Patents by Inventor Ralf Kinder

Ralf Kinder 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: 20240140389
    Abstract: A method for checking intended pressure medium-conducting contacting of circuit branches, associated with one another, of separate brake circuits of an electronically slip-controllable power brake system with two actuator units, contacted for conducting pressure medium, for generating and controlling brake pressure, in particular for a motor vehicle, and an electronic control unit for such a power brake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Sabrina Lutz, Ralf Kinder, Samuel Bubeck
  • Publication number: 20240140375
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hydraulic volume in a system comprising a power brake and a driving dynamics control. The system is configured to hydraulically couple the power brake to the driving dynamics control. The method includes: providing a signal to build up a first dynamic pressure for the driving dynamics control; generating a first control signal by means of the driving dynamics control, and providing the first control signal to the power brake in order to provide the hydraulic volume at the hydraulic coupling; generating a second hydraulic pressure by means of the power brake in order to provide the hydraulic volume at the hydraulic coupling; providing the hydraulic volume at the second hydraulic pressure at the hydraulic coupling by means of the power brake; and building up the first hydraulic pressure in the driving dynamics control by means of the provided hydraulic volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Ralf Kinder, Herbert Vollert, Markus Weigel
  • Publication number: 20240025381
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for releasing an electro-hydraulic parking brake of a motor vehicle, wherein a vehicle status is determined, in dependence on the vehicle status, a pre-charging pressure demand is determined by a control device, in the event of a pre-charging pressure demand, a hydraulic pre-charging pressure is generated by a pressure generating unit, and in the event of a parking brake release demand, the pre-charging pressure is directed to the electro-hydraulic parking brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Matthias Jumpertz, Ralf Kinder
  • Patent number: 11667263
    Abstract: An actuator for an electric parking brake, EPB, is described. The actuator comprises a motor configured to actuate an actuating member of the EPB, as well as a reception interface configured to receive an enablement code. An enablement code is assigned to the EPB actuator which individualizes the EPB actuator against other EPB actuators. The actuator further comprises an evaluation unit configured to verify the received enablement code on the basis of the enablement code allocated to the EPB actuator and to enable a control of the motor in case of a positively verified enablement code. There is further provided a control device for the EPB actuator, an electric parking brake and a vehicle having the EPB actuator and corresponding operating methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Kubb, Jens-Peter Kohrt, Ralf Kinder, Stefan Grieser-Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20230127912
    Abstract: In order to test a function in a pressure generating module of a hydraulic vehicle power brake system, it is provided to generate a brake pressure using a power brake pressure generator and subsequently hydraulically to separate a pressure regulating module from the pressure generating module by closing connection valves or hydraulically to separate wheel brakes from the pressure generating module by closing inlet valves, so that no brake fluid flows into the wheel brakes during the function test, which would reduce the brake pressure in the pressure generating module and negatively affect or prevent the function test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Ralf Kinder, Anatoly Malkin, Sabrina Lutz
  • Patent number: 11590958
    Abstract: A method for detecting undesirable vibrations of an actuator of an electromechanical brake includes the steps of: (1) providing an electrical signal comprising at least one piece of information about a current consumption of the actuator or a parameter correlated with the current consumption; (2) monitoring an operation of the actuator on the basis of the gradient of the electrical signal in such a way that after switching on the actuator and preferably after a subsequent delay time, which includes determining: whether the amount of an initial instantaneous value of the gradient exceeds the amount of a threshold and whether a subsequent second instantaneous value of the gradient has an inverted sign compared to the first instantaneous value; (3) evaluating the results to ensure that an undesirable vibration is assessed as detected the aforementioned conditions are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Müller, Ralf Kinder
  • Publication number: 20230029398
