Patents by Inventor Maximilian Hofer
Maximilian Hofer 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).
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Patent number: 11884182Abstract: An electric-vehicle battery system includes a high voltage system with a plurality of connected rechargeable battery cells; a low voltage system with an operating voltage lower than an operating voltage of the high voltage system, the low voltage system supplying a battery system manager; and a real time clock configured to provide a system time to the battery system manager. The real time clock may be at least temporarily powered by the high voltage system.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Christoph Schmiedhofer, Thomas Trathnigg, Kurt Duller, Renato Mandic, Damir Kovac
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Patent number: 11881731Abstract: A control system for a battery system is provided. The control system includes a master controller and a slave controller using light-based communication. The master controller includes a light source and a transmission controller controlling the light source, and the slave controller includes a photo-sensitive element, a wake-up circuit, a power supply node, and a receiver circuit. The photo-sensitive element receives the light signals emitted by the light source and, in response to receiving a wake-up light signal, outputs a wake-up signal to the wake-up circuit, and in response to receiving the wake-up signal from the photo-sensitive element, the wake-up circuit connects the receiver circuit to the power supply node or to the photo-sensitive element. When the receiver circuit is connected to the power supply node and the photo-sensitive element, the receiver circuit receives an operation voltage from the power supply node and receives reception signals from the photo-sensitive element.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Roland Klobasa, Gernot Kraberger
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Patent number: 11848704Abstract: A battery system includes: a plurality of battery modules including a plurality of battery cells, wherein each battery module comprises a battery module monitor configured to monitor a state of the battery cells; a battery system monitor; and an optical communication system configured to connect the battery module monitors with the battery system monitor over at least two communication paths, wherein the optical communication system is configured to use at least two different wavelengths of light to differentiate between the communication paths.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Roland Klobasa, Gernot Kraberger
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Publication number: 20230402363Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes: a power semiconductor; a base metal sheet; and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) between the base metal sheet and the power semiconductor. The power semiconductor includes a first power pad on a side facing the flexible PCB, and the flexible PCB includes a conductive pad, one side of which is electrically connected to the first power pad of the power semiconductor and the opposite side of which is electrically connected to the base metal sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Florian MAXL, Markus PRETSCHUH, Maximilian HOFER, Peter KURCIK
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Patent number: 11801753Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a high voltage battery including a plurality of battery cells interconnected with one another configured to provide a high voltage output at battery system terminals and a battery disconnecting element powered by the high voltage battery and configured to disconnect the high voltage battery from at least one of the battery system terminals in the event of a malfunction or crash.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventors: Wolfgang Reinprecht, Maximilian Hofer
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Publication number: 20230332957Abstract: A testing method for a thermal contact between a temperature sensor and a battery cell of a battery module, includes measuring a temperature T1 of the temperature sensor at a time point t1, heating the temperature sensor for a defined time (t2?t1) and/or (t3?t1), measuring a temperature T2 of the temperature sensor at a time point t2 and/or a temperature T3 of the temperature sensor at a time point t3, and determining the thermal contact between the temperature sensor and the battery cell based on at least one of the temperature differences ?T2,1=(T2?T1), ?T3,1=(T3?T1) and ?T3,2=(T3?T2) and a heat transfer coefficient determined thereby. Also, a testing circuit for a temperature sensor of a battery module includes a thermistor with a first node connected to a first supply voltage and a second node connected to ground, a switch interconnected between the first node of the thermistor and a second supply voltage, and an analog-to-digital converter connected in parallel to the thermistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Maximilian HOFER, Helmut HAMMERSCHMIED
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Publication number: 20230324233Abstract: A testing method for a thermal contact between a temperature sensor and a battery cell of a battery module, includes measuring a temperature T1 of the temperature sensor at a time point t1, heating the temperature sensor for a defined time (t2?t1) and/or (t3?t1), measuring a temperature T2 of the temperature sensor at a time point t2 and/or a temperature T3 of the temperature sensor at a time point t3, and determining the thermal contact between the temperature sensor and the battery cell based on at least one of the temperature differences ?T2,1=(T2?T1), ?T3,1=(T3?T1) and ?T3,2=(T3?T2) and a heat transfer coefficient determined thereby. Also, a testing circuit for a temperature sensor of a battery module includes a thermistor with a first node connected to a first supply voltage and a second node connected to ground, a switch interconnected between the first node of the thermistor and a second supply voltage, and an analog-to-digital converter connected in parallel to the thermistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Maximilian HOFER, Helmut HAMMERSCHMIED
