Patents by Inventor Jurgen Balz

Jurgen Balz 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: 11648925
    Abstract: Methods and corresponding control devices for releasing an electric actuator in a reliable manner, such as an electric parking brake in particular, in a motor vehicle brake system. The aim of the invention is to provide an improved function and architecture which helps prevent the disadvantages of open-loop control systems when using a rationalized sensor system, thereby obviating closed-loop control systems. This is achieved by a release method and a corresponding electronic control unit which obtains an especially modulated change in the power requirement during the release process upon impacting the quasi-elastic release end stop of the electric actuating unit such that the change is fed back, the change being detected in order to be used as information for a power interruption or a termination of the power supply to the electric actuating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventors: Christof Maron, Heniz-Anton Schneider, Christian Breiten, Ralf Scheib, Lionel Pöffel, Marco Froschauer, Alessandro Giusto, Giulio Brezza, Luca Boscolo, Thomas Merker, Luigi Tessitore, Thomas Winkler, Philipp Merkel, Niclas Görrissen, Pejman Bijanzadeh, Jürgen Bauer, Jürgen Balz
  • Publication number: 20210380091
    Abstract: An electrical wheel brake actuator for motor vehicles, designed to move a brake pad in the direction of a brake rotor and having an electric motor-gear assembly with a rotation-translation converter assembly that includes a nut-spindle arrangement, and an elastic element which is associated with a release end stop of the spindle arrangement in order, together with a control unit, to allow the electric motor to be automatically electrically switched off. The elastic element includes at least two disc springs which are able to form an expanded segmented force-travel spring curve formed from multiple force-travel spring curve portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Winkler, Jürgen Balz
  • Patent number: 10654460
    Abstract: A novel, particularly rationally designed, modular parking brake actuator for an electric drum brake system. An axle A1 from the motor, including a screw gear pinion coupled in a rotationally fixed manner, and an axle of the spindle arrangement, including a screw gear which is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive nut, define under a deflection of 90° a single wheel gearbox stage of the parking brake actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Thomas Winkler, Jürgen Balz, Marco Froschauer, Jürgen Bauer, Patrick Walter, Stefan Heinz, Philipp Merkel, Pejman Bijanzadeh
  • Patent number: 10364890
    Abstract: A double cup-shaped piston for a disc brake including an electromechanical parking brake device. An aspect of the invention permits an improved compromise between easier operability, rationalized component logistics in piston production, reduced hydraulic volume uptake in cooperation with the wheel brake periphery, and enhanced fatigue strength under maximum collective stress, in particular for heavy-duty applications of a disc brake with an electromechanical parking brake device. The problem is solved by the presence of a piston wall, which is provided, on the one hand, to sit with a free edge on a rear plate of a friction lining, and wherein the piston, on the other hand, includes an integral dome which forms an open receptacle for an actuator arranged diametrically to the edge of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Thomas Winkler, Matthias Würz, Jürgen Balz, Bernhard Schmittner, Werner Denhard
  • Publication number: 20180345937
    Abstract: A novel, particularly rationally designed, modular parking brake actuator for an electric drum brake system. An axle A1 from the motor, including a screw gear pinion coupled in a rotationally fixed manner, and an axle A2 of the spindle arrangement, including a screw gear which is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive nut, define under a deflection of 90° a single wheel gearbox stage of the parking brake actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Winkler, Jürgen Balz, Marco Froschauer, Jürgen Bauer, Patrick Walter, Stefan Heinz, Philipp Merkel, Pejman Bijanzadeh
  • Publication number: 20180345936
    Abstract: Methods and corresponding control devices for releasing an electric actuator in a reliable manner, such as an electric parking brake in particular, in a motor vehicle brake system. The aim of the invention is to provide an improved function and architecture which helps prevent the disadvantages of open-loop control systems when using a rationalized sensor system, thereby obviating closed-loop control systems. This is achieved by a release method and a corresponding electronic control unit which obtains an especially modulated change in the power requirement during the release process upon impacting the quasi-elastic release end stop of the electric actuating unit such that the change is fed back, the change being detected in order to be used as information for a power interruption or a termination of the power supply to the electric actuating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Christof Maron, Heniz-Anton Schneider, Christian Breiten, Ralf Scheib, Lionel Pöffel, Marco Froschauer, Alessandro Giusto, Giulio Brezza, Luca Boscolo, Thomas Merker, Luigi Tessitore, Thomas Winkler, Philipp Merkel, Niclas Görrissen, Pejman Bijanzadeh, Jürgen Bauer, Jürgen Balz
  • Patent number: 9863491
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston for a brake caliper, which can be actuated in combined fashion, of a disk brake, which piston 1 is produced by shaping processes from a metallic material, in particular from a planar metal sheet, and which piston 1 is formed as a pot which is open on one side and which has a longitudinal axis, a wall and a piston crown, and which piston has a twist prevention facility for a drive nut. The invention is based on the problem of providing a robust piston construction which is better capable of tolerating erroneous repair work. To solve the problem, it is proposed that the twist prevention facility has, between the piston and drive nut, at least one reinforcement for protecting against plastic deformation of at least one driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Norbert Leidecker, Matthias Würz, Jürgen Balz, Dieter Füller
