Patents by Inventor Ralph-Carsten Lülfing

Ralph-Carsten Lülfing 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: 11891062
    Abstract: A velocity adjustment system for adjusting a driving velocity of a includes a driver control device configured to receive actuation input from a driver, the actuation input including an actuation parameter. The system further includes an actuation sensor configured to detect the actuation parameter and to output a sensor signal and a velocity control device configured to record the sensor signal and evaluate the actuation input. The velocity control device is designed to compare the actuation parameter with a reference value and to output, based on the comparison, a request signal to an engine control device or a braking request signal to brake control device of a brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Nikolai Flaum, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Gerd Schuenemann, Torsten Wallbaum
  • Patent number: 11813910
    Abstract: A detection system for determining an articulation angle between two sub-vehicles of a vehicle combination connected in an articulated manner includes a detection device configured to detect an environment, wherein the detection device is arranged on one of the sub-vehicles of the vehicle combination and a detection region of the detection device on a sub-region of a sub-vehicle connected to the one sub-vehicle in an articulated manner is oriented so that detection signals, which characterize the sub-region on the other sub-vehicle, can be generated by the detection device and output. The detection system further includes a processing unit configured to receive the detection signals and determine the articulation angle between the two sub-vehicles based on the detection signals and a projection device designed to image a predetermined pattern onto the sub-region on the other sub-vehicle to create a pattern image on the other sub-vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Tobias Klinger, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Tobias Werle
  • Publication number: 20230226977
    Abstract: A method for displaying an environment of a vehicle on a display includes: recording the environment with at least two cameras, each having a different field of view, wherein fields of view of adjacent cameras overlap; creating a panoramic image from at least two images taken by differing cameras, the images being projected into a reference plane for creating the panoramic image; ascertaining depth information pertaining to an object in the environment by triangulation from at least two differing individual images taken by the same camera; and generating an overlay structure as a function of the ascertained depth information, the overlay structure having been uniquely assigned to an imaged object; and, representing the created panoramic image, containing the at least one object, and the at least one generated overlay structure on the display such that the overlay structure is displayed on, and/or adjacent to, the assigned object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Tobias Klinger, Ralph-Carsten Lülfing
  • Publication number: 20230087332
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vehicle system for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, that includes an electronically controllable pneumatic braking system, and an electronically controllable steering device. The electronically controllable pneumatic braking system has a redundant control unit, which controls the brake circuits in the event of a failure of an electronic stability control of the braking system during travel. In the event of the failure of the electronic stability control during travel, the redundant control unit performs axle-wise control of the front axle with a front axle redundancy brake pressure and/or of the rear axle with a rear axle redundancy brake pressure and the electronically controllable steering device carries out laterally stabilizing steering interventions in order to keep the vehicle in a tolerance corridor of a predefined target trajectory of the vehicle. The disclosure also relates to a vehicle and a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Ralph-Carsten Lülfing, Arne Michaelsen, Tobias Munko, Robert Otremba, Julian van Thiel
  • Patent number: 11595228
    Abstract: A data system of a towing vehicle and/or trailer vehicle includes a control device, a sensor system configured to record and process sensor data, and a BUS system configured to transfer the sensor data between the control device and the sensor system. The BUS system has a first BUS device in the form of a CAN BUS and a second BUS device in the form of an ETHERNET BUS, and the BUS system further has a first interface configured to transfer the sensor data to a second interface of a second BUS system of a second data system of a second towing vehicle and/or trailer vehicle. The data system additionally includes an intelligent switch, coupled to the control device and/or to the first interface, the intelligent switch being configured to couple the first towing vehicle and/or trailer vehicle to the second towing vehicle and/or trailer vehicle in a coordinated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Andreas Goers, Sebastian Kuehne, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Marco Michel, Thomas Wolf, Oliver Wulf
  • Publication number: 20220297655
    Abstract: A parking brake valve assembly for an electronically controllable pneumatic braking system of a vehicle is disclosed. The parking brake valve assembly includes: a first compressed air path which receives a supply pressure and has a first monostable valve unit for providing a first parking brake pressure, a second compressed air path which receives supply pressure and has a second monostable valve unit for providing a second parking brake pressure, and a first shuttle valve having a first shuttle valve port with the first compressed air path and receiving the first parking brake pressure, a second shuttle valve port with the second compressed air path and receiving the second parking brake pressure, and a third shuttle valve port connectable to a spring brake cylinder. The first shuttle valve outputs the higher of the first parking brake pressure and of the second parking brake pressure to the third shuttle valve port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Ralph-Carsten Lülfing, Julian van Thiel, Oliver Wulf
  • Patent number: 11407408
