Patents by Inventor Uwe Hoffmann

Uwe Hoffmann 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: 11970037
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vertical vibration damping of a wheel of a vehicle, in which the wheel has a suspension including a vibration damper with a control element including an actuating element for adapting a damping characteristic of the vibration damper includes a series of steps. The vehicle includes a first sensor for detecting roadway anomalies, a second sensor for detecting a vertical displacement of the wheel, and a control unit connected to the first and second sensors and the control element. The method steps include detecting roadway anomalies with the first sensor, detecting the vertical displacement with the second sensor and switching the vibration damper with the control element at a first point in time from a first state with a first damping characteristic into a second state with a second damping characteristic when a first sensor signal generated by the first sensor indicates a roadway anomaly with a minimum height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cyril Coerman, Uwe Hoffmann, Georg Johann Maurer
  • Patent number: 11766911
    Abstract: A method is provided for diminishing the effect of roadway anomalies on a vehicle by dynamically adjusting an actuating element for regulating damper forces of a vibration damper of a vehicle wheel when passing over a roadway anomaly, in particular a pothole, wherein, when the falling edge of the roadway anomaly is reached, the actuating element is switched into its hardest setting and, when the rising edge of the roadway anomaly is reached, the force request is set equal to 0 and, thereafter, a force request is calculated based on the parameters of the vehicle and the suspension and is transmitted to the damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cyril Coerman, Uwe Hoffmann, Georg Johann Maurer
  • Patent number: 11702073
    Abstract: A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle. The system including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Frank Peter Engels, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Uwe Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11628960
    Abstract: A pack includes at least four containers, each of which is in one of two container groups. Intragroup bonds hold containers in the same container group together. Intergroup bonds hold together the first and second groups. A carrying handle spans at least two containers from different groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Fischer, Uwe Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20230071791
    Abstract: A method is provided for diminishing the effect of roadway anomalies on a vehicle by dynamically adjusting an actuating element for regulating damper forces of a vibration damper of a vehicle wheel when passing over a roadway anomaly, in particular a pothole, wherein, when the falling edge of the roadway anomaly is reached, the actuating element is switched into its hardest setting and, when the rising edge of the roadway anomaly is reached, the force request is set equal to 0 and, thereafter, a force request is calculated based on the parameters of the vehicle and the suspension and is transmitted to the damping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cyril Coerman, Uwe Hoffmann, Georg Johann Maurer
  • Patent number: 11267307
    Abstract: A method for controlling a suspension system of a vehicle, as well as suspension systems, and a vehicle including a suspension system is provided. The suspension system may include at least one adjustable damping device that is controlled via a control signal, such as from a controller of the suspension system, in order to dynamically adjust the damping characteristic of the damping device. The control signal may be generated on the basis of at least one of current driving dynamics data and optically recorded information about an area of a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Uwe Hoffmann, Yvonne Baeumchen, Felix Weinreich, Michael Seemann
  • Publication number: 20210283972
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vertical vibration damping of a wheel of a vehicle, in which the wheel has a suspension including a vibration damper with a control element including an actuating element for adapting a damping characteristic of the vibration damper includes a series of steps. The vehicle includes a first sensor for detecting roadway anomalies, a second sensor for detecting a vertical displacement of the wheel, and a control unit connected to the first and second sensors and the control element. The method steps include detecting roadway anomalies with the first sensor, detecting the vertical displacement with the second sensor and switching the vibration damper with the control element at a first point in time from a first state with a first damping characteristic into a second state with a second damping characteristic when a first sensor signal generated by the first sensor indicates a roadway anomaly with a minimum height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Cyril Coerman, Uwe Hoffmann, Georg Johann Maurer
  • Publication number: 20210009125
    Abstract: A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle. The system including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Frank Peter Engels, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Uwe Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10858001
    Abstract: A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle, mechanically coupled to the wheels and including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Frank Peter Engels, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Uwe Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10737544
    Abstract: Systems and methods to control suspension of a vehicle are disclosed. An example apparatus includes one or more processors coupled to a vehicle. The one or more processors are to generate road profile data while the vehicle is moving and generate suspension control data based on the road profile data. A suspension of the vehicle is to be adjusted based on the suspension control data. The one or more processors also determine a distance traveled by the vehicle during a time interval. The time interval is associated with generating the road profile data or adjusting the suspension. The one or more processors also adjust the suspension based on the suspension control data, the distance, and a preview distance associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Panagis, Phil Lenius, Uwe Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10654617
