Patents by Inventor Gernot Liebhard
Gernot Liebhard 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).
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Patent number: 11038402Abstract: An electronic control unit is configured to operate an electric motor from a rechargeable battery pack. The control unit has a circuit board with electronic components for driving the electric motor. Furthermore, an electrical braking circuit having a braking resistor and also a braking switch is provided. The receiving surface of the circuit board is spatially divided into a first surface region and a second surface region. The first surface region serves to receive electronic components; the second surface region serves to receive the braking resistor, wherein the braking resistor is configured as a conductor track which is formed on the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Lothar Lehmann, Rudolf Saemann
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Patent number: 10819192Abstract: A handheld work apparatus has an electric motor for driving a tool. A function module is to be connected to a battery pack via electrical contacts, there being provided an electrical operating switch, for putting the electric motor into operation, which is coupled to an actuating element of the handheld work apparatus. The electric motor is put into operation upon a command of the operating switch, via a control unit. To constitute the function module, provision is made to dispose the electrical contacts, the control unit and the operating switch on a common carrier. The carrier has a first side that faces toward the battery pack, and at least one second side that faces away from the battery pack. The electrical contacts are provided on the first side of the carrier, while the operating switch is held on the second side of the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Andrea Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Matthias Mueller, Joachim Kolb
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Patent number: 10489988Abstract: A device is provided for capturing operating data of a tool, wherein the tool is powered by an electric motor or a combustion engine, and wherein the device is embodied separately from the tool and is able to be coupled to the tool. The device includes: an operating data sensor, which is configured to wirelessly capture operating data of the tool, an operating data memory, which is configured to store operating data captured by the operating data sensor; and a communication interface, which is configured to wirelessly transmit operating data stored in the operating data memory to a terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Patrick Russ, Tommy Roitsch, Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Rudolf Saemann
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Patent number: 10401437Abstract: A circuit arrangement is for determining the cell voltage of an individual cell in a cell grouping of a series circuit of individual cells of an accumulator pack. Potential points are formed between electrically adjacent individual cells of the series circuit. The potentials of the potential points which follow one another in the series circuit increase in absolute value starting from a reference potential. Each potential point is connected to a measuring input of an evaluation device via a measuring resistor and a switch. In order to measure the cell voltage of an individual cell, the measuring input is connected to the reference potential via a capacitor. The evaluation device registers the charging time of the capacitor to a predefined voltage. On the basis of the registered charging time, the evaluation device determines the cell voltage of the measured individual cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Martin Schurr, Gernot Liebhard, Christian Heigemeyr, Markus Kulzer
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Patent number: 10136542Abstract: An electromechanical function unit is for a battery operated, handheld work apparatus that has an operating switch for putting the work apparatus into operation. The operating switch is to be actuated by an actuating element of the work apparatus. The operating switch is connected to a control unit for operating the work apparatus. The control unit includes a circuit board having electronic components, and has a first circuit board side, and a second circuit board side that faces away from the first circuit board side. In order to avoid wiring and to reduce the tolerance chain, provision is made to dispose the operating switch on the second circuit board side. The operating switch is supported statically via a support arrangement, independently of the circuit board. The support arrangement has no mechanical connection to the circuit board, and leads from the second circuit board side to the first circuit board side.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Joachim Kolb, Gernot Liebhard, Matthias Mueller
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Patent number: 10109840Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack includes at least one individual cell which is accommodated in a cell holder and is in electrical contact on a contact side via a cell connector. An electric load is to be connected via a contact plate which has a plurality of plug-type connections, wherein the contact plate is located on one side face of the cell holder. In order to compensate positional tolerances between the plug-type connections of the contact plate and external connection contacts, a mount for the contact plate is provided on one side face of the cell holder, in which mount the contact plate is mounted so as to be displaceable in a displacement direction. The electrical connection between the individual cell and the contact plate is embodied by an elastic contact strip, wherein the contact strip is embodied so as to be resilient in a sprung fashion in the displacement direction of the contact plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Henrik Gaul, Gernot Liebhard, Daniel Wagner, Martin Schurr
