Patents Assigned to Daimler
  • Patent number: 8135519
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission includes a torque machine and an energy storage device connected thereto. The hybrid transmission is operative to transfer power between an input member and an output member and the torque machines in a fixed gear operating range state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Tung-Ming Hsieh, Bin Wu
  • Publication number: 20120056477
    Abstract: An electrically drivable motor vehicle with at least two parallel connectable vehicle batteries is provided with an electronic circuit arrangement. The electronic circuit arrangement includes a number of electronic load interrupter switches corresponding to the number of vehicle batteries, via which the vehicle batteries can be connected through individually or together to an electrical consumer. The load interrupter switches respectively comprise two power branches arranged anti-parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Peter Herges, Michael Hofmann, Joerg Huber, Dennis Weigel, Axel Willikens
  • Patent number: 8130976
    Abstract: A sound system which has, for example, a radio, a cassette and a CD player is usually already installed in cars as standard or as an option. In addition, a better sound system includes a box system which has a tweeter and a woofer. In order to provide a speaker box which is suitable particularly for dispensing frequencies below 150 Hz and at the same time has neat pulses accompanied at the same time by little distortion, pulse dynamics and is highly effective, a sound transducer (10) is introduced into the supporting structure of the vehicle. This takes place in such a manner that subcompartments which are separated from each other adjoin each of its two membrane sides. In this case, the two subcompartments of the speaker box are formed by at least two elements (2, 3, 4) of the supporting structure of the vehicle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Klaus Linhard, Norbert Niemczyk
  • Patent number: 8131437
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes a multi-cylinder engine coupled to a hybrid transmission. The engine is selectively operative in one of a plurality of main engine states to transfer engine torque to the hybrid transmission. A method for operating a powertrain system includes monitoring an operator torque request, determining a preferred main engine state and a preferred engine torque associated with the preferred engine state, determining an engine state transition path from a present main engine state to the preferred main engine state including an engine transition state, and executing the engine state transition path between the present main engine state and the preferred main engine state and adjusting engine torque to the preferred engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Wilfried Brunssen
  • Publication number: 20120049576
    Abstract: A side window glass of a motor vehicle includes an electrical functional element arranged in or on the glass and a control unit for actuating the electrical functional element. A holding device for the control unit is arranged on an edge of the glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Alfred Ott, Juergen Schrader, Uwe Siehler
  • Patent number: 8125171
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric machine with a driver system is provided, in which an operating variable of the electric machine and/or of the driver system is monitored. The validity of the input variables is checked with regard to their checksum and whether the input variables are up-to-date, and the permissibility of an actual moment (Mist2) of the electric machine depending on the operating state of the electric machine is checked. In case of invalid input variables or invalidity of the actual moment (Mist2), a fault reaction is initiated. In addition, the implementability of the planned change of rotary speed is checked and, in case of non-implementability, changed over into a more favorable mode of operation of the electric machine. An electric machine used as a starter/generator in a motor vehicle can be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Lothar Rehm, Thomas Von Raumer
  • Patent number: 8126624
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes an engine mechanically coupled to an electro-mechanical transmission at an input thereto selectively operative in one of a plurality of transmission operating range states and one of a plurality of engine states. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes combining sets of preferability factors inputted from engine sensors in a microprocessor or computer with other preferability factors generated during engine and vehicle operation to provide an output for a transmission control module, which may execute an operating range or engine state change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Kee Yong Kim
  • Publication number: 20120042635
    Abstract: A method for operating a reducing agent supply system for supplying an exhaust aftertreatment system of a motor vehicle is provided. In normal metering operation of the reducing agent supply system an at least approximately continuous air stream and a pulsed reducing agent stream are produced and are released at least partially via the nozzle into the exhaust line. In a cleaning operation for cleaning the reducing agent supply system an air stream formed from a number of air stream pulses and a reducing agent stream formed from a number of reducing agent stream pulses are produced and supplied to the nozzle means. The method can be used in particular in supply systems in which aqueous urea solution is used as reducing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Michael Hochholzner, Horst Baier, Ralf Wandel
  • Patent number: 8118903
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system selectively operative in one of a plurality of operating range states including an engine includes monitoring an operator torque request and a rotational speed of the output member, determining inertial effects of the transmissions, determining motor torque outputs from the electrical machines and an engine based upon the inertial effects, and selecting a preferred operating range state and a preferred input speed from the engine to the transmission based upon the operator torque request and the inertial effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Kee Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 8121766
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine includes defining a two-dimensional search region based upon an input power transmittable between the internal combustion engine and an electromechanical transmission. The method further includes iteratively dividing the two-dimensional search region into a plurality of subregions based upon one of the input power and the input speed, iteratively determining an engine operating point within each of the subregions, iteratively calculating an operating cost to operate the internal combustion engine and the electromechanical transmission to meet the operator torque request for each engine operating point within each of the subregions, and iteratively identifying the subregion having a minimum operating cost to meet the operator torque request. A preferred engine operating point is determined based upon the engine operating point within the identified subregion having the minimum operating cost to meet the operator torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Bin Wu, Wilfried Brunssen, Jason J McConnell, Kee Yong Kim, Brian R Medema
