Patents by Inventor Dirk Mahnkopf

Dirk Mahnkopf 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).

  • Publication number: 20240270222
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having at least two axles. The brake system includes a first axle unit which can be mounted or is mounted on a first axle of the vehicle and has a motorized brake pressure build-up device, a first wheel brake cylinder and a second wheel brake cylinder, and a second axle unit which can be mounted or is mounted on a second axle of the vehicle and is formed separately hydraulically from the first axle unit. The first axle unit includes a first outlet valve assigned to the first wheel brake cylinder and a second outlet valve assigned to the second wheel brake cylinder. The brake fluid can be let out of the first wheel brake cylinder via the first outlet valve and out of the second wheel brake cylinder via the second outlet valve into the connected brake fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Publication number: 20240198993
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having at least two axles. The system includes a first and second axle units which can be or are installed on a first and second axle, respectively, of the vehicle. The second axle unit is hydraulically separate from the first axle unit. The first axle unit is a dual-circuit first axle unit. The first and second brake circuits are each configured such that, by operation of a respective motorized brake pressure buildup device, brake fluid can be transferred from a connected brake fluid reservoir into a respective wheel brake cylinder, and, via a respective outlet valve, brake fluid can be discharged from the respective wheel brake cylinder into the connected brake fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Patent number: 11958461
    Abstract: A detection method for an electromechanical brake booster. The method includes: ascertaining, while both a driver braking force is transferred to an input element and a motor force is transferred to a support element so that a coupling element of the electromechanical brake booster which is provided downstream from the input element and the support element is also displaced at least using the motor force, whether an open intermediate gap, when the input element is present in its starting position, is closed when the coupling element is present in its starting position, and establishing an actual variable with respect to a coupling element path of the coupling element out of its coupling element starting position and/or a coupling element velocity of the coupling element in the case of an open intermediate gap using a first formula, and in the case of a closed intermediate gap using a second formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Publication number: 20240034294
    Abstract: A braking system for an at least two-axle vehicle. The braking system includes: a front axle unit including a first motorized brake pressure buildup device, a front-wheel wheel-brake cylinder mountable at a first front wheel, and a second front-wheel wheel-brake cylinder mountable at a second front wheel; and a rear axle unit hydraulically separate from the front axle unit, including a second motorized brake pressure buildup device, a first rear-wheel wheel-brake cylinder mountable at a first rear wheel, and a second rear-wheel wheel-brake cylinder mountable at a second rear wheel. The second motorized brake pressure buildup device is hydraulically connected via a first rear-axle hydraulic path at the first rear-wheel wheel-brake cylinder and via a second rear-axle hydraulic path at the second rear-wheel wheel-brake cylinder. A first separating valve is situated in the first rear-axle hydraulic path and/or a second separating valve is situated in the second rear-axle hydraulic path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Publication number: 20240034293
    Abstract: A braking system for an at least two-axle vehicle. The braking system including a first axle unit, which includes: a first motorized brake pressure buildup device, a first wheel-brake cylinder hydraulically connected at a first motorized brake pressure buildup device and mountable at a first wheel of a first axle of the vehicle, and a second wheel-brake cylinder hydraulically connected at the first motorized brake pressure buildup device and mountable at a second wheel of the first axle; and a second axle unit designed to be hydraulically separate from the first axle unit, the first axle unit also including, in addition to the first motorized brake pressure buildup device a second motorized brake pressure buildup device, at which the first wheel-brake cylinder and the second wheel-brake cylinder are hydraulically connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Patent number: 11634111
    Abstract: A brake system for a motor vehicle, having a first hydraulic brake device configured to brake wheels on a first axle of the motor vehicle, a first control unit configured to control the braking operation of the wheels on the first axle; and a second hydraulic brake device configured to brake the wheels on a second axle of the motor vehicle, and a second control unit configured to control the braking operation of the wheels on the second axle. The first control unit is coupled with the second control unit via a communication channel. The first control unit and the second control unit are each configured to receive data that are relevant for the control of the braking operation, the first control unit furthermore being configured to transmit a data signal on the basis of the received data via the communication channel to the second control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Mahnkopf, Volker Mehl
  • Patent number: 11572048