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Patent number: 10063165Abstract: An electric motor is connected to a voltage source via a drive circuit and, between the drive circuit and the voltage source, the operating switch is arranged for the switching of the supply voltage (U) of the voltage source as the input voltage (UE) on the drive circuit. Following the switch-out of the electric motor, the input voltage (UE) on the drive circuit is monitored and a gradient of a rising voltage ramp (dU/dt) of the input voltage (UE) is determined. The gradient of the rising voltage ramp (dU/dt) of the input voltage (UE) thus determined is compared with a predefined limiting value and, in the event of an overshoot of the predefined limiting value, the operating switch is detected as closed, and the electric motor is restarted via the drive circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Jens Kloeker, Jochen Siller, Heinrich Leufen
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Patent number: 10014816Abstract: A method for testing the operation of an actuating circuit of a DC motor is disclosed, wherein electrical voltage connections of the DC motor are connected to a voltage source via the actuating circuit. An operating switch is arranged between the actuating circuit and the voltage source for starting up the DC motor via the actuating circuit. When the operating switch is switched on, the actuating circuit is initialized. Initialization prompts the potential on a voltage connection of the DC motor to be checked, and an indicator is actuated if, during the check, a potential on the voltage connection of the DC motor is determined that is above a prescribed limit value.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard
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Publication number: 20180068493Abstract: A device is provided for capturing operating data of a tool, wherein the tool is powered by an electric motor or a combustion engine, and wherein the device is embodied separately from the tool and is able to be coupled to the tool. The device includes: an operating data sensor, which is configured to wirelessly capture operating data of the tool, an operating data memory, which is configured to store operating data captured by the operating data sensor; and a communication interface, which is configured to wirelessly transmit operating data stored in the operating data memory to a terminal device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Patrick RUSS, Tommy ROITSCH, Kay-Steffen GURR, Gernot LIEBHARD, Rudolf SAEMANN
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Publication number: 20170302198Abstract: An electric motor is connected to a voltage source via a drive circuit and, between the drive circuit and the voltage source, the operating switch is arranged for the switching of the supply voltage (U) of the voltage source as the input voltage (UE) on the drive circuit. Following the switch-out of the electric motor, the input voltage (UE) on the drive circuit is monitored and a gradient of a rising voltage ramp (dU/dt) of the input voltage (UE) is determined. The gradient of the rising voltage ramp (dU/dt) of the input voltage (UE) thus determined is compared with a predefined limiting value and, in the event of an overshoot of the predefined limiting value, the operating switch is detected as closed, and the electric motor is restarted via the drive circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Jens Kloeker, Jochen Siller, Heinrich Leufen
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Publication number: 20170271963Abstract: A handheld work apparatus has an electric motor for driving a tool. A function module is to be connected to a battery pack via electrical contacts, there being provided an electrical operating switch, for putting the electric motor into operation, which is coupled to an actuating element of the handheld work apparatus. The electric motor is put into operation upon a command of the operating switch, via a control unit. To constitute the function module, provision is made to dispose the electrical contacts, the control unit and the operating switch on a common carrier. The carrier has a first side that faces toward the battery pack, and at least one second side that faces away from the battery pack. The electrical contacts are provided on the first side of the carrier, while the operating switch is held on the second side of the carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Matthias Mueller, Joachim Kolb
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Publication number: 20170273209Abstract: An electromechanical function unit is for a battery operated, handheld work apparatus that has an operating switch for putting the work apparatus into operation. The operating switch is to be actuated by an actuating element of the work apparatus. The operating switch is connected to a control unit for operating the work apparatus. The control unit includes a circuit board having electronic components, and has a first circuit board side, and a second circuit board side that faces away from the first circuit board side. In order to avoid wiring and to reduce the tolerance chain, provision is made to dispose the operating switch on the second circuit board side. The operating switch is supported statically via a support arrangement, independently of the circuit board. The support arrangement has no mechanical connection to the circuit board, and leads from the second circuit board side to the first circuit board side.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Joachim Kolb, Gernot Liebhard, Matthias Mueller
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Publication number: 20170271952Abstract: An electronic control unit is configured to operate an electric motor from a rechargeable battery pack. The control unit has a circuit board with electronic components for driving the electric motor. Furthermore, an electrical braking circuit having a braking resistor and also a braking switch is provided. The receiving surface of the circuit board is spatially divided into a first surface region and a second surface region. The first surface region serves to receive electronic components; the second surface region serves to receive the braking resistor, wherein the braking resistor is configured as a conductor track which is formed on the circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Lothar Lehmann, Rudolf Saemann
