Patents by Inventor Hans Heckmann

Hans Heckmann 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).

  • Patent number: 8240781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a braking system for motor vehicles with electrically actuated hydraulic valves, the coils of which are powered up, at least in phases, with currents which modify the currentless state of the hydraulic valves, in order to heat the hydraulic fluid present in the system. The hydraulic fluid is heated via a heating profile which, in accordance with the hydraulic fluid temperature, activates the heating phase of the hydraulic fluid. The heating profile consists of a first heating phase and, subsequent thereto, a second heating phase. During the first heating phase, the coils are powered up in such a way that the coil temperature at the end of the first heating phase corresponds to a pre-defined temperature value of the coil which is at least approximately maintained during the second heating phase when powering up the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Jens Kolarsky, Harald Hermann, Timo Jahnz, Dirk Foerch, Werner Quirant, Michael Kunz, Michael Bunk, Philipp Grell, Thomas Loeffler
  • Publication number: 20090051215
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a braking system for motor vehicles with electrically actuated hydraulic valves, the coils of which are powered up, at least in phases, with currents which modify the currentless state of the hydraulic valves, in order to heat the hydraulic fluid present in the system. The hydraulic fluid is heated via a heating profile which, in accordance with the hydraulic fluid temperature, activates the heating phase of the hydraulic fluid. The heating profile consists of a first heating phase and, subsequent thereto, a second heating phase. During the first heating phase, the coils are powered up in such a way that the coil temperature at the end of the first heating phase corresponds to a pre-defined temperature value of the coil which is at least approximately maintained during the second heating phase when powering up the coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Jens Kolarsky, Harald Hermann, Timo Jahnz, Dirk Foerch, Werner Quirant, Michael Kunz, Michael Bunk, Philipp Grell, Thomas Loeffler
  • Patent number: 7269762
    Abstract: A method of mutual monitoring of components of a distributed computer system for a safety-relevant application in a motor vehicle in particular. The components are interconnected by at least one communication system. To make the mutual monitoring of components as simple and comprehensible as possible and to save on additional hardware components for monitoring, in a plurality of components of the computer system an internal monitoring function which detects faults in the monitored component and a mutual monitoring function which performs a mutual check on results determined by the components and makes a majority selection from the results are implemented, and both the result of the internal monitoring function and the results of the mutual monitoring functions are taken into account in a decision as to whether there is a fault in a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch, Peter Blessing
  • Patent number: 6728618
    Abstract: A system for controlling and/or regulating operational sequences in a motor vehicle having several equal-access control units for controlling and/or regulating certain functions in the motor vehicle. Control units each have a volatile memory, and a nonvolatile memory in which a loading routine is included. They are connected to one another via a time-controlled communications system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch
  • Publication number: 20040034810
    Abstract: A method of mutual monitoring of components of a distributed computer system for a safety-relevant application in a motor vehicle in particular. The components are interconnected by at least one communication system. To make the mutual monitoring of components as simple and comprehensible as possible and to save on additional hardware components for monitoring, in a plurality of components of the computer system an internal monitoring function which detects faults in the monitored component and a mutual monitoring function which performs a mutual check on results determined by the components and makes a majority selection from the results are implemented, and both the result of the internal monitoring function and the results of the mutual monitoring functions are taken into account in a decision as to whether there is a fault in a component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch, Peter Blessing
  • Publication number: 20040011579
    Abstract: A method of triggering a component in a distributed safety-related system, e.g., a component of an X-by-wire system in a motor vehicle, is described. The component is triggered by a first triggering module assigned to the component and including at least one first microcomputer system. To monitor the microcomputer system, a monitoring unit which is independent of the first microcomputer system is provided. In addition to the first microcomputer system, the distributed safety-related system includes at least one additional microcomputer system which is connected to the first microcomputer system for the purpose of data transfer, e.g., via a physical databus. The additional microcomputer systems assume the functions of the monitoring unit. Thus, it is possible to do without a separate monitoring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch, Peter Blessing
  • Patent number: 6571163
    Abstract: An electrically controlled, decentralized control system in a vehicle includes at least two energy sources which are independent of one another and at least two control units. In addition, at least one high-current load is allocated to each control unit. The high-current load is permanently allocated to one of the energy sources, while the control units are selectively switchable to the one or the other energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch
  • Publication number: 20030088353
    Abstract: A system for controlling and/or regulating operational sequences in a motor vehicle having several equal-access control units for controlling and/or regulating certain functions in the motor vehicle. Control units each have a volatile memory, and a nonvolatile memory in which a loading routine is included. They are connected to one another via a time-controlled communications system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch
