Patents Assigned to VDO Automotive AG
  • Patent number: 7868259
    Abstract: A device has a housing (1) with a frame element (8) which is arranged within the housing (1). The frame element (8) accommodates at least one component and has at least one bending arm (12). The bending arm (12) is designed such that a contact region (36) of the bending arm (12) bears with prestress against a contact region (38) of a wall (34) of the housing (1) in a mounted state within the housing (1). The bending arm (12) is cohesively connected to the housing (1) by means of transmission laser welding by supplying a laser beam (46) of prespecified wavelength to the device in such a way that the laser beam is transmitted through the housing (1) to the contact region (36) of the bending arm (12). At least one region of the housing (1), through which region the laser beam is transmitted, is produced from a material which is transparent to the prespecified wavelength of the laser beam (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Andreas Bermel, Thomas Krohn, Uwe Neumann-Henneberg
  • Patent number: 7864529
    Abstract: To improve coolant sealing or reduce the risks in the event of leakage for an electronic unit, e.g. an engine control unit, containing electric and/or electronic components which are disposed on an upper side of a thermally conductive electronic base plate and thermally coupled to the base plate, the base plate in turn being thermally coupled to a coolant passage, there is provided a particular configuration and arrangement of the components delimiting a coolant passage. Advantageously, the underside of the base plate can come into direct contact with a coolant (“direct cooling”). By making a ridge running in an annularly closed manner and being formed in one-piece with the base plate, coolant escaping from the coolant passage is prevented from passing directly to the underside of the base plate. Accordingly, the coolant passage may be sealed by a “double sealing arrangement” on the underside of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Radu Vasile Bojan, Arnoud Smit, Remus Sovagau
  • Patent number: 7825638
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Martin Götzenberger, Rainer Knorr
  • Patent number: 7817056
    Abstract: A device and a method for differentiating between a person sitting on the seat surface of a vehicle seat and an object such as, for example, a child seat. The device has a cushion provided with weight sensors which are distributed over the seat surface in a plane manner, first weight sensors being arranged in a central region and second weight sensors being arranged on the edge of the seat surface. At least one central weight sensor is differentiated from a plurality of second weight sensors on the edge of the seat surface in that it always emits a comparatively low sensor signal when subjected to the same weight load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Erwin Hetzenecker, Peter Karges, Reinhard Schmid, Gerd Winkler
  • Patent number: 7774116
    Abstract: A device for controlling a passenger protection system of a motor vehicle includes at least one structure-borne noise sensor, used to receive body vibrations, and an evaluation device, used to evaluate the structure-borne noise signal. The evaluation provides information about an impact object and/or the characteristics of the impact. The evaluation device is configured to analyze the structure-borne noise signal in relation to the frequencies contained therein, wherein the frequency spectrum contained in a signal section is distributed into a plurality of frequency ranges. The current signal energy is determined for each frequency range, and the signal energy of the frequency range is a standardized. The device also comprises a passenger protection system, which can be actuated according to the information relating to the impact object and/or the characteristics of the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Michael Feser, Michael Köppl
  • Patent number: 7772490
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical device (1), especially for a motor vehicle. Said device comprises an electrical component (2) and a connecting cable (5) which is connected to the component (2) and is surrounded by a sheathing (8), the end (9) of said sheathing being at a distance from the component (2). The sheath end (9) and the respectively connected regions (13, 14) of the sheathing (8) and the connecting cable (5) comprise a sealing coating (16). The aim of the invention is to improve the sealing and to increase the durability thereof. To this end, another section (10) of the sheathing (8), embodied in a sleeve-shaped manner, is arranged between the sheath end (9) and the component (2), and the coating (16) extends over a sleeve end (11) facing the sheath end (9) and over the region (17) of the sleeve-shaped section (10) of the sheathing (8) connected thereto. The invention also relates to a method for producing one such device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventor: Harry Skarpil
  • Patent number: 7750585
    Abstract: A particularly high level of performance in a sensorless, electronically commutated multiphase electric motor can be achieved, wherein for one full cycle at least, one motor phase is controlled in an asymmetrical manner relative to a further motor phase by controlling a commutation angle of one motor phase by reduction relative to a corresponding commutation angle of the other motor phase. Alternatively or in addition, according to the aforementioned method, at least one motor phase is asymmetrically controlled by reduction by self-reference for a full cycle, a commutation angle being controlled by reduction relative to a preceding or subsequent commutation angle or the size of the intermediate angles between two commutation angles being varied, the reduced commutation angle always being preceded or followed by a measurement angle within which the relevant motor phase is switched at zero current for detecting the rotor position by measuring the counter-electromotive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventor: Johannes Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 7746013
    Abstract: Presented in an apparatus for controlling a brushless DC motor with a permanent magnet arranged on a rotor and a stator with windings. The apparatus includes an observer that is adapted to determine an estimated temperature of the permanent magnet as a function of the temperature of the windings, and determine at least one actuating signal for controlling the DC motor as a function of the estimated temperature of the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Mathias Fernengel, Reiner Grossmann, Frank Sader
  • Patent number: 7741571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary/push-button controller having a controller ring (18) which can be rotated about a rotation axis (7) and is arranged such that it can rotate on a holding cylinder (6) which is arranged coaxially within the control ring (18). In this case, the holding cylinder (6) is provided at its end with an input and/or display field (14), and the control ring (18) and the holding cylinder (6) can be moved axially with respect to the rotation axis (7) against a spring force from a neutral position to a switch position which operates a switching element. The input and/or display field (14) is mounted so that it can rotate about the rotation axis (7). A rotary transmitter ring is arranged coaxially on the control ring (18) and is arranged coaxially alongside a rotary transmitter (17) which is firmly connected to the holding cylinder (6) with the relative rotation position of the rotary transmitter ring with the respect to the rotary transmitter (17) being recordable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Daniel Hostmann, Nhu Nguyen Thien
