Patents by Inventor Jochen Menz

Jochen Menz 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: 11831719
    Abstract: A signal interface for a vehicle has a sensor unit and a main control unit connected via a wiring harness. The sensor unit includes a sensor chip configured to carry out a SENT protocol and has outlets for a supply voltage line, a data transmission line, and a ground connection. A voltage regulator and a filter with ESD/EMC protection are connected to the supply voltage line, where overvoltage protection is upstream of a data line filter and ESD/EMC protection is downstream of the data line filter. The main control unit includes a voltage regulator, ESD/EMC protection, and a module configured to switch off the ground supply in the event of a current derived from the overvoltage protection. A pull-up device and a transceiver are connected to the data transmission line. The control unit has separate sender and receiver paths for controlling the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Jochen Menz
  • Publication number: 20220311824
    Abstract: A signal interface for a vehicle has a sensor unit and a main control unit connected via a wiring harness. The sensor unit includes a sensor chip configured to carry out a SENT protocol and has outlets for a supply voltage line, a data transmission line, and a ground connection. A voltage regulator and a filter with ESD/EMC protection are connected to the supply voltage line, where overvoltage protection is upstream of a data line filter and ESD/EMC protection is downstream of the data line filter. The main control unit includes a voltage regulator, ESD/EMC protection, and a module configured to switch off the ground supply in the event of a current derived from the overvoltage protection. A pull-up device and a transceiver are connected to the data transmission line. The control unit has separate sender and receiver paths for controlling the transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Jochen Menz