Patents by Inventor Manfred Ruffer
Manfred Ruffer 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).
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Patent number: 9132815Abstract: Disclosed is a brake actuation unit for actuating a ‘brake-by-wire’ type brake system for a motor vehicle. The brake system includes a brake booster operable via a brake pedal mounted on a shaft and via an electronic control unit depending on the driver's request, and an element to decouple a force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode. Also included are a device to detect a deceleration request of the driver, and a pedal travel simulator which interacts with the brake pedal and is formed of a simulator spring, which is arranged in terms of effect between a force-transmitting part connected to the brake pedal and a simulator housing, which is mounted on the shaft by means of two bearings. The simulator housing (22) includes a cylindrical area (26) for the accommodation of the two bearings (27, 28). This measure renders it possible to reduce the deformations that occur during actuation of the pedal travel simulator to a great extent.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Continental Teves AG & CO., OHGInventors: Holger Von Hayn, Jurgen Schonlau, Manfred Ruffer, Thomas Sellinger, Torsten Queisser, Lazar Milisic
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Publication number: 20080217122Abstract: The invention relates to a brake actuation unit for actuating a ‘brake-by-wire’ type brake system for a motor vehicle comprising a brake booster operable both by means of a brake pedal mounted on a shaft and by means of an electronic control unit depending on the driver's request, with means being provided to decouple a force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode, means to detect a deceleration request of the driver, as well as a pedal travel simulator which interacts with the brake pedal and is formed of a simulator spring, which is arranged in terms of effect between a force-transmitting part connected to the brake pedal and a simulator housing, which is mounted on the shaft by means of two bearings. It is arranged according to the invention that the simulator housing (22) includes a cylindrical area (26) for the accommodation of the two bearings (27, 28).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2006Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Holger Von Hayn, Jurgen Schonlau, Manfred Ruffer, Thomas Sellinger, Torsten Queisser, Lazar Milisic
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Publication number: 20080196983Abstract: Disclosed is a brake actuating unit for actuating a motor vehicle brake system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type. The system includes a brake booster which is operable in response to the driver's wish both by a brake pedal and by an electronic control unit. A device is provided to decouple a force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode. A master brake cylinder connected downstream of the brake booster, a device to detect a deceleration request of the driver, and a pedal travel simulator which interacts with the brake pedal and due to which a resetting force acting on the brake pedal can be simulated in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode independently of an actuation of the brake booster, and which can be enabled in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode when the force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster is decoupled and can be disabled outside the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2004Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventors: Holger Von Hayn, Jurgen Schonlau, Manfred Ruffer, Wolfgang Ritter, Holger Kranlich, Jose Gonzalez, Thomas Sellinger, Milan Klimes, Torsten Queisser, Michael Haber
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Publication number: 20080150351Abstract: A device for supplying pressure to an actuation unit of a vehicle brake system, in particular to a vehicle brake system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type, comprising a pneumatic motor-and-pump assembly with a pump and a motor driving the pump, wherein the motor-and-pump assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit depending on a pressure level or pressure difference in a pneumatic brake booster of the actuation unit, with the pressure level in a chamber or a difference in pressure between two chambers of the brake booster being detected by means of a sensor. In order to maintain the availability of the service brake function as high as possible and to obtain a maximum possible redundancy, the control unit, used to control the motor-and-pump assembly comprises a logic module and a power module, which are arranged separately of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2005Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHGInventors: Manfred Ruffer, Georg Fachinger, Holger Wahl, Albrich von Albrichsfeld, Uwe Karl
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Publication number: 20080017425Abstract: Disclosed is a process for operating a brake actuation unit of a motor vehicle brake system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type. The brake system has a brake booster, a master brake cylinder, and a pedal travel which interacts with the brake pedal and due to a resetting force acting on the brake pedal can be simulated in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode independently of an actuation of the brake booster, and which can be enabled in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode when the force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster is decoupled and can be disabled outside the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2005Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Christian Albrichsfeld, Gunther Buschmann, Manfred Ruffer, Lothar Kienle
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Publication number: 20070240421Abstract: The brake actuation device of a motor vehicle brake system includes a pneumatic brake booster 1, the interior of which is subdivided into at least one vacuum chamber and one working chamber, a master brake cylinder 2 and a pneumatic motor-and-pump assembly 3 for providing the vacuum in the vacuum chamber, which has a vacuum pump 6 and a motor 7 driving the vacuum pump 6. A vacuum level in the vacuum chamber or a difference in pressure between the vacuum chamber and the working chamber is sensed using a sensor 9, and the motor-and-pump assembly 3 is enabled by an electronic control unit 12 when the vacuum falls below a first defined bottom vacuum level Pe in the vacuum chamber and is disabled when a second defined top vacuum level Pa is reached. The rotational speed np of the motor-and-pump assembly 3 is controlled depending on driving conditions of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2005Publication date: October 18, 2007Inventors: Jurgen Schonlau, Manfred Ruffer, Jose Gonzales
