Patents by Inventor Johannes Classen

Johannes Classen 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).

  • Publication number: 20120186345
    Abstract: A yaw rate sensor (10) includes a movable mass structure (12) and a drive component (13) which is suitable for setting the movable mass structure (12) in motion (14), and an analysis component (15) which is suitable for detecting a response (40) of the movable mass structure (12) to a yaw rate (?). A method for functional testing of a yaw rate sensor (10) includes the following steps: driving a movable mass structure (12), feeding a test signal (42) into a quadrature control loop (44) at a feed point (48) of the quadrature control loop (44), feeding back a deflection (40) of the movable mass structure (12), detecting a measure of the feedback of the movable mass structure (12), and reading out the response signal (47) from the quadrature control loop (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Wolfram Bauer, Johannes Classen, Rainer Willig, Matthias Meier, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Matthias Mathias Reimann, Ermin Esch, Hans-Dieter Schwarz, Michael Veith, Christoph Lang, Udo-Martin Gomez
  • Publication number: 20120060604
    Abstract: A yaw-rate sensor having a substrate and a plurality of movable substructures that are mounted over a surface of the substrate, the movable substructures being coupled to a shared, in particular, central spring element, means being provided for exciting the movable substructures into a coupled oscillation in a plane that extends parallel to the surface of the substrate, the movable substructures having Coriolis elements, means being provided for detecting deflections of the Coriolis elements induced by a Coriolis force, a first Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a first axis, a second Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a second axis, the second axis being oriented perpendicularly to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Reinhard Neul, Johannes Classen, Torsten Ohms, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Axel Franke, Oliver Kohn, Daniel Christoph Meisel, Joerg Hauer, Udo-Martin Gomez, Kersten Kehr
  • Publication number: 20120031185
    Abstract: A micromechanical acceleration sensor is described which includes a substrate and a seismic mass which is movably situated with respect to the substrate in a detection direction. The micromechanical sensor includes at least one damping device for damping motions of the seismic mass perpendicular to the detection direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Sebastian Guenther, Harald Steffes
  • Publication number: 20120031186
    Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a substrate, a mass element, and a detecting device for detecting a movement of the mass element relative to the substrate, the mass element being coupled to the substrate with the aid of a spring device, wherein the spring device has a T-shaped cross-sectional profile. A method for manufacturing an inertial sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Johannes CLASSEN
  • Publication number: 20120024059
    Abstract: A yaw rate sensor includes a drive device, at least one mass element which is connected to the drive device, and at least one detection electrode for detecting a motion of the mass element. The mass element has a base layer and at least one web which is situated on the base layer. Also, a method for manufacturing a mass element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Johannes CLASSEN
  • Publication number: 20120006115
    Abstract: A yaw rate sensor includes a substrate having a substrate surface, a first movable element, which is disposed above the substrate surface and has a drive frame and a first detection mass, a first electrode, which is disposed at a distance underneath the first detection mass and connected to the substrate surface, and a second electrode which is disposed at a distance above the first detection mass and connected to the substrate surface. The drive frame is connected to the substrate via at least one drive spring, the detection mass is connected to the drive frame via at least one detection spring, and the first movable element is excitable to a drive oscillation parallel to the substrate surface, and the first detection mass is deflectable perpendicular to the substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Johannes Classen
  • Publication number: 20110185813
    Abstract: In a yaw rate sensor with a substrate having a main extent plane and with a first and second partial structure disposed parallel to the main extent plane, the first partial structure includes a first driving structure and the second partial structure includes a second driving structure, the first and second partial structure being excitable by a driving device, via the first and second driving structure, into oscillation parallel to a first axis parallel to the main extent plane, the first partial structure having a first Coriolis element and the second partial structure having a second Coriolis element, the yaw rate sensor being characterized in that the first and second Coriolis elements are displaceable by a Coriolis force parallel to a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis, and parallel to a third axis, which is perpendicular to the first and second axis, the second axis extending parallel to the main extent plane, and the first Coriolis element being connected to the second Coriolis eleme
