Abstract: An electric steering lock for a drive authorization system in a motor vehicle, including a movable locking element which, according to a first position, can be brought into locking engagement with a latched-in position on the steering shaft in the steering wheel column and, according to a second position, can be brought out of locking engagement with said position. The steering lock also has a drive for moving the locking element between the two positions, and electronics for controlling the drive. The system may have an associated second device in the form of an electronic key, an identification (ID) transmitter, a chip card or the like, with the result that, when the second device is authorized, the drive can be controlled into the respective position by the electronics. The electronics generate those signals which are used to trigger functions which can otherwise be effected by an electric ignition lock.

Abstract: An electric steering lock for a drive authorization system in a motor vehicle, including a movable locking element which, according to a first position, can be brought into locking engagement with a latched-in position on the steering shaft in the steering wheel column and, according to a second position, can be brought out of locking engagement with said position. The steering lock also has a drive for moving the locking element between the two positions, and electronics for controlling the drive. The system may have an associated second device in the form of an electronic key, an identification (ID) transmitter, a chip card or the like, with the result that, when the second device is authorized, the drive can be controlled into the respective position by the electronics. The electronics generate those signals which are used to trigger functions which can otherwise be effected by an electric ignition lock.

Abstract: A method and a device are for overvoltage protection in dual-voltage vehicle electrical systems that have a different level of voltage. A switching element is positioned in at least one branch of the vehicle electrical system on the higher voltage level, and a voltmeter unit is located in the vehicle electrical system on the lower voltage level. The switching element is controlled by the voltmeter.

Abstract: A dual battery system includes a starter battery and a battery of the vehicle electric system, a starter and electric consumers that are divided up into start-relevant consumers and consumers of the vehicle electric system. At least one starter switch is interposed between the starter and the starter battery. A first, electronically fully locking switch element is interposed between the starter battery and the start-relevant consumers and a second electrically fully locking switch element is interposed between the battery of the vehicle electric system and the start-relevant consumers. An element is interposed between the starter battery and the battery of the vehicle electric system that prevents the flow of current from the starter battery to the battery of the vehicle electric system and the consumers of the vehicle electric system.

Abstract: The invention relates to drive systems for a motor vehicle, with an internal combustion engine (1) and at least one electric machine (6, 6′), each of which can be used independently as a drive motor for the vehicle, the drive systems being constructed in such a way that the vehicle drive-away phase proceeds as follows: i) the vehicle is initially accelerated by the electric machine (6, 6′) alone, ii) during this process, the internal combustion engine (1) is started, iii) the internal combustion engine (1) then takes over the driving of the vehicle, jerky coupling of the internal combustion engine (1) in the course of steps i) to iii) being avoided either by a) entraining the internal combustion engine (1) while the electric machine (6, 6′) is accelerating the vehicle, or b) the internal combustion engine (1) being accelerated for the purpose of starting while decoupled from the drive and being coupled to the drive at the synchronous speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for overvoltage protection in dual-voltage vehicle electrical systems (1) which have a different level of voltage. According to the invention, a switching element (S1, S2) is positioned in at least one branch of the vehicle electrical system on the higher voltage level and a voltmeter unit (3) is located in the vehicle electrical system on the lower voltage level, said switching element (S1, S2) being controlled by the voltmeter (3).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine are disclosed. One of the disclosed apparatus includes an electric starter operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine and an energy storage device for supplying the starter with power. The apparatus is also provided with a sensor for detecting a temperature of the internal combustion engine and a consumer control device associated with a consumer of electrical power. The apparatus is further provided with a power flow controller which controls the consumer control device such that a portion of the energy stored in the energy storage device is delivered to the consumer of electrical power before the electric starter is supplied with power. The portion of the energy has a size which is dependent upon the sensed temperature. The size of the portion is smaller at low temperatures than at high temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an idling speed of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electric machine operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine for applying a braking torque to the internal combustion engine to reduce the idling speed and for applying a driving torque to the internal combustion engine to increase the idling speed. It also includes a controller for controlling the electric machine. The controller is responsive to a load change to control the electric machine to apply one of a braking torque and a driving torque to the internal combustion engine to substantially maintain the idling speed at a predefined level.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling the idling speed of an internal combustion engine by reducing torque fluctuations experienced by the engine. In the disclosed apparatus, an electric machine is coupled to the drive shaft of an internal combustion engine. The electric machine is controlled such that it applies a varying torque substantially in counterphase to the torque fluctuations to reduce such fluctuations. The amplitude of the torque variations applied by the electric machine in the cold state of the internal combustion engine are greater than in the warm state. An idle control system functions to maintain the reference idling speed of the internal combustion engine in the cold state below or at the same level set in the warm state. The reference idling speed can be reduced relative to the idling speeds set in prior art systems to achieve enhanced engine performance.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine 2 which drives the vehicle via a drive shaft 4. The motor vehicle further includes a latent heat accumulator 18. In addition, the motor vehicle includes an electrical machine 8 which is at least at intervals of time coupled to the drive shaft 4 so that the rotational energy of the drive shaft 4 can be converted into electrical energy with the aid of the electrical machine 8. The electrical energy is supplied to the latent heat accumulator 18 and is there converted into heat energy to charge the latent heat accumulator 18.