  • Patent number: 7732946
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: VDO Automotive AG
    Inventor: Martin Götzenberger
  • Patent number: 7730848
    Abstract: The invention relates to an indicator apparatus (1) having a ring pointer (2), which is mounted such that it can move in the circumferential direction (5), and having a drive unit (3), which drives the ring pointer (2) in the circumferential direction (5), wherein the ring pointer (2) interacts with a stop (10) in a manner limited in terms of its circumferential movement. Particularly in the case of synchronization, radial disengagement often occurs in conventional ring pointer arrangements, and the aim of the invention is to prevent this. In order to solve the problem, the invention proposes arranging the stop (10) directly next to the drive unit (3). The critical advantage of this is that the tangential force on the ring pointer (2) from the drive unit generates an only small disengagement moment on the ring pointer (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: VDO Automotive AG
    Inventor: Axel Förster
  • Patent number: 7729848
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: VDO Automotive AG
    Inventor: Martin Götzenberger
  • Patent number: 7696809
    Abstract: A high current end power stage comprises at least four power transistors, two electrical supply lines and a safety fuse. The at least four power transistors have each a diode which is blocked during normal operation of the respective power transistor. The two electrical supply lines couple the at least four power transistors with a supply potential and a reference potential such that two of the at least four power transistors are connected electrically between the supply potential and the reference potential. The safety fuse is connected in series to the at least four power transistors in at least one of the two electrical supply lines. The at least one safety fuse can be triggered by a current which flows through the diode of the at least four power transistors, said diode being then arranged in the direction of conduction, when the supply potential and reference potential are exchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Claudius Veit, Werner Weiss
  • Patent number: 7684195
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Nikolaus Kerner, Christian Weinzierl
  • Patent number: 7674127
    Abstract: An electrical contact-making element for electrical carrier components in an electronic housing is particularly suited for automotive applications. The electrical contact-making element is in the form of a U-shaped plug pin having a base limb and two side limbs. There is provided a robust, reliable electrical contact connection between a plurality of electrical carrier components, such as printed circuit boards, for example, which ensures secure contact is made even in the case of external influences such as vibrations, for example, and can be fitted, by way of a simple press-in mechanism, at the end of the fitting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: VDO Automotive AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtinger
  • Patent number: 7637150
    Abstract: Presented is a measuring device for recording a gas mass flow of an internal combustion engine. The measuring device includes a sensor element for recording the gas mass flow. The sensor element includes an evaluation circuit connected downstream of the sensor element. The evaluation circuit includes an adder for determining a total mass flow over a multiplicity of engine cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Bierl, Thorsten Knittel, Stefan Pesahl, Frank Steuber, Holger Weininger
  • Patent number: 7639841
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for on-road vehicle detection. A video sequence is received that is comprised of a plurality of image frames. A potential vehicle appearance is identified in an image frame. Known vehicle appearance information and scene geometry information are used to formulate initial hypotheses about vehicle appearance. The potential vehicle appearance is tracked over multiple successive image frames. Potential motion trajectories for the potential vehicle appearance are identified over the multiple image frames. Knowledge fusion of appearance, scene geometry and motion information models are applied to each image frame containing the trajectories. A confidence score is calculated for each trajectory. A trajectory with a high confidence score is determined to represent a vehicle appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignees: Siemens Corporation, Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Ying Zhu, Dorin Comaniciu, Martin Pellkofer, Thorsten Köhler
  • Publication number: 20090303647
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for short circuit protection. The apparatus comprises two supply inputs for connecting the apparatus to a terminal of a power supply and two supply paths being connected together and to the supply inputs, wherein each supply path comprises a disconnection means for disconnecting the supply path. Further the apparatus comprises a determination means for determining a current flowing from one of the supply paths through the other one of the supply paths and a control means for controlling the disconnection means of the supply paths dependent on the current determined by the determination means, wherein the control means is connected with the disconnection means and the determination means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicants: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG, SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Bernhard Bauer, Ola Dovnäs, Mauricio Hernandez-Distancia, Milan Krstev
  • Publication number: 20090283072
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement of a piezoactuator (12) for a fuel injection valve of an internal combustion engine, has connecting pins (14) projecting out of the piezoactuator (12) and a head arrangement (16, 18) placed on to the piezoactuator (12), which is provided with openings (20) for the penetration of the connecting pins (14), wherein a liquid-tight sealing element (30) abuts against the outer surfaces of the connecting pins (14) on one side and also against the head arrangement (16, 18) on the other. In order to ensure a reliable seal with this arrangement, in particular also over extended periods of time, the sealing element (30) abuts against the outer surfaces of the connecting pins (14) located inside the openings (20), and sealing element sections (32) located inside the openings (20) are radially compressed in the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Marcus Unruh, Claus Zumstrull
  • Patent number: 7612512
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Josef Loibl, Thomas Maier