Patents by Inventor Andre Gerlach
Andre Gerlach 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: 11590533Abstract: An acoustic transducer, in particular for an ultrasonic sensor, is proposed. The acoustic transducer has a functional group, the functional group encompassing a diaphragm cup and at least one electroacoustic transducer element. The acoustic transducer furthermore has a housing. The diaphragm cup encompasses a vibration-capable diaphragm and an encircling wall, as well as at least one electroacoustic transducer element, the transducer element being embodied to excite the diaphragm to vibrate and/or to convert vibrations of the diaphragm into electrical signals. The diaphragm cup is constituted from a plastic material, the at least one transducer element being integrated into the vibration-capable diaphragm, the transducer element having an electrically active polymer.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Johannes Henneberg, Andre Gerlach, Marko Liebler
-
Patent number: 11583896Abstract: A sound transducer, in particular, for an ultrasonic sensor, includes a functional group, the functional group including a diaphragm cup and at least one electroacoustic transducer element. The sound transducer also includes a housing. The diaphragm cup includes a vibratory diaphragm and a circumferential wall, and at least one electroacoustic transducer element, the transducer element being configured to stimulate the diaphragm to vibrate and/or to convert vibrations of the diaphragm into electrical signals. The diaphragm cup is formed from a plastic material, the at least one transducer element being integrated into the vibratory diaphragm, in particular without an additional adhesive layer, the transducer element including a piezoceramic element.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andre Gerlach, Johannes Henneberg
-
Patent number: 11521587Abstract: A sound transducer has a diaphragm cup, a transducer element, and a housing, the diaphragm cup having a diaphragm and a wall. The diaphragm, the wall, and at least one housing part are formed in one piece as a fiber-plastic composite component. At least one first region of the fiber-plastic composite component is reinforced with fibers, and at least one second region of the fiber-plastic composite component is free of fibers, so that waves in the fiber-plastic composite component are at least partly reflected at a transition from the at least one first region to the at least one second region.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andre Gerlach, Johannes Henneberg
-
Publication number: 20210142772Abstract: A sound transducer has a diaphragm cup, a transducer element, and a housing, the diaphragm cup having a diaphragm and a wall. The diaphragm, the wall, and at least one housing part are formed in one piece as a fiber-plastic composite component. At least one first region of the fiber-plastic composite component is reinforced with fibers, and at least one second region of the fiber-plastic composite component is free of fibers, so that waves in the fiber-plastic composite component are at least partly reflected at a transition from the at least one first region to the at least one second region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Andre Gerlach, Johannes Henneberg
-
Publication number: 20210101179Abstract: A sound transducer, in particular, for an ultrasonic sensor, includes a functional group, the functional group including a diaphragm cup and at least one electroacoustic transducer element. The sound transducer also includes a housing. The diaphragm cup includes a vibratory diaphragm and a circumferential wall, and at least one electroacoustic transducer element, the transducer element being configured to stimulate the diaphragm to vibrate and/or to convert vibrations of the diaphragm into electrical signals. The diaphragm cup is formed from a plastic material, the at least one transducer element being integrated into the vibratory diaphragm, in particular without an additional adhesive layer, the transducer element including a piezoceramic element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2018Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Andre Gerlach, Johannes Henneberg
-
Publication number: 20210027756Abstract: A sound transducer, which includes a diaphragm cup, a transducer element, and a housing. The diaphragm cup includes a diaphragm and a wall. The diaphragm, the wall of the diaphragm cup, and at least a part of the housing are formed in one piece from a plastic. In at least one first area of the diaphragm cup, the plastic is filled with a first filler. An ultrasonic sensor including the sound transducer is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2019Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Andre Gerlach, Bernd Scheufele, Johannes Henneberg, Marko Liebler
-
Publication number: 20200294481Abstract: A sound transducer, in particular for an ultrasonic sensor, is described, which includes a housing, at least one decoupling element and a functional group. The functional group includes a diaphragm cup and at least one electroacoustic converter element. The diaphragm cup includes a vibratable diaphragm and a circumferential wall as well as at least one electroacoustic converter element, the converter element being configured to excite the diaphragm to vibrations and/or to convert vibrations of the diaphragm into electrical signals. The diaphragm cup and at least one part of the housing are made from a plastic material. The decoupling element is configured to vibration-mechanically decouple the diaphragm cup and/or the at least one part of the housing from outer surroundings of the sound transducer. The decoupling element is integrated into the diaphragm cup, in particular into the wall of the diaphragm cup, and/or the at least one part of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2018Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Andre Gerlach, Bernd Scheufele, Johannes Henneberg, Marko Liebler
