Patents by Inventor Ingo Tha

Ingo Tha 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: 11458941
    Abstract: A method for decelerating a trailer vehicle in a vehicle combination having a tractor vehicle and at least one trailer vehicle includes determining, by a wheel module at a respective wheel of the trailer vehicle, acceleration measurement values of the respective wheel, generating, by the wheel module, an information signal taking into account the acceleration measurement values of the respective wheel, and transmitting the information signal in a wireless fashion. The method further includes evaluating the acceleration measurement values and monitoring the acceleration measurement values with respect to a locking tendency of the respective wheel, and when an information signal of the wheel module is received, adjusting, by an electronic brake control unit, the trailer brake pressure taking into account the information signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Ingo Tha
  • Publication number: 20190322256
    Abstract: A method for decelerating a trailer vehicle in a vehicle combination having a tractor vehicle and at least one trailer vehicle includes determining, by a wheel module at a respective wheel of the trailer vehicle, acceleration measurement values of the respective wheel, generating, by the wheel module, an information signal taking into account the acceleration measurement values of the respective wheel, and transmitting the information signal in a wireless fashion. The method further includes evaluating the acceleration measurement values and monitoring the acceleration measurement values with respect to a locking tendency of the respective wheel, and when an information signal of the wheel module is received, adjusting, by an electronic brake control unit, the trailer brake pressure taking into account the information signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventor: Ingo Tha
  • Patent number: 9919688
    Abstract: A method for detecting an operating state of a vehicle, includes selecting the operating state from at least a first or a second operating state for a vehicle that includes a pneumatic brake system and a pneumatic control connection for connecting the pneumatic brake system to a further pneumatic brake system of a trailer. The method includes the following steps: applying pressure to the control connection until a starting pressure in the control connection is set; opening the control connection such that a pressure between the control connection and an environment is equalized; detecting a temporal pressure pattern during the pressure equalization; comparing the temporal pressure pattern to a reference pressure pattern; determining an evaluation result based on the comparison of the temporal and the reference pressure pattern; and assigning the evaluation result to the first or the second operating state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Barth, Tobias Munko, Ingo Tha
  • Publication number: 20160257289
    Abstract: A method for detecting an operating state of a vehicle, includes selecting the operating state from at least a first or a second operating state for a vehicle that includes a pneumatic brake system and a pneumatic control connection for connecting the pneumatic brake system to a further pneumatic brake system of a trailer. The method includes the following steps: applying pressure to the control connection until a starting pressure in the control connection is set; opening the control connection such that a pressure between the control connection and an environment is equalized; detecting a temporal pressure pattern during the pressure equalization; comparing the temporal pressure pattern to a reference pressure pattern; determining an evaluation result based on the comparison of the temporal and the reference pressure pattern; and assigning the evaluation result to the first or the second operating state of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Christoph Barth, Tobias Munko, Ingo Tha
  • Patent number: 8336364
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating wheel speed signals measured by wheel rpm sensors in a vehicle equipped with at least one longitudinal acceleration sensor integrates the signal of the longitudinal acceleration sensor during the acceleration or deceleration phases of the vehicle, and the resulting vehicle speed signal is compared against the signals of the individual wheel rpm sensors. A determination is made as to whether a deviation that may exist for a wheel lies within a predefined tolerance range. If a deviation falls outside of the tolerance range, the parameterized tire circumference of the associated wheel is adaptively recalibrated until the deviation falls within the tolerance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Munko, Axel Stender, Gerhard Ruhnau, Ingo Tha
  • Patent number: 8267485
    Abstract: A system and method for braking a drawbar trailer having a front axle and one or more further axles, each axle having at least two wheels, includes first sensors which sense the axle load of at least one axle, and second sensors which sense the rotational wheel speeds. Brakes actuatable with a pneumatic brake pressure brake the trailer. Brake signals generated in the towing vehicle are transmitted between the towing vehicle and the trailer. A control unit receives these brake signals and the sensor signals, and determines the axle load. The operating pressure is adapted to the brake pressure which is fed to the brakes. The control unit detects the brake pressure value as a function of (i) the specific axle loads of the front axle and the other axles and (ii) the received brake signals, and actuates the brakes such that the detected brake pressure is made available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Barlsen, Axel Stender, Ingo Tha, Norbert Witte, Markus Wolf