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Publication number: 20070182403Abstract: Disclosed is a device for monitoring the position and movement of a brake pedal, including a master cylinder 1; 102 with an integrated position generator for monitoring the position of a piston 2; 105 within a housing 6; 103 for use in a controlled brake system for motor vehicles, in particular with driving dynamics control, and the position generator includes a magnet 35; 150 as a signal transmitter which transmits a magnetic field in the direction of a sensor element 36; 151 being stationary on the housing 6; 103, and is connectable to an electronic control unit. To monitor a push rod piston even during a driving dynamics control operation, it is disclosed that the magnet 35; 150 is arranged between two pistons 2, 3; 105, 106 and is displaceable in relation to at least one of the pistons 2, 3; 105, 106.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2004Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventors: Holger von Hayn, Jurgen Schonlau, Manfred Ruffer, Wolfgang Ritter, Milian Klimes, Torsten Queisser, Heinrich Kreh, Thomas Voigtmann
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Publication number: 20060283244Abstract: Disclosed is a measuring device (1) for determining one or more characteristics of a fluid or the level of this fluid in a reservoir (8). In particular, the device is utilized in the brake fluid reservoir of a motor vehicle brake system that may be electronically controlled. The device includes an integrated measuring electronic system (2), a sensor device (4), an electric supply line (18, 26), and an electric connecting line (9).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2004Publication date: December 21, 2006Inventors: Jurgen Schonlau, Manfred Ruffer, Jose Gonzalez, Thomas Voigtmann
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Publication number: 20060163941Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake-by-wire actuator for actuating the brake system of a motor vehicle, comprising a simulator which can be acted upon by a brake pedal, with a signal of an actuation sensor being sent to an electronic control unit which controls a pressure source in response to the signal of the actuation sensor, and wherein an output of the pressure source is connected to a distributor device for the brake force and actuates individual wheel brakes of the vehicle, also comprising means for enabling actuation of the brakes by muscular power within a fallback mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: July 27, 2006Inventors: Holger Von Hayn, Jurgen Schonlau, Manfred Ruffer, Wolfgang Ritter, Milan Klimes, Torsten Queisser, Alfred Eckert, Christian Von Albrichsfeld
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Publication number: 20050269180Abstract: The invention relates to a master cylinder, in particular for a hydraulic brake system, with at least one pressure chamber formed in a housing of the master cylinder and at least one reservoir bore for accommodating a pressure fluid reservoir, a valve with a closing element being provided which due to a pressure difference prevailing between the pressure chamber and the pressure fluid reservoir can be moved into an opening position or a closing position, the valve in its opening position allowing a pressure fluid flow from the pressure fluid reservoir into the pressure chamber and throttling or preventing, in its closing position, a pressure fluid flow in the opposite direction to the pressure fluid flow from the pressure chamber into the pressure fluid reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: December 8, 2005Inventors: Holger Von Hayn, Jurgen Schonlau, Manfred Ruffer, Wolfgang Ritter, Milan Klimes, Torsten Queisser, Ralf Jakobi, Michael Vogt, Dieter Merkel, Bernhard Hammes, Hans-Jorg Feigel, Jose Gonzalez, Stephan Krebs, Oliver Kugland, Thomas Sellinger, Guido Schell
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Publication number: 20050232789Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor/pump unit, especially for slip-controlled motor vehicle brake systems, including an accommodating member for hydraulically active components, an internal gear pump arranged in a bore of the accommodating member and comprising pump components such as a pinion/internal gear combination arranged between two housing parts, wherein the pump components form a pre-assembled unit, and including a motor for driving the internal gear pump. An object of the invention is to devise a motor/pump unit, which allows a space-saving and low-cost integration of an internal gear pump in an accommodating member. This object is achieved in that the housing parts can be arranged preliminarily by at least one securing element in such a fashion that the final alignment of the housing parts relative to each other takes place when the unit is inserted into the accommodating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2003Publication date: October 20, 2005Inventors: Axel Hinz, Manfred Ruffer, Gunther Vogel, Michael Miltenberger, Petra Fischbach-Borazio
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Publication number: 20050184585Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronically controllable brake actuating system for automotive vehicles, including an unpressurized pressure fluid supply reservoir, a pressure source actuatable by an electronic control unit, the pressure of which can be applied to wheel brakes of the vehicle, further including a device for detecting the driver's wish for deceleration as well as valve assemblies inserted upstream of the wheel brakes and connecting the wheel brakes alternatively to the pressure source or the pressure fluid supply reservoir. In order to increase the operational or functional reliability of a system of this type, the present invention discloses the provision of means for detecting gases or air disposed in the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2005Publication date: August 25, 2005Inventors: Ronald Bayer, Bernhard Schmittner, Christian Albrichsfeld, Ulrich Neumann, Andreas Klein, Johann Jungbecker, Robert Mutschler, Stefan Fritz, Manfred Ruffer