-
Publication number: 20200206780Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a housing encompassing a circumferential side wall. The ultrasonic sensor includes a transducer element to convert an incoming ultrasonic signal into a detectable electrical signal, or conversely, to convert an electrical signal into an ultrasonic signal to be emitted. The ultrasonic sensor includes an oscillatable diaphragm connected to the housing. A multitude of mass elements are situated on a surface of the diaphragm. Alternatively or in addition, a multitude of mass elements are situated within the diaphragm. The mass elements form an acoustic meta material, which is a stop band material, band gap material or phononic crystal and which has a resonant behavior within a frequency band. A resonance frequency of the diaphragm including the multitude of mass elements situated on and/or within the diaphragm is within the frequency band at which the mass elements exhibit a resonant behavior.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: Andre Gerlach, Johannes Henneberg
-
Publication number: 20200030851Abstract: An acoustic transducer, in particular for an ultrasonic sensor, is proposed. The acoustic transducer has a functional group, the functional group encompassing a diaphragm cup and at least one electroacoustic transducer element. The acoustic transducer furthermore has a housing. The diaphragm cup encompasses a vibration-capable diaphragm and an encircling wall, as well as at least one electroacoustic transducer element, the transducer element being embodied to excite the diaphragm to vibrate and/or to convert vibrations of the diaphragm into electrical signals. The diaphragm cup is constituted from a plastic material, the at least one transducer element being integrated into the vibration-capable diaphragm, the transducer element having an electrically active polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2018Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Johannes Henneberg, Andre Gerlach, Marko Liebler
-
Patent number: 10074797Abstract: A method for electrically contacting a piezoelectric ceramic includes: providing the piezoelectric ceramic having electrodes for electrically contacting the piezoelectric ceramic and having a flexible, electrically conductive film; producing a composite by applying the flexible, electrically conductive film at least partially to an electrode of the piezoelectric ceramic; forming a durable, electrically conductive connection between the flexible, electrically conductive film and the electrode of the piezoelectric ceramic. Also a sound transducer, as well as a sound transducer array produced using the method for electrically contacting a piezoelectric ceramic.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Andre Gerlach, Guenter Gerlach
-
Patent number: 9968966Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer includes: a housing; an oscillating structure including at least one disk-shaped piezoelectric element having first and second surfaces; an acoustic transmitter; and electrical connecting element contacting electrodes of the piezoelectric element. The acoustic transmitter has parallel first and second surfaces, which first surface is joined to the first surface of the piezoelectric element, and which second surface is suitable for emitting and/or receiving sound waves. The distance between the second surface of the acoustic transmitter and the second surface of the piezoelectric element corresponds to ΒΌ of the resonance oscillation wavelength of the oscillating structure. The piezoelectric element is connected to the housing with the aid of a bearing structure which allows transverse strains of the piezoelectric element.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2014Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andre Gerlach, David Bartylla
-
Patent number: 9962738Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer system includes at least one transducer element, a diaphragm, and at least one resonance body, the ultrasonic transducer system being configured for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals, the resonance body being coupled at an end face to the diaphragm and the at least one transducer element being coupled to a lateral surface of the resonance body so that the at least one transducer element and the resonance body have a shared interface. Also described is a method for the manufacture and to a motor vehicle having an ultrasonic transducer system of this type, the diaphragm of the ultrasonic transducer system being formed by an outer skin of a bumper, a side mirror, or a door section, and the transducer element(s) and resonance bodies being situated concealed behind the outer skin.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventor: Andre Gerlach
-
Patent number: 9832572Abstract: An electroactive sound transducer foil includes a composite foil made up of at least one carrier foil, at least one first and one second electrode, and at least one piezoelectric layer including an electroactive polymer, the surface of the sound transducer foil including a structuring having different slopes, and the slope of the sound transducer foil surface changing the sign at least twice.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventor: Andre Gerlach
-