    Abstract: A container group having at least two adjacent containers includes a band-like carrier-element that forms a loop-like carrying-handle having free-ends with connecting sections, one of which has a pull-off tab that connects to a corresponding connecting-section. Surfaces of said adjacent containers within the group form contact areas that are detachably connected by an adhesive layer. The first and second connecting-sections connect the loop-like carrying handle to the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Hoffmann, Mathias Fischer
  • Publication number: 20200016952
    Abstract: A method for controlling a suspension system of a vehicle, as well as suspension systems, and a vehicle including a suspension system is provided. The suspension system may include at least one adjustable damping device that is controlled via a control signal, such as from a controller of the suspension system, in order to dynamically adjust the damping characteristic of the damping device. The control signal may be generated on the basis of at least one of current driving dynamics data and optically recorded information about an area of a ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohsen LAKEHAL-AYAT, Uwe HOFFMANN, Yvonne BAEUMCHEN, Felix WEINREICH, Michael SEEMANN
  • Patent number: 10414544
    Abstract: A cluster pack with at least two containers, each of which each container carries a label. One or more glued joints interconnect the containers. At least one of the glued joints is applied in a cut-out section of a label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Fischer, Uwe Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10406882
    Abstract: A method for controlling a suspension system of a vehicle, as well as suspension systems, and a vehicle including a suspension system is provided. The suspension system may include at least one adjustable damping device that is controlled via a control signal, such as from a controller of the suspension system, in order to dynamically adjust the damping characteristic of the damping device. The control signal may be generated on the basis of at least one of current driving dynamics data and optically recorded information about an area of a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Uwe Hoffmann, Yvonne Baeumchen, Felix Weinreich, Michael Seemann
  • Patent number: 10363790
    Abstract: A vehicle can have a vibration damping system, which has a characteristic curve that is adjustable. To control the characteristic curve of the vibration damping system, information regarding a profile of a road surface in front of the vehicle is detected. At least a portion of the road surface profile can be classified according to a change in height and a length of the portion. The classification can be based on the detected information. Based on the classification of the road surface profile, the characteristic curve of the vibration damping system of the vehicle can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Uwe Hoffmann, Martin Saeger, Toni Kymaelaeinen, Michael Seemann
  • Publication number: 20190217678
    Abstract: A compensating method is provided for avoiding a bouncing movement of a wheel of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle comprises an unsprung mass (m) that is attached in a movable manner to a sprung mass, wherein the unsprung mass (m) comprises the wheel, and an actuator that is embodied so as to apply a force (K) between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass (m). During a movement of the unsprung mass (m) relative to the sprung mass in an application of force by means of the open loop control of the actuator by the method, a force (K) is applied between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass (m) so as to damp the movement. A motor vehicle implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marcus KALABIS, Martin SAEGER, Michael SEEMANN, Felix WEINREICH, Simon BAALES, Alex FISCHER, Matthias DEHMEL, Uwe HOFFMANN
  • Publication number: 20190023094
    Abstract: Systems and methods to control suspension of a vehicle are disclosed. An example apparatus includes one or more processors coupled to a vehicle. The one or more processors are to generate road profile data while the vehicle is moving and generate suspension control data based on the road profile data. A suspension of the vehicle is to be adjusted based on the suspension control data. The one or more processors also determine a distance traveled by the vehicle during a time interval. The time interval is associated with generating the road profile data or adjusting the suspension. The one or more processors also adjust the suspension based on the suspension control data, the distance, and a preview distance associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy Panagis, Phil Lenius, Uwe Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20180141711
    Abstract: A container group having at least two adjacent containers includes a band-like carrier-element that forms a loop-like carrying-handle having free-ends with connecting sections, one of which has a pull-off tab that connects to a corresponding connecting-section. Surfaces of said adjacent containers within the group form contact areas that are detachably connected by an adhesive layer. The first and second connecting-sections connect the loop-like carrying handle to the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Uwe Hoffmann, Mathias Fischer
  • Publication number: 20180009557
    Abstract: A pack includes at least four containers, each of which is in one of two container groups. Intragroup bonds hold containers in the same container group together. Intergroup bonds hold together the first and second groups. A carrying handle spans at least two containers from different groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Mathias Fischer, Uwe Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20170253375
    Abstract: A cluster pack with at least two containers, each of which each container carries a label. One or more glued joints interconnect the containers. At least one of the glued joints is applied in a cut-out section of a label.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Mathias Fischer, Uwe Hoffmann