Patents by Inventor Tobias Munko

Tobias Munko 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: 11814051
    Abstract: A method is for determining a side slip angle during the cornering of a vehicle. The following variables are recorded and interlinked via a mathematical vehicle model with assumptions of the linear single-track model: a predetermined or measured position of the center of gravity between a front and rear axle, the current vehicle velocity, a current vehicle cornering motion variable, the current steering angle on the front axle. To simplify the determination of the side slip angle, it is determined under the assumption that the difference between the side slip angle and the Ackermann side slip angle is proportional to the difference between the Ackermann angle and the steering angle. The actual side slip angle is deduced from the relationship of the measured steering angle and the Ackermann angle based on the proportionality relationship of the Ackermann side slip angle theoretically present when driving through the same curve without slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV Systems Hannover GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Munko, Timo Pascal Behrens, Bernd Oldemeyer
  • 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: 11285938
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle when driving on a bend, includes determining bend information, wherein the bend information characterizes a further course of the bend in a direction of travel after a current position of the vehicle, determining predicted lateral acceleration values based on the bend information, wherein each of the predicted lateral acceleration values indicates a lateral acceleration predicted to act on the vehicle at a respective one of a plurality of future positions over the further course of the bend, and determining the probability of overturning at the future positions based on the predicted lateral acceleration values by comparing the predicted lateral acceleration values with a lateral acceleration limit value. A roll stability control system outputs a reduced deceleration request if the predicted lateral acceleration values undershoot the lateral acceleration limit value at least in certain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Michael Heise, Tobias Munko, Klaus Plaehn
  • Publication number: 20220048511
    Abstract: A method is for determining a side slip angle during the cornering of a vehicle. The following variables are recorded and interlinked via a mathematical vehicle model with assumptions of the linear single-track model: a predetermined or measured position of the center of gravity between a front and rear axle, the current vehicle velocity, a current vehicle cornering motion variable, the current steering angle on the front axle. To simplify the determination of the side slip angle, it is determined under the assumption that the difference between the side slip angle and the Ackermann side slip angle is proportional to the difference between the Ackermann angle and the steering angle. The actual side slip angle is deduced from the relationship of the measured steering angle and the Ackermann angle based on the proportionality relationship of the Ackermann side slip angle theoretically present when driving through the same curve without slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Tobias Munko, Timo Pascal Behrens, Bernd Oldemeyer
  • Publication number: 20210331664
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle when driving on a bend, includes determining bend information, wherein the bend information characterizes a further course of the bend in a direction of travel after a current position of the vehicle, determining predicted lateral acceleration values based on the bend information, wherein each of the predicted lateral acceleration values indicates a lateral acceleration predicted to act on the vehicle at a respective one of a plurality of future positions over the further course of the bend, and determining the probability of overturning at the future positions based on the predicted lateral acceleration values by comparing the predicted lateral acceleration values with a lateral acceleration limit value. A roll stability control system outputs a reduced deceleration request if the predicted lateral acceleration values undershoot the lateral acceleration limit value at least in certain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Heise, Tobias Munko, Klaus Plaehn
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9950702
    Abstract: In a method for stabilizing the driving behavior of a tractor-trailer combination, a tilting inclination variable is obtained and a tilting limit is determined on the basis of the tilting inclination variable and is prescribed to a vehicle movement dynamics control system. A vehicle movement dynamics control device carries out the method. In order to improve the stabilization of the driving behavior of tractor-trailer combinations with different loads of the individual vehicles, the respective tilting inclination variable is determined at a plurality of vehicles of the tractor-trailer combination, and the value of the tilting inclination variable for the determination of the tilting limit which is decisive for the determination of the tilting limit is obtained from the tilting inclination variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Arne Michaelsen, Tobias Munko
  • Patent number: 9919688
