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).

  • Patent number: 11038402
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Lothar Lehmann, Rudolf Saemann
  • Patent number: 10819192
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Andrea Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Matthias Mueller, Joachim Kolb
  • Patent number: 10489988
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Russ, Tommy Roitsch, Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Rudolf Saemann
  • Patent number: 10401437
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Schurr, Gernot Liebhard, Christian Heigemeyr, Markus Kulzer
  • Patent number: 10136542
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Joachim Kolb, Gernot Liebhard, Matthias Mueller
  • Patent number: 10109840
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Henrik Gaul, Gernot Liebhard, Daniel Wagner, Martin Schurr
  • Patent number: 10063165
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Jens Kloeker, Jochen Siller, Heinrich Leufen
  • Patent number: 10014816
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard
  • Publication number: 20180068493
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick RUSS, Tommy ROITSCH, Kay-Steffen GURR, Gernot LIEBHARD, Rudolf SAEMANN
  • Publication number: 20170302198
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Jens Kloeker, Jochen Siller, Heinrich Leufen
  • Publication number: 20170271963
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Matthias Mueller, Joachim Kolb
  • Publication number: 20170273209
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Joachim Kolb, Gernot Liebhard, Matthias Mueller
  • Publication number: 20170271952
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Lothar Lehmann, Rudolf Saemann
  • Patent number: 9762073
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedhelm Koch, Gernot Liebhard, Thomas Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20170257053
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard
  • Publication number: 20170219658
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Schurr, Gernot Liebhard, Christian Heigemeyr, Markus Kulzer
  • Publication number: 20170063116
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Friedhelm Koch, Gernot Liebhard, Thomas Heinrich
  • Patent number: 9577567
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Oerding, Rene Wichert, Christian Renz, Gernot Liebhard
  • Patent number: 9525360
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Rene Wichert, Rudolf Saemann
  • Publication number: 20160172656
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Henrik Gaul, Gernot Liebhard, Daniel Wagner, Martin Schurr