Patents Assigned to VDO Automotive AG
  • Patent number: 7451740
    Abstract: In an adaptation method of an internal combustion engine for optimized combustion, the actually supplied cylinder-specific air masses are determined by determining the change in speed of the internal combustion engine within a thrust phase and by assigning these changes in speed to the cylinder-specific compression phases 20. This enables the fuel quantity to be injected to be more precisely adjusted to the cylinder-specific air mass available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Christian Birkner, Joris Fokkelman, Karl Müller
  • Publication number: 20080279742
    Abstract: The desulfation of a NOx storage catalytic converter takes place in two phases. In a first phase, the NOx storage catalytic converter is alternately exposed to rich and lean exhaust gas. In a subsequent second phase, the NOx storage catalytic converter is operated using rich exhaust gas. This method permits the quantity of hydrogen sulfide that occurs during the desulfation process to be minimized and achieves at the same time an efficient removal of sulfate from the deep-seated layers of the NOx storage catalytic converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Tino Arlt, Gerd Rosel
  • Publication number: 20080252266
    Abstract: A device and a method for balancing charge between individual cells of a double-layer capacitor, in particular in a multi-voltage motor vehicle electrical system. Each individual cell of the double-layer capacitor is associated with a capacitor, the first terminal of which can be connected via a first switch to a first terminal of the associated cell and via a second switch to a second terminal of the associated cell, and the second terminal of which is connected to the second terminals of all of the capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Martin Gotzenberger, Rainer Knorr
  • Publication number: 20080253090
    Abstract: An IC component has a cooling arrangement that is embodied as an electronic housing provided with a cooling body. The IC component is directly disposed on the cooling body in the electronic housing. The invention advantageously provides a cooling arrangement for IC components that enables the IC component to be efficiently and directly cooled and assembled in a simple manner, without requiring additional components. It is especially suitable for applications in electronic housings in the automotive field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Christian Janisch, Karl Smirra
  • Publication number: 20080247146
    Abstract: A fixing system for printed circuit boards arranged one above the other in an electronics housing, in particular for automotive applications. One printed circuit board is fixed to the electronics housing by a rigid fixing means and all of the other printed circuit boards are fixed by way of sprung fixing means. The is provided an advantageous fixing system for printed circuit boards arranged one above the other in an electronics housing which makes it possible for the printed circuit boards to be mounted in a stress-free manner, but in the process forms defined thermal transition regions, and which requires little installation space on the printed circuit board. It is particularly suitable for automotive applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventor: Nikolaus Kerner
  • Publication number: 20080247204
    Abstract: A regulating apparatus for a three-phase AC machine has a DC controller and an inverter. An input of the inverter is coupled to the DC controller and an output of the inverter can be coupled to the AC machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventor: Folker Renken
  • Publication number: 20080238199
    Abstract: A current source includes a first switching element configured to adjust an output current according to a control signal received at a control input. The current source also includes a reference resistance, which is electrically coupled to the first switching element such that the output current flows through the reference resistance. The latter includes first and second individual reference resistors, connected in series, and a diode connected in parallel to the first reference resistor. The first reference resistor has a higher impedance than the second reference resistor. A controller receives a predetermined reference potential and an actuating signal that constitutes the control signal of the first switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventor: Martin Gotzenberger
  • Publication number: 20080231245
    Abstract: A current source contains a first switching element which is provided with a control input and is embodied and arranged in such a way that an output flow on an output side of a current source can be adjusted according to a control signal at the control input. The current source also contains a reference resistance that is electrically coupled to a first switching element in such a way that a potential difference above the reference resistance represents the output flow. The adjustment signal of a regulator unit depends on the voltage difference above the reference resistance, is the control signal of the first switching element, and contains a time function element which limits a first value of the output flow to a maximum duration and then reduces the value of the output flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Harald Schmauss, Walter Schrod
  • Publication number: 20080228350
    Abstract: A communication system for a technical device, in particular for a motor vehicle, contains a plurality of functional systems that are used to monitor and control various functions of the technical device. The functional systems each contain an evaluation unit and at least one functional component that is coupled to the evaluation unit in order to exchange signals. At least one of the functional systems is embodied such that it can detect a functional disturbance and/or a functional failure of at least one of the other functional systems, and in the event of a functional disturbance and/or a functional failure of the at least one other functional system it takes on at least part of the functionality of the at least one other functional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventor: Tudor-Ion Gamulescu
  • Publication number: 20080218870
    Abstract: The invention relates to a head-up-display (1) comprising an image generating unit (13, 7, 8) and at least one mirror (9, 10) which is arranged in the beam path (2) downstream from the image generating unit (13; 7, 8). Traditional head-up-displays (1) require an expensive adjusting element by taking into account the individual geometry of the built-in windscreen (WS) for good image quality. According to the invention, the mirror (9, 10) is embodied in such a manner that it can be deformed by adjusting elements (15, 16) in order to facilitate the control thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Britta Lind, Bernd Ludewig, Ralf Mayer
  • Publication number: 20080221779