    Abstract: A method for performing an evasive maneuver with a commercial vehicle-trailer combination includes ascertaining that a collision between the commercial vehicle-trailer combination and a collision object is impending. The method further includes determining an evasion trajectory by which the commercial vehicle-trailer combination can evade the collision object without coming into contact with the collision object, determining a desired steering angle based on the evasion trajectory and activating an active steering system of the commercial vehicle-trailer combination in dependence on the determined desired steering angle such that the commercial vehicle-trailer combination moves along the evasion trajectory from a starting traffic lane to a target traffic lane so as to perform the evasive maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Christoph Barth, Thomas Dieckmann, Stephan Kallenbach, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Klaus Plaehn
  • Publication number: 20220227369
    Abstract: A velocity adjustment system for adjusting a driving velocity of a includes a driver control device configured to receive actuation input from a driver, the actuation input including an actuation parameter. The system further includes an actuation sensor configured to detect the actuation parameter and to output a sensor signal and a velocity control device configured to record the sensor signal and evaluate the actuation input. The velocity control device is designed to compare the actuation parameter with a reference value and to output, based on the comparison, a request signal to an engine control device or a braking request signal to brake control device of a brake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Nikolai FLAUM, Ralph-Carsten LUELFING, Gerd SCHUENEMANN, Torsten WALLBAUM
  • Publication number: 20220161619
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detection system (4) for ascertaining an articulation angle (K) between two sub-vehicles (2.i, i=1,2, . . . N, Z, A), which are connected together in an articulated manner, of a vehicle combination, comprising: a detection device (6), wherein the detection device (6) is arranged on one of the sub-vehicles (2.i; Z) of the vehicle combination, and a detection region (6a) of the detection device (6) is oriented towards a sub-region (8a) of another sub-vehicle (2.i; A) connected to the sub-vehicle (2.i; Z) in an articulated manner such that detection signals can be generated and output by the detection device (6), said detection signals characterizing the sub-region (8a) on the other sub-vehicle (2.i; A), and a processing unit (7) which is designed to receive the detection signals and ascertain the articulation angle between the two sub-vehicles (2.i; Z, A) using the detection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Tobias Klinger, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Tobias Werle
  • Publication number: 20220144230
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a vehicle in the event of unexpected braking with braking forces acting differently on respective sides on a steerable vehicle axle. The method includes determining whether there is unintentional braking with the braking forces causing the vehicle to yaw at a braking yaw rate in a yaw direction because of the braking forces. The yaw direction is determined in which the vehicle will yaw as a result of the braking forces. A steering angle requirement is specified and set immediately upon detection of unintentional braking with the different braking forces acting on the respective sides on the steerable vehicle axle with the steering angle requirement being specified in dependence upon the yaw direction so as to cause the braking yaw rate to be compensated on the steerable vehicle axle after setting the steering angle requirement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Klaus Plähn, Ralph-Carsten Lülfing
  • Patent number: 11198417
    Abstract: A method for specifying switching parameters of a solenoid control valve in a braking system of a vehicle includes stipulating a test vehicle acceleration and ascertaining at least two test pulse sequences. The test pulse sequences are each ascertained on the basis of the stipulated test vehicle acceleration and on the basis of switching parameter default values for the respective solenoid control valve, and the test pulse sequences have actuation pulses and adjoining nonactuation pulses. During an actuation pulse an activation of the respective solenoid control valve and during a nonactuation pulse a deactivation of the respective solenoid control valve takes place. The method further includes actuating the respective solenoid control valve using the at least two test pulse sequences in order to cause at least two test braking operations, wherein the respective test pulse sequence causes an alteration of a braking pressure at a service brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Sebastian Kuehne, Andreas Goers, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Oliver Wulf
  • Publication number: 20210291818
    Abstract: A method for performing an evasive maneuver with a commercial vehicle-trailer combination includes ascertaining that a collision between the commercial vehicle-trailer combination and a collision object is impending. The method further includes determining an evasion trajectory by which the commercial vehicle-trailer combination can evade the collision object without coming into contact with the collision object, determining a desired steering angle based on the evasion trajectory and activating an active steering system of the commercial vehicle-trailer combination in dependence on the determined desired steering angle such that the commercial vehicle-trailer combination moves along the evasion trajectory from a starting traffic lane to a target traffic lane so as to perform the evasive maneuver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Christoph Barth, Thomas Dieckmann, Stephan Kallenbach, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Klaus Plaehn
  • Publication number: 20210232157
    Abstract: A method for setting a vehicle deceleration of a first vehicle travelling in a platoon includes setting, in the presence of a platooning mode, (i) a predetermined target distance between the first vehicle as a guide vehicle and a second vehicle following immediately behind the first vehicle and/or (ii) a predetermined target distance between the first vehicle as a following vehicle and a third vehicle travelling immediately in front of the first vehicle and at least one further vehicle following immediately behind the first vehicle. The method further includes limiting the vehicle deceleration of the first vehicle as the guide vehicle or as the following vehicle to a limit deceleration when a limitation criterion is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Stephan Kallenbach
  • Patent number: 11027712