  • Patent number: 8121768
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes an engine coupled to an electro-mechanical transmission to transfer power between the engine and a plurality of torque generating machines and an output member. The transmission is operative in one of a plurality of operating range states through selective application of torque transfer clutches and the engine is operatively coupled to a main hydraulic pump to supply pressurized fluid to a hydraulic circuit operative to apply the torque transfer clutches. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining an output torque request to the output member, determining a pressure output of the main hydraulic pump based upon an engine input speed, calculating a clutch reactive torque capacity for each applied torque transfer clutch based upon the pressure output of the main hydraulic pump, and determining a preferred engine input speed to achieve the clutch reactive torque capacity to meet the output torque request to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Patent number: 8121767
    Abstract: A method for controlling torque in a hybrid powertrain system to selectively transfer mechanical power to an output member includes monitoring operator inputs to an accelerator pedal and to a brake pedal. An immediate accelerator output torque request, a predicted accelerator output torque request, an immediate brake output torque request, a predicted brake output torque request, and an axle torque response type are determined. An output torque command to the output member of the transmission is determined based upon the immediate accelerator output torque request and the immediate brake output torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, William R. Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 8121765
    Abstract: A method to control an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and first and second electric machines to transmit power to an output member includes determining motor torque constraints and battery power constraints. A preferred output torque to an output member is determined that is achievable within the motor torque constraints and is achievable within a range for a first torque input and is achievable within a range for a second torque input and is based upon the battery power constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tung-Ming Hsieh, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 8118122
    Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a signal in a distributed control system for a powertrain system includes communications link transmitting signals between control modules. Integrity of each of the control modules is monitored. The signal is generated and verified in an originating control module and transmitted to a receiving control module whereat it is subsequently verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hanne Buur, William R. Cawthorne, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Publication number: 20120038211
    Abstract: A drive authorization system for an electric drive includes a predefined number of field coils and a rotationally movable element. An evaluation and control unit for operation of the electric drive determines the current position of the movable element from several items of positional information, which can be made available by a predefined number of angle of rotation sensors. To implement an electronic immobilization function, positions, the number of the active rotation angle sensors, or both those positions and that number are made encodable. The evaluation and control unit decodes the encoded positional information of the active rotation angle sensors in order to determine the current position of the movable element. Operation of the electric drive is possible only after successful decoding of the positional information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Krueger, Sylvain Subileau, Hermann Von Hasseln
  • Publication number: 20120037657
    Abstract: A method serves for discontinuously emptying a container in which liquid collects. The container is emptied via a valve or other such emptying device. The container must never be completely emptied and never overflow. A sensor is arranged in the container to detect a first state in which liquid is present in a predetermined region and a second state in which no liquid is present in the predetermined region. The valve or other emptying device is activated as soon as the sensor detects the first state, and is stopped as soon as the sensor detects the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Cosimo Mazzotta
  • Publication number: 20120040258
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell with cathode and anode regions. The fuel cell system also includes an exchanging device through which an intake air flow flows to the cathode region and a used air flow is discharged from the cathode region. In the exchanging device, heat is transferred from the intake air flow to the used air flow, and water vapor is simultaneously transferred from the used air flow to the intake air flow. A compressor is arranged downstream of the exchanging device to receive used air. A catalytic material is arranged upstream of the turbine, to which material can be supplied a fuel-containing gas. The catalytic material is integrated into the exchanging device on the used air side and an exhaust gas from the anode region is supplied to the used air side of the exchanging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Konrad, Felix Sterk
  • Patent number: 8116941
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating an active chassis system, in which wheels of at least one axle are arranged with a toe-in angle, and actuating elements which interact with supporting assemblies which are arranged between the wheels and a vehicle body. Wheel contact forces of the wheels assume different values as a result of the actuating elements being actuated. A side force is generated at the wheels which have a toe-in angle, and a resulting yaw moment is produced. A desired yaw rate is determined based upon information from a device which is arranged in the vehicle in order to determine the profile of the roadway in a control unit, and the wheel contact forces are set as a function of the desired yaw rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Dieter Ammon, Carsten Knoeppel, Magnus Rau, Avshalom Suissa
  • Publication number: 20120032592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a decorative element (10) for a motor vehicle and to a method for producing the same. The decorative element (10) thereby comprises an at least partially transparent decorative film (12) applied to a flat carrier element (30) and back injection molded with two plastic layers (14, 16). At least the first plastic layer (14) is thereby at least partially transparent. The use of the first plastic layer (14) as an optical conductor is thereby made possible, allowing particularly optically attractive light coupling into the decorative element, and opening particularly extensive latitude in design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Steffen Breunig, Lutz Schmittat
  • Patent number: D654843
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Futschik, Steffen Koehl, Frank Spoerle, Gorden Wagener