Patents by Inventor Thomas Niemann

Thomas Niemann 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).

  • Publication number: 20200079157
    Abstract: In a method for detecting the wear of wearing tires of a vehicle, wherein the tires consist of an elastic material, signals are emitted by signal generators introduced into the tires, wherein only signal generators located on the tire surface emit a signal. The emitted signal is received by a sensor arranged in the vehicle, and information processed from the received signal is made available to the driver of the vehicle. Enhanced, in particular automatic measurement of the tire tread is enabled by means of such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Hauke BAUMGAERTEL, Thomas NIEMANN, Carsten THUN
  • Patent number: 10444058
    Abstract: In a device for measuring a fill level of a liquid in a container with an ultrasonic sensor which is arranged on a floor element, wherein a damping cup with a measuring tube is assigned to the ultrasonic sensor, the damping cup has an external housing and an internal housing. The internal housing contains the measuring tube, and either the internal housing has outwardly protruding contact elements that lie against the inside of the external housing or the external housing has outwardly protruding contact elements that lie against the outside of the internal housing. The external housing is also provided and designed for pluggable mounting of of the internal housing, and a channel is formed between the internal housing and the external housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Jürgen Palloks
  • Publication number: 20190143758
    Abstract: In a method for capturing the state of wear of at least one vehicle tyre on a vehicle wherein at least one measurement signal is captured with a least one sensor device of the vehicle it is provided as essential to the invention that a quantity of water striking at least one section of the vehicle is determined by means of at least one precipitation detection device, a measurement value of the water thrown up from the road by at least one tyre to be monitored is captured by means of at least one additional sensor device, and that at least one standard value for the measurement value of the water thrown up measured with the additional sensor device (7) is calculated from the quantity of water determined with the aid of the precipitation detection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Niemann
  • Patent number: 10234866
    Abstract: A device for autonomously driving a transportation vehicle having at least one sensor system for sensing a surrounding area of the vehicle, at least one controller for controlling at least one actuator system of the vehicle, and a memory for storing a map of the surroundings, wherein the at least one controller evaluates surroundings data collected by the at least one sensor system, determines the location of the vehicle by the evaluated surroundings data in the map of the surroundings, and controls the at least one actuator system of the vehicle so that a predefined trajectory is travelled autonomously, wherein the controller has an obstacle-detection device to detect obstacles in the surroundings of the vehicle, wherein the at least one sensor system has at least one acceleration sensor, and the obstacle-detection device uses measurement data collected by the at least one acceleration sensor to detect collisions with obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: Volkswagen AG, Hella GMBH & Co. KGAA
    Inventors: Stephan Max, Klaas Hauke Baumgärtel, Stefan Brosig, Torsten Büschenfeld, Thomas Niemann
  • Publication number: 20190033224
    Abstract: In a measurement device for measuring fine particulate matter in at least one volume of air for a vehicle, particularly for a motor vehicle, having at least one laser light source, having at least one calibration device assigned to the laser light source, and having at least one measurement chamber, it is provided according to the invention that the at least one laser light source is assigned to at least two measurement chambers, the measurement chambers are formed by segments of air handling ducts to direct the air volumes to be tested, and at least one optical receiving device is assigned to each measurement chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas NIEMANN, Uwe ROEBEN
  • Publication number: 20190016333
    Abstract: With a method for at least partially automatically controlling, in particular automatically parking a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, provision is made according to the invention for the movement of the vehicle to be predicted, for the position of a body outside the vehicle to be detected, for a possible spatial and/or time-related contact area between the vehicle and the body on the outer shell of the vehicle to be predicted, for a structure-borne sound measurement to be taken in the predicted spatial and/or time-related contact area and for a warning signal to be issued to the control unit if a previously specified criterion is met by the measured structure-borne sound signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Klaas Hauke BAUMGAERTEL, Thomas NIEMANN
  • Publication number: 20180329058
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting at least one contact event on a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with at least one impact sound sensor for detecting at least one impact sound signal. At least one impact sound sensor has at least one signal-transferring connection to at least one signal processing means already existing in the vehicle and associated with at least one other sensor means. With this arrangement, at least one impact sound sensor has an impact-sound-transmitting connection to a section of the outer shell of the vehicle. This allows contact events on the vehicle to be detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Klaas Hauke Baumgartel, Thomas Niemann
