Patents by Inventor Ralf Schwarz

Ralf Schwarz 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: 9449434
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically actuatable assembly of a motor vehicle having at least one component comprising a non-volatile memory. The component has base functionality characteristic for the component and required for the operation of the assembly. The memory comprises a memory region not utilized for realizing the base functionality of the component, in said memory region is stored a characteristic value that identifies the assembly with a predetermined probability. Furthermore, the characteristic value can be read out from the memory region of the component. Finally, the invention describes a method for identifying such an electrically actuatable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Mullner, Karl Reisinger, Ralf Schwarz, Tim-Christopher Meissner, Maik Hofmann, Thomas Ferstl
  • Publication number: 20140114543
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically actuatable assembly of a motor vehicle having at least one component comprising a non-volatile memory. The component has base functionality characteristic for the component and required for the operation of the assembly. The memory comprises a memory region not utilized for realizing the base functionality of the component, in said memory region is stored a characteristic value that identifies the assembly with a predetermined probability. Furthermore, the characteristic value can be read out from the memory region of the component. Finally, the invention describes a method for identifying such an electrically actuatable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Magna Power Train AG & CO
    Inventors: Gerhard Mullner, Karl Reissinger, Ralf Schwarz, Tim-Christopher Meissner, Maik Hoffman, Thomas FERSTL
  • Patent number: 8506439
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle drive device for an axle of a motor vehicle, with a drive assembly and a differential. Here, it is provided that the drive assembly is in the form of an electrical drive assembly and the differential has at least one override unit. The invention furthermore relates to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Strasser, Ralf Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8419577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a propulsion system for all-wheel drive motor vehicles, having a device for propulsion distribution to the front and the rear differential which transmit the drive output to the wheels assigned at the time, and with a device for coupled, variable distribution of the propulsion forces in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the vehicle depending on the operating situation of the vehicle for influencing the driving behavior, especially for improving the driving agility and driving stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Tim Christopher Meissner, Johann Fuchs, Ralf Schwarz, Johann Maerkl, Christian Meixner
  • Patent number: 8204634
    Abstract: The present device relates to a driving dynamics control system for vehicles, including at least one signal distribution to which vehicle data, environment data and data regarding the driver's request are sent in the form of input data, and including several controllable or regulatable subsystems which modify the dynamics of the vehicle such as a driver-independently adjustable steering system, a driver-independently adjustable chassis, a driver-independently adjustable brake, and a driver-independently adjustable driving track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Ralf Schwarz, Stefan Fritz, Sighard Schräbler, Urs Bauer, Steffen Tröster, Markus Weinreuter
  • Patent number: 8187131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a propulsion system for all-wheel drive motor vehicles, having a device for propulsion distribution to the front and the rear differential which transmit the drive output to the wheels assigned at the time, and with a device for coupled, variable distribution of the propulsion forces in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the vehicle depending on the operating situation of the vehicle for influencing the driving behavior, especially for improving the driving agility and driving stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Tim Christopher Meissner, Johann Fuchs, Ralf Schwarz, Johann Markl, Christian Meixner
  • Publication number: 20110301820
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically actuatable assembly of a motor vehicle having at least one component comprising a non-volatile memory. The component has base functionality characteristic for the component and required for the operation of the assembly. The memory comprises a memory region not utilized for realizing the base functionality of the component, in said memory region is stored a characteristic value that identifies the assembly with a predetermined probability. Furthermore, the characteristic value can be read out from the memory region of the component. Finally, the invention describes a method for identifying such an electrically actuatable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: AUDI AG, Magna Powertrain AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Müllner, Karl Reisinger, Ralf Schwarz, Tim Christopher Meissner, Maik Hofmann, Thomas Ferstl
  • Patent number: 7818107
    Abstract: A method for controlling the driving dynamics of a vehicle provides that a steering movement is carried out on the basis of a set value, which is calculated as a function of a deviation between a desired value and an acquired actual value of a vehicle state variable. In this method, at least one membership degree of an acquired value of a steering angle, which is set by a driver, and/or of a steering angle gradient, which is set by the driver, in a predetermined fuzzy set, are/is determined, and a value of the set value is changed as a function of the membership degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Ralf Schwarz, Stefan Fritz, Urs Bauer, Markus Weinreuter, Matthias Muntu
  • Publication number: 20100240485
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle drive device (4) for an axle (2, 3) of a motor vehicle (1), with a drive assembly (5, 13) and a differential (6, 14). Here, it is provided that the drive assembly (5) is in the form of an electrical drive assembly and the differential (6) has at least one superposition unit (7, 8). The invention furthermore relates to a motor vehicle (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Sebastian STRASSER, Ralf Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20100170737
    Abstract: The invention relates to a propulsion system for all-wheel drive motor vehicles, having a device for propulsion distribution to the front and the rear differential which transmit the drive output to the wheels assigned at the time, and with a device for coupled, variable distribution of the propulsion forces in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the vehicle depending on the operating situation of the vehicle for influencing the driving behavior, especially for improving the driving agility and driving stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Tim Christopher Meissner, Johann Fuchs, Ralf Schwarz, Johann Maerkl, Christian Meixner
  • Publication number: 20080294355