Patent number: 9763009Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer is provided that combines the properties and advantages of the known concepts of the thickness mode transducer and of the bending transducer with each other. For this purpose, an electroacoustic transducer is provided, which includes a housing and an oscillating structure. The oscillating structure is formed by at least one piezoelectric element, a diaphragm, and an acoustic transmitter. It is provided that the diaphragm is designed as a bending transducer, and the acoustic transmitter is designed as a thickness mode transducer.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: David Bartylla, Andre Gerlach
-
Patent number: 9517928Abstract: A micromechanical functional apparatus, particularly a loudspeaker apparatus, includes a substrate, at least one circuit chip mounted on the substrate, and an enveloping package in which the circuit chip is packaged. The functional apparatus further includes a micromechanical functional arrangement, particularly a loudspeaker arrangement having a plurality of micromechanical loudspeakers, which is mounted on the enveloping package. A covering device is mounted above the micromechanical functional arrangement, particularly the loudspeaker arrangement, opposite the enveloping package. A method is implemented to manufacture the micromechanical functional apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2012Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Ricardo Ehrenpfordt, Mathias Bruendel, Andre Gerlach, Christina Leinenbach, Sonja Knies, Ando Feyh, Ulrike Scholz
-
Publication number: 20160142822Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer is provided that combines the properties and advantages of the known concepts of the thickness mode transducer and of the bending transducer with each other. For this purpose, an electroacoustic transducer is provided, which includes a housing and an oscillating structure. The oscillating structure is formed by at least one piezoelectric element, a diaphragm, and an acoustic transmitter. It is provided that the diaphragm is designed as a bending transducer, and the acoustic transmitter is designed as a thickness mode transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: David BARTYLLA, Andre GERLACH
-
Publication number: 20160136688Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer system includes at least one transducer element, a diaphragm, and at least one resonance body, the ultrasonic transducer system being configured for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals, the resonance body being coupled at an end face to the diaphragm and the at least one transducer element being coupled to a lateral surface of the resonance body so that the at least one transducer element and the resonance body have a shared interface. Also described is a method for the manufacture and to a motor vehicle having an ultrasonic transducer system of this type, the diaphragm of the ultrasonic transducer system being formed by an outer skin of a bumper, a side mirror, or a door section, and the transducer element(s) and resonance bodies being situated concealed behind the outer skin.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventor: Andre GERLACH
-
Publication number: 20160136689Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer includes: a housing; an oscillating structure including at least one disk-shaped piezoelectric element having first and second surfaces; an acoustic transmitter; and electrical connecting element contacting electrodes of the piezoelectric element. The acoustic transmitter has parallel first and second surfaces, which first surface is joined to the first surface of the piezoelectric element, and which second surface is suitable for emitting and/or receiving sound waves. The distance between the second surface of the acoustic transmitter and the second surface of the piezoelectric element corresponds to 1/4 of the resonance oscillation wavelength of the oscillating structure. The piezoelectric element is connected to the housing with the aid of a bearing structure which allows transverse strains of the piezoelectric element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andre Gerlach, David Bartylla
-
Publication number: 20160141488Abstract: A method for electrically contacting a piezoelectric ceramic includes: providing the piezoelectric ceramic having electrodes for electrically contacting the piezoelectric ceramic and having a flexible, electrically conductive film; producing a composite by applying the flexible, electrically conductive film at least partially to an electrode of the piezoelectric ceramic; forming a durable, electrically conductive connection between the flexible, electrically conductive film and the electrode of the piezoelectric ceramic. Also a sound transducer, as well as a sound transducer array produced using the method for electrically contacting a piezoelectric ceramic.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Andre GERLACH, Guenter Gerlach
-
Patent number: 9274223Abstract: A system for determining the distance from and the direction to an object includes an emitter and at least two receiver elements for receiving a signal which is transmitted by the emitter and reflected by the object. The receiver elements are arranged as a linear array, as two linear arrays situated at an angle to one another, as an array which surrounds the emitter and forms a circle, or as a two-dimensional array. The diameter of the array may be greater than one-half the wavelength of the signal, and the receiver elements each have an individual surface area whose height or diameter corresponds at most to one-half the wavelength of the signal, and the emitter has a height or a diameter which is greater than one-half the wavelength of the signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Christopher Brown, Felix Streichert, Christian Zott, Andre Gerlach