    Abstract: To simplify reliable detection of operating faults in a control unit for operating an electrical component (for example, a fuel injector), an end stage is provided on the output side and is provided with a first line section and a second line section for supplying current in a synchronized manner to an electrical consumer which can be connected to the two line sections via an external line pair. A detection coil configuration is provided for detecting operating faults on the basis of an evaluation of a current that is induced at the detection coil configuration. The detection coil configuration is flowed through by a magnetic flux that is composed of magnetic flow components which are caused by the current flows in the two line sections, and wherein mutual compensation of the magnetic flow components is provided in a normal mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Christian Augesky, Martin Gotzenberger
  • Publication number: 20080221748
    Abstract: A control device for a motor vehicle has a microcontroller as well as a monitoring circuit for the microcontroller. The monitoring circuit has a clocked counter, with a reset input of counter being coupled to a diagnostic output of the microcontroller, a first counter output being coupled to a diagnostic trigger input of the microcontroller and a second counter output being coupled to a reset input of the microcontroller such that when the microcontroller functions correctly, a signal at the first counter output generates a diagnostic process of the microcontroller and a signal at the diagnostic output of the microcontroller resets the counter. However, when the microcontroller malfunctions, the counter is not reset, so that the counter continues to count and generates a signal for resetting the microcontroller at the second counter output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Kellner, Oliver Rauh
  • Publication number: 20080211345
    Abstract: A tendency of the controlled load to oscillate when controlling a capacitive load can be avoided according to a piezo actuator for an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, having charging and discharging processes for charging and discharging the capacitive load by means of a load current, each loading process being effected by chronological partial load current pulses according to chronological partial charging capacity pulses (p1, p2, . . . pn), wherein the envelope (E) of the partial charging capacity pulses (p1, p2, . . . pn), during the loading process, increases in a strictly monotonous manner in an initial phase, and the slope of the envelope decreases in a monotonous manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Christian Hauser, Klaus Kiel, Manfred Kramel, Heinz Lixi, Gabriel Marzahn, Walter Schrod
  • Publication number: 20080212268
    Abstract: A housing system for electronic devices, especially for the automobile sector has a top part and a bottom part. A pressure compensation film is fixed to the bottom part of the housing as a top part of the housing. Advantageously, the housing system is flexible, can be individually and thus variably adjusted to the space required, and encompasses a sealing system that is integrated in a pressure compensation element. The housing is suitable particularly for applications in the automobile sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventor: Christian Janisch
  • Publication number: 20080212281
    Abstract: A cooling system through which liquid flows for carrying away waste heat for electronics housings is particularly suited for the automotive industry. The cooling system is adapted to the dimensions of the housing. The novel device is the first to create an effective cooling system for electronics housings with and for a number of circuit board levels, yet with a space-saving compact design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Nikolaus Kerner, Christian Weinzierl
  • Publication number: 20080207020
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined fastening and contacting system for electrical components on superimposed circuit boards in an electronic housing, especially for the automobile sector, as well as a method for fastening and contacting electrical components. The novel fastening and contacting system has two parts, one of which is embodied as a holding frame for electrical components while the other part is configured as a pressing frame for fixing the holding frame. There is formed a combined fastening and contacting system for electrical components on superimposed circuit boards, which makes it possible to replace faulty electrical components in a simple fashion while allowing superimposed circuit boards to be electrically contacted in a safe manner. The system is particularly suitable for the automobile sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Michael Decker, Gunter Hotzl, Tobias Kern, Bernhard Lichtinger
  • Publication number: 20080204263
    Abstract: A device and a method for detecting seat occupancy, with the device including first and second sensor elements associated with a respective seat surface. First and second weight-dependent sensor signals are electrically obtainable from the sensor elements. The seat occupancy is determined by taking either the first or the second sensor signals in dependence on an ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Michael Krempl, Gerhard Wild, Jurgen Zacherl
  • Publication number: 20080203952
    Abstract: In order to control an electromotive drive, a control unit has control modules for controlling half-bridge end power stages. Two of the control modules are pre-configured for alternatively controlling a commutator motor or a brushless electric motor via two half-bridge end power stages. A third control module can be subsequently configured to control a third half-bridge end power stage or two individual switching elements. An electromotive drive ideally can be configured with the stated control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Thomas Maier
  • Publication number: 20080202475
    Abstract: A device for controlling at least one piezoactuator for an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, including a microcontroller that controls an output stage which generates the load current for charging and discharging the piezoactuator. The microcontroller controls the output stage through an integrated circuit. A discharge circuit interacts with the integrated circuit to reliably discharge the piezoactuator in case of a failure of the output stage and/or of a safety path of the microcontroller. The load current during the discharge is controlled by a control circuit having a controller which is part of the integrated circuit. The discharge circuit has emergency discharge elements that are activated in case of a failure of the controller or of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventor: Martin Gotzenberger
  • Publication number: 20080197904
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for switching a load includes at least one at least partially inductive load, at least one high side switch with a controlled path connected in series with the load and between supply terminals for a supply voltage. At least one freewheeling diode is connected with a first tap between the high side switch and the load. At least one clamp circuit is connected to a control terminal of the high side switch and is used to limit the control potential applied to the control terminal to a first pre-determined voltage value when the high side switch is switched off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventor: Stephan Bolz