Patents Assigned to Volkswagen AG
  • Menu-assisted control method and device
    Patent number: 7089501
    Abstract: A method and a device for menu-assisted operator control, in particular for motor vehicles, using a multifunctional operator control, includes a multifunctional display device and a processing device which controls the display build-up of the multifunctional display device and which is able to access electronic devices to be operated and/or controlled. Assisted operator control of the electronic devices is provided in that, at least within one selection menu that is able to be displayed on the multifunctional display device, functions of one or more of the electronic devices are grouped by related objects and are displayed as object icons on the multifunctional display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Joerg Lilienthal, Matthias Heimermann
  • Method and device for ride height control of a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 7063333
    Abstract: In a method and a device of a motor vehicle, including regulating units for adjusting the level position of a motor vehicle, at least one control unit for activating the regulating units, at least one sensor mechanism for recording the actual level position of the motor vehicle and a device for setting a setpoint level position of the motor vehicle, the actual level position being adapted to the actual speed of the motor vehicle regarding driving dynamics, whereby a set setpoint level position is able to be fixed, a limiting speed Vlimit regarding driving dynamics is able to be assigned to the setpoint level position, and this limiting speed is not able to be exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Patricio van Cayzeele, Martin Fischer, Norbert Fischer
  • Method for controlling a working mode of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7051516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a temperature of a catalyst system (14, 16) located in an exhaust duct (12) of an internal combustion engine (10) in a motor vehicle. Said system comprises at least one primary catalyst (16), in particular an NOx storage catalyst and optionally one or more pre-catalysts (14). According to the invention, at one point during operation, at which the torque desired by the driver is less than an overrun torque of the vehicle (overrun phase ?s), an overrun shut-off can be suppressed by supplying the internal combustion engine (10) with an air-fuel ratio (?) that is less than or equal to 1.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Pott, Michael Zillmer
  • Fuel cell system and method for producing electric energy using a fuel cell system
    Patent number: 7045232
    Abstract: A fuel-cell system, particularly a drive system for a motor vehicle, includes an autothermal reformer unit for producing hydrogen from a raw material in order to operate a downstream fuel cell unit. An oxidation device for converting carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide is arranged between the reformer unit and the fuel-cell unit. The fuel-cell system further includes a two-stage compressor, which supplies a first pressure to a cathode of the fuel cell unit by a first stage and supplies a second pressure to the reformer unit by a second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignees: Volkswagen AG, AB Volvo
    Inventors: Olaf Duebel, Axel Koenig, Per Ekdunge, Peter Alin, Jessica Grace Reinkingh, Ronald Mallant
  • Twin-clutch transmission and bearing system for the input shafts of a twin-clutch transmission
    Patent number: 7044013
    Abstract: A bearing system for coaxial input shafts of a twin-clutch transmission mounts the outer input shaft rotatably on the inner input shaft via at least two internal radial roller bearings which are mounted on the inner input shaft. The outer input shaft is secured in an axial direction thereof via two axial roller bearings which are effective in respective opposite directions. The inner input shaft is secured in an axial direction thereof and is rotatably mounted, via a fixed roller bearing, in an external housing wall on the engine-remote side of the transmission housing. The inner input shaft is mounted rotatably and displaceably in the axial direction in an internal housing wall of the transmission on the engine side via an external radial roller bearing which is mounted on the outer input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Rainer Ahrens
  • High strength creep resistant magnesium alloys
    Patent number: 7041179
    Abstract: A magnesium based alloy containing at least 85.4 wt % Mg, 4.7 to 7.3 wt % aluminum, 0.17 to 0.60 wt % manganese, 0.0 to 0.8 wt % zinc, 1.8 to 3.2 wt % calcium, 0.3 to 2.2 wt % tin, and 0.0 to 0.5 wt % strontium. The alloy may comprising up to 0.004 wt % iron, up to 0.001 wt % nickel, up to 0.003 wt % copper, or up to 0.03 wt % silicon. In addition, the alloy may comprise up to 0.001 wt % beryllium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignees: Dead Sea Magnesium Ltd., Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Boris Bronfin, Eliyahu Aghion, Frank Von Buch, Soenke Schumann, Mark Katzir
  • Headlight or light for a motor vehicle
    Publication number: 20060077683
    Abstract: A headlight or a light for a motor vehicle has at least one illuminant and at least one reflector for reflecting the light generated by the illuminant. The light assembly additionally has an electroluminescent layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Michael Muller, Frank Ortmann, Reiner Schellenberg, Malte Mossner
  • Method and device for detecting objects, especially used as a parking assistance device in a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 7027356
    Abstract: A device for detecting objects, especially used as a parking assistance device in a motor vehicle, includes a plurality of distance sensors, at least one microcontroller configured to control the distance sensors and an output unit. The distance sensors emit a signal in accordance with an identifier that is modified over time by the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Bahr, Ernst Lissel, Axel Schoft, Stephanus Buettgenbach
  • Direct injection internal combustion engine with NOx-reduced emissions
    Patent number: 7021279
    Abstract: A direct injection internal combustion engine, especially an Otto engine, is provided with layered lean operation and internal exhaust-gas recirculation. An exhaust-gas aftertreatment for reducing Nox using an Nox storage catalyst is also provided. This combination is to achieve the highest possible exhaust-gas recirculation rates with the lowest HC and Nox emission values. A tumble flow is provided for the incoming fresh gases, which may contain recirculated exhaust gas from external exhaust-gas recirculation. The swirl axis of the incoming fresh gases therefore extends substantially crosswise to the piston movement. This results in an emissions-reducing, optimal mixture inside the cylinder during the layered lean operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Pott, Rudolf Krebs, Bernd Stiebels