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Daniel Christoph Meisel
  • Publication number: 20110174076
    Abstract: A micromechanical acceleration sensor includes a substrate, an elastic diaphragm which extends parallel to the substrate plane and which is partially connected to the substrate, and which has a surface region which may be deflected perpendicular to the substrate plane, and a seismic mass whose center of gravity is situated outside the plane of the elastic diaphragm. The seismic mass extends at a distance over substrate regions which are situated outside the region of the elastic diaphragm and which include a system composed of multiple electrodes, each of which together with oppositely situated regions of the seismic mass forms a capacitor in a circuit. In its central region the seismic mass is attached to the elastic diaphragm in the surface region of the elastic diaphragm which may be deflected perpendicular to the substrate plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Axel Franke, Dietrich Schubert, Kersten Kehr, Ralf Reichenbach
  • Publication number: 20110154899
    Abstract: A micromechanical component comprising a substrate, a seismic mass, and first and second detection means, the substrate having a main extension plane and the first detection means being provided for detection of a substantially translational first deflection of the seismic mass along a first direction substantially parallel to the main extension plane, and the second detection means further being provided for detection of a substantially rotational second deflection of the seismic mass about a first rotation axis parallel to a second direction substantially perpendicular to the main extension plane. The seismic mass can be embodied as an asymmetrical rocker, with the result that accelerations can be sensed as rotations. Detection can be accomplished via capacitive sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Lars Tebje
  • Publication number: 20110153251
    Abstract: A method for compensating for the quadrature of a micromechanical structure, the micromechanical structure having a substrate having a main extension plane, a seismic mass that is attached by spring elements to the substrate, and first and second compensation electrodes anchored to the substrate; in response to application of a first quadrature voltage between the first compensation electrode and the seismic mass, a first compensation force being produced on the seismic mass and, in response to application of a second quadrature voltage between the second compensation electrode and the seismic mass, a second compensation force being produced on the seismic mass and, in addition, the second quadrature voltage being adjusted as a function of the first quadrature voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Christoph Gauger
  • Publication number: 20110140692
    Abstract: A method for determining the sensitivity of a sensor provides the following steps: a) first and second deflection voltages are applied to first and second electrode systems of the sensor, respectively, and first and second electrostatic forces are exerted on an elastically suspended seismic mass of the sensor by the first and second electrode systems, respectively, and a restoring force is exerted on the mass as a result of the elasticity of the mass, and a force equilibrium is established among the first and second electrostatic forces and the restoring force, and the mass assumes a deflection position characteristic of the force equilibrium, and an output signal characteristic of the force equilibrium and of the deflection position is measured; and b) the sensitivity of the sensor is computed on the basis of the first and second deflection voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Arnd Kaelberer, Hans-Joerg Faisst, Axel Franke, Mirko Hattass, Holger Rank, Robert Sattler, Alexander Buhmann, Ramona Maas, Marian Keck
  • Publication number: 20110088469
    Abstract: A method and system are provided including a rotation-rate sensor having a substrate, a bearing, a vibrating structure suspended on the bearing by springs in a rotatable manner for performing a planar driving vibration motion, and drive means for producing the planar driving vibration motion of the vibrating structure. The rotation-rate sensor has first evaluation means for detecting a rotation in a first axis of rotation and second evaluation means for detecting a rotation in a second axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Reinhard Neul, Johannes Classen, Sebastian Gracki, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Axel Franke, Oliver Kohn, Kersten Kehr, Christian Gerhardt
  • Publication number: 20110083506