    Abstract: A method for detecting an operating state of a vehicle, includes selecting the operating state from at least a first or a second operating state for a vehicle that includes a pneumatic brake system and a pneumatic control connection for connecting the pneumatic brake system to a further pneumatic brake system of a trailer. The method includes the following steps: applying pressure to the control connection until a starting pressure in the control connection is set; opening the control connection such that a pressure between the control connection and an environment is equalized; detecting a temporal pressure pattern during the pressure equalization; comparing the temporal pressure pattern to a reference pressure pattern; determining an evaluation result based on the comparison of the temporal and the reference pressure pattern; and assigning the evaluation result to the first or the second operating state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Barth, Tobias Munko, Ingo Tha
  • Publication number: 20160257289
    Abstract: A method for detecting an operating state of a vehicle, includes selecting the operating state from at least a first or a second operating state for a vehicle that includes a pneumatic brake system and a pneumatic control connection for connecting the pneumatic brake system to a further pneumatic brake system of a trailer. The method includes the following steps: applying pressure to the control connection until a starting pressure in the control connection is set; opening the control connection such that a pressure between the control connection and an environment is equalized; detecting a temporal pressure pattern during the pressure equalization; comparing the temporal pressure pattern to a reference pressure pattern; determining an evaluation result based on the comparison of the temporal and the reference pressure pattern; and assigning the evaluation result to the first or the second operating state of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Christoph Barth, Tobias Munko, Ingo Tha
  • Publication number: 20160214586
    Abstract: In a method for stabilizing the driving behavior of a tractor-trailer combination, a tilting inclination variable is obtained and a tilting limit is determined on the basis of the tilting inclination variable and is prescribed to a vehicle movement dynamics control system. A vehicle movement dynamics control device carries out the method. In order to improve the stabilization of the driving behavior of tractor-trailer combinations with different loads of the individual vehicles, the respective tilting inclination variable is determined at a plurality of vehicles of the tractor-trailer combination, and the value of the tilting inclination variable for the determination of the tilting limit which is decisive for the determination of the tilting limit is obtained from the tilting inclination variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Arne Michaelsen, Tobias Munko
  • Patent number: 9110091
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for determining the installation position of a sensor module in a vehicle—namely, for determining whether the sensor module has its longitudinal axis oriented longitudinally or transversely. The sensor module has a longitudinal acceleration sensor for measuring a longitudinal module acceleration in the direction of the longitudinal axis and/or a transverse acceleration sensor for measuring a transverse module acceleration transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis. To this end, while the vehicle is travelling, a measured longitudinal module acceleration and/or a measured transverse module acceleration is compared with a longitudinal vehicle acceleration and/or a transverse vehicle acceleration ascertained in another way. By the comparison, at least one degree of conformity is ascertained, which represents the conformity of a measured module acceleration with a calculated vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Kopper, Arne Michaelsen, Tobias Munko
  • Publication number: 20140330480
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for determining the installation position of a sensor module in a vehicle—namely, for determining whether the sensor module has its longitudinal axis oriented longitudinally or transversely. The sensor module has a longitudinal acceleration sensor for measuring a longitudinal module acceleration in the direction of the longitudinal axis and/or a transverse acceleration sensor for measuring a transverse module acceleration transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis. To this end, while the vehicle is travelling, a measured longitudinal module acceleration and/or a measured transverse module acceleration is compared with a longitudinal vehicle acceleration and/or a transverse vehicle acceleration ascertained in another way. By the comparison, at least one degree of conformity is ascertained, which represents the conformity of a measured module acceleration with a calculated vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Heiko Kopper, Arne Michaelsen, Tobias Munko
  • Patent number: 8336364
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating wheel speed signals measured by wheel rpm sensors in a vehicle equipped with at least one longitudinal acceleration sensor integrates the signal of the longitudinal acceleration sensor during the acceleration or deceleration phases of the vehicle, and the resulting vehicle speed signal is compared against the signals of the individual wheel rpm sensors. A determination is made as to whether a deviation that may exist for a wheel lies within a predefined tolerance range. If a deviation falls outside of the tolerance range, the parameterized tire circumference of the associated wheel is adaptively recalibrated until the deviation falls within the tolerance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Munko, Axel Stender, Gerhard Ruhnau, Ingo Tha
