Abstract: The invention relates to pressure sensors having a membrane having sensor chips having measuring bridges having sensor elements, wherein the membrane is fastened in a housing, with a carrier or as part of a housing, to which membrane a working medium can be applied. The pressure sensors are characterised in particular in that the mechanical stresses resulting from a fastening and/or an installation of the pressure sensors do not influence the measurement result and/or the measurement signal. To this end, at least two sensor chips, which are spaced apart from one another and are offset at an angle to one another, are located at least on a side of the membrane that bends on application of pressure. The measuring bridges are designed and/or connected to a controller in such a manner that at least one force resulting from the fastening of the membrane and thus acting on the membrane is or will be compensated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a component from ceramic materials in which a plurality of layers are applied to a base body by means of screen printing or template printing, said layers being formed from a ceramic material, in each case in a defined geometry above one another in the form of a paste or suspension in which powdery ceramic material and at least one binder are included. At least one region is formed here within at least one layer having a defined thickness and geometry composed of a further material that can be removed in a thermal treatment and that is likewise applied in the form of a paste or suspension by means of screen printing or template printing. Electrically functional structures composed of an electrically conductive or semiconductive material are applied to and/or formed on and/or in at least of the ceramic layers prior to the application of a further ceramic layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a component from ceramic materials in which a plurality of layers are applied to a base body by means of screen printing or template printing, said layers being formed from a ceramic material, in each case in a defined geometry above one another in the form of a paste or suspension in which powdery ceramic material and at least one binder are included. At least one region is formed here within at least one layer having a defined thickness and geometry composed of a further material that can be removed in a thermal treatment and that is likewise applied in the form of a paste or suspension by means of screen printing or template printing. Electrically functional structures composed of an electrically conductive or semiconductive material are applied to and/or formed on and/or in at least of the ceramic layers prior to the application of a further ceramic layer.

Abstract: A method and the associated device for ascertaining the center-of-gravity height of a motor vehicle, in which a variable representing the rolling motion of the vehicle about its roll axis oriented in the vehicle longitudinal direction is ascertained, a variable representing the lateral acceleration of the vehicle is ascertained, the center-of-gravity height is ascertained from the variable representing the rolling motion and the variable representing the lateral acceleration, the center-of-gravity height is ascertained only in predefined driving conditions, the change in the roll rate per unit of time entering into the ascertainment of the predefined driving conditions.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a vectorial vehicle velocity by estimating a mean value for the vehicle velocity by using a position-finding device to obtain a first value, and to then compare this first value with a second value estimated using inertial sensors.

Abstract: A method for determining the float angle of a motor vehicle is described, a yaw sensor determining the yaw rate of the motor vehicle. According to this method, the direction of the velocity in the center of gravity of the vehicle in particular is determined by a frequency analysis of the signals received by a GPS receiver located in the motor vehicle, and the float angle is determined as a function of at least the yaw rate and the direction of the velocity of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical devices for measuring pressure or force, comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, and a pressure membrane or a spiral spring which has a surface that at least partially reflects the electromagnetic rays of the electromagnetic radiation source. The inventive devices are especially characterized in that they allow, inter alia, measurement of even the slightest pressure changes of fluids and other flowable materials in the stationary and/or flowing state or even the slightest mechanical deformations on spiral springs. In order to do this, the rays of an electromagnetic radiation source are incident on the at least partially reflective surface of the pressure membrane or spiral spring. At least one section of a stationarily located body or of a stationarily located body having a reflective layer is disposed in the path of the reflected rays, upstream of a photodetector for said rays, and projects into said rays.

Abstract: A tire sensor system for the continuous measurement of the transferred force and of the adhesive friction potential ?, made up of a plurality of sensors situated on the outer circumferential surface of the tire, via which measured variables are picked off and may be supplied as signals to an analyzing unit via an antenna system, in the area of the outer circumferential surface of the tire, a plurality of individually identifiable sensors is situated in each sector that corresponds to the tire contact area, the sensors making it possible to measure mechanical stresses locally in each position of the tire even when it is standing still, thus making it possible to determine the instantaneous force distribution in the tire.

Abstract: A method for controlling the handling characteristics of a vehicle, including the steps of ascertaining setpoint values that are associated with specific controlled variables, and measuring forces at wheels of the vehicle, the controlled variables being forces or torques, actual values associated with the setpoint values being calculated from the forces measured at the wheels of the vehicle, and the ascertained setpoint values and the calculated actual values being used as input values of a control system. Also described is a system for controlling the handling characteristics of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method for brake control of a motor vehicle trailer having a brake system that can exert different braking forces on the left and right sides by measuring a lateral force and preferably also a longitudinal and/or vertical force in a trailer coupling, determining an overall braking force for the trailer, and determining a braking difference between the left and right sides of the trailer. The invention makes it possible to stabilize the tractor vehicle with an attached trailer and makes it possible to effectively counteract a weaving or “jack-knifing” of the tractor vehicle during cornering.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical devices for measuring pressure or force, comprising an clectromagnetic radiation source, and a pressure membrane or a spiral spring which has a surface that at least partially reflects the electromagnetic rays of the electromagnetic radiation source. The inventive devices are especially characterized in that they allow, inter alia, measurement of even the slightest pressure changes of fluids and other flowable materials in the stationary and/or flowing state or even the slightest mechanical deformations on spiral springs. In order to do this, the rays of an electromagnetic radiation source are incident on the at least partially reflective surface of the pressure membrane or spiral spring. At least one section of a stationarily located body or of a stationarily located body having a reflective layer is disposed in the path of the reflected rays, upstream of a photodetector for said rays, and projects into said rays.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a vectorial vehicle velocity by estimating a mean value for the vehicle velocity by using a position-finding device to obtain a first value, and to then compare this first value with a second value estimated using inertial sensors.

Abstract: A method of controlling the braking force in a vehicle has the following steps: determining actual values of controlled variables; determining setpoint values of controlled variables; comparing the actual values with the setpoint values, thereby obtaining comparison results; and influencing wheel forces on the basis of the comparison results, wheel forces being used as controlled variables, the actual values of the wheel forces being determined by a sensor system which measures the wheel force, torques having a modulation frequency being generated at the wheels, whereby the slip of the wheels and the wheel force of the wheels are modifiable, the slip of the wheels and the wheel forces of the wheels are analyzed, and the setpoint values of the wheel forces are determined from the analysis of the slip of the wheels and the wheel forces of the wheels. A system for controlling the braking force in a vehicle is also described.

Abstract: A method and the associated device for ascertaining the center-of-gravity height of a motor vehicle, in which

Abstract: A method for determining the float angle of a motor vehicle is described, a yaw sensor determining the yaw rate of the motor vehicle. According to this method, the direction of the velocity in the center of gravity of the vehicle in particular is determined by a frequency analysis of the signals received by a GPS receiver located in the motor vehicle, and the float angle is determined as a function of at least the yaw rate and the direction of the velocity of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: In a tire sensor system (7) for the continuous measurement of the transferred force and of the adhesive friction potential &mgr;, which is made up of a plurality of sensors (6) situated on the outer circumferential surface (2) of the tire (1), via which measured variables are picked off and may be supplied as signals to an analyzing unit (18) via an antenna system (10), in the area of the outer circumferential surface (2) of the tire (1), a plurality of individually identifiable sensors (6) is situated in each sector (3) that corresponds to the tire contact area (4), the sensors making it possible to measure mechanical stresses locally in each position of the tire (1) even when it is standing still, thus making it possible to determine the instantaneous force distribution in the tire (1).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling the handling characteristics of a vehicle (24), comprising the steps of ascertaining setpoint values that are associated with specific controlled variables, and measuring forces at wheels (16) of the vehicle (24), the controlled variables being forces or torques, actual values associated with the setpoint values being calculated from the forces measured at the wheels of the vehicle (24), and the ascertained setpoint values and the calculated actual values being used as input values of a control system (14). The invention furthermore concerns a system for controlling the handling characteristics of a vehicle (24).

Abstract: In a monitoring device for a vehicle including a drive engine, the monitoring device monitors the power train of the vehicle. The monitoring device includes an arrangement configured to generate a first signal which indicates a setpoint drive torque, a sensor system which measures an actual drive torque and generates a second signal which indicates the actual drive torque, and an analyzer which receives the first signal and the second signal in order to identify possible fault conditions in the power train of the vehicle. Furthermore, a method is for monitoring the power train of a vehicle, and a device is for performing the method.

Abstract: A method of controlling the braking force in a vehicle has the following steps: determining actual values of controlled variables; determining setpoint values of controlled variables; comparing the actual values with the setpoint values, thereby obtaining comparison results; and influencing wheel forces on the basis of the comparison results, wheel forces being used as controlled variables, the actual values of the wheel forces being determined by a sensor system which measures the wheel force, torques having a modulation frequency being generated at the wheels, whereby the slip of the wheels and the wheel force of the wheels are modifiable, the slip of the wheels and the wheel forces of the wheels are analyzed, and the setpoint values of the wheel forces are determined from the analysis of the slip of the wheels and the wheel forces of the wheels. A system for controlling the braking force in a vehicle is also described.

Abstract: A force sensor having a substrate for measuring forces is provided, on which substrate a first path and a second path for travel of acoustic surface waves are arranged. The two paths are arranged essentially parallel to one another and their lengths are different. An effect of a force on the substrate is detectable by measuring a time needed for an acoustic surface wave to travel at least one of the first and second paths.