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a control device and a corresponding method for operating an electromechanical brake booster of a brake system of a vehicle, comprising an electronics unit that defines a target variable with respect to a target rotational speed of a motor of the electromechanical brake booster, taking into account a brake input signal with respect to a braking request, and that sends at least one control signal to the motor. The electronics unit defines a maximum target variable with respect to a maximum target rotational speed of the motor, taking into account a current intensity of a motor current of the motor and a current angle of rotation of a rotor of the motor, and defines the target variable with respect to the target rotational speed of the motor of the electromechanical brake booster to be at the most equal to the defined maximum target variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Dirk Mahnkopf, Christian Binder, Manfred Gerdes, Oliver Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20220363228
    Abstract: A detection method for an electromechanical brake booster. The method includes: ascertaining, while both a driver braking force is transferred to an input element and a motor force is transferred to a support element so that a coupling element of the electromechanical brake booster which is provided downstream from the input element and the support element is also displaced at least using the motor force, whether an open intermediate gap, when the input element is present in its starting position, is closed when the coupling element is present in its starting position, and establishing an actual variable with respect to a coupling element path of the coupling element out of its coupling element starting position and/or a coupling element velocity of the coupling element in the case of an open intermediate gap using a first formula, and in the case of a closed intermediate gap using a second formula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Publication number: 20210009096
    Abstract: A brake system for a motor vehicle, having a first hydraulic brake device configured to brake wheels on a first axle of the motor vehicle, a first control unit configured to control the braking operation of the wheels on the first axle; and a second hydraulic brake device configured to brake the wheels on a second axle of the motor vehicle, and a second control unit configured to control the braking operation of the wheels on the second axle. The first control unit is coupled with the second control unit via a communication channel. The first control unit and the second control unit are each configured to receive data that are relevant for the control of the braking operation, the first control unit furthermore being configured to transmit a data signal on the basis of the received data via the communication channel to the second control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Dirk Mahnkopf, Volker Mehl
  • Publication number: 20210001894
    Abstract: In a method for executing an autonomous driving operation in a vehicle, for the case in which a driving action influencing the driving dynamics takes place without authorization, the action is canceled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Publication number: 20200086844
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a control device and a corresponding method for operating an electromechanical brake booster of a brake system of a vehicle, comprising an electronics unit that defines a target variable with respect to a target rotational speed of a motor of the electromechanical brake booster, taking into account a brake input signal with respect to a braking request, and that sends at least one control signal to the motor. The electronics unit defines a maximum target variable with respect to a maximum target rotational speed of the motor, taking into account a current intensity of a motor current of the motor and a current angle of rotation of a rotor of the motor, and defines the target variable with respect to the target rotational speed of the motor of the electromechanical brake booster to be at the most equal to the defined maximum target variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Dirk Mahnkopf, Christian Binder, Manfred Gerdes, Oliver Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9889836
    Abstract: An electromechanical braking device for a braking system including a master brake cylinder including an electric motor, an adjustable output rod, and a gear, the electric motor being connected to the output rod at least via the gear so that a power transmission path is present via which a motor output is at least partially transmittable to the output rod so that the output rod is adjustable, the electromechanical braking device including at least one elastic component situated within the power transmission path which is configured so that the at least one elastic component is not compressible below a control point of the electromechanical braking device, but during the occurrence of pressure peaks in the master brake cylinder which are above the control point of the electromechanical braking device, the at least one elastic component is compressible. Also described is a braking system for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Mahnkopf, Andreas Schlichenmaier, Stefan Seitz, Otmar Bussmann, Bertram Foitzik, Thomas Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 9868428
    Abstract: A brake booster includes an input element actuatable by a driver, an actuator for generating a support force, an output element that receives at least one of an input or support force and that applies an actuating force to a piston of a brake master cylinder, a force transmission unit having elastic properties and transmitting the input and/or support forces to the output element, and a preload unit acting on the force transmission unit to apply a force couple to the force transmission unit when the brake booster is in idle mode. A method for operating the brake booster includes generating a support force prior to a braking intent to be anticipated or immediately after detection of a braking intent, in a time span before or immediately after detection of an actuation of the input element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Patent number: 9845086