  • Publication number: 20110264301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a travel direction of a vehicle (1), particularly a trailer vehicle, wherein wheel speed signals (n1, n2, n3) are captured and a travel speed (v) is determined, a longitudinal acceleration (a) of the vehicle (1) is measured, and a longitudinal acceleration measurement signal (Sa) is output, an approach process is determined from a time change in the travel speed (v), and the direction of the approach process is determined from the longitudinal acceleration measurement signal (Sa). An approach process in the reverse direction is particularly detected thereby. The invention further relates to a control device (2) for performing the method, particularly in a vehicle controller, a vehicle system, and a corresponding vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Immanuel Henken, Tobias Munko, Gerhard Ruhnau, Axel Stender, Ingo Tha
  • Patent number: 7870780
    Abstract: A method for identifying low-pressure tires includes determining the number of revolutions of each wheel over a preselected driving distance, and comparing crosswise by summing the number of revolutions of the diagonally opposite front right/rear left and front left/rear right wheels and taking the difference between the sums, a diagonal containing a low-pressure tire being identifiable via the sign of the difference between the diagonals. A further comparison for each side of the vehicle is effected by summing the revolutions of the front left/rear left side and front right/rear right side wheels and comparing the difference between the sums, the side containing a low-pressure tire being identifiable via the sign of the difference between the sides. The difference between diagonals is compared with a low-pressure threshold value. If the threshold is exceeded, the signs of the difference between diagonals and between sides are logically combined to identify the low-pressure tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Andre Bork, Tobias Munko, Detlef Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20090205401
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating wheel speed signals measured by wheel rpm sensors in a vehicle equipped with at least one longitudinal acceleration sensor integrates the signal of the longitudinal acceleration sensor during the acceleration or deceleration phases of the vehicle, and the resulting vehicle speed signal is compared against the signals of the individual wheel rpm sensors. A determination is made as to whether a deviation that may exist for a wheel lies within a predefined tolerance range. If a deviation falls outside of the tolerance range, the parameterized tire circumference of the associated wheel is adaptively recalibrated until the deviation falls within the tolerance range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Tobias Munko, Axel Stender, Gerhard Ruhnau, Ingo Tha
  • Publication number: 20090173149
    Abstract: A method for identifying low-pressure tires includes determining the number of revolutions of each wheel over a preselected driving distance, and comparing crosswise by summing the number of revolutions of the diagonally opposite front right/rear left and front left/rear right wheels and taking the difference between the sums, a diagonal containing a low-pressure tire being identifiable via the sign of the difference between the diagonals. A further comparison for each side of the vehicle is effected by summing the revolutions of the front left/rear left side and front right/rear right side wheels and comparing the difference between the sums, the side containing a low-pressure tire being identifiable via the sign of the difference between the sides. The difference between diagonals is compared with a low-pressure threshold value. If the threshold is exceeded, the signs of the difference between diagonals and between sides are logically combined to identify the low-pressure tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Andre Bork, Tobias Munko, Detlef Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6984005
    Abstract: An improved braking method and system for a vehicle equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), a traction control or anti-slip regulation system (ASR) and one or more additional systems capable of effecting automatic braking of the vehicle independently of driver control, e.g., an adaptive cruise control system (ACC) or a rollover stability control system (RSC). Automatic braking takes place by admission of brake pressure to the drive axle. To detect a simultaneous braking demand of the driver, the wheel speeds of the non-driven axle or axles are compared with the wheel speeds of the drive axle or axles. If the wheel speeds of the non-driven axle(s) are less than the wheel speeds of the drive axle(s), or less than a vehicle reference speed, the brake pressure injected in response to driver demand is also fed to the brake cylinders of the wheels of the drive axle(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Benno Meyer, Marcel Schlottmann, Immanuel Henken, Thomas Lenz, Tobias Munko, Gerhard Ruhnau
  • Publication number: 20040012252
    Abstract: An improved braking method and system for a vehicle equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), a traction control or anti-slip regulation system (ASR) and one or more additional systems capable of effecting automatic braking of the vehicle independently of driver control, e.g., an adaptive cruise control system (ACC) or a rollover stability control system (RSC). Automatic braking takes place by admission of brake pressure to the drive axle. To detect a simultaneous braking demand of the driver, the wheel speeds of the non-driven axle or axles are compared with the wheel speeds of the drive axle or axles. If the wheel speeds of the non-driven axle(s) are less than the wheel speeds of the drive axle(s), or less than a vehicle reference speed, the brake pressure injected in response to driver demand is also fed to the brake cylinders of the wheels of the drive axle(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Benno Meyer, Marcel Schlottmann, Immanuel Henken, Thomas Lenz, Tobias Munko, Gerhard Ruhnau