    Abstract: In order to detect air in a brake master cylinder within a hydraulic power brake system, a brake master cylinder pressure on actuation of the brake master cylinder is compared with a comparison pressure which prevails in the brake master cylinder when it is air-free. For bleeding, brake fluid is conveyed with a power brake pressure generator through the in this case non-actuated brake master cylinder into a pressureless brake fluid reservoir, where air escapes from the brake fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Erwin Reinke, Otmar Bussmann, Carsten Thierer, Kevin Wodrich, Ralf Kinder, Tim-Philipp Jesse
  • Patent number: 11292443
    Abstract: A method for functional testing of an electromechanical fill level monitoring device. In order to test the plausibility of a signal emitted by a fill level monitoring device of a first pressure medium chamber, a forced actuation of this fill level monitoring device is carried from time to time. This forced actuation is carried out in that a pressure medium delivery unit in a pressure medium circuit having the first pressure medium chamber is activated for a predefined period. This delivers the pressure medium fill level monitoring device into a second pressure medium chamber via a pressure medium connection. On the basis of the signal profile output by the fill level monitoring device, the proper operation of the fill level monitoring device is inferred in the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Walter, Peter Ziegler, Matthias Kistner, Ralf Kinder
  • Publication number: 20210291800
    Abstract: To prevent the loss of any brake fluid from a hydraulic vehicle braking system after a detected leakage, a testing or a re-testing of a leak tightness of the vehicle braking system is carried out only after release, for example, after a repair of the vehicle braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Tim-Philipp Jesse, Otmar Bussmann, Ralf Kinder, Peter Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20210179043
    Abstract: A method for functional testing of an electromechanical fill level monitoring device. In order to test the plausibility of a signal emitted by a fill level monitoring device of a first pressure medium chamber, a forced actuation of this fill level monitoring device is carried from time to time. This forced actuation is carried out in that a pressure medium delivery unit in a pressure medium circuit having the first pressure medium chamber is activated for a predefined period. This delivers the pressure medium fill level monitoring device into a second pressure medium chamber via a pressure medium connection. On the basis of the signal profile output by the fill level monitoring device, the proper operation of the fill level monitoring device is inferred in the electronic control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Klaus Walter, Peter Ziegler, Matthias Kistner, Ralf Kinder
  • Publication number: 20210122353
    Abstract: A method for detecting undesirable vibrations of an actuator of an electromechanical brake includes the steps of: (1) providing an electrical signal comprising at least one piece of information about a current consumption of the actuator or a parameter correlated with the current consumption; (2) monitoring an operation of the actuator on the basis of the gradient of the electrical signal in such a way that after switching on the actuator and preferably after a subsequent delay time, which includes determining: whether the amount of an initial instantaneous value of the gradient exceeds the amount of a threshold and whether a subsequent second instantaneous value of the gradient has an inverted sign compared to the first instantaneous value; (3) evaluating the results to ensure that an undesirable vibration is assessed as detected the aforementioned conditions are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Müller, Ralf Kinder
  • Patent number: 10933846
    Abstract: A system and a method for preventing a vehicle from rolling away are described. According to one method aspect, in the case of a vehicle equipped with several EPB actuators, the activation of only one of these EPB actuators takes place if in the case of a road inclination lying below a threshold value the vehicle begins to roll away from the stationary state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kinder, Heiner Versmold
  • Publication number: 20180236974
    Abstract: An actuator for an electric parking brake, EPB, is described. The actuator comprises a motor configured to actuate an actuating member of the EPB, as well as a reception interface configured to receive an enablement code. An enablement code is assigned to the EPB actuator which individualizes the EPB actuator against other EPB actuators. The actuator further comprises an evaluation unit configured to verify the received enablement code on the basis of the enablement code allocated to the EPB actuator and to enable a control of the motor in case of a positively verified enablement code. There is further provided a control device for the EPB actuator, an electric parking brake and a vehicle having the EPB actuator and corresponding operating methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Kubb, Jens-Peter Kohrt, Ralf Kinder, Stefan Grieser-Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20180215355
