Patents Assigned to Lucas Automotive GmbH
  • Patent number: 7248962
    Abstract: 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 the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher
  • Patent number: 7248991
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring a rotational speed, in particular a rotational speed of a wheel of a motor vehicle, by means of a speed sensor, wherein the speed sensor produces an output signal characterizing the actual rotational speed and wherein the output signal of the speed sensor is sampled and further processed in accordance with sampled values thus obtained. For an—in hardware terms—simple realization, according to the invention it is provided that the output signal is sampled at a predetermined sampling rate over at least one measuring cycle, that in each case the amplitude of sampled values obtained in the measuring cycle is determined and that from the rate of occurrence of sampled values of an amplitude lying within a predetermined amplitude range at least one signal level occurring during the measuring cycle in the output signal is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Eugen Goebel, Manfred Fuss, Ingo Alfter
  • Patent number: 7227324
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electrically actuable parking brake is described. In this method the cutoff current of the electric motor is varied to compensate for example for changes in the application force associated with aging or wear or for changes in the application force due to changes in the resistance and/or temperature of an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Erben, Ralf Kinder, Ralf Leiter, Gregor Poertzgen
  • Patent number: 7212907
    Abstract: System for the evaluation of the driving environment of a vehicle and for influencing the speed of the vehicle in its own lane, with an electronic control unit that is connected to a signal generator generating a signal characteristic of the desired speed of the vehicle, to a signal generator generating a signal characteristic of the turning rate of the vehicle about its vertical axis, to a signal generator that generates for objects located in the space in front of the vehicle and in the direction of travel of the vehicle a characteristic signal with respect to their distance and orientation relative to the vehicle, said signal being the speed relative to the speed of the driver's vehicle and/or the distance relative to the driver's vehicle and/or the angular displacement or the lateral deviation relative to the longitudinal axis of the driver's vehicle, and to a signal generator that generates a signal characteristic of the speed of at least one wheel of the vehicle, and that is connected to at least one co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher
  • Patent number: 7201258
    Abstract: A disc brake having a brake carrier (10) which may be fastened to the vehicle and to which bolts are fastened, comprises brake pads (32a, 32b), in the supporting plates of which U-shaped recesses (40, 40?) are formed, which are placed onto the bolts, such that the brake pads are axially movably guided relative to the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schog, Karl-Heinz Wollenweber, Christian Schroeter, Dirk Hees, Guido Zenzen
  • Patent number: 7185745
    Abstract: An electrically driven vehicle brake comprises a brake piston, which acts on at least one friction lining and can be displaced out of an initial position into an actuation position, in which the brake piston abuts the friction lining against a rotating member of the vehicle brake which is to be connected, fixed against rotation, to a wheel of the motor vehicle, and a transmission unit, driven by an electric motor and acting on the brake piston to actuate the brake piston, wherein the electric motor is to be triggered by an electronic control unit, which is also set up to detect performance parameters of the vehicle, the electric motor and/or the vehicle brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Godlewsky, Thomas Maur, Michael Keller, Ralf Leiter, Ralf Kinder, Gregor Poertzgen
  • Patent number: 7177750
    Abstract: System for evaluating the driving environment of a motor vehicle and for influencing the speed of the motor vehicle in its own lane, with an electronic control unit, which is connected to a signal generator generating a signal which is characteristic of the desired speed of the motor vehicle, a signal generator generating a signal which is characteristic of the yaw rate of the motor vehicle about its vertical axis, a signal generator which generates, for objects located in the space lying in front of the motor vehicle in its direction of travel, a signal which is characteristic of the distance and orientation of the objects with respect to the motor vehicle and which reproduces the speed relative to the speed of the driver's motor vehicle, and/or the distance relative to the driver's motor vehicle, and/or the angular offset or the lateral deviation relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis of the driver's motor vehicle, and a signal generator generating a signal which is characteristic of the speed at least o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Marko Schröder
  • Patent number: 7162361
    Abstract: 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 the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher
  • Patent number: 7152405
