Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a slip (s) of a belt part of a belt transmission, especially of a CVT transmission, having a transmission rpm ratio (ji).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for starting a combustion engine that is equipped with a starter and a speed sensor which supplies an output signal as a function of the speed. Furthermore, a device for measuring the vehicle system voltage is provided which records the characteristic curve (3) of the battery voltage during starting phase (1) and after the starting phase (1). The crankshaft position is ascertained from the characteristic curve (3) of the battery voltage during the starting phase (1) of the combustion engine in starter operation.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine is described. The device includes a storage device, in which data or quantities, existing in each case at earlier points in time, are continually stored; and when a predefined condition is met, these data or quantities are successively overwritten, in each case, by data or quantities existing, in each case, at later points in time. In response to the occurrence of a predefined event, the data or quantities stored in the storage device, being permanently stored. The predefined event is an improper operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining the laden state of a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, the pressure in at least one tire of the vehicