Restructuring and Other Charges, Net (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Restructuring reserve
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 2,900,000
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	8,800,000	12,600,000	17,200,000
Balance at the ending of the period		2,900,000
2009 Actions
Restructuring reserve
Net pre-tax restructuring charges		1,800,000	9,300,000
Utilization and foreign currency impact		(1,800,000)	(9,300,000)
2011 Actions | Danfoss Socla S.A.S
Restructuring reserve
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	3,100,000
Utilization and foreign currency impact	(2,700,000)
Balance at the ending of the period	400,000
Europe and North America | 2010 Actions
Restructuring reserve
Balance at the beginning of the period	7,400,000	4,200,000
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	3,300,000	11,100,000	4,600,000
Utilization and foreign currency impact	(7,800,000)	(7,900,000)	(400,000)
Balance at the ending of the period	2,900,000	7,400,000	4,200,000
Severance | 2009 Actions
Restructuring reserve
Net pre-tax restructuring charges		700,000	1,700,000
Utilization and foreign currency impact		(700,000)	(1,700,000)
Severance | 2011 Actions | Danfoss Socla S.A.S
Restructuring reserve
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	3,100,000
Utilization and foreign currency impact	(2,700,000)
Balance at the ending of the period	400,000
Severance | Europe and North America | 2010 Actions
Restructuring reserve
Balance at the beginning of the period	7,400,000	4,200,000
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	1,500,000	4,900,000	4,200,000
Utilization and foreign currency impact	(6,000,000)	(1,700,000)
Balance at the ending of the period		7,400,000	4,200,000
Asset write-downs | 2009 Actions
Restructuring reserve
Net pre-tax restructuring charges		100,000	7,500,000
Utilization and foreign currency impact		(100,000)	(7,500,000)
Asset write-downs | Europe and North America | 2010 Actions
Restructuring reserve
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	500,000	1,700,000
Utilization and foreign currency impact	(500,000)	(1,700,000)
Facility exit and other | 2009 Actions
Restructuring reserve
Net pre-tax restructuring charges		1,000,000	100,000
Utilization and foreign currency impact		(1,000,000)	(100,000)
Facility exit and other | Europe and North America | 2010 Actions
Restructuring reserve
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	1,300,000	4,500,000	400,000
Utilization and foreign currency impact	$ (1,300,000)	$ (4,500,000)	$ (400,000)