    Abstract: A system and a method for preventing a vehicle from rolling away are described. According to one method aspect, in the case of a vehicle equipped with several EPB actuators, the activation of only one of these EPB actuators takes place if in the case of a road inclination lying below a threshold value the vehicle begins to roll away from the stationary state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kinder, Heiner Versmold
  • Patent number: 9718451
    Abstract: A monitoring device for, and a method for examining a functional capability of, at least one subunit of a hydraulic braking system includes: ascertaining at least one pressure variable of a pressure prevailing in the hydraulic braking system, and comparing the ascertained pressure variable to a predefined comparative value range, at least if the ascertained pressure variable deviates from the predefined comparative value range, a pressure change variable with respect to a time change of the pressure variable being ascertained and the ascertained pressure change variable being compared to a predefined minimum change variable, and the functional capability being established in consideration of the comparison of the pressure variable to the predefined comparative value range, and, at least if the ascertained pressure variable deviates from the predefined comparative value range, in consideration of the comparison of the pressure change variable to the predefined minimum change variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kunz, Ralf Kinder, Tobias Spoeri
  • Patent number: 9221446
    Abstract: A technique for controlling an electrically actuable parking brake of a motor vehicle in the event of failure of a first signal indicating a speed of the motor vehicle comprises the steps of continuously closing the parking brake as long as a second signal indicating a driver request to close the parking brake is detected, and opening the parking brake, provided that the parking brake is in a partially open state, as long as an absence of the second signal is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kinder, Andreas Müller
  • Patent number: 9205789
    Abstract: A method for avoiding error messages due to maintenance work on a vehicle, which are generated by a monitoring unit if one or multiple operating parameters of a monitored vehicle system are outside of a predefined, admissible value range. Accordingly, the general driving operation is monitored with the aid of a vehicle's own sensor system with respect to a maintenance state and, if a maintenance state is established, the admissible value range be automatically extended or at least one operating parameter is ignored during monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Gebhard Wuerth, Michael Kunz, Ralf Kinder, Thilo Stephan
  • Patent number: 8892327
    Abstract: A method for determining a functional state of a pressure build-up valve of a hydraulic brake booster of a brake system, having the following steps: comparing an activation intensity of an activation of a brake activating element of the brake system to a predefined minimum activation intensity; if the brake activation intensity is less than or equal to the minimum activation intensity, determining the functional state, taking into account a pressure change over time in at least a partial volume of the hydraulic brake booster; if the brake activation intensity is greater than the minimum activation intensity, determining the functional state, taking into account an operating mode which is predefined for a pressure reduction valve of the hydraulic brake booster. A function monitoring device for a pressure build-up valve of a hydraulic brake booster of a brake system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Hachtel, Ralf Kinder
  • Publication number: 20140236419
    Abstract: A monitoring device for, and a method for examining a functional capability of, at least one subunit of a hydraulic braking system includes: ascertaining at least one pressure variable of a pressure prevailing in the hydraulic braking system, and comparing the ascertained pressure variable to a predefined comparative value range, at least if the ascertained pressure variable deviates from the predefined comparative value range, a pressure change variable with respect to a time change of the pressure variable being ascertained and the ascertained pressure change variable being compared to a predefined minimum change variable, and the functional capability being established in consideration of the comparison of the pressure variable to the predefined comparative value range, and, at least if the ascertained pressure variable deviates from the predefined comparative value range, in consideration of the comparison of the pressure change variable to the predefined minimum change variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Kunz, Ralf Kinder, Tobias Spoeri
  • Patent number: 8577542
    Abstract: In a method for detecting air in the brake circuit of a motor vehicle having a hydraulic brake system that has a vacuum brake booster, the pressure prevailing in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum brake booster in the operated and the non-operated states of the brake is measured, and a parameter characteristic of the brake performance is determined as a function of the measured pressure, and the characteristic parameter is compared to a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thilo Stephan, Ralf Kinder, Dirk Mahnkopf