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Patent number: 11776890Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes: a power semiconductor; a base metal sheet; and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) between the base metal sheet and the power semiconductor. The power semiconductor includes a first power pad on a side facing the flexible PCB, and the flexible PCB includes a conductive pad, one side of which is electrically connected to the first power pad of the power semiconductor and the opposite side of which is electrically connected to the base metal sheet.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventors: Florian Maxl, Markus Pretschuh, Maximilian Hofer, Peter Kurcik
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Patent number: 11692881Abstract: The present invention relates to a testing method for the thermal contact between a temperature sensor (50) and a battery cell (10) of a battery module (30), wherein the method comprises the steps of measuring a temperature T1 of the temperature sensor (50) at a time point t1, heating the temperature sensor (50) for a defined time (t2?t1), measuring a temperature T2 of the temperature sensor (50) at a time point t2 and/or a temperature T3 of the temperature sensor (50) at a time point t3, and determining the thermal contact between the temperature sensor (50) and the battery cell (10) based on at least one of the temperature differences ?T2,1=(T2?T1), ?T3,1=(T3?T1) and/or ?T3,2=(T3?T2).Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Helmut Hammerschmied
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Patent number: 11693947Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating a security identifier for a control unit (10) of a battery system (100), comprising the steps of supplying an operation voltage to the control unit (10), outputting calibration data from a non-volatile memory element (15a) of the control unit (10), and generating a security identifier from the calibration data using a security algorithm. Therein, the calibration data is based on at least one testing process performed on the control unit (10) and is required for a faultless operation of the control unit (10). Further, according to a method for generating an activation key for a control unit (10) of a battery system (100) an activation key is generated based on such security identifier and output from the control unit (10). The invention further relates to an activation method for such control unit (10), wherein a control unit (10) is activated in response to the validation of such security identifier.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventor: Maximilian Hofer
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Patent number: 11671181Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery modules, each of the battery modules including a plurality of stacked battery cells and a battery module monitor (BMM) configured to monitor the respective battery cells; a battery system monitor (BSM) configured to communicate with and control the BMMs; a housing enclosing the battery modules and the BSM, the battery modules being arranged in the housing such that a swelling compensation channel is formed between the battery module and the housing; and an optical communication system (OCS) configured to connect the BSM with the BMMs via optical signals propagating along the swelling compensation channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Roland Klobasa, Gernot Kraberger
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Patent number: 11656294Abstract: A method for providing battery diagnostics includes: measuring a first voltage across a first battery cell of a rechargeable battery via a first measurement path of a network using a first measurement circuit, measuring the first voltage including taking at least one first voltage sample during a first time period using the first measurement circuit; measuring a second voltage across the first battery cell via a second measurement path of the network using a second measurement circuit, measuring the second voltage including taking at least one second voltage sample during the first time period using the second measurement circuit, where the second measurement path of the network is different from the first measurement path of the network; comparing the measured first voltage with the measured second voltage; and generating a diagnostic output signal based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Felix Weidner, Jesus Ruiz Sevillano, Maximilian Hofer
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Patent number: 11639967Abstract: A sensor system for a battery module, includes: a shunt resistor including: a first current clamp and a second current clamp, each of the first and second current clamps to be connected to a current path of the battery module; a first voltage clamp and a second voltage clamp; and a measurement resistance between the first voltage clamp and the second voltage clamp, and electrically connected to the first current clamp and the second current clamp; a first landing pad electrically connected to the first voltage clamp; a second landing pad electrically connected to the second voltage clamp; a first temperature sensor connected to the first landing pad; and a second temperature sensor connected to the second landing pad.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Markus Pretschuh
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Patent number: 11605863Abstract: A busbar for a battery system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a first bar member and a second bar member which are spaced apart from each other; and a third bar member which connects the first bar member and the second bar member to define a common bar, in which the third bar member is shunt resistance having ohmic resistance and electrically connects the first bar member and the second bar member. In addition, a battery system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the busbar.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Christoph Schmiedhofer