  • Publication number: 20180313134
    Abstract: In a method for activating at least one functional device of a vehicle, it is provided as essential to the invention that at least one structure-borne sound signal caused by a vehicle user on the vehicle shell of the vehicle is detected with at least one structure-borne sound sensor, that the structure-borne sound signal is analysed by means of an evaluation device for the presence of a specific signal pattern, that a specific functional device of the vehicle is assigned to the signal pattern and that on detecting the specific signal pattern a control signal is sent to the functional device assigned to the signal pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas NIEMANN, Christian JURGENS, Patrick FUCHS, Hauke Baumgartel
  • Publication number: 20180312032
    Abstract: In a method for protecting vehicle occupants in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle. It is provided as essential to the invention that at least one structure-borne sound signal is captured by at least one structure-borne sound sensor, the captured structure-borne sound signal is evaluated by at least one evaluation device, the structure-borne sound signal can be produced by at least one person located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and after the capture and evaluation of the structure-borne sound signal at least one control signal is sent to a triggering device of an air supply device to introduce air into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas NIEMANN, Christian JURGENS, Patrick FUCHS, Hauke BAUMGARTEL
  • Publication number: 20180315302
    Abstract: In a method for wireless communication between a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, and an external service facility, wherein at least one communication signal is sent to the vehicle by the service facility, it is provided as essential for the purposes of the invention that the communication signal is a sound signal, and that the communication signal is captured by at least one structure-borne sound sensor installed in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas NIEMANN, Christian JURGENS, Patrick FUCHS, Hauke BAUMGARTEL
  • Publication number: 20180312126
    Abstract: With a method for detecting a contact event on the outer shell of a vehicle, wherein at least one structure-borne sound signal is detected by means of a structure-borne sound sensor, the detected structure-borne sound signal is evaluated by an evaluation device, and wherein the vehicle comprises a number of structure-borne sound sensors, it is provided as essential to the invention that each of the structure-borne sound sensors is associated with an area of the vehicle outer shell via a structure-borne sound conducting link, that an evaluation device is used to ascertain, by which of the structure-borne sound sensors respectively, a structure-borne sound signal has been detected, that conclusions are drawn from the association of the structure-borne sound sensors as to the area of the vehicle outer shell which has been touched, and that conclusions are drawn from the area of the vehicle shell which has been touched, as to the kind of underlying contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas NIEMANN, Christian JURGENS, Patrick FUCHS, Hauke BAUMGARTEL
  • Patent number: 10107671
    Abstract: A device for determining the filling level of a fluid in a container, in particular in the oil reservoir of a vehicle, is provided. The device has at least one sensor element, at least one control unit, at least one energy source, and at least one transmitting unit for wireless transmission of measured data. The at least one energy source is a thermal generator, in particular a thermocouple. The device has at least one energy storage device. The thermal generator is configured for measuring a time-dependent temperature gradient, the thermal generator has a signal-conducting connection to the control unit, and the control unit is configured for placing the device from an energy-saving state into a ready-to-measure state. A method for determining the filling level of a fluid in a container using the device, and a vehicle with the device, in particular a motor vehicle, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Juergen Palloks, Bastian Kanning
  • Patent number: 10081356
    Abstract: A method for at least partially automatically controlling, in particular automatically parking a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, includes predicting the movement of the vehicle, detecting the position of a body outside the vehicle, predicting a possible spatial and/or time-related contact area between the vehicle and the body on the outer shell of the vehicle, measuring a structure-borne sound in the predicted spatial and/or time-related contact area and issuing a warning signal the control unit if a previously specified criterion is met by the measured structure-borne sound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Klaas Hauke Baumgaertel, Thomas Niemann
  • Patent number: 10067095
