Patents Assigned to Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
  • Patent number: 11436878
    Abstract: A method for determining the severity of a possible collision between a motor vehicle and another vehicle is disclosed. Sensor data which describes the other vehicle is received from at least one sensor of the motor vehicle by means of a control apparatus, a change in velocity which describes a difference between a velocity (V1) of the motor vehicle before the collision and a collision velocity (Vc) of the motor vehicle (1) after the collision is determined on the basis of the sensor data, and the severity of the possible collision is determined on the basis of the determined change in velocity, wherein a mass (m2) of the other vehicle is estimated by means of the control apparatus on the basis of the sensor data, and the severity of the possible collision is additionally determined on the basis of the estimated mass (m2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Miquel Testar, Malik Waqas
  • Patent number: 11435442
    Abstract: A method for capturing a surrounding region of a motor vehicle, in which, while the motor vehicle is moved relative to an object in the surrounding region, sensor data are received in each case at predetermined times from a distance sensor by a control device and the object is classified as a static or as a moving object by the control device on the basis of the received sensor data, wherein a distance value is determined by the control device for each of the predetermined times on the basis of the sensor data, said distance value describing a distance between the distance sensor and at least one predetermined point of reflection of the object, and a curve of the distance values as a function of time (t) is compared to a predetermined reference curve for the purposes of classifying the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventor: Dheeraj Sudhakar
  • Patent number: 11433802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switch (10), in particular as a steering column switch for arrangement on a steering column of a vehicle, with an actuable switch lever (12) which has along its longitudinal axis (14) a bearing element (16) with which the switch lever (12) is mounted movably in a bearing (20) of a base housing (18), a switching element (30) which is movement-coupled to the switch lever (12) and which is embodied with a contact-free signalling element (32), wherein the switch lever (12) can be activated on a first side (34) of the bearing element (16), the switching element (30) is arranged on a second side (36) of the bearing element (16), the switching element (30) is embodied as a reversing lever with a first and a second lever arm (40, 42), the reversing lever (30) is retained in the connection region (44) of the first and second lever arm (40, 42) in a reversing bearing (46) rotatably on the base housing (18), the signalling element (32) is arranged on the first lever arm (40), and the second le
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Sascha Staude, Daniela Pikart
  • Publication number: 20220266864
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for locating a vehicle (1) in a surrounding area, comprising the following steps: providing a primary sensor system (2, 34, 41, 52); providing a secondary sensor system (4, 35, 44, 56), the secondary system being configured in such a manner as to provide a backup to the primary system, the primary sensor system and the secondary sensor system being configured in such a manner as to completely control the vehicle; detecting environment data by means of the primary sensor system and the secondary sensor system; creating maps of the surroundings from the environment data from the primary sensor system and the secondary sensor system by means of a computer system; transferring the maps of the surroundings created from the primary sensor system and the maps of the surroundings created from the secondary sensor system to the computer system; generating at least one plausibility-checked primary sensor system sub-map and at least one plausibility-checked secondary sensor system sub-m
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Zuther, Rolf Dubitzky
  • Patent number: 11424954
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a sensor arrangement (2) in a motor vehicle (1) based on a DSI protocol, wherein the sensor arrangement (2) has a central processing unit (3) as a master and a plurality of sensor units (S1, S2, S3) as slaves controlled by the master, the central processing unit (3) and the sensor units (S1, S2, S3) are connected to a bus line (4) and communication between the central processing unit (3) and the sensor units (S1, S2, S3) takes place via the bus line (4), characterized by the following method steps: sending a first message from the central processing unit (3) to a first sensor (S1) and subsequently sending a second message from the central processing unit (3) to a second sensor (S2) without the central processing unit (3) waiting to receive a response message from the first sensor (S1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hallek, Marek Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 11420633
    Abstract: A driving assistance method for a motor vehicle (1) when approaching a speed bump comprises, according to the invention: detecting and tracking at least one other moving vehicle (41) in front of the motor vehicle (1) based on processing images captured by a camera (10) on board the motor vehicle (1); establishing a temporal profile of the estimated distance between the motor vehicle (1) and the at least one detected and followed other moving vehicle (41); detecting an anomaly area in the temporal profile; and estimating a distance dbump between the motor vehicle (1) and a speed bump (3) on the basis of the estimated distance between the motor vehicle (1) and the at least one other vehicle (41) at a time separate from the times corresponding to the detected anomaly area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Alexandre Garnault, Thomas Heitzmann
  • Patent number: 11424743