    Abstract: A master cylinder for a vehicle hydraulic brake system has a housing with a bore formed therein, which is open at one end and in which a first pressure piston and a second pressure piston are guided sealingly and displaceably along an axis. Acting counter to an actuating direction upon the first pressure piston is a restrained first restoring spring and upon the second pressure piston a second restoring spring. In order, in a transportation or disassembly state of the master cylinder, to prevent the first pressure piston from being pressed excessively out of the bore, the second pressure piston is supported by means of a stop component counter to the actuating direction positively in the housing of the master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Friedsam, Martin Struschka, Michael Geider
  • Patent number: 7152935
    Abstract: The invention provides a solution, which makes it possible to determine brake surface temperatures for a vehicle brake system in dependence upon decelerations or accelerations acting on a vehicle in an activated state of the vehicle brake system and to control the vehicle braking system in dependence upon the brake surface temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kinder, Ralf Leiter, Gregor Poertzgen
  • Patent number: 7139650
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the operation of a vehicle unit comprising a motor vehicle to which a trailer is coupled, wherein the motor vehicle is equipped with electronic systems for controlling and/or regulating the operating conditions of the vehicle unit. To improve the maneuverability of such a vehicle unit, it is proposed that the operating conditions attained by the vehicle unit and/or desired by the driver are automatically controlled and/or regulated through the cooperation of the electronic braking system (EBS) and/or the electronic engine output control system and/or the electronic drive-train control (ASS) and/or the electronic steering system (ELS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Lubischer
  • Patent number: 7134377
    Abstract: A vacuum brake booster having a vacuum chamber and a working chamber, which are separated from one another by a movable wall, and a control valve is described. The control valve has a control valve housing (10), which is coupled workingly to the movable wall and which, for achieving a pressure difference at the movable wall, is capable of controlling the supply of atmospheric pressure or above-atmospheric pressure to the working chamber in dependence upon the displacement of an input element of the vacuum brake booster. The control valve housing (10) comprises an outer sleeve (12) and an inner sleeve (48), which is disposed radially at the inside of and coaxially with the outer sleeve (12) and is connected by a plurality of webs (58, 62) to the outer sleeve (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Carlos Erviti Lopez, Isabel Larumbe San Martin
  • Patent number: 7127891
    Abstract: A braking force generator includes a primary piston displaceable in a housing to enclose a primary pressure chamber. A pedal simulation device is connected to the force input element. A pedal actuation detection device detects the pedal actuation and an actuating force booster stage. During normal operation the force input element is mechanically uncoupled from the primary piston, and the actuating force booster stage exerts an actuating force on the primary piston. In the event of failure of the actuating force booster stage the force input element is workingly connectable to the primary piston such that a contact extension extends from the primary piston towards the force input element. During normal operation the contact extension is held by a release gap at a distance from the force input element and in the event of failure of the actuating force booster stage the force input element after travelling the release gap is applied workingly against the contact extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Benedikt Ohlig, Wilfried Giering, Erwin Michels, Herbert Steinheuer
  • Patent number: 7104364
    Abstract: An electrically driven vehicle brake comprises a brake piston, which acts on at least one friction lining and can be displaced out of an initial position into an actuation position, in which the brake piston abuts the friction lining against a rotating member of the vehicle brake which is to be connected, fixed against rotation, to a wheel of the motor vehicle, and a transmission unit, driven by an electric motor and acting on the brake piston to actuate the brake piston, wherein the electric motor is to be triggered by an electronic control unit, which is also set up to detect performance parameters of the vehicle, the electric motor and/or the vehicle brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Godlewsky, Thomas Maur, Michael Keller, Ralf Leiter, Ralf Kinder, Gregor Poertzgen
  • Patent number: 7097205
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises an upper shroud portion (8) which is adapted to receive a steering column (1, 2), a lower guide portion (7) which is adapted to support the shroud portion (8) and be secured to a mounting bracket (14) fixed relative to the chassis of the vehicle, a connecting pin (13) which projects through an elongate opening provided in the fixed bracket (14), an opening in the lower guide portion (7) and an elongate opening in the upper shroud portion (8), a toothed rail member (19) which is connected to the upper-shroud portion by an energy absorbing device (22), and an operating lever (17) which is operatively connected to the connecting pin (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignees: TRW Lucas Varity Electric Steering Limited, Lucas Automotive Gmbh, TRW DAS A.S.
