Patents by Inventor Lothar Knopp

Lothar Knopp 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: 9235306
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating and display device (11) for a domestic appliance, comprising operating means for setting at least one parameter of an operating process of the domestic appliance, a light conductor part (24, 34) for conducting light, a plurality of function symbols (13, 14, 15), which each symbolize a respective selectable value of the parameter, and a lighting device (47) for backlighting the function symbols (13, 14, 15), by means of which lighting device the function symbol (13, 14, 15) associated with the presently selected value of the parameter can be optically distinguished from the other function symbols (13, 14, 15), wherein the operating means are designed as touch-sensitive operating means and have a touch-sensitive actuation surface (16), which is arranged such as to overlap with the function symbols (13, 14, 15) and thus the value of the parameter associated with one of the function symbols (13, 14, 15) can be selected by touching the actuation surface (16) in an overlap area
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: BSH HAUSGERAETE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Lubert, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia, Gino Wybranietz, Dietmar Bruss, Erich Schmid, Peter Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 8847728
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a measurement variable that is detected by a measuring unit and transmitted via a data transmission channel to a main control unit of a domestic appliance that is isolated from the measuring unit is disclosed. The measurement control unit is coupled to the main control unit via a data transmission channel through which a measurement variable detectable by the measuring unit can be transmitted to the main control unit. The data transmission channel is a line having a protective impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Piotr Gorny, Lothar Knopp, Guido Sattler
  • Publication number: 20140192013
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating and display device (11) for a domestic appliance, comprising operating means for setting at least one parameter of an operating process of the domestic appliance, a light conductor part (24, 34) for conducting light, a plurality of function symbols (13, 14, 15), which each symbolize a respective selectable value of the parameter, and a lighting device (47) for backlighting the function symbols (13, 14, 15), by means of which lighting device the function symbol (13, 14, 15) associated with the presently selected value of the parameter can be optically distinguished from the other function symbols (13, 14, 15), wherein the operating means are designed as touch-sensitive operating means and have a touch-sensitive actuation surface (16), which is arranged such as to overlap with the function symbols (13, 14, 15) and thus the value of the parameter associated with one of the function symbols (13, 14, 15) can be selected by touching the actuation surface (16) in an overlap area
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Lubert, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia, Gino Wybranietz, Dietmar Bruss, Erich Schmid, Peter Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 8422251
    Abstract: A circuit for operating a household appliance, wherein the circuit includes a switched-mode power supply for converting the power supply of a public power supply network into direct supply voltage. The circuit also includes a controller that is connected to the switched-mode power supply for being supplied with the direct supply voltage and for controlling processes of the household appliance. An EMC filter is provided to protect the public supply network from interference signals from the household appliance. The EMC filter includes a condenser that is connected between a phase conductor pole and a neutral conductor pole of the public power supply network; a bleeder resistor that is connected in parallel with the condenser; and a switch that can be activated by the controller to connect the condenser and the bleeder resistor to the neutral conductor pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Bischoff, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia, Guido Sattler
  • Patent number: 8358037
    Abstract: A circuit for operating a household appliance, having a switching power supply for transforming a grid voltage of a supply grid to a direct current supply voltage, a controller for controlling processes of the household appliance that can be coupled to the switching power supply and supplied by the DC supply voltage, and a button by means of which the switching power supply can be coupled to the supply grid by closing an electrical switch. The switch has two mechanically stable states and can be transitioned from one mechanically stable state to the other by actuating the button and/or by an at least indirect energy input from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Bischoff, Holger Helmschmidt, Lothar Knopp, Guido Sattler
  • Patent number: 8049121
    Abstract: The invention relates to control unit for a domestic appliance, especially for a washing machine with a fascia panel (10) to which is assigned at least one control button (16), indicator (18) or similar arranged within a panel opening (12, 14), with a board 22 for mounting at least one electrical or electronic component (24, 26, 28) arranged at a distance behind the fascia panel (10), and with a sealing element (34) arranged between the fascia panel (10) and the board (22) by means of which the at least one electrical or electronic component (24, 26, 28) is to be protected against water or similar, whereby the sealing element (34) is attached to the fascia panel (10) of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Kleinlein, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia
  • Publication number: 20110218652
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a measurement variable that is detected by a measuring unit and transmitted via a data transmission channel to a main control unit of a domestic appliance that is isolated from the measuring unit is disclosed. The measurement control unit is coupled to the main control unit via a data transmission channel through which a measurement variable detectable by the measuring unit can be transmitted to the main control unit. The data transmission channel is a line having a protective impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Piotr Gorny, Lothar Knopp, Guido Sattler
  • Publication number: 20100271848
    Abstract: A circuit for operating a household appliance, having a switching power supply for transforming a grid voltage of a supply grid to a direct current supply voltage, a controller for controlling processes of the household appliance that can be coupled to the switching power supply and supplied by the DC supply voltage, and a button by means of which the switching power supply can be coupled to the supply grid by closing an electrical switch. The switch has two mechanically stable states and can be transitioned from one mechanically stable state to the other by actuating the button and/or by an at least indirect energy input from the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Bischoff, Holger Helmschmidt, Lothar Knopp, Guido Sattler
  • Publication number: 20100251776
    Abstract: A circuit for operating a household appliance, wherein the circuit includes a switched-mode power supply for converting the power supply of a public power supply network into direct supply voltage. The circuit also includes a controller that is connected to the switched-mode power supply for being supplied with the direct supply voltage and for controlling processes of the household appliance. An EMC filter is provided to protect the public supply network from interference signals from the household appliance. The EMC filter includes a condenser that is connected between a phase conductor pole and a neutral conductor pole of the public power supply network; a bleeder resistor that is connected in parallel with the condenser; and a switch that can be activated by the controller to connect the condenser and the bleeder resistor to the neutral conductor pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Bischoff, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia, Guido Sattler
