Patents by Inventor Stefan Kappes

Stefan Kappes 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: 10179577
    Abstract: A method for controlling an emergency braking system of a motor vehicle having a stability control system when the stability control system is deactivated or placed in a reduced mode. The method includes the step of determining whether the stability control system is in a deactivated or reduced mode and keeping the automatic emergency braking system active even if the stability control system is deactivated or in a reduced mode. The system includes temporarily activating the stability control system if a hazardous situation exists requiring generation of an emergency braking command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Kappes, Florian Schweter, Markus Jung
  • Patent number: 10077073
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a parking process of a vehicle. The method including setting an upper speed limit; using a speed-limiting device to limit the speed of the vehicle at a parking speed that is less than or equal to the upper speed limit speed; suppressing an accelerator pedal speed increase request that increases the vehicle speed over the upper speed limit; and performing the assisted parking operation while limiting the vehicle speed and terminating the suppression of the increase in speed when the accelerator pedal is depressed by more than a predetermined value. Wherein the predetermined value is selected as a function of a slope on which the vehicle is located. The invention also relates to a steering system for an assisted parking procedure of a vehicle and a vehicle with such a steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregor Allexi, Claudia Kunze, Torsten Wey, Mike John Mould, Stefan Kappes, Mithat Ceylan
  • Publication number: 20140257660
    Abstract: A method for controlling an emergency braking system of a motor vehicle having a stability control system when the stability control system is deactivated or placed in a reduced mode. The method includes the step of determining whether the stability control system is in a deactivated or reduced mode and keeping the automatic emergency braking system active even if the stability control system is deactivated or in a reduced mode. The system includes temporarily activating the stability control system if a hazardous situation exists requiring generation of an emergency braking command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Kappes, Florian Schweter, Markus Jung
  • Publication number: 20140121930
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a parking process of a vehicle. The method including setting an upper speed limit; using a speed-limiting device to limit the speed of the vehicle at a parking speed that is less than or equal to the upper speed limit speed; suppressing an accelerator pedal speed increase request that increases the vehicle speed over the upper speed limit; and performing the assisted parking operation while limiting the vehicle speed and terminating the suppression of the increase in speed when the accelerator pedal is depressed by more than a predetermined value. Wherein the predetermined value is selected as a function of a slope on which the vehicle is located. The invention also relates to a steering system for an assisted parking procedure of a vehicle and a vehicle with such a steering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregor Allexi, Claudia Kunze, Torsten Wey, Mike John Mould, Stefan Kappes, Mithat Ceylan
  • Patent number: 8543310
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic speed control system of an automotive vehicle. Initially, in a normal follow mode, a setpoint distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle is set to a first value d1, and a setpoint vehicle acceleration is into a first value a1. Upon detection of an intention of the vehicle driver to overtake the preceding vehicle (such as switching on a turn indicator), the setpoint distance is reset to a second value d2 that is smaller than d1. The setpoint acceleration may be reset to a second value a2 greater than a1 simultaneously, or the second value a2 may be set upon detection of initiation of a lane change into an overtaking lane (such as turning a steering wheel). The method assists the driver during the execution of an overtaking process, and a safer, more comfortable and free-flowing sequence of the overtaking process is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Amin Kashi, Anders Grauers, Pradeep Nold, Stefan Kappes, Maciej Bak
  • Publication number: 20110196592
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic speed control system of an automotive vehicle. Initially, in a normal follow mode, a setpoint distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle is set to a first value d1, and a setpoint vehicle acceleration is into a first value a1. Upon detection of an intention of the vehicle driver to overtake the preceding vehicle (such as switching on a turn indicator), the setpoint distance is reset to a second value d2 that is smaller than d1. The setpoint acceleration may be reset to a second value a2 greater than a1 simultaneously, or the second value a2 may be set upon detection of initiation of a lane change into an overtaking lane (such as turning a steering wheel). The method assists the driver during the execution of an overtaking process, and a safer, more comfortable and free-flowing sequence of the overtaking process is ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Amin Kashi, Anders Grauers, Pradeep Nold, Stefan Kappes, Maciej Bak