    Inventors: Eckart Op Den Camp, Jiri Nevrkla, Michael Appleyard, Petr Bachel, Josef Pivny, Petr Navratil
  • Patent number: 7092809
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system for controlling braking equipment with a function for the driveaway assistance of a motor vehicle. After setting an initial operating state of the braking equipment in which the function for the driveaway assistance is selectively switched on or off, an operating state of the motor vehicle in which the motor vehicle is stationary or nearly stationary is determined. If the motor vehicle is stationary and a characteristic control parameter capable of being influenced by the driver is detected, the braking equipment of the motor vehicle is controlled in such a way that, by switching on or off the function for the driveaway assistance of the motor vehicle, an operating state of the braking equipment differing from the initial operating state is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Endres
  • Patent number: 7086320
    Abstract: A brake booster, in particular for motor vehicles, having a control valve for controlling the boosting force generated by the brake booster. The control valve comprises a control valve housing, an input element, an output element and a thrust piece, which is disposed between the input element and the output element and acts upon the output element. The thrust piece in dependence upon a relative movement between the thrust piece and the control valve housing caused by the input element is supported releasably against the control valve housing by means of a coupling element biased by a spring. The spring and the coupling element are designed as an integral coupling component, which is fastened to the control valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Ernesto Bravo Villamayor
  • Patent number: 7086229
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston having a valve arrangement for a vehicle hydraulic brake system comprising a piston channel penetrating the piston, a valve seat formed around an opening of the piston channel, and a valve element, which is displaceable relative to the piston and which for sealing the piston channel is positionable in a fluid-tight manner against the valve seat, wherein the valve seat takes the form of an annular projection on a sealing component, which comprises an elastic sealing element and a support element, which stabilizes the sealing element, and wherein the support element is designed in a region close to the sealing projection with a corresponding annular recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Mallmann, Dirk Runkel, Kam Chau
  • Patent number: 7082869
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (10) for a vacuum brake booster with a brake booster housing comprising at least one vacuum chamber and at least one working chamber that is separated from the latter by a moveable wall and is connectable either to vacuum or at least atmospheric pressure, as well as a bore (34) disposed in the brake booster housing. The sensor arrangement (10) comprises a partition (16) which seals the brake booster housing off from ambient atmosphere when the sensor arrangement (10) is assembled. The sensor arrangement (10) also comprises a carrier element (14), which is passed through the bore (34) and disposed in the interior of the brake booster in the assembled state. A pressure sensor (12) is disposed on the carrier element (14). The carrier element (14) with the pressure sensor (12) projects into the interior of the brake booster housing such that the pressure sensor (12) is positioned in the vacuum chamber or the working chamber of the brake booster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Borsch
  • Patent number: 7031818
    Abstract: It is customary to use signals from a motor vehicle central control in order to operate braking equipment for motor vehicles which automatically produces braking forces for states of standstill of a motor vehicle which are capable of holding a motor vehicle at a standstill. The signals which are provided by the central control are used to determine whether or not the motor vehicle is at a standstill. It is consequently also necessary to operate the central control during a state of standstill for the motor vehicle in order to produce the required braking forces. The braking equipment can no longer be operated as desired if the central control fails or malfunctions. These problems are solved by the invention, which provides standstill recognition for motor vehicles which enables braking equipment which automatically produces braking forces during standstill to be automatically controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Endres