  • Patent number: 6525432
    Abstract: A dispersed control system for use in a vehicle. The dispersed control system includes a plurality of electrical control units that exchange data via a communication system. The system includes at least two power sources that are independent of each other and that supply each of the plurality of electrical control units with a voltage. The communication system includes at least two channels, and bus drivers are provided in each electrical control unit so that each channel is supplied with a voltage from a different one of the at least two power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch, Peter Blessing
  • Publication number: 20020180270
    Abstract: A dispersed control system for use in a vehicle. The dispersed control system includes a plurality of electrical control units that exchange data via a communication system. The system includes at least two power sources that are independent of each other and that supply each of the plurality of electrical control units with a voltage. The communication system includes at least two channels, and bus drivers are provided in each electrical control unit so that each channel is supplied with a voltage from a different one of the at least two power sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch, Peter Blessing
  • Patent number: 6460661
    Abstract: An electrical brake with a holding function, in particular for an electromechanical brake in motor vehicles, is described. The brake contains an electric motor having a holding brake function. To generate the holding brake function, an electric motor with salient stator poles and rotor poles is provided. The motor is acted upon by a defined holding current in such a way that the poles of the motor thereby are brought into a locked position and held there, or are held in a locked position. Advantageously, after activation of the holding brake function and after a locked position has been reached, the current delivered to the motor for braking is very substantially decreased. The electrical brake can optionally act on the brake caliper with a spindle and a linkage, the electric motor driving and braking the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Heckmann
  • Patent number: 6430478
    Abstract: The system includes a central memory, in which all programs necessary for controlling/regulating the operational sequences of a vehicle are stored. At the start of the system, the control units load the needed programs into their working memory via indirect memory access. The method provides that, after the system is switched on, the units first identify themselves. After that, by means of the loading programs, the programs are loaded from the central memory into the working memory of each control unit via indirect memory access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch
  • Patent number: 6349996
    Abstract: An electrically controlled, decentralized control system in a vehicle having control modules, each of which is assigned a vehicle control element for actuation. The actuation is carried out as a function of a driver's input which is formed in each control module on the basis of sensor signals that represent the actuation of an actuating element by the driver. In this context, at least three sensors are provided for detecting the actuating signals, one actuating signal being supplied directly to each control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch
  • Patent number: 6349255
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating a driving status signal that represents the driving status of a motor vehicle. A wheel acceleration variable representing the acceleration of the vehicle wheels is formed. In addition, an acceleration variable representing the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle is sensed by way of sensors. The wheel acceleration variable that is formed is low-pass filtered, and the acceleration variable that is sensed is high-pass filtered. The driving status signal is generated as a function of an association between the low-pass-filtered wheel acceleration variable and the high-pass-filtered acceleration variable. As a result, it possible to determine the vehicle's ground acceleration from a combination of the signals of an acceleration sensor and the wheel rotation speed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Hermann Winner
  • Publication number: 20020016652
    Abstract: The system includes a central memory, in which all programs necessary for controlling/regulating the operational sequences of a vehicle are stored. At the start of the system, the control units load the needed programs into their working memory via indirect memory access. The method provides that, after the system is switched on, the units first identify themselves. After that, by means of the loading programs, the programs are loaded from the central memory into the working memory of each control unit via indirect memory access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Reinhard Weiberle, Bernd Kesch
  • Patent number: 6238011
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a wheel brake in open-loop, which is provided with an electrically controllable control device. The control, in particular the clearance adjustment, is effected as a function of the change tendency of a braking-force or braking-torque signal over a path signal which represents a measure for the path covered by the brake pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Heckmann
  • Patent number: 6086167
    Abstract: A method and a device for regulating the pressure prevailing in at least one wheel brake. Pressure is regulated in a stepless, continuously variable manner, by a regulator generating at least one driving signal quantity for a pressure-influencing valve arrangement on the basis of the active operating point of the valve arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Hermann Winner, Eberhardt Schunck, Alain Gaillard
  • Patent number: 5572842
    Abstract: A hollow floor composed of a profiled false floor (1) which is arranged between a top floor (2) and a sub floor (3) and is designed to be plate-shaped, the false floor (1) having cup-shaped depressions (4) that are joined together by essentially flat edge areas (5). The depressions (4) are filled in with a sound-deadening filler material (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Reinhard Stief, Manfred Wagner, Hans Heckmann