  • Patent number: 7789519
    Abstract: A display window is particularly suited for LED and/or LC displays. The display window includes a lighting device and a microstructure for illuminating the display window. The microstructure is disposed on the side of the display window facing the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch uns Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Gietl, Erwin Helbrecht, Herbert Kleinlein, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia, Gerhard Mager, Peter Vogelsang
  • Publication number: 20090294265
    Abstract: The invention relates to control unit for a domestic appliance, especially for a washing machine with a fascia panel (10) to which is assigned at least one control button (16), indicator (18) or similar arranged within a panel opening (12, 14), with a board 22 for mounting at least one electrical or electronic component (24, 26, 28) arranged at a distance behind the fascia panel (10), and with a sealing element (34) arranged between the fascia panel (10) and the board (22) by means of which the at least one electrical or electronic component (24. 26, 28) is to be protected against water or similar, whereby the sealing element (34) is attached to the fascia panel (10) of the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Kleinlein, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia
  • Publication number: 20090129057
    Abstract: A display window is particularly suited for LED and/or LC displays. The display window includes a lighting device and a microstructure for illuminating the display window. The microstructure is disposed on the side of the display window facing the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
    Inventors: Gunther Gietl, Erwin Helbrecht, Herbert Kleinlein, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia, Gerhard Mager, Peter Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 7372233
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a converter circuit, in particular a pulse-width modulated frequency converter circuit having a DC voltage intermediate circuit, which controls two or more winding sections of a polyphase dynamo-electrical machine, in particular a three-phase asynchronous motor for a laundry appliance. The method determines one or more parameters of the dynamo-electrical machine, before a rotating field is produced in the dynamo-electrical machine by the converter circuit. The parameters can be used to deduce a variant of the dynamo-electrical machine, and to select open-loop and closed-loop control parameters which are associated with the variant. Likewise, the method allows possible machine faults to be determined by using the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Hasan Gökcer Albayrak, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia, Jörg Skrippek
  • Publication number: 20080037229
    Abstract: An electronic module contains at least one circuit carrier coated on both sides with an electroconductive material and fitted with a first group of electronic components for forming a user interface and a second group of electronic components for forming a computing and control module. A method for producing such a module includes the step of carefully disposing the components respectively on the cover side and on the appliance side of the module in such a way that the configuration and function of the module can be completely unrelated. In order to reduce the production costs of the module, printed circuit boards coated on both sides are used as circuit carriers that are free of STH through-connection points. Accordingly, the signal transmission is carried out via plug-in elements, lateral elements, and through-connection elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Markus Gradl, Lothar Knopp, Rolf Steinegger
  • Publication number: 20050162120
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a converter circuit, in particular a pulse-width modulated frequency converter circuit having a DC voltage intermediate circuit, which controls two or more winding sections of a polyphase dynamo-electrical machine, in particular a three-phase asynchronous motor for a laundry appliance. The method determines one or more parameters of the dynamo-electrical machine, before a rotating field is produced in the dynamo-electrical machine by the converter circuit. The parameters can be used to deduce a variant of the dynamo-electrical machine, and to select open-loop and closed-loop control parameters which are associated with the variant. Likewise, the method allows possible machine faults to be determined by using the parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Hasan Albayrak, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia, Jorg Skrippek
  • Patent number: 6706982
    Abstract: A structural set having at least two different configurations of a control panel equipped with control elements organized differently from one another from right to left in mirrored symmetry. A standard carrier plate is mounted behind the control panel. The carrier plate receives at least one switching device actuable by one of the control elements of the different configurations of the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Knopp
  • Patent number: 6591151
    Abstract: A programmable control panel includes handles for executing at least a part of the program sequence, and memory cells for controlling an appliance and for storing software codes. The handles are, particularly, push-buttons and switches. The handles are used for inputting individual functions of an individual operating program sequence. Each of the individual functions is assigned to a specific one of the software codes stored in a specific one of the memory cells. The handles are linked to a specific one of the individual functions and to an associated one of the memory cells. A controller includes memory cells that are permanently assigned to the corresponding push-buttons, and operation of the push-buttons results in specific functions being included in the program sequence of the main program for the household appliance. The control panel can be part of a programmable household appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Knopp, Frank Böldt
  • Patent number: 6425156
    Abstract: Actuators on a control panel for entering single functions of an individual operating program cycle which can be invoked under a given name and can be properly executed under microprocessor control are also used for setting particular operating program sequences or particular parameter values of program functions. The actuators can be actuated in at least one sequence of function entries such that the sequence of function entries is a code for particular update functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Knopp, Frank Böldt
  • Patent number: 6035471
    Abstract: Impermissibly high scaling is ascertained of an optical measurement section in which the turbidity of a washing liquid is detected in a domestic appliance that is operated with hard water, such as a washing machine or dishwasher. The appliance has an evaluation circuit for the measured signals from the measurement section and a microprocessor for binding the measurement results into the sequence control system of the appliance. The system is suitable for indicating impermissibly high scaling and for taking into account attenuation of the measurement section by chalk deposits during the determination of the turbidity of the washing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Lahrmann, Lothar Knopp