Patents by Inventor Janik Ricke

Janik Ricke 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: 20240149750
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system of a utility vehicle over multiple journeys includes: actuating a compressor arrangement that has a plurality of compressors such that pressurized air is provided, and supplying the pressurized air to the fuel cell system on the cathode side. The actuation includes: selecting a number and/or sequence of compressors from the plurality of compressors to be actuated for the journeys such that the selection of the number and/or sequence differs at least for two consecutive journeys of the utility vehicle. Further, a fuel cell system is able to be operated in this manner. A control unit and a computer program product can also be configured to operate a fuel cell system of a utility vehicle over multiple journeys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventor: Janik Ricke
  • Patent number: 11945425
    Abstract: A method for braking a vehicle, including checking whether a trigger criterion for braking the vehicle is present, and if the trigger criterion is satisfied, causing a conditioning braking pulse through brief pulsed braking such that passengers experience brief braking of the vehicle, and immediately thereafter initiating a braking phase in which the vehicle is braked in at least two partial braking regions by an actual ego deceleration that varies with respect to time, wherein each partial braking region is extended over a partial braking interval and merge into one another without the actual ego deceleration changing abruptly, and the actual ego deceleration in at least one of the partial braking regions is changed continuously over the respective partial braking interval such that a different actual jerk is obtained in each partial braking region, and wherein the actual jerk behaves degressively over at least some partial braking regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS GLOBAL GMBH
    Inventors: Richard Matthaei, Thomas Dieckmann, Waldemar Kamischke, Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20240083262
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for propulsion of a vehicle includes a compressor for supplying air to the cathode side of a fuel cell. The compressor has an electric motor, a rotor shaft operatively connected to the motor in order to be driven in rotation thereby. A bearing arrangement supports the rotor shaft rotatably and has an air bearing with a bearing gap. The bearing supports the rotor shaft in the compressor. An encircling air gap forms when a lift-off speed of the rotor shaft is reached/overshot. The compressor has a flow path opening into the bearing gap. The system has an actuatable shut-off element arranged in the flow path between a compressed-air supply and the bearing gap and which is configured to selectively close/open the flow path. A controller is configured to open/close the shut-off element and actuate the electric motor in a mutually dependent manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Janik Ricke
  • Patent number: 11904702
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for actuating an electrical drive of a trailer vehicle with a towing vehicle. According to an embodiment, the method include the steps of: determining a current mass of the towing vehicle; determining a current drive force of the towing vehicle; determining an acceleration demand in dependence upon the current mass and the current drive force; and, actuating the electric drive via an actuating signal in dependence upon the acceleration demand. The disclosure also relates to a control device for executing the method, a towing vehicle, a trailer vehicle and a semi-trailer truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV Systems Global GmbH
    Inventors: Nikolai Flaum, Johannes Heseding, Janik Ricke, Torsten Wallbaum
  • Publication number: 20230311817
    Abstract: A module housing for a mirror replacement system includes a holder body which has at least one holder opening and at least one viewing opening of a camera mount for fastening a camera, wherein the at least one viewing opening enables a view for the camera from the module housing. The holder body furthermore has a retaining device for a cleaning arrangement, wherein the cleaning arrangement has at least one cleaning nozzle and one fluid line for a cleaning fluid with at least one line body, wherein the retaining device has: a line holder for the fluid line, a nozzle holder for the cleaning nozzle which is arranged in such a way that cleaning fluid can be applied from the cleaning nozzle to the at least one viewing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Jan Cohrs, Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20230278530
    Abstract: A cleaning device is for a vehicle. The cleaning device has at least one cleaning nozzle configured to apply a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned of at least one sensor, a fluid supply unit, in particular a fluid valve or a pump, configured to selectively provide the cleaning fluid to the cleaning nozzle, and an actuator for generating a cleaning movement of the cleaning nozzle. It is provided in the cleaning device that the cleaning device has a switching unit for controlling the actuator, such that the cleaning movement can be generated independently of the fluid supply unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jan Cohrs, Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20230278529