  • Method for the operation of a fuel system for an LPG engine
    Patent number: 7017559
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel system for an internal combustion engine operated with fuel gas. The fuel system has at least one electrically actuated shutoff valve (4) and at least one electrically operated heating device (14, 16). The operating method includes: generating a signal to turn on the heating device (14, 16) when the internal combustion engine is turned on; determining a heating demand (?reference) of the fuel system when the heating device (14, 16) is turned on; and depending on the heating demand (?reference) of the fuel system, determining a delay time between the time the heating device (14, 16) is turned on and the time the shutoff valve (4) is opened. The heating demand (?reference) can be a function of a temperature (Tengine coolant) of the engine and/or a temperature (Thydraulic fluid) independent of the engine and/or the current (Iheating) flowing through the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignees: Linde AG, Still GmbH, Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Jörn Mey, Andreas Kistner, Andreas Firsching, Frank Wucherpfenning, Joachim Seydell
  • Method and device for operating voice-controlled systems in motor vehicles
    Patent number: 7010129
    Abstract: A device for operating voice-controlled systems, such as communication and/or intercommunication systems in motor vehicles, includes a plurality of microphones and at least one loudspeaker. Voice signals received by the microphones are transmitted to the at least one loudspeaker. The voice signals are subjected to a low-value frequency shift before being transmitted to the loudspeaker(s) or to the input of a voice-controlled device to thereby suppress feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schaaf, Juergen Schultz, Volker Thoermann
  • Floor-supporting configuration in motor vehicles
    Patent number: 6981736
    Abstract: A floor-supporting configuration in motor vehicles that is optimized to prevent deformation of the foot well of the passenger cell and has a high degree of inherent stiffness in the event of a crash, particularly a head-on collision, while substantially limiting force absorption and force transfer to areas below and behind the passenger cell is provided. The desired stiffness and force transfer is essentially achieved by a special configuration of the longitudinal members, the front floor crossmember, and the sills relative to one another and by a special connection of these elements to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Morsch, Jürgen Hillmann
  • Fuel system for an LPG engine
    Patent number: 6976455
    Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine (12) operated with fuel gas includes an evaporator (1) in which the liquid fuel gas is transformed by the addition of heat into a gaseous state. The evaporator (1) has a first heating device (13) configured to transmit a portion of the waste heat of the internal combustion engine (12) to the fuel gas in the evaporator (1). The evaporator (1) has a second heating device, by means of which the fuel gas in the evaporator (1) can be heated regardless of the condition of the internal combustion engine (12). The second heating device (14) can include an electrical heating element, e.g., a PTC heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignees: Linde Aktiengesellschaft, Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Jörn Mey, Andreas Kistner, Andreas Firsching, Frank Wucherpfenning, Joachim Seydell, Iraklis Avramopoulos
  • Method for detecting a leakage in the intake port of a combustion engine, and a combustion engine equipped for implementing the method
    Patent number: 6976475
    Abstract: In a combustion engine, the fuel quantity is determined as a function of the inflowing air mass. As a measure for the inflowing air mass, one uses either a main load signal, which is generated by an air-mass flow sensor and represents a measure of the inflowing air mass, or a secondary load signal, which is generated as a function of the degree of throttle of a throttle device in the intake port and of the speed of the combustion engine, to correct the secondary load signal, an air-mass compensation quantity being utilized. The air-mass compensation quantity is generated in operating phases in which the correctness of the main load signal may be assumed, by comparing the main load signal with the secondary load signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Frank Kirschke, Helge Bergmann
  • Method for operating an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 6968679
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes the step of measuring emission values of at least two pollutant components of an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. A value of at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine is changed in order to decrease an emission value of a first pollutant component if the emission value of the first pollutant component exceeds a given maximum threshold value. An emission value of a second pollutant component is monitored in order to determine whether the emission value of the second pollutant component remains below a maximum value for the second pollutant component and whether an increase in the emission value to the maximum value for the second pollutant component is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Ekkehard Pott
  • Method and device for actively assisting a motor vehicle driver in a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 6956470
    Abstract: In a method and device for actively assisting a vehicle driver in a motor vehicle by at least one control device and a data entry and display unit, the control device may access data of vehicle state-relevant sensors and of control devices and/or comfort control devices and/or internal or external databases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Gilbert Heise, Susanne Dirksen, Gerald Busse, Joerg Lilienthal
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: D510544
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schreyer, Ulrich Lammel, Robert Lesnik
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: D511482
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Hartmut Warkuss, Peter Schreyer, Marc Lichte
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: D519058
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schreyer, Klaus Bischoff, Frank Starz
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: D525561
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schreyer, Ulrich Lammel, Robert Lesnick