arrangement being displaceable according to a movement of the force input piston, in which the first piston arrangement delimits a first pressure chamber with the housing, said pressure chamber being fluidically connected to a hydraulic brake system, and in which the second piston arrType: GrantFiled: May 9, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventor: Peter Schlüter
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Publication number: 20100202903Abstract: A piston pump for a hydraulic pressure generator in a vehicle brake system is described. The piston pump comprises a housing, in which a bore for receiving an eccentric shaft is formed. In the housing at least six cylinders for receiving one pump piston each are further provided. The cylinders are disposed in pairs in three or more mutually spaced-apart planes and open out in each case into the receiving bore for the eccentric shaft. According to a possible realization, in a two-circuit vehicle brake system at least three cylinders are associated with each brake circuit to increase the operating comfort. To reduce wear, each of the provided eccentrics interacts with only two pump pistons.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2008Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Heinrich Plewnia, Werner Seibert
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Patent number: 7774123Abstract: An electronic control unit of a motor vehicle is connected to signal transmitters and generates output signals in response to a desired speed signal, a yaw signal, a target vehicle signal, and a wheel speed signal. The electronic control unit generates a trigger signal that limits the momentary speed (or momentarily the acceleration) of the motor vehicle for at least a value that substantially corresponds to a maximum of a distance X between the motor vehicle and a target motor vehicle at the same time of its leaving the detection area. The distance X is reduced by a shortening stretch DX to an effective distance Xeff that is dependent on at least one of an environmental condition environment (motorway, country road, town traffic), the speed of the target motor vehicle at the time of leaving the detection area, the momentary speed of the motor vehicle, and the bend radii of bends already driven through in the past within a predetermined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventor: Marko Schröder
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Patent number: 7744166Abstract: A process for operating the brake arrangement of a vehicle is presented, which comprises an electrically controllable service brake system, which is set to generate brake forces independently of driver actuation, and which comprises an electrically controllable parking brake system, which is set to generate brake forces and maintain these forces. So that the parking brake system or its electromechanical actuating unit only needs to cope with relatively small load situations, it is proposed that, when, for certain operating conditions, the parking brake system has to maintain brake forces which are greater than the brake forces it is able to generate itself, the service brake system generates the additionally required brake forces.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventors: Ralf Leiter, Gregor Poertzgen
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Patent number: 7731002Abstract: The invention relates to a disc brake having a brake carrier which is fastenable to a vehicle frame and provided with studs for guiding at least one brake lining axially with respect to a brake disc, wherein the brake lining includes U-shaped recesses for the studs into which the studs engage, and wherein during braking tensile forces and/or compressive forces are exerted upon inner surfaces of the recesses. The invention is characterized in that an inner surface of at least one of the U-shaped recesses, which surface bears against a respective stud during a brake actuation, is angled with respect to a central plane of the brake lining such that a force that arises between the said surface and the respective stud during braking presses the brake lining into a stable position with respect to the studs. The invention also relates to a brake lining for use in such a disc brake.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventors: Manfred Haupt, Michael Schog, Dirk Hees
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Publication number: 20100033009Abstract: A method and a device for tightening a hydraulic parking brake are disclosed. In the method, a tightening force is generated in a first step by creating a hydraulic pressure in a parking brake circuit. To this end, a pressure generating unit driven by an electric motor is used. In a subsequent step, at least one motor-related parameter which permits a conclusion about the hydraulic pressure prevailing in the parking brake circuit is detected. Subsequently, an activation of a tightening force assistance device takes place depending on the detected motor-related parameter and without the necessity of providing a pressure sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2006Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventor: Josef Knechtges
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Patent number: 7654619Abstract: In a method for braking a vehicle by means of a fluidically triggerable vehicle brake system, wherein the vehicle brake system comprises a respective fluidically triggerable brake unit that is assigned to a vehicle wheel and is fluidically coupled to a brake force generator via at least one fluid circuit, wherein a pumping mechanism by means of which at least one of the brake units can be fed with brake fluid regardless of whether the brake force generator is activated, is provided in the at least one fluid circuit in order to convey brake fluid, and wherein control valves by means of which the brake force generator can be fluidically coupled to and disconnected from the brake units and the pumping mechanism are provided in the fluid circuit, it is provided that in order to comfortably create a parking brake condition, the following steps are carried out: A) a fluid pressure is built up in the at least one fluid circuit via the brake force generator such that at least two of the brake units are fluidically tType: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventors: Josef Knechtges, Frank Heller, Jan Grundmann, Christian Chemnitz
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Publication number: 20090223755Abstract: A vehicle brake with an electromechanical drive, by means of which electrical energy fed into a brushless direct current motor is converted into mechanical energy to generate braking forces, the electrical energy being fed via an electronic control unit into the electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Wilfried Giering, Benedikt Ohlig, Gregor Poertzgen
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Patent number: 7555401Abstract: The invention relates to a method for establishing the position of an actuating unit which is operated by an electric motor, in which a motor speed is determined from a motor model, the speed is integrated over a period of time and the position of the actuating unit is determined by multiplying the result of the integration by a proportionality factor. The motor model takes account of afterrunning of the electric motor at the instant of switch-off. The invention also relates to actuating units, brakes, pumps and transmissions for which the method can be used.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbHInventors: Christoph Linden, Michael Keller
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Publication number: 20090108670Abstract: A braking system for a motor vehicle includes a hydraulic circuit for producing a brake force, the hydraulic circuit having a pressure source for producing a hydraulic pressure and a pressure store, the pressure store of the hydraulic circuit being able to be supplied with hydraulic fluid from a delivery side of the pressure source if necessary. In this braking system, there is provision for the pressure store to be able to be coupled in fluidic terms to an intake side of the pressure source by means of an interposed actively controllable multi-way valve, in particular a two-way solenoid valve, and for the pressure store to be able to be decoupled therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2006Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventor: Benedikt Ohlig