    Abstract: An operator control device for a vehicle, and a method for operating such an operator control device is disclosed. The operator control device is for controlling safety-relevant functions. To this end, the operator control device has at least one user interface having at least one user input panel for user input and a sensor system for identifying a user input in the area of the user input panel, wherein the sensor system has at least one capacitive sensor device having a first, electrically conductive sensor structure and a second, capacitive sensor device having a second, electrically conductive sensor structure, the sensor structures being arranged beneath the user interface in the area of the user input panel. The first sensor structure and the second sensor structure are each configured in comb-like and/or meanderous fashion and arranged in intermeshing fashion at least in a subarea of the user input panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventor: Sascha Staude
  • Publication number: 20220258759
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing visual information about a first vehicle (1) in an environment (4) of a second vehicle (2). The method comprises the step of detecting a reduced visibility of the first vehicle (1) in the environment (4) of the second vehicle (2) and the steps of transmitting an image captured by a camera (7) of the first vehicle (1) to a display device of the second vehicle (2) and of integrating an object (13) representing the first vehicle (1) into the image displayed on the display device of the second vehicle (2). The object (13) is represented in the image (12) at a position which corresponds to the current position of the first vehicle (1) in the environment (4) of the second vehicle (2). The invention further relates to a computer program, a computer-readable medium and a driver assistance system (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventor: Arnaud Huille
  • Publication number: 20220260717
    Abstract: According to a method for determining a pitch angle position of an active optical sensor system (2), which is mounted on a motor vehicle (1), a scatter plot (6) is generated by means of the sensor system (2). The scatter plot (6) includes a first and a second subset (7a, 7b) of scan points of the roadway (13). A first pair (A, B) of scan points is identified by means of a computing unit, wherein a point (A) is part of the first subset (7a), a further point (B) is part of the second subset (7b), and a projection (14?) of a first connection vector (14) of the first pair (A, B) is in a transmission plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sensor system (2). A first angle (?) which encloses the first connection vector (14) with the longitudinal axis (15) of the sensor system (2) is determined by means of the computing unit (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Javier Rosales, Nikolai Sergeev
  • Publication number: 20220252703
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission device (24) for an optical measurement apparatus (12) for detecting objects (18) in a monitored region (16), a light signal deflection device (34, 40), a measurement apparatus (12) and a method for operating a measurement apparatus (12). The transmission device (24) comprises at least one transmitter light source (30) for emitting light signals (20) and at least one light signal deflection device (34) for deflecting the light signals (20) into at least one monitored region (16) of the measurement apparatus (12). The at least one light signal deflection device (34) has at least one deflection region (42a), which can act on the light signals (20) in direction-changing fashion and depending on an incidence (52) of the light signals (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventor: Ho-Hoai-Duc Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20220242423
    Abstract: According to a method for determining a signal state of a traffic light device (12), a state of movement of at least one further vehicle (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) is determined by means of a sensor system (9) of an ego vehicle (7). The probability for the signal state is determined by means of a computing unit (10) of the ego vehicle (7) depending on the determined state of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Heitzmann
  • Patent number: 11400943
    Abstract: A method for assisting in the driving of a vehicle on a fast road with carriageways separated by a safety rail in which the presence of the safety rail is detected is disclosed. The safety rail is modelled from measurements performed continuously by at least one laser scanner sensor mounted on the motor vehicle, with the determination of a confidence index associated with the detection by the laser scanner sensor, an automatic driving mode is activated when the confidence index ICONF is above a confidence threshold. This mode is maintained as long as a current confidence index associated with the detection is above the confidence threshold, and this mode is deactivated when the current confidence index passes below said confidence threshold. The density of traffic in front of the motor vehicle is estimated from images captured by an embedded camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Heitzmann, Thomas Liennard, Benazouz Bradai
  • Patent number: 11403951
    Abstract: A driving assistance functionality for a motor vehicle when approaching a tollgate is disclosed. The method involves a step (S4) of calculating a probability of a tollgate being present based on at least two road context attributes that are determined from the motor vehicle and defining a road context ahead of said vehicle, said road context attributes being decorrelated from any concept of a tollgate. Examples of road context attributes: speed limit signs; marking lines on the ground; speed bumps or rumble strips on the ground; obstacles such as other vehicles; drivable space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Heitzmann, Benazouz Bradai
  • Publication number: 20220221580
    Abstract: According to a method for assisting reverse driving of a combination (1), an actual value for a hitch angle of the combination (1) is determined by a computing unit (6) depending on sensor data generated by a hitch angle sensor. A hitch length of a trailer (3), given by a distance between a trailer body (11) and a hitch (7) of a vehicle (2), is determined depending on environmental sensor data of the combination (1). A collision value for the hitch angle is determined by the computing unit (6) depending on the hitch length, and the safety measure is triggered by the computing unit (6) depending on the actual value and the collision value for the hitch angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Mohamed Radwan, Ahmed Elagroudy