    Abstract: A micromechanical structure includes: a substrate; a seismic mass movable relative to the substrate along a first direction parallel to a main plane of extension of the substrate; a first electrode structure is connected to the substrate; and a second electrode structure connected to the substrate. The seismic mass includes a counterelectrode structure having finger electrodes situated between first finger electrodes of the first electrode structure and second finger electrodes of the second electrode structure, along the first direction. The first electrode structure is fastened to the substrate by a first anchoring element in a central region of the micromechanical structure, and the second electrode structure is anchored to the substrate by a second anchoring element situated in the central region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Christian Bierhoff
  • Publication number: 20110079079
    Abstract: A yaw rate sensor having a substrate which has a main plane of extension, and a Coriolis element is proposed. The Coriolis element is excitable to a vibration along a third direction which is perpendicular to the main plane of extension. A Coriolis deflection of the Coriolis element along a first direction which is parallel to the main plane of extension may be detected using a detection arrangement. The detection arrangement includes a Coriolis electrode which is connected to the Coriolis element, and a corresponding counterelectrode. Both the Coriolis electrode and the counterelectrode may be excited to a vibration along the third direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes CLASSEN, Torsten Ohms, Daniel Cgristoph Meisel, Joerg Hauer
  • Publication number: 20110079863
    Abstract: A micromechanical structure which includes a substrate having a main plane of extension, and a seismic mass which is movable relative to the substrate. The micromechanical structure includes a fixed electrode which is connected to the substrate, and a counterelectrode which is connected to the seismic mass. The fixed electrode has a first fixed electrode region and a second fixed electrode region which is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the first fixed electrode region. The counterelectrode is partially situated between the first and the second fixed electrode region, perpendicular to the main plane of extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Christian Bierhoff
  • Publication number: 20110056295
    Abstract: A micromechanical system includes a first movable element, which is connected to a substrate via a first spring element, and a second movable element, which is connected to the substrate via a second spring element. The first movable element and the second movable element are movable in relation to the substrate independent of one another. Furthermore, the first movable element and the second movable element are situated one above the other in at least some sections in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Johannes Classen
  • Publication number: 20110056297
    Abstract: A micromechanical system for detecting an acceleration includes a substrate, a rocker-like mass structure having a first lever arm and a diametrically opposed second lever arm, the lever arms being situated tiltably at a distance to the substrate and about an axis of rotation to the substrate, and first and second electrodes being provided on the substrate. Each electrode is diametrically opposed to a lever arm and each lever arm includes a section extending from the axis of rotation which is located between the electrodes above an intermediate space. The two sections have different masses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Johannes CLASSEN
  • Publication number: 20110023600
    Abstract: A micromechanical yaw-rate sensor comprising a first yaw-rate sensor element, which outputs a first sensor signal, which contains information about a rotation around a first rotational axis, a second yaw-rate sensor element, which outputs a second sensor signal, which contains information about a rotation around a second rotational axis, which is perpendicular to the first rotational axis, a drive, which drives the first yaw-rate sensor element, and a coupling link, which mechanically couples the first yaw-rate sensor element and the second yaw-rate sensor element to one another, so that driving of the first yaw-rate sensor element also causes driving of the second yaw-rate sensor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Martin WREDE, Johannes Classen, Torsten Ohms, Carsten Geckeler, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Jens Frey, Daniel Christoph Meisel, Joerg Hauer, Thorsten Balslink
  • Patent number: 7878061
    Abstract: A micromechanical system includes a substrate, a first planar electrode, a second planar electrode, and a third planar electrode. The second planar electrode is movably positioned at a distance above the first planar electrode and the third planar electrode is positioned at a distance above the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Arnd Kaelberer, Patrick Wellner, Dietrich Schubert, Lars Tebje
  • Publication number: 20100326188
    Abstract: A rate-of-rotation sensor having a substrate and a first Coriolis element are provided, an excitation arrangement being provided for the excitation of vibrations of the first Coriolis element in a first direction, a first detection arrangement being provided for detecting a first deflection of the first Coriolis element in a third direction running generally perpendicular to the first direction; characterized by the first Coriolis element being developed as balancing rocker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Sebastian Gracki