    Abstract: A device for detecting a structure-borne sound signal, in particular for detecting a structure-borne sound signal caused by an event of damage on a component to be monitored, having at least one structure-borne sound sensor, at least one signal-conducting connection of the structure-borne sound sensor to an evaluation device, and a protective body. The structure-borne sound sensor has a structure-borne sound-conducting connection to the protective body and the protective body has a structure-borne sound-conducting connection to the component to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Hella KGAA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Hauke Baumgaertel, Thomas Niemann, Bastian Kanning, Volker Skwarek
  • Publication number: 20180246522
    Abstract: A device for autonomously driving a transportation vehicle having at least one sensor system for sensing a surrounding area of the vehicle, at least one controller for controlling at least one actuator system of the vehicle, and a memory for storing a map of the surroundings, wherein the at least one controller evaluates surroundings data collected by the at least one sensor system, determines the location of the vehicle by the evaluated surroundings data in the map of the surroundings, and controls the at least one actuator system of the vehicle so that a predefined trajectory is travelled autonomously, wherein the controller has an obstacle-detection device to detect obstacles in the surroundings of the vehicle, wherein the at least one sensor system has at least one acceleration sensor, and the obstacle-detection device uses measurement data collected by the at least one acceleration sensor to detect collisions with obstacles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Stephan MAX, Klaas Hauke BAUMGÄRTEL, Stefan BROSIG, Torsten BÜSCHENFELD, Thomas NIEMANN
  • Patent number: 10054682
    Abstract: With a sensor device for detecting at least one contact event on a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with at least one impact sound sensor for detecting at least one impact sound signal, at least one impact sound sensor comprises at least one signal-transferring connection to at least one signal processing means already existing in the vehicle and associated with at least one other sensor means. With this arrangement at least one impact sound sensor comprises an impact-sound-transmitting connection to a section of the outer shell of the vehicle. This allows contact events on the vehicle to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Klaas Hauke Baumgartel, Thomas Niemann
  • Publication number: 20180087950
    Abstract: In a device for measuring a fill level of a liquid in a container with an ultrasonic sensor which is arranged on a floor element, wherein a damping cup with a measuring tube is assigned to the ultrasonic sensor, the damping cup has an external housing and an internal housing. The internal housing contains the measuring tube, and either the internal housing has outwardly protruding contact elements that lie against the inside of the external housing or the external housing has outwardly protruding contact elements that lie against the outside of the internal housing. The external housing is also provided and designed for pluggable mounting of of the internal housing, and a channel is formed between the internal housing and the external housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Jürgen PALLOKS
  • Patent number: 9850792
    Abstract: A device for determining a filling level of a container is provided, having a damping cup, a measuring section extending vertically inside the damping cup, and having an ultrasound converter arranged at its lower end region, and at least one antechamber. A calming structure is arranged in at least a part of at least one antechamber, to achieve as much degassing of the liquid as possible. The part of the antechamber having the calming structure is designed to be open towards the top over a large area and is connected, via a venting channel, with a vent in the upper region of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Hella KGAA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Jurgen Palloks
  • Publication number: 20170248552
    Abstract: In a sensor device for detecting moisture on a roadway of a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, with at least one structure-borne sound sensor, with at least one circuit carrier, wherein the structure-borne sound sensor is connected in a signal-conducting manner to the circuit carrier, it is provided in a manner important for the invention that at least one structure-borne sound sensor is arranged in a housing, that the housing has at least one flat constructed housing area, that the structure-borne sound sensor is connected to the flat constructed housing area, so as to conduct structure-borne sound signals, and in that the housing is constructed as a resonant body, that the at least one circuit carrier is arranged in the housing, that the housing is provided for mounting in a wheel arch of a vehicle, that at least one connecting means for producing a connection between the housing and the wheel arch is assigned to the housing, and that the connecting means is constructed to be vibration damping, at least
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas NIEMANN, Klaas Hauke BAUMGARTEL, Bastian KANNING
  • Patent number: 9709493
    Abstract: In a sensor device for detecting moisture on a pane comprising at least one transmitter which emits light which is reflected at the pane and received by at least one receiver, an optical system is provided between the transmitter and the receiver, which brings about a multiple reflection between the pane and the optical system. A particularly good measurement is thereby made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Torsten Eggers