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Patent number: 11579202Abstract: An electric current measuring arrangement includes: a first control unit including a first microcontroller; a second control unit including: a second microcontroller; an amplifier electrically interconnected between the second microcontroller and terminals of a shunt resistor for current measurement; and a node interconnected between one of the terminals of the shunt resistor and the amplifier; a communication line communicatively connecting the first control unit and the second control unit. The first microcontroller is configured to generate a test pattern signal, and to transmit the test pattern signal to the second control unit through the communication line, the second control unit is configured to transmit the test pattern signal to the node, the second microcontroller is configured to receive a measuring signal through the amplifier, and the first microcontroller is configured to receive the measuring signal, compare the measuring signal with the test pattern signal, and verify the current measurement.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Renato Mandic, Thomas Trathnigg, Jürgen Fritz
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Patent number: 11495836Abstract: A control unit for a battery system, comprising: a microcontroller configured to generate a first control signal; a monitoring unit configured to generate a fault signal indicative of the operational state of the microcontroller; a first signal source configured to generate a state signal indicative of a system state; a comparator circuit configured to generate an intermediate control signal based on a first control signal and a fault signal; the comparator circuit further comprising a comparator node, the comparator circuit configured to transmit the intermediate control signal to the comparator node; wherein the first signal source is connected to the comparator node to transmit the state signal to the comparator node; the comparator circuit further comprises a comparator connected to the comparator node and configured to generate a switch control signal based on a voltage on the comparator node and based on a threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Peter Kurcik, Markus Pretschuh, Maximilian Hofer
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Patent number: 11476690Abstract: A power supply system for a battery system of a vehicle is provided. The power supply system includes: a switch control unit configured to control a power switch to switch an external load; an electronic unit; a first power supply electrically connected to the switch control unit and electrically connected to the electronic unit; a second power supply; and a switching unit. In a normal mode, the first power supply electrically supplies the electronic unit. The switching unit is configured to, in a cold crank mode: electrically disconnect the first power supply from the electronic unit when a voltage of the first power supply drops below a threshold voltage; and electrically connect the second power supply to the electronic unit when the voltage of the first power supply drops below the threshold voltage such that the second power supply powers the electronic unit in the cold crank mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventors: Peter Kurcik, Maximilian Hofer, Markus Pretschuh, Florian Maxl, Mathias Pischler
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Publication number: 20220297542Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a high voltage battery including a plurality of battery cells interconnected with one another configured to provide a high voltage output at battery system terminals and a battery disconnecting element powered by the high voltage battery and configured to disconnect the high voltage battery from at least one of the battery system terminals in the event of a malfunction or crash.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Wolfgang REINPRECHT, Maximilian HOFER
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Patent number: 11451072Abstract: A control unit for a battery system includes a plurality of battery cells is provided. The control unit includes: an input node configured to receive a sensor signal indicative of a state of at least one of the plurality of battery cells; a microcontroller connected to the input node and configured to generate a first control signal based on the sensor signal; and a switch control circuit configured to control a power switch of the battery system by: receiving the sensor signal, the first control signal, and a fault signal indicative of an operational state of the microcontroller; generating a second control signal based on the sensor signal; and transmitting one of the first control signal and the second control signal to an output node of the control unit based on the received fault signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Markus Pretschuh, Michael Erhart
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Patent number: 11444337Abstract: In a solid state switch (SSS) driver circuit for controlling a solid state switch operated as high side switch between a battery cell stack and a load, the SSS driver circuit includes: a voltage generation circuit; a switch off circuit; and a switch controller connected to a first output node and to a second output node, wherein the switch controller is configured to: receive a ground voltage via a third ground node, and a fourth control signal; and connect the first output node and a gate node of the solid state switch according to the fourth control signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTDInventors: Peter Kurcik, Maximilian Hofer