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a vehicle provides a liquid cleaning pulse and/or a compressed-air cleaning pulse for at least one cleaning nozzle. The device has a cylinder and a separator that divides the cylinder volume in fluid-tight fashion into an air chamber and a liquid chamber. The separator is movable along a cylinder axis and bears sealingly against an internal wall of the cylinder. The air chamber has a port for admitting compressed air with a charge pressure for filling the chamber. The charge pressure acts on an air action surface of the separator to generate a displacement force on a liquid action surface, facing toward the liquid chamber, of the separator to generate a liquid pressure of the cleaning liquid in the liquid chamber. The cylinder is configured as a pressure booster. The liquid action surface is smaller than the air action surface facing toward the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventor: Janik Ricke
  • Patent number: 11745698
    Abstract: A vehicle security system is provided for a vehicle having a braking system that includes a parking brake, the parking brake being capable of being switched between a driving position and a braking position. The vehicle security system is configured to secure the vehicle after an accident. The vehicle security system comprises a control unit configured to ascertain an accident of the vehicle and to switch the parking brake of the vehicle into the braking position in response to ascertaining an accident of the vehicle, and a sensor configured to capture and make available first vehicle data that represent a rotary location of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to carry out the ascertainment of an accident on the basis of the first vehicle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS GLOBAL GMBH
    Inventor: Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20230202337
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for exchanging electrical energy between an energy-storage unit in a vehicle, operated by a vehicle operator, and an energy-user. The energy-storage unit has been configured to store electrical energy long-term. An electrical connection between the energy-storage unit and the energy-user can be configured to exchange energy. In accordance with the disclosure, there is provision that an exchange of energy from the energy-user into the energy-storage unit of the vehicle in a first energy-transmission direction, or from the energy-storage unit of the vehicle to the energy-user in a second energy-transmission direction, takes place, in order to provide an energy service by the vehicle operator. The exchange of energy takes place as a function of an energy price, set by the vehicle operator, for the energy service. The energy price is ascertained as a function of a storage-unit status of the at least one energy-storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventor: Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20230150455
    Abstract: A multi-channel cleaning apparatus is disclosed for a vehicle to provide a liquid cleaning pulse and/or a compressed-air cleaning pulse for at least two cleaning nozzles. The multi-channel cleaning apparatus includes a module compressed-air port for admitting compressed air and a module liquid port for admitting cleaning liquid. At least two nozzle branches are provided wherein one nozzle branch is configured for supplying at least one cleaning nozzle independently of another nozzle branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20230143462
    Abstract: A multi-channel cleaning device provides a liquid and/or a compressed air flow for cleaning jets and has: a module compressed air connection and a module liquid connection for receiving cleaning liquid. At least two nozzle branches are provided. One nozzle branch is configured for supplying at least one cleaning nozzle independently of another nozzle branch. Each nozzle branch has: a pump for delivering a cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid provided at the module liquid connection as a function of a pump control signal and for providing the delivered cleaning liquid in a liquid flow at a liquid nozzle line of the nozzle branch and a branch valve for pneumatically connecting the module compressed air connection to a compressed air nozzle line of the nozzle branch as a function of a valve control signal for providing a compressed air flow at the compressed air nozzle line in a ventilation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventor: Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20230104642
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sensor cleaning system for a vehicle having: at least one sensor cleaning module, wherein the sensor cleaning module has a valve unit, wherein the valve unit is configured for receiving compressed air via a module compressed air port and for selectively outputting the compressed air cleaning pulse via a cleaning compressed air port. The sensor cleaning module has a module reservoir and a pump mechanism, wherein the module reservoir is configured for receiving and storing the cleaning liquid provided via a module liquid port, and is connected to the pump mechanism for fluid transfer, and the pump mechanism is configured for providing the cleaning liquid in the form of a liquid cleaning pulse at a cleaning fluid port depending on a control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Jan Cohrs, Jan Fiebrandt, Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20230068079
    Abstract: A method for braking a vehicle, including checking whether a trigger criterion for braking the vehicle is present, and if the trigger criterion is satisfied, causing a conditioning braking pulse through brief pulsed braking such that passengers experience brief braking of the vehicle, and immediately thereafter initiating a braking phase in which the vehicle is braked in at least two partial braking regions by an actual ego deceleration that varies with respect to time, wherein each partial braking region is extended over a partial braking interval and merge into one another without the actual ego deceleration changing abruptly, and the actual ego deceleration in at least one of the partial braking regions is changed continuously over the respective partial braking interval such that a different actual jerk is obtained in each partial braking region, and wherein the actual jerk behaves degressively over at least some partial braking regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Matthaei, Thomas Dieckmann, Waldemar Kamischke, Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20230021087
    Abstract: A method is for detecting the position of at least one mobile, interchangeable load carrier that is movable by a commercial vehicle, in a delimited detection area, in particular a depot, in which the at least one mobile, interchangeable load carrier is moved by vehicles. Accommodation operations and/or offloading events of the mobile, interchangeable load carrier in the detection area are determined by the vehicle as notification events, position data for identifying the position in the detection area are determined for the notification events, and position notification signals are formed by the commercial vehicle from the determined notification events and from the position data, and are transmitted to a communication center of the detection area via a wireless network. In the communication center, the current position data of the load carrier are determined from the received position notification signals and are stored in a memory and continuously updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Philip Meyer-Rössler, Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20230020585
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for actuating an electric drive of a trailer vehicle with a towing vehicle, including the steps: determining a current slip of at least one driven wheel of a towing vehicle pulling the trailer vehicle, determining an expected slip for the driven wheel of the towing vehicle, determining an acceleration demand depending on the determined current slip and the determined expected slip and actuating the electric drive depending on the acceleration demand. The disclosure also relates to a control unit for executing the method, a towing vehicle, a trailer vehicle and a vehicle combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Nikolai Flaum, Johannes Heseding, Janik Ricke, Torsten Wallbaum
  • Publication number: 20220414927
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining object information relating to an object in an environment of a multi-part vehicle having at least one towing vehicle and at least one trailer and a control unit and vehicle associated with it, with at least one trailer camera being arranged on the trailer, having at least the following steps: capturing the environment with a trailer camera from a first position and, in dependence thereon, creating a first image having first pixels; changing the position of the trailer camera; capturing the environment with the trailer camera from a second position and creating a second image having second pixels; and, determining object information relating to an object in the captured environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Janik Ricke, Tobias Klinger, Thomas Dieckmann
  • Publication number: 20220413508
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for controlling a vehicle in a depot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Janik Ricke, Tobias Klinger
  • Publication number: 20220402463
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a cleaning system for cleaning a sensor surface of a sensor of a vehicle, in particular an optical sensor, having the step: applying an amount of compressed air to the sensor surface in an air cleaning step characterized by: checking an air cleaning result in a checking step; in the event of a negative air cleaning result, performing a hybrid cleaning step including: applying an amount of cleaning fluid to the sensor surface in a fluid, in particular liquid, cleaning step; and/or, applying an amount of compressed air to the sensor surface in a further air cleaning step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Fiebrandt, Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20220398852
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining object information relating to an abject in an environment of a vehicle having a camera. The method includes: capturing the environment with the camera from a first position; changing the position of the camera; capturing the environment with the camera from a second position; determining object information relating to an object by selecting at least one first pixel in the first image and at least one second pixel in the second image, by selecting the first pixel and the second pixel such that they are assigned to the same object point of the object, and determining object coordinates of the assigned object point by triangulation. Changing the position of the camera is brought about by controlling an active actuator system in the vehicle. The actuator system adjusts the camera by an adjustment distance without changing a driving condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Tobias Klinger, Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20220360631
    Abstract: A method is for setting up a data connection between a terminal device of a telematics system in a vehicle and a central module of a stationary local area network (SLAN). The SLAN covers a depot. The method includes: providing access data for identifying and authenticating the terminal device in the SLAN, the access data being provided via an access network differing from the SLAN; transferring the provided access data to the terminal device in an automated manner using the access network; setting up a connection between the terminal device and the central module of the SLAN in an automated manner when the vehicle having the terminal device is located in range; authenticating the terminal device in an automated manner on the basis of the access data to check authenticity of the terminal device; and, authorizing the terminal device and/or the vehicle automatically if the terminal device is authentic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Philip Meyer-Rössler, Janik Ricke