Patents by Inventor Julian van Thiel

Julian van Thiel 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: 11964642
    Abstract: An electropneumatic parking brake module includes a supply connection configured to connect a compressed air supply, at least one spring-type actuator connection configured to connect at least one spring brake cylinder, and an inlet-outlet valve unit configured to assume at least a first switching position and a second switching position. The parking brake module further includes an electropneumatic pilot control unit configured to output at least a first control pressure at the inlet-outlet valve unit. In the first switching position of the inlet-outlet valve unit, the spring-type actuator connection is connected to the supply connection for outputting a spring brake pressure, and, in the second switching position of the inlet-outlet valve unit, the spring-type actuator connection is connected to a venting connection of the inlet-outlet valve unit. The inlet-outlet valve unit is in the second switching position when the first control pressure is below a first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Julian Van Thiel
  • Publication number: 20240109524
    Abstract: An electropneumatic valve assembly is for activating a parking brake function of an electropneumatic brake system. The valve assembly has a pilot control unit and a main valve unit configured to actuate a parking brake pressure at least at one spring-accumulator connection. The valve assembly has a service brake connection for receiving a service brake pressure and a safety valve. The safety valve, by receiving a safety control pressure, is switchable from a venting position, in which the safety valve connects the pilot control unit to a vent, to a supply position, in which the safety valve supplies the pilot control valve with reservoir pressure, the safety valve remaining in the supply position or switching to the venting position as a function of an actuated pressure. The service brake connection is connected to the safety valve control connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Thilo Klostermann, Robert Otremba, Julian van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11945420
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic two-channel axle modulator (1) for utility vehicles has a first supply port (2) for connecting a first compressed air supply (3) and a second supply port (4) for connecting a second compressed air supply (5), a front axle channel port (6), a rear axle channel port (8), an electro-pneumatic front axle valve assembly (10) connected to the first supply port (2) for controlling a front axle brake pressure (pVA) at the front axle channel port (6), and an electro-pneumatic rear axle valve assembly (12) connected to the second supply port (4) for controlling a rear axle brake pressure (pHA) at the rear axle channel port (8). A first redundancy valve assembly (14) is connected to the second supply port (4) for controlling a redundant front axle brake pressure (pVAR) at the front axle channel port (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV Systems Europe BV
    Inventor: Julian Van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11932229
    Abstract: An electronically controllable braking system for a vehicle is provided. The electronically controllable braking system includes a service brake sub-system and a redundancy brake sub-system. The service brake sub-system includes a front axle service brake circuit with front axle service brakes and a rear axle service brake circuit with rear axle service brakes. The redundancy brake sub-system includes a front axle redundancy brake circuit and a rear axle redundancy brake circuit. A service brake control module is configured to generate a service brake control signal in dependence upon a braking specification for generating a front axle service brake pressure. A redundancy brake control module is configured to generate a redundancy brake control signal in dependence upon a braking specification for generating a front axle redundancy brake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Julian Van Thiel
  • Publication number: 20240083399
    Abstract: An electropneumatic assembly is for an electronically controllable pneumatic braking system for a commercial vehicle. The electropneumatic assembly includes a reservoir port for receiving a reservoir pressure, at least one redundancy brake-pressure port for providing a redundancy brake pressure for a first axle and/or a trailer of the vehicle, a failure supply port for providing a failure supply pressure that is limited with respect to and lower than the reservoir pressure, and a failure safety-valve arrangement, which is connected to the failure supply port and the redundancy brake-pressure port, and which has a failure brake valve that is realized as a monostable valve and can be switched in the event of a fault in order, based on the failure supply pressure, to deliver the redundancy brake pressure at the redundancy brake-pressure port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Julian van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11926305
    Abstract: A method for automatic electronic control of a brake system in a vehicle includes reading a brake signal for the automatic electronic control of brakes in the vehicle, wherein requests to be implemented by the brakes are transmitted via the brake signal to bring about automatically requested target vehicle longitudinal dynamics. The method further includes determining a brake pressure distribution indicating a ratio of a front axle brake pressure of a front axle to a rear axle brake pressure of a rear axle, and providing at least a first brake pressure signal of the first electronic control unit to at least a first electropneumatic control device, taking into account the braking request signal and the brake pressure distribution for controlling the front axle brake pressure and the rear axle brake pressure, and receiving the brake pressure distribution at a second electronic control unit and storing the detected brake pressure distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Klaus Plaehn, Julian Van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11926294
