Patents by Inventor Lutz Eckstein

Lutz Eckstein 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: 20100250066
    Abstract: A steering wheel for a motor vehicle has operating elements for controlling at least one longitudinally dynamic control system of the motor vehicle. The operating elements include an adjusting element for changing a set speed value for the longitudinally dynamic control system, which adjusting element can be actuated in two opposite actuating directions in order to predefine a direction of the change of the set speed value by way of the actuating direction. The adjusting element can be actuated in at least two steps in each of the two actuating directions with respect to the extent of the actuation in order to predefine an extent of the change of the set speed value by way of the extent of the actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lutz Eckstein, Dietmar Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20090138201
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle having a collision avoidance system including a sensor for sensing potential other parties to a collision and having an evaluator, connected to a control unit, for evaluating a risk of a collision. It is proposed that when the other party to a collision comes relatively close in the lateral direction, an actuator system is activated in order to predefine a setpoint trajectory of the vehicle in order to avoid a lateral collision. In addition, a device for operating the method is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2005
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Lutz Eckstein, Uli Kolbe, Alfred Lotter, Markus Raab, Andreas Spieker
  • Patent number: 7378986
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for radio-based issuing of warnings of hazards to the driver of a vehicle having a data receiver, the data receiver receives data from at least one data transmitter of at least one other vehicle, and evaluates the received data. The received data comprising information about the position, speed and direction of travel of the transmitting vehicle. The approach speed between the receiving vehicle and transmitting vehicle are determined in order to evaluate the received data in the receiving vehicle. According to the invention, in order to evaluate the received data in the receiving vehicle, the distance between the transmitting vehicle and the receiving vehicle is determined, and it is determined whether information is output to the driver, based on the distance between the transmitting vehicle and receiving vehicle, and based on the approach speed between the transmitting vehicle and receiving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Lutz Eckstein, Volker Entenmann, Markus Hess, Uwe Petersen, Werner Reichelt, Thomas Unselt, Cornelia Voigt, Richard Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20060229812
    Abstract: In a radio-based device for issuing hazard warnings to the driver of a vehicle a data receiver situated on board the vehicle receives hazard data from a data transmitter of at least one other vehicle, and evaluates the received data in a computer unit. The received data includes information about the position, speed and direction of travel of the transmitting vehicle. According to the invention, from the received data of the transmitting vehicle and from information relating to the position, speed and direction of travel data of the receiving vehicle, a relevance measure is determined in the receiving vehicle, which relates to whether the transmitting vehicle is located on a section of road lying ahead of the receiving vehicle. A chronological profile of the relevance measure is determined by repeatedly determining the relevance measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER
    Inventors: Lutz Eckstein, Volker Entenmann, Markus Hess, Uwe Petersen, Werner Reichelt, Thomas Unselt, Richard Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20060114123
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for radio-based issuing of warnings of hazards to the driver of a vehicle having a data receiver, the data receiver receives data from at least one data transmitter of at least one other vehicle, and evaluates the received data. The received data comprising information about the position, speed and direction of travel of the transmitting vehicle. The approach speed between the receiving vehicle and transmitting vehicle are determined in order to evaluate the received data in the receiving vehicle. According to the invention, in order to evaluate the received data in the receiving vehicle, the distance between the transmitting vehicle and the receiving vehicle is determined, and it is determined whether information is output to the driver, based on the distance between the transmitting vehicle and receiving vehicle, and based on the approach speed between the transmitting vehicle and receiving vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler
    Inventors: Lutz Eckstein, Volker Entenmann, Markus Hess, Uwe Petersen, Werner Reichelt, Thomas Unselt, Cornelia Voigt, Richard Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6540044
    Abstract: A control system for coupling two final control elements as regards the actuated position and the actuating force, in which each final control element is assigned a separate force-control loop, these loops being coupled to one another by way of the actual-force values prevailing at the final control elements, is to be improved as regards its versatility for different applications. According to the invention, this is achieved by virtue of the fact that the two force-control loops are coupled by a proportionality factor, thus giving a force transmission ratio between the final control elements. The control system according to the invention can be used with particular advantage in a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle, in which case one final control element is formed by a steering handle and the other final control element is formed by steered vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Michael Böhringer, Lutz Eckstein
  • Patent number: 6412590
    Abstract: The driver is able to predefine the desired value for the transverse dynamic behavior of the vehicle on the two or more two actuating parts. The desired value is determined as a function of the operating force applied by the driver to the actuating parts. The desired value for the transverse dynamic behavior is adjusted via actuating members. The current value for the transverse dynamic behavior which is produced by the actuating members is determined. The current value is assigned a desired deflection of the actuating parts from the rest position, and the determined desired deflection of the actuating part is adjusted on each actuating part via an actuating part control device assigned thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Michael Boehringer, Lutz Eckstein