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Patent number: 9762073Abstract: A charging device for a battery pack has a housing defining a charging receptacle for accommodating the battery pack. Power electronics are arranged in the housing. A cooling air fan is provided in the housing which draws a suction air flow into the housing via a first air inlet opening and blows the suction air flow out of the housing, as a first cooling air flow via an air outlet opening. A battery air flow flows through the battery pack and enters as a first cooling air flow via the first air inlet opening. A further suction air flow is drawn into the housing from surroundings of the housing via a second air inlet opening formed in the housing. The further suction air flow is formed as a second cooling air flow separate from the battery air flow. The power electronics are situated in a flow path between the second air inlet opening and the cooling air fan. The second cooling air flow, after cooling the power electronics, is supplied to the cooling air fan.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Friedhelm Koch, Gernot Liebhard, Thomas Heinrich
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Publication number: 20170257053Abstract: A method for testing the operation of an actuating circuit of a DC motor is disclosed, wherein electrical voltage connections of the DC motor are connected to a voltage source via the actuating circuit. An operating switch is arranged between the actuating circuit and the voltage source for starting up the DC motor via the actuating circuit. When the operating switch is switched on, the actuating circuit is initialized. Initialization prompts the potential on a voltage connection of the DC motor to be checked, and an indicator is actuated if, during the check, a potential on the voltage connection of the DC motor is determined that is above a prescribed limit value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard
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Publication number: 20170219658Abstract: A circuit arrangement is for determining the cell voltage of an individual cell in a cell grouping of a series circuit of individual cells of an accumulator pack. Potential points are formed between electrically adjacent individual cells of the series circuit. The potentials of the potential points which follow one another in the series circuit increase in absolute value starting from a reference potential. Each potential point is connected to a measuring input of an evaluation device via a measuring resistor and a switch. In order to measure the cell voltage of an individual cell, the measuring input is connected to the reference potential via a capacitor. The evaluation device registers the charging time of the capacitor to a predefined voltage. On the basis of the registered charging time, the evaluation device determines the cell voltage of the measured individual cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Martin Schurr, Gernot Liebhard, Christian Heigemeyr, Markus Kulzer
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Publication number: 20170063116Abstract: A charging device for a battery pack has a housing defining a charging receptacle for accommodating the battery pack. Power electronics are arranged in the housing. A cooling air fan is provided in the housing which draws a suction air flow into the housing via an air inlet opening and blows the suction air flow out of the housing, as a first cooling air flow via an air outlet opening. A battery air flow flows through the battery pack and enters as a first cooling air flow via the air inlet opening. A further suction air flow is drawn into the housing from the surroundings of the housing via a further air inlet opening formed in the housing. The further suction air flow is formed as a second cooling air flow separate from the battery air flow. The power electronics are situated in the flow path between the second air inlet opening and the cooling air fan. The second cooling air flow, after cooling the power electronics, is supplied to the cooling air fan.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Friedhelm Koch, Gernot Liebhard, Thomas Heinrich
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Patent number: 9577567Abstract: An electric motor in a work apparatus has a power characteristic line which runs between a lower rotational speed of the electric motor and an upper rotational speed of the electric motor. The power characteristic line has a power characteristic with a pronounced maximum (M) and an operating plateau (AP) which lies in a working rotational speed range (AD) of the work apparatus. A method for operating the electric motor provides for configuring the position of the operating plateau (AP) to be variable with respect to the rotational speed of the electric motor to achieve stable operating points over a wide rotational speed range.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Jochen Oerding, Rene Wichert, Christian Renz, Gernot Liebhard
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Patent number: 9525360Abstract: A capacitor power supply unit converts a mains voltage (U) into a lower operating voltage (V1) for a controller and a supply voltage (V2) for an electrical small load. A series circuit including a mains capacitor and a zener diode is connected to the mains voltage (U) whereat the supply voltage (V2) for an electrical small load having a permissible operating voltage is tapped off. The capacitor power supply unit provides for the supply voltage (V2) to be greater than the permissible operating voltage of the electrical small load and for the small load to be connected to the supply voltage (V2) via a buck converter. Here, the buck converter is controlled as a current source having a variable operating frequency.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Rene Wichert, Rudolf Saemann
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Publication number: 20160172656Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack includes at least one individual cell which is accommodated in a cell holder and is in electrical contact on a contact side via a cell connector. An electric load is to be connected via a contact plate which has a plurality of plug-type connections, wherein the contact plate is located on one side face of the cell holder. In order to compensate positional tolerances between the plug-type connections of the contact plate and external connection contacts, a mount for the contact plate is provided on one side face of the cell holder, in which mount the contact plate is mounted so as to be displaceable in a displacement direction. The electrical connection between the individual cell and the contact plate is embodied by an elastic contact strip, wherein the contact strip is embodied so as to be resilient in a sprung fashion in the displacement direction of the contact plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2015Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Henrik Gaul, Gernot Liebhard, Daniel Wagner, Martin Schurr