  • Patent number: 11383738
    Abstract: A method for operating a driving assistance system of a motor vehicle includes manoeuvring the motor vehicle autonomously with a driving assistance system while a user with a mobile terminal is located outside the motor vehicle. The user performs, by the driving assistance system and during the manoeuvring, longitudinal guidance and transverse guidance of the motor vehicle. The driving assistance system is operated at a first automation level when communication between the driving assistance system and the mobile terminal is ensured. While the user activates the mobile terminal, the longitudinal guidance, and the transverse guidance in a predetermined fashion, a surrounding area of the motor vehicle is sensed, at the first automation level, by the driving assistance system, and in addition to the longitudinal guidance and the transverse guidance of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is then autonomously manoeuvred according to the sensed surrounding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Heimberger, Dimitrios Tzempetzis, Stefanie Prinzhausen
  • Publication number: 20220196808
    Abstract: A light signal redirection device (26) for an optical measurement system (12) for capturing objects (18) in a monitoring region (14), a measurement system (12), and a method for operating a light signal redirection device (26) are described. The light signal redirection device (26) comprises at least one redirection body (32) having at least one redirection region (34) for redirecting light signals (22, 22I, 22II). Furthermore, the light signal redirection device (26) comprises at least one drive device (36) with which the at least one redirection body (32) can be driven in such a way that the at least one redirection region (34) can be moved relative to respective propagation axes (23, 23I, 23II) of light signals (22, 22I, 22II) which are incident on the at least one redirection region (34). At least one redirection region (34) is displaceable along at least one at least partially curved displacement path (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Ho-Hoai-Duc Nguyen, Thomas Schuler
  • Publication number: 20220194172
    Abstract: A sensor unit for vehicles for detecting at least the moisture and/or the temperature on the inside of a vehicle window by a sensor is disclosed. The sensor unit is mounted adjacent to the inside of the vehicle window, the sensor unit comprises a housing within which it is partially enclosed, the housing has at least one opening in the direction of the vehicle window through which the sensor unit is pressed against the vehicle window. The sensor unit has a printed circuit board (PCB) that is pressed against the inside of the vehicle window when the sensor unit is in the mounted state, and is arranged between the sensor and the vehicle window. The PCB is a rigid-flexible PCB comprising a bend at least in a partial region, the bend of the rigid-flexible PCB being set up in such a way as to generate an elastic restoring force, which presses the rigid-flexible PCB against the vehicle window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Bohuslav Coufal, Ivan Suchansky, Marian Klepac
  • Publication number: 20220179294
    Abstract: A holder base part for securing at least one camera housing to a vehicle part of a vehicle, a camera housing and a camera system are described. The holder base part has a retaining element with a securing portion, by which the retaining element is secured to the vehicle part, and which has a retaining portion by which the retaining element is separably connected to a connection element on the side of the at least one camera housing by a sliding movement along a notional connection axis. The retaining portion contributes to defining an insertion region into which the housing-side connection element is inserted for separable connection to the retaining element. The retaining element has a holder-locking element which interacts with a housing-locking element on the side of the camera housing to lock a connection between the retaining element and the connection element. The holder-locking element is arranged in the insertion region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Cywinski, Raviraj Choure, Kai Elmering, Bernd Biehlman
  • Publication number: 20220171025
    Abstract: A light signal redirection device (26) for an optical measurement system for capturing objects in a monitoring region, an optical measurement system, and a method for operating a light signal redirection device (26) are described. The light signal redirection device (26) comprises at least one redirection body (32) having at least one redirection region (34) for redirecting light signals (22). Furthermore, the light signal redirection device (26) comprises at least one drive device (36) with which the at least one redirection body (32) can be driven in such a way that the at least one redirection region (34) can be moved relative to respective propagation axes (23) of light signals (22) which are incident on the at least one redirection region (34). At least one redirection region (34) is at least partially curved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Ho-Hoai-Duc Nguyen, Thomas Schuler, Jürgen Nies, Jan Simon, Felix Müller
  • Patent number: 11349301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a sensor arrangement (2) in a motor vehicle (1) on the basis of a DSI protocol in a Power Function Class mode, wherein the sensor arrangement (2) has a central unit (3) and a multiplicity of sensor units (S1, S2, . . . , SN), the central unit and the sensor units are connected to one another in series by means of a bus cable (4), the sensor units each have a test resistor (RS1, RS2, . . . , RN) connected in series with the bus cable, an electrical test load (L1, L2, . . . , LN) that can be connected to the bus cable, and an address counter (A1, A2, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventor: Marek Lewandowski