    Abstract: A method for calculation of the lateral force in a motor vehicle with an electromechanical or electrohydraulic steering system is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: firstly a steering column force is recorded, from which a total restoring torque is calculated. The total restoring torque comprises restoring torques generated by differing forces acting on the wheels. Said restoring torques include a restoring torque generated by lateral force and other restoring torques. The other restoring torques are quantitatively determined on the basis of measured values and subtracted from the total restoring torque, in order to determine the restoring torque generated by lateral force. Finally the lateral force is determined from the restoring torque generated by the lateral force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Berthold, Ralf Schwarz, Stefan Fritz
  • Publication number: 20080269974
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling the driving dynamics of a vehicle, in which a nominal value ({dot over (?)}ref) of a driving state variable that corresponds to a preset driver input is compared with a detected actual value ({dot over (?)}) of the driving state variable, and in which a rolling moment distribution is detected and modified. The method is implemented in such a manner that the driving performance of the vehicle is determined by comparing the nominal value ({dot over (?)}ref) of the driving state variable with the actual value ({dot over (?)}) of the driving state variable. Also, depending on the determined driving performance, a new rolling moment distribution is determined which corresponds to a predefined driving performance and the new rolling moment distribution is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG &Co. oHG
    Inventors: Ralf Schwarz, Thomas Raste, Steffen Troster, Matthias Muntu
  • Publication number: 20070288146
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the driving dynamics of a vehicle, in which a steering movement is carried out on the basis of a set value, which is calculated as a function of a deviation between a desired value and an acquired actual value of a vehicle state variable. The method is characterized in that at least one membership degree of an acquired value of a steering angle, which is set by a driver, and/or of a steering angle gradient, which is set by the driver, in a predetermined fuzzy set, are/is determined, and a value of the set value is changed as a function of the membership degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Ralf Schwarz, Stefan Fritz, Urs Bauer, Markus Weinreuter, Matthias Muntu
  • Publication number: 20070282502
    Abstract: In the case of a parking aid for a motor vehicle having a vehicle steering system with a manual steering wheel and a steering torque regulating module by means of which a steering torque can be applied to the steering wheel, the parking aid cooperates with the torque regulating module according to this invention and an additional steering torque is applied via the steering wheel by means of which the driver of the vehicle is assisted in a parking maneuver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Ronald Bayer, Ralf Schwarz, Stefan Luke, Dirk Frohlich
  • Publication number: 20070235240
    Abstract: A power steering system includes a device for actively applying an additional steering torque as well as a device for actively applying a superposition steering angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Lauer, Steffen Linkenbach, Ralf Schwarz, Oliver Hoffmann, Joachim Nell, Steffen Troster, Roger Bauer
  • Publication number: 20070221425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a propulsion system for all-wheel drive motor vehicles, having a device for propulsion distribution to the front and the rear differential which transmit the drive output to the wheels assigned at the time, and with a device for coupled, variable distribution of the propulsion forces in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the vehicle depending on the operating situation of the vehicle for influencing the driving behavior, especially for improving the driving agility and driving stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Tim Christopher Meissner, Johann Fuchs, Ralf Schwarz, Johann Markl, Christian Meixner
  • Publication number: 20070150116
    Abstract: The present device relates to a driving dynamics control system for vehicles, including at least one signal distribution to which vehicle data, environment data and data regarding the driver's request are sent in the form of input data, and including several controllable or regulatable subsystems which modify the dynamics of the vehicle such as a driver-independently adjustable steering system, a driver-independently adjustable chassis, a driver-independently adjustable brake, and a driver-independently adjustable driving track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Ralf Schwarz, Stefan Fritz, Sieghard Schrabler, Urs Bauer, Steffen Troster, Markus Weinreuter
  • Publication number: 20060100766
    Abstract: In a method for increasing the driving stability of a vehicle during braking, compensation steering angles for a regulated and/or controlled steering system are calculated from several input parameters, so that the driving stability of the vehicle is increased by steering interventions. During the steering interventions at least two interference compensation portions for the compensation steering angles are taken into consideration in order to obtain a more comfortable control, from which an interference compensation portion is calculated on the basis of the vehicle course.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Ralf Schwarz, Stefan Fritz, Rex Schilasky, Urs Bauer
  • Patent number: 6819979
    Abstract: A method and a device for the determination of a vertical acceleration ({umlaut over (z)}W) of a wheel of a vehicle for use in a driving dynamics control or monitoring system. The device includes a first determination device for the determination of a spring stroke acceleration (&Dgr;{umlaut over (z)}) of a spring loaded in vertical direction by the body of the vehicle and installed between the body and the wheel; a second determination device for the determination of a partial vertical body acceleration ({umlaut over (z)}B,V), and a control unit, which adds the spring stroke acceleration (&Dgr;{umlaut over (z)}) and the partial vertical body acceleration ({umlaut over (z)}B,V) in order to obtain the vertical wheel acceleration (z{umlaut over (z)}W) and passes the vertical wheel acceleration ({umlaut over (z)}W) and passes the vertical wheel acceleration ({umlaut over (z)}W) for further processing to the driving dynamics control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves, Ag & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Ralf Schwarz, Cristlano Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6767305
    Abstract: An actuating unit for use on an electromechanically actuated disc brake for automotive vehicles including a drive unit or an electric motor, an actuating element for actuating one of two friction linings displaceably arranged in a brake caliper, and a first and a second reducing gear. The first reducing gear is comprised as a ball screw, while a planetary gear is used as the second reducing gear. To increase the efficiency, the present invention discloses a coupling shaft used to transmit forces from the planet cage of the planetary gear to the threaded spindle of the ball screw. The ends of the coupling shaft form universal joints with the planet cage and the threaded spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignees: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG, Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Wendelin Backes, Alexander Zernickel, Juergen Hartmann, Ulrich Grau, Werner Dorsch, Peter Rieth, Johann Jungbecker, Stefan Schmitt, Ralf Schwarz, Oliver Hoffmann, Joachim Nell