    Abstract: A method for determining a coefficient-of-friction, the method including braking a first wheel of a vehicle such that a slip between the first wheel and a roadway is less than a slip between a second wheel of the vehicle and the roadway, and determining a coefficient-of-friction between the first wheel and the roadway based on the behavior of the first wheel during the braking. The method optionally including hazard braking the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, WABCO EUROPE BVBA, TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Friedrich Tenbrock, Sven Gohl, Christoph Schall, Dan Williams, Stephan Kallenbach, Klaus Plähn, Thomas Dieckmann, Ralph-Carsten Lülfing
  • Publication number: 20210163000
    Abstract: A method for distance control of a subject vehicle in relation to a front vehicle. The method includes setting, by an adaptive cruise control of the subject vehicle, an automatic distance control mode, wherein: a front object in front of the subject vehicle is detected by an environmental detection system of the subject vehicle, the front object is recognized as the front vehicle, and a distance to the front vehicle is regulated to an adaptive cruise control (ACC) target distance. The method further includes establishing that a safe following driving situation is present based on at least one criteria being met. The method additionally includes outputting, to a driver upon establishing that the safe following driving situation is present, a display signal, and setting, upon input of a confirmation signal by the driver, an automatic distance control platooning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Oliver Wulf, Stephan Kallenbach
  • Publication number: 20210155209
    Abstract: A method for specifying switching parameters of a solenoid control valve in a braking system of a vehicle includes stipulating a test vehicle acceleration and ascertaining at least two test pulse sequences. The test pulse sequences are each ascertained on the basis of the stipulated test vehicle acceleration and on the basis of switching parameter default values for the respective solenoid control valve, and the test pulse sequences have actuation pulses and adjoining nonactuation pulses. During an actuation pulse an activation of the respective solenoid control valve and during a nonactuation pulse a deactivation of the respective solenoid control valve takes place. The method further includes actuating the respective solenoid control valve using the at least two test pulse sequences in order to cause at least two test braking operations, wherein the respective test pulse sequence causes an alteration of a braking pressure at a service brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Sebastian Kuehne, Andreas Goers, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Oliver Wulf
  • Publication number: 20200331478
    Abstract: A method for controlling a starting process of a vehicle includes activating a control sequence and setting a control sequence signal, defining a maximum engine drive torque, and detecting a drive request for a starting process. The method further includes, in response to the drive request, controlling a clutch-gearbox unit with an engagement process duration, controlling wheel slip of driven wheels by determining wheel speeds of the driven wheels and at least setting an output drive torque at the output shaft, and redefining the maximum engine drive torque depending on the wheel slip and a driving speed. The method also includes deactivating the control sequence and resetting the control sequence signal when limit values are reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Detlef Schmidt, Ruppert Kamping, Thomas Lenz, Tobias Munko, Stefan Selent
  • Publication number: 20200244478
    Abstract: A data system of a towing vehicle and/or trailer vehicle includes a control device, a sensor system configured to record and process sensor data, and a BUS system configured to transfer the sensor data between the control device and the sensor system. The BUS system has a first BUS device in the form of a CAN BUS and a second BUS device in the form of an ETHERNET BUS, and the BUS system further has a first interface configured to transfer the sensor data to a second interface of a second BUS system of a second data system of a second towing vehicle and/or trailer vehicle. The data system additionally includes an intelligent switch, coupled to the control device and/or to the first interface, the intelligent switch being configured to couple the first towing vehicle and/or trailer vehicle to the second towing vehicle and/or trailer vehicle in a coordinated manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Andreas Goers, Sebastian Kuehne, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing, Marco Michel, Thomas Wolf, Oliver Wulf
  • Publication number: 20200180609
    Abstract: A method for the predictive assessment of a current driving situation of a vehicle, in particular utility vehicle, includes determining currently present driving situation information, wherein the driving situation information characterizes the current driving situation of the vehicle. The method includes specifying the driving situation information to a neural algorithm, wherein the neural algorithm assigns, in the manner of a trained neural network, a driving situation category to the currently present driving situation information. The respective driving situation category is based on a predicted driving situation. The neural algorithm determines the predicted driving situation in accordance with the current driving situation and the predicted driving situation indicates a driving situation of the vehicle which will develop in future from the current driving situation. The method includes outputting an output value characterizing the driving situation category, as an assessment result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Dieckmann, Stephan Kallenbach, Sebastian Kuehne, Ralph-Carsten Luelfing
  • Publication number: 20190193697
    Abstract: A method for determining a coefficient-of-friction, the method including braking a first wheel of a vehicle such that a slip between the first wheel and a roadway is less than a slip between a second wheel of the vehicle and the roadway, and determining a coefficient-of-friction between the first wheel and the roadway based on the behavior of the first wheel during the braking. The method optionally including hazard braking the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicants: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, WAB-CO EUROPE BVBA, TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Friedrich Tenbrock, Sven Gohl, Christoph Schall, Dan Williams, Stephan Kallenbach, Klaus Plähn, Thomas Dieckmann, Ralph-Carsten Lülfing