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Publication number: 20050039596Abstract: Vacuum brake booster for motor vehicles comprising a booster housing 7 whose interior is subdivided by a movable wall 4 into a vacuum chamber 30 and a working chamber 20, a control valve 1 that controls a pressure difference acting upon the movable wall 4 and is accommodated in a control housing 2 that carries the movable wall 4, said control valve being composed of two concentrically arranged sealing seats 9, 10 and an elastically deformable valve member 11, wherein the control housing 2 includes a cavity 40 through which a cross member 60 extends and delimits the axial movability of a valve piston 16 relative to the control housing 2, and the cross member 60 includes at least one projection 62, 80 made of an elastic material in the area where the cross member 60 rests against the booster housing 7. The core of the invention is that at least one projection 66, 84, 85, 88, 90 made of an elastic material is provided in the area of points of abutment between the control housing 2 and the cross member 60.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2003Publication date: February 24, 2005Inventors: Stephan Krebs, Wilfried Wagner, Hans-Jorg Feigel, Holger von Hayn, Jurgen Schonlau, Manfred Ruffer, Wolfgang Ritter, Milan Klimes, Torsten Queisser
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Publication number: 20040259687Abstract: It is known in the art to apply a counterforce, which opposes the actuating force, onto an accelerator pedal of a vehicle in the event that the vehicle, with respect to a vehicle parameter, sufficiently deviates from the nominal value. The parameter can be the speed or the measured distance from vehicles driving ahead.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: Wolfgang Ritter, Holger von Hayn, Jurgen Schonlau, Torsten Queisser, Milan Klimes, Manfred Ruffer, Martin Haverkamp, Johannes Gorlach, Wolfgang Kroll, Lothar Shiel
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Publication number: 20040139849Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum brake booster for motor vehicles, including a booster housing whose interior is subdivided by a movable wall into a vacuum chamber and a working chamber, a control valve that controls the pressure difference acting on the movable wall and is arranged in a control housing that carries the movable wall, said control valve being composed of two concentrically arranged sealing seats and an elastically deformable valve member, as well as including at least one filter in the air passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2004Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: Rolf Fellinger, Holger von Hayn, Jurgen Schonlau, Michael Vogt, Manfred Ruffer, Wolfgang Ritter, Milian Klimes, Torsten Queisser
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Publication number: 20040020552Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of filling a pressure medium accumulator with a housing having an inner space that is subdivided into two chambers by a metallic pleated bellows used as a media-separating element, the first chamber thereof being filled with a gas and the second chamber being filled with a liquid pressure medium, and wherein a bottom valve is provided in a hydraulic port, its closing member being operable by the media-separating element, said valve permitting filling of the second chamber with fluid and preventing a complete evacuation of the second chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Manfred Ruffer, Andreas Klein, Christian Albrich von Albrichsfeld
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Publication number: 20030075225Abstract: The present invention discloses a hydraulic fluid accumulator comprising a housing (1) having an interior subdivided into three chambers (2, 3, 4), with the first chamber (2) being filled with a gas and separated from the second chamber (3) by a first media separation element (6), the second chamber being filled with a fluid and separated by a second media separation element (7) from the third chamber (4) that is also filled with a fluid and connected to a hydraulic port (5).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: Dieter Dinkel, Axel Hinz, Hans-Dieter Reinartz, Manfred Ruffer, Gunther Vogel, Uwe Greiff, Rene Lenz
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Publication number: 20030015915Abstract: In an electronically controllable brake unit for automotive vehicles, including a pressure generating device for generating a hydraulic pressure and a drive unit, a particularly low-noise design that is optimized with respect to the reduction of radial forces on the motor bearing is achieved because the pressure generating device is an internal gear pump (4). Preferably, the internal gear pump (4) is designed as a cartridge and attached in the valve block (1) by way of a clinch-type connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Manfred Ruffer, Ulrich Neumann, Andreas Klein, Johann Jungbecker, Christian Albrich von Albrichsfeld, Norbert Ruppert
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Patent number: 6033036Abstract: An electronically controllable brake actuating system for automotive vehicles includes a master brake cylinder operable by an actuating pedal and having at least one piston, at least one braking pressure generator actuatable by an electronic control unit, to which braking pressure generator wheel brakes of the vehicle are directly connected and which is connectable to the master brake cylinder by hydraulic connections closable by valve assemblies, at least one sensor device to identify the driver's wish for deceleration, and a simulator chamber which interacts with the master brake cylinder. The reliability of the system may be improved by providing a simulator chamber that is connected to a hydraulic chamber and which is bounded in the master brake cylinder by a second piston, by way of a closable connection.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises Inc.Inventors: Manfred Ruffer, Johann Jungbecker
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Patent number: 5297471Abstract: A construction and fabrication process for a two piece vacuum brake power booster housing is described which eliminates the surface tensions which are caused by forming during assembly to prevent damage to a protective surface finish. Localized radially weakened zones are each formed by two opposing tongues created by circumferential and axial slots which tongues in the assembled condition of the housing engage behind an outwardly and reversely formed rim (3) of the other housing half (1).Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1992Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbHInventors: Peter Boehm, Wilfried Wagner, Lothar Schiel, Manfred Ruffer, Ralf Jakobi, Kai-Michael Graichen, Lothar Mattheis