  • Publication number: 20110264301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a travel direction of a vehicle (1), particularly a trailer vehicle, wherein wheel speed signals (n1, n2, n3) are captured and a travel speed (v) is determined, a longitudinal acceleration (a) of the vehicle (1) is measured, and a longitudinal acceleration measurement signal (Sa) is output, an approach process is determined from a time change in the travel speed (v), and the direction of the approach process is determined from the longitudinal acceleration measurement signal (Sa). An approach process in the reverse direction is particularly detected thereby. The invention further relates to a control device (2) for performing the method, particularly in a vehicle controller, a vehicle system, and a corresponding vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Immanuel Henken, Tobias Munko, Gerhard Ruhnau, Axel Stender, Ingo Tha
  • Patent number: 7971942
    Abstract: A trailer brake system constructed and arranged to effect the relay of a brake signal from the tractor and an automatically generated brake signal of an electronic control device of the trailer to one or more additional trailers in an expanded vehicle train. In one embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional coupled trailer in the form of an electrical signal via an electrical interface. In another embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional trailer by means of a valve device. In yet another embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional trailer by means of a combination of electrical signal transmission and valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Parrott, Axel Stender, Ingo Tha
  • Publication number: 20090273232
    Abstract: A system and method for braking a drawbar trailer having a front axle and one or more further axles, each axle having at least two wheels, includes first sensors which sense the axle load of at least one axle, and second sensors which sense the rotational wheel speeds. Brakes actuatable with a pneumatic brake pressure brake the trailer. Brake signals generated in the towing vehicle are transmitted between the towing vehicle and the trailer. A control unit receives these brake signals and the sensor signals, and determines the axle load. The operating pressure is adapted to the brake pressure which is fed to the brakes. The control unit detects the brake pressure value as a function of (i) the specific axle loads of the front axle and the other axles and (ii) the received brake signals, and actuates the brakes such that the detected brake pressure is made available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Holger Barlsen, Axel Stender, Ingo Tha, Norbert Witte, Markus Wolf
  • Publication number: 20090205401
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating wheel speed signals measured by wheel rpm sensors in a vehicle equipped with at least one longitudinal acceleration sensor integrates the signal of the longitudinal acceleration sensor during the acceleration or deceleration phases of the vehicle, and the resulting vehicle speed signal is compared against the signals of the individual wheel rpm sensors. A determination is made as to whether a deviation that may exist for a wheel lies within a predefined tolerance range. If a deviation falls outside of the tolerance range, the parameterized tire circumference of the associated wheel is adaptively recalibrated until the deviation falls within the tolerance range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Tobias Munko, Axel Stender, Gerhard Ruhnau, Ingo Tha
  • Publication number: 20080067862
    Abstract: A trailer brake system constructed and arranged to effect the relay of a brake signal from the tractor and an automatically generated brake signal of an electronic control device of the trailer to one or more additional trailers in an expanded vehicle train. In one embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional coupled trailer in the form of an electrical signal via an electrical interface. In another embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional trailer by means of a valve device. In yet another embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional trailer by means of a combination of electrical signal transmission and valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Parrott, Axel Stender, Ingo Tha
  • Patent number: 6553284
    Abstract: A process to prevent a vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, from overturning while negotiating a curve recognizes the potential for overturning, and automatically activates a preventive braking process. In addition, the automatic braking process is terminated in a timely fashion to avoid overbraking the vehicle. This is accomplished by subjecting at least one wheel on the inside of the curve to a relatively weak braking force during the automatic braking process, and by adjusting the braking parameters in accordance with the vehicle's response characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Hans Holst, Klaus Lindemann, Ingo Tha
  • Publication number: 20010037677
    Abstract: A process to prevent a vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, from overturning while negotiating a curve recognizes the potential for overturning, and automatically activates a preventive braking process. In addition, the automatic braking process is terminated in a timely fashion to avoid overbraking the vehicle. This is accomplished by subjecting at least one wheel on the inside of the curve to a relatively weak braking force during the automatic braking process, and by adjusting the braking parameters in accordance with the vehicle's response characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Hans Holst, Klaus Lindemann, Ingo Tha
  • Patent number: 6224171
    Abstract: A method applicable for use in wheeled vehicles permits correction of a vehicle reference speed following a real or apparent deceleration indicated by wheel speed signals, caused for example by a fault in wheel sensing. In order to prevent a brief period of insufficient braking of the vehicle due to an erroneously high vehicle reference speed during a subsequent ABS regulation, wheel slip regulating signals are monitored. If a wheel slip regulating signal appears for a given number of wheels and lasts for a longer period than a predetermined time, an intervention in the normal regulating process is made, and the vehicle reference speed is set to the value of the wheel speed of the wheels associated with a wheel slip regulating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Henrich Riedemann, Gerald Stanusch, Ingo Tha, Thomas Wolf