  • Patent number: 9528563
    Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle brake with a parking brake device, in particular for motor vehicles, includes a brake housing in which a hydraulic service pressure chamber is delimited by a brake piston, wherein hydraulic pressure fluid can be applied to the hydraulic service pressure chamber for carrying out service brake operations so that the brake piston is actuatable along a longitudinal piston axis in order to achieve a braking effect. The parking brake device acts on the brake piston with an actuating device, which actuates a rolling-element ramp-type gear with an electromechanical actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Jurgen Balz, Hans Olms, Georg Halasy-Wimmer, Volker Knop, Jurgen Volkel, Thomas Winkler
  • Patent number: 9316277
    Abstract: A combined vehicle brake having a hydraulically actuable driving brake and an electromechanically actuable parking brake device. In a brake housing, a hydraulic operating pressure space is bounded by a brake piston chargeable with hydraulic pressure medium to carry out normal braking. The brake piston is actuable along a longitudinal axis of the piston, and the parking brake device acts on the brake piston by a gearing converting the rotational movement of an electromechanical actuator into a translation movement and bringing about an actuation of the brake piston in order to carry out parking brake operations and keeping the brake piston in the actuated position. The gearing has a threaded spindle and a threaded nut which are in contact with each other via a plurality of rolling bodies. The frictional moment transmitted by the further axial bearing is higher than the returning torque of the threaded spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Thomas Winkler, Jürgen Bauer, Jürgen Balz, Stefan Pfeiffer, Dirk Koch, Thomas Böhme
  • Patent number: 9175737
    Abstract: A drum brake module for motor vehicles operable by electric motor and performs at least one parking brake function, having an electromechanical actuator mounted on one side of the armature plate and a rotational-translational movement converter converting a rotational drive rotational movement into a translational activation movement of brake shoes arranged on a side of the armature plate facing away from the actuator in a brake drum, and including at least one supporting device between the brake shoes such that the latter can carry out an activation movement in the direction of the brake drum. A drive nut is supported by the rotational-translational movement converter in an axially secure and rotatable fashion on the armature plate to assist the braking force. The drive nut drives a spindle arrangement mounted in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable fashion and engages with an activation cable on at least one brake shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Uwe Bach, Holger von Hayn, Ralf Sundheim, Wolfgang Ritter, Ahmed Sefo, Jürgen Balz, Jens Hoffmann, Martin Semsch, Götz Mehner, Dirk Sundheim
  • Publication number: 20150240893
    Abstract: A combined vehicle brake having a hydraulically actuable driving brake and an electromechanically actuable parking brake device. In a brake housing, a hydraulic operating pressure space is bounded by a brake piston chargeable with hydraulic pressure medium to carry out normal braking. The brake piston is actuable along a longitudinal axis of the piston, and the parking brake device acts on the brake piston by a gearing converting the rotational movement of an electromechanical actuator into a translation movement and bringing about an actuation of the brake piston in order to carry out parking brake operations and keeping the brake piston in the actuated position. The gearing has a threaded spindle and a threaded nut which are in contact with each other via a plurality of rolling bodies. The frictional moment transmitted by the further axial bearing is higher than the returning torque of the threaded spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Thomas Winkler, Jürgen Bauer, Jürgen Balz, Stefan Pfeiffer, Dirk Koch, Thomas Böhme
  • Publication number: 20140208940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston for a brake caliper, which can be actuated in combined fashion, of a disk brake, which piston 1 is produced by shaping processes from a metallic material, in particular from a planar metal sheet, and which piston 1 is formed as a pot which is open on one side and which has a longitudinal axis, a wall and a piston crown, and which piston has a twist prevention facility for a drive nut. The invention is based on the problem of providing a robust piston construction which is better capable of tolerating erroneous repair work. To solve the problem, it is proposed that the twist prevention facility has, between the piston and drive nut, at least one reinforcement for protecting against plastic deformation of at least one driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Norbert Leidecker, Matthias Würz, Jürgen Balz, Dieter Füller
  • Publication number: 20140020997
    Abstract: A drum brake module for motor vehicles operable by electric motor and performs at least one parking brake function, having an electromechanical actuator mounted on one side of the armature plate and a rotational-translational movement converter converting a rotational drive rotational movement into a translational activation movement of brake shoes arranged on a side of the armature plate facing away from the actuator in a brake drum, and including at least one supporting device between the brake shoes such that the latter can carry out an activation movement in the direction of the brake drum. A drive nut is supported by the rotational-translational movement converter in an axially secure and rotatable fashion on the armature plate to assist the braking force. The drive nut drives a spindle arrangement mounted in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable fashion and engages with an activation cable on at least one brake shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Uwe Bach, Holger von Hayn, Ralf Sundheim, Wolfgang Ritter, Ahmed Sefo, Jürgen Balz, Jens Hoffmann, Martin Semsch, Götz Mehner
  • Patent number: 8616348