  • Patent number: 6186265
    Abstract: An arrangement controls the steering angle of a motor vehicle and the like which contains a user-controllable operating element and a vehicle longitudinal speed sensor system. A steering angle adjusting device is coupled with the longitudinal speed sensor system and the operating element such that the desired steering angle value is indicated as a function of the control force exercised on the operating element and the sensed longitudinal speed of the vehicle. Control element deflection devices deflect the operating element corresponding to the respective existing actual steering angle value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Michael Boehringer, Lutz Eckstein
  • Patent number: 6173221
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for controlling the steering angle of a motor vehicle having an operating element such as a steering wheel. According to the invention the steering angle adjustment takes place as a function of an actuating parameter of the operating element, with a steering ratio that depends on the vehicle speed. The ratio is constant in the lower speed range, increases at least linearly in a medium speed range, and increases at most linearly in an upper speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Michael Boehringen, Lutz Eckstein, Werner Reichelt
  • Patent number: 6167981
    Abstract: An operating element arrangement and method controls the longitudinal and transverse movements of a motor vehicle by using a manually actuatable regulating element which is stationary in the vehicle longitudinal direction and controls the longitudinal movement of the vehicle as a function of the actuating force exerted on the regulating element in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The regulating element also serves to control the vehicle transverse movement of the vehicle. For this purpose, the regulating element is arranged movably in the vehicle transverse direction of the vehicle. The transverse movement of the vehicle is controlled as a function of the transverse deflection of the regulating element or as a function of the actuating force exerted in the transverse direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: DiamlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Michael Boehringer, Lutz Eckstein
  • Patent number: 6105709
    Abstract: A device with a user-actuatable regulating element controls longitudinal movement of a motor vehicle with both an accelerating and a decelerating effect. A forward driving mode and a maneuvering mode can be set as driving modes. In the forward driving mode, the vehicle is moved solely forwards and, when the regulating element is actuated in a first or a second direction of actuation, being respectively accelerated or decelerated to an extent dependent on the deflection or actuating force of the regulating element. In the maneuvering mode, when the regulating element is actuated in one actuation direction or the other, the vehicle is moved respectively forwards or backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Lutz Eckstein, Werner Reichelt
  • Patent number: 6039142
    Abstract: The operating element is arcuate and is articulated in a lower driver's seat region pivotably about a transverse control axis located on the longitudinal side of the vehicle for controlling the transverse movement of the vehicle. The element is also movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle for controlling the vehicle longitudinal movement. The element extends upwards from the lower seat region, on at least one side of the driver's seat, laterally past the adjacent seat cushion and terminates in a end handle. This arrangement provides an ergonomically favorable and reliable operating element so as to dispense with a steering wheel, a brake and accelerator pedal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Lutz Eckstein, Werner Reichelt
  • Patent number: 6006852
    Abstract: An operating element arrangement controls the longitudinal and transverse movements of a motor vehicle, with a foot-actuatable regulating part for controlling braking operations. The operating element arrangement contains a regulating part for controlling the transverse movement of the vehicle, which is arranged so as to be manually actuatable in the transverse direction of the vehicle and into which a finger-actuatable regulating part for controlling acceleration operations is integrated. A steering wheel and accelerator pedal can be eliminated, and a distinct spatial and operationally functional separation of the activation of braking operations, on one hand, and of acceleration operations, on the other hand are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Lutz Eckstein, Werner Reichelt
  • Patent number: 6006848
    Abstract: A system for controlling or regulating the longitudinal speed of a motor vehicle includes an operating element for defining a desired longitudinal acceleration value as a function of a pertaining operating element actuating quantity. In a first embodiment of the invention, the system sets the longitudinal speed of the vehicle to the desired value adjusted by way of the operating element if the amount of this value is above a definable threshold value. Otherwise it sets a constant longitudinal speed which is lower than the actual vehicle speed at the moment when the set desired longitudinal acceleration value falls below the threshold value, by a differential value defined as a function of the speed. In a second embodiment which is preferably combined with the first embodiment, the adjusting sensitivity of the desired longitudinal acceleration value decreases with increasing longitudinal speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Ag
    Inventors: Michael Boehringer, Lutz Eckstein
  • Patent number: 5964814
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering angle adjusting device with an operating element for adjusting the steering angle as a function of a corresponding operating element actuating parameter. According to the invention, steering angle adjustment takes place as a function of the operating element actuating parameter with a sensitivity that decreases with decreasing coefficient of friction and/or the maximum adjustable value of the operating element actuating value decreases with a decreasing coefficient of friction and/or an increasing lengthwise speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Manfred Muller, Werner Reichelt, Peter Frank, Lutz Eckstein, Micahel Bohringer