    Abstract: A relay valve module for an electronically controllable pneumatic brake system for actuating wheel brakes of a utility vehicle includes: a reservoir connection for receiving a reservoir pressure; a brake control pressure connection for receiving a brake control pressure; at least one first service brake connection for outputting a service brake pressure; a relay valve with a relay valve reservoir connection, which is connected to the reservoir connection, a relay valve working connection, which is connected to the first service brake connection, a relay valve ventilation connection, and a relay valve control connection; an electropneumatic pilot control unit, which is connected to the reservoir connection, the electropneumatic pilot control unit providing a pilot control pressure; and a shuttle valve with a first shuttle valve inlet, a second shuttle valve inlet, and a shuttle valve outlet. The first shuttle valve inlet is connected to the brake control pressure connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Thomas Mueller, Robert Otremba, Julian Van Thiel, Gerd Roters
  • Publication number: 20240075918
    Abstract: A diagnostic method performs a self-diagnosis of an electronically controllable pneumatic braking system for a commercial vehicle. The method includes: receiving a learning signal about the braking system; in response to the reception, putting the braking system into a learning mode and performing the steps: performing a predetermined first activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving; detecting via a sensor arrangement a first learning system reaction of the braking system in response to the execution of the first activity; and storing the detected first learning system reaction as the first target system reaction in a memory. A braking system and a computer program are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Julian van Thiel
  • Publication number: 20240075913
    Abstract: A brake control system is for a vehicle containing an internal controller for outputting an internal control variable for at least one brake actuator. An interface receives an external control variable for the at least one brake actuator from an external controller. A decision circuit has at least two inputs for receiving the internal control variable and the external control variable and an output for outputting a control signal for the at least one brake actuator. The control signal depends on the received internal control variable and/or the received external control variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Marc Gerecke, Ann-Kathrin Posch, Arne Michaelsen, Julian van Thiel, Torsten Wallbaum
  • Publication number: 20240053187
    Abstract: A method determines a vehicle mass of a self-driving vehicle, wherein an internal force can be exerted on the self-driving vehicle by the automated control of an electronic drive system and/or an electronic braking system. The method includes determining whether a trigger event is present indicating a change in vehicle mass is likely, and activating a learning operating mode in the presence of a trigger event wherein the self-driving vehicle is operated alternately in a first and a second phase. In the first phase, an internal force is exerted on the self-driving vehicle, and in the second phase, an internal force is exerted on the self-driving vehicle. A disturbing force acting in the phases is determined. The vehicle mass is determined depending on the vehicle acceleration and the internal force present in each phase, as well as depending on the determined disturbing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventor: Julian van Thiel
  • Publication number: 20240017701
    Abstract: A method is for the emergency stopping of a commercial vehicle. The vehicle has a pneumatic brake system with a primary service brake system and a parking brake system. The primary service brake system has a primary electronic service brake control unit for controlling the primary service brake system and service brake actuators. The parking brake system has an electronic parking brake control unit for controlling the parking brake system and parking brake actuators on at least one vehicle axle. The pneumatic brake system can receive an emergency stopping signal. The method includes: receiving the emergency stopping signal at the primary electronic service brake control unit; braking the commercial vehicle via the primary service brake system; ascertaining a commercial vehicle speed and, if this speed is below a predetermined speed threshold value and/or after a predetermined emergency stopping time: actuating the parking brake actuators via the parking brake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventor: Julian van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11858483
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic parking brake arrangement includes a shut-off valve and a parking brake module. The parking brake module includes a reservoir connection configured to connect to a compressed air reservoir, a first spring-loaded accumulator connection configured to connect to the shut-off valve, an electro-pneumatic valve unit having at least one electro-pneumatic valve configured to output a spring-loaded brake pressure at the first spring-loaded accumulator connection, and an electronic control unit configured to receive parking brake signals from an electronic parking brake switch and/or a higher-order control unit. The shut-off valve comprises a second spring accumulator connection configured to connect the spring-loaded brakes of the further axle and to shut off the second spring accumulator connection depending on a shut-off signal provided by the parking brake module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Julian Van Thiel, Robert Otremba
  • Publication number: 20230415713
    Abstract: A method is for actuating a vehicle brake system of a vehicle with a towing vehicle and a trailer that can be coupled. The towing vehicle has a trailer interface via which interface signals can be transmitted between the towing vehicle and the coupled trailer. The method includes: reading a sensor signal from a vehicle sensor, determination and provision of a monitoring result by evaluating the sensor signal, wherein the monitoring result indicates whether or not at least one trailer is coupled, wherein the sensor signal and/or the monitoring result is/are determined independently of the interface signals acting on the trailer interface and/or transmitted via the trailer interface in the case of a coupled trailer; selecting a braking strategy depending on the monitoring result and/or the sensor signal, and actuating the vehicle brake system of the vehicle depending on the selected braking strategy when there is a braking demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventor: Julian van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11807208