    Abstract: A combined vehicle brake including a hydraulically actuated service brake and an electromechanically actuated parking brake device, a hydraulic operating pressure chamber in a brake housing being defined by a brake piston, which for performing service braking actions can be acted upon by hydraulic pressure fluid, so that the brake piston can be actuated along a piston longitudinal axis in order to produce a braking action, and the parking brake device acting on the brake piston by way of a transmission that translates the rotary motion of an electromechanical actuator into a translational motion and actuates the brake piston to perform parking brake actions and to keep it in the actuated position. Also disclosed is a transmission for translating a rotary motion into a translational motion by way of a screw spindle and a spindle nut, which are in contact with one another by way of multiple rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Thomas Winkler, Jürgen Balz, Dirk Koch, Marcus Schumann, Anja Klimt, Jürgen Bauer, Torsten Hintz
  • Patent number: 8494745
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle brake system having a hydraulically actuatable service brake system and an electromechanically actuatable brake system, including an operating element HMI, in particular for activating a parking brake function, an electronic control device (EPB-ECU) for activating an electromechanical actuator of the electromechanically actuatable brake system, and an electrohydraulic control unit (HECU) associated with a service brake and serving to control or regulate hydraulically implemented service brake functions, driving stability functions and/or braking assistance functions. It is an aim of the invention to contribute to reducing the stress on parts or components of the brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Heinz-Anton Schneider, Jürgen Balz
  • Publication number: 20120245815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle brake system having a hydraulically actuatable service brake system and an electromechanically actuatable brake system, including an operating element HMI, in particular for activating a parking brake function, an electronic control device (EPB-ECU) for activating an electromechanical actuator of the electromechanically actuatable brake system, and an electrohydraulic control unit (HECU) associated with a service brake and serving to control or regulate hydraulically implemented service brake functions, driving stability functions and/or braking assistance functions. It is an aim of the invention to contribute to reducing the stress on parts or components of the brake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Heinz-Anton Schneider, Jürgen Balz
  • Patent number: 7905334
    Abstract: A spot-type disc brake with a housing comprising a housing bridge, with at least one housing leg having an actuating assembly comprising an actuator unit and a component movable along an axis of movement. At least one brake shoe is arranged at the component and is slidably supported on at least one support. The brake shoe is braced with the support against an abutment surface by means of a hold-down spring. The abutment surface of the hold-down spring is arranged non-parallel to the axis of movement. Thereby, not only a radial preloading force FR is produced, but also a force component Fx normal thereto, which assists the retracting movement of the brake shoe from the brake disc, thus improving the clearance behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Manfred Reuter, Jürgen Balz, Ralph Petri, Sebastian Satzmann, Dirk Eser
  • Publication number: 20090283371
    Abstract: A combined vehicle brake including a hydraulically actuated service brake and an electromechanically actuated parking brake device, a hydraulic operating pressure chamber in a brake housing being defined by a brake piston, which for performing service braking actions can be acted upon by hydraulic pressure fluid, so that the brake piston can be actuated along a piston longitudinal axis in order to produce a braking action, and the parking brake device acting on the brake piston by way of a transmission that translates the rotary motion of an electromechanical actuator into a translational motion and actuates the brake piston to perform parking brake actions and to keep it in the actuated position. Also disclosed is a transmission for translating a rotary motion into a translational motion by way of a screw spindle and a spindle nut, which are in contact with one another by way of multiple rolling elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventors: Thomas Winkler, Jürgen Balz, Dirk Koch, Marcus Schumann, Anja Klimt, Jürgen Bauer, Torsten Hintz
  • Patent number: 7523815
    Abstract: A brake caliper of a disc brake includes a housing with a bore, in which a piston is arranged in an axially displaceable fashion, a shaft for actuation, which is mounted in a rotatable and axially displaceable fashion, two ramp elements being rotatable in relation to each other, a readjusting device with a spindle, and an axial bearing that is active between the shaft and the spindle. A generic brake caliper of a disc brake includes components having a construction to withstand stress so that they are exposed to even, low stress without detrimental tension peaks. A toothing is provided on a circumference of the spindle, and a form-fit accommodation means for the toothing is provided. The accommodation means are unrotatably connected to the housing and secure the spindle against twisting. A calotte arrangement is also provided as an axial bearing, which comprises a calotte shell with a concavely curved surface and a calotte pivot with a convexly curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Ralph Petri, Rolf Weiler, Jürgen Balz, Michael Weidenweber
  • Publication number: 20080283345
    Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle brake with a parking brake device, in particular for motor vehicles, includes a brake housing in which a hydraulic service pressure chamber is delimited by a brake piston, wherein hydraulic pressure fluid can be applied to the hydraulic service pressure chamber for carrying out service brake operations so that the brake piston is actuatable along a longitudinal piston axis in order to achieve a braking effect. The parking brake device acts on the brake piston with an actuating device, which actuates a rolling-element ramp-type gear with an electromechanical actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Jurgen Balz, Hans Olms, Georg Halasy-Wimmer, Volker Knop, Jurgen Volkel, Thomas Winkler