    Abstract: A brake booster includes an input element actuatable by a driver, an actuator for generating a support force, an output element to which an input or support force may be applied and via which an actuating force may be applied to a piston of a brake master cylinder, and a force transmission unit having elastic properties, situated between the input element and the actuator, and the output element, and transmitting the input and/or support forces to the output element. An air gap, which in idle mode is smaller or larger than a desired air gap, is provided between the input element and the force transmission unit. A method for operating the brake booster includes generating a support force prior to a braking intent to be anticipated or immediately after detection of a braking intent, in a time span before or immediately after detection of an actuation of the input element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Patent number: 9604618
    Abstract: A regulatable brake booster and to a method and a control unit for operating same. Using the method for operating the brake booster, as well as the embodiment of the brake booster, a reaction on a driver may be avoided or reduced by an offset of the brake pedal or by a changed operating force in response to a change in the supporting force. The change in the supporting force is particularly an adjustment of the braking effect of an hydraulic braking system to the braking effect of a regenerative braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Publication number: 20160107628
    Abstract: An electromechanical braking device for a braking system including a master brake cylinder including an electric motor, an adjustable output rod, and a gear, the electric motor being connected to the output rod at least via the gear so that a power transmission path is present via which a motor output is at least partially transmittable to the output rod so that the output rod is adjustable, the electromechanical braking device including at least one elastic component situated within the power transmission path which is configured so that the at least one elastic component is not compressible below a control point of the electromechanical braking device, but during the occurrence of pressure peaks in the master brake cylinder which are above the control point of the electromechanical braking device, the at least one elastic component is compressible. Also described is a braking system for a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Dirk Mahnkopf, Andreas Schlichenmaier, Stefan Seitz, Otmar Bussmann, Bertram Foitzik, Thomas Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 9037374
    Abstract: A method for detecting a braking intention in a vehicle includes: establishing at least one setpoint braking power for the braking intention specified by a driver and/or an automatic vehicle control system; and taking at least one ascertained sensor variable into consideration. The sensor variable includes: a variable regarding a position and/or an adjustment travel of an output rod of the braking system, a position and/or an adjustment travel of a booster body of the braking system, a position and/or an adjustment travel of a timing case of the braking system, a position, an adjustment travel and/or a rotation angle of a component of a motor of an electromechanical brake booster, a position, an adjustment travel and/or a rotation angle of a component of a thread of the brake booster, and/or a shape and/or a deformation of a reaction disk of the braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bertram Foitzik, Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Patent number: 8886430
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a brake-boosted brake system of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: determining braking force information (28) with respect to a driver braking force (Ff), which is applied to the actuating element (10) when an actuating element (10) of the brake system is actuated by a driver of the vehicle; determining an actual speed parameter (34) with respect to an adjustment speed of a servo piston (16) of the brake system to which a servo power (Fu) of a brake booster (14) of the brake system is applied; determining a relative speed parameter (40) with respect to a relative speed of the servo piston (16) relative to the input piston (12); establishing a target speed parameter (50) with respect to the adjustment speed of the servo piston (16) taking into account the determined braking force information (28), the determined actual speed parameter (34) and the determined relative speed parameter (40), and actuating the brake booster (14) taking the established target
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Frank Kneip, Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Patent number: 8870300
    Abstract: A method for actuating a hydraulic vehicle brake system, includes a master brake cylinder with a preferably electromechanical brake booster and a wheel slip control device. The master brake cylinder is actuated simultaneously with the brake booster, and hydraulic pumps of the wheel slip control device are driven by an electric motor. Pressure builds more quickly in the wheel brakes of the vehicle brake system for safety and assistance functions that require high pressure build-up dynamic. The method also increases the wheel brake pressure using the pressure that can be generated by actuating the master brake cylinder with the brake booster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Remy Garnier, Reinhard Weiberle, Timo Jahnz, Volker Mehl, Frank Kneip, Dirk Mahnkopf, Jens Kolarsky, Stephan Hoenle
  • Publication number: 20140214297
    Abstract: A method for detecting a braking intention in a vehicle includes: establishing at least one setpoint braking power for the braking intention specified by a driver and/or an automatic vehicle control system; and taking at least one ascertained sensor variable into consideration. The sensor variable includes: a variable regarding a position and/or an adjustment travel of an output rod of the braking system, a position and/or an adjustment travel of a booster body of the braking system, a position and/or an adjustment travel of a timing case of the braking system, a position, an adjustment travel and/or a rotation angle of a component of a motor of an electromechanical brake booster, a position, an adjustment travel and/or a rotation angle of a component of a thread of the brake booster, and/or a shape and/or a deformation of a reaction disk of the braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bertram FOITZIK, Dirk MAHNKOPF