    Abstract: An electropneumatic trailer control module (1) for an electronically controllable pneumatic brake system (520) for a vehicle combination (500) with a tractor vehicle (502) and a trailer vehicle (504), has an electronic control unit (ECU), a pneumatic reservoir input (11), a trailer control valve unit (65) with electropneumatic valves (RV, IV, OV), a trailer brake pressure port (22), and a trailer supply pressure port (21). The electronic control unit (ECU) has a parking brake signal input (200) for receiving an electronic brake representation signal (SB1, SB2, SB3) for an immobilizing brake (6, 532a, 532b) of the tractor vehicle (502) and is configured to, on the basis of the brake representation signal (SB1, SB2, SB3), switch at least one of the one or more electropneumatic valves (RV, IV, OV) of the trailer control valve unit (65) in order to output a brake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV Systems Europe BV
    Inventor: Julian Van Thiel
  • Publication number: 20230311828
    Abstract: A method for emergency engagement of a holding brake of a vehicle having an electropneumatic brake system. The electropneumatic brake system includes a service brake system with a service brake and a holding brake system with the holding brake. The holding brake system has spring brake cylinders. The service brake system includes a service brake control unit. The electropneumatic braking system includes at least one brake circuit for the service brake and the holding brake. The service and holding brakes may be in separate brake circuits. The spring brake cylinders can be vented when a supply pressure in at least one brake circuit for the service brake decreases. The method includes reducing, via the service brake control unit, the supply pressure in at least one brake circuit for the service brake under a program control in defined conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventor: Julian van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11752988
    Abstract: An actuator module for a vehicle includes an actuator control device configured to output an actuator activation signal and at least one actuator configured to receive the actuator activation signal and perform, based on the actuator activation signal, an actuator operation. The actuator control device includes a driving dynamics sensor device configured to measure at least one driving dynamics measurement variable of the vehicle and to generate a driving dynamics measurement signal. The actuator control device also includes a signal compensation device configured to receive the driving dynamics measurement signal and an actuator information signal indicating the actuator operation of the actuator control device, to filter the driving dynamics measurement signal in a manner dependent on the actuator information signal, and to output a compensated driving dynamics measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Julian Van Thiel
  • Publication number: 20230264669
    Abstract: An electropneumatic device for a pneumatic braking system, including a compressed air reservoir for providing a reservoir pressure; a brake pressure modulator which receives reservoir pressure and outputs a brake pressure at a brake pressure connection in a manner dependent on electronic braking request signals; a protective valve unit with a protective valve inlet, a first protective outlet and a second protective outlet; the protective valve inlet receiving the brake pressure and which it can provide at the first and second protective outlets; a first and a second pressure line; and, a brake actuator that is connected to the pressure lines. The protective valve unit is configured to throttle the brake pressure output at the first protective outlet in the event of leakage of the first pressure line and to throttle the brake pressure output at the second protective outlet in the event of leakage of the second pressure line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventor: Julian van Thiel
  • Publication number: 20230256947
    Abstract: A fail-safety valve unit of an electronically controllable pneumatic brake system for a vehicle is disclosed. The unit includes a main port for providing a first pressure, a failsafe brake port, and a failsafe brake valve. The brake valve is controllable by a control unit. The brake valve pneumatically connects the main port and the failsafe brake port when in an open position to output a failsafe brake pressure at the failsafe brake port. In the event of a fault, an electrical failure, and/or a diagnostic event of the control unit, the brake valve is in the open position and a failsafe braking operation of the vehicle is initiated through a failsafe brake pressure at the failsafe brake port by the brake system. The main port is pneumatically connected to a parking brake function to receive an output parking brake pressure or a pressure derived therefrom, as the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventor: Julian van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11702053
    Abstract: An electropneumatic brake control module (1) has a supply connection (2) for connecting a compressed air supply (3); a first wheel brake connection (4) and a second wheel brake connection (6); a pneumatically controlled inlet-outlet valve unit (8) for controlling a first brake pressure (PB1) at the first wheel brake connection (4) and a second brake pressure (PB2) at the second wheel brake connection (6), which is independent of the first brake pressure (PB1); and an electropneumatic pilot control unit (10) for controlling at least one main control pressure (PH) at a main valve (12) of the inlet-outlet valve unit (10). The main valve (12) of the inlet-outlet valve unit (10) is a pneumatically controllable 3/2-way valve (13) with a main valve control connection (12.4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV Systems Europe BV
    Inventors: Julian Van Thiel, Jan Gensink
  • Patent number: 11691607
    Abstract: An electropneumatic control module for an electronically controllable pneumatic brake system for a vehicle combination with a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle includes a pneumatic reservoir input, which is connectable to a compressed-air reservoir, and a trailer control unit, which has a trailer control valve unit with one or more electropneumatic valves, a trailer brake pressure port and a trailer supply pressure port. The electropneumatic control module further includes an immobilizing brake unit, which has a spring-type actuator port for at least one spring-type actuator for a tractor vehicle and an immobilizing brake valve unit with one or more electropneumatic valves, and an electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit is designed to, based on an electronic immobilizing signal, trigger the immobilizing brake valve unit to switch at least one valve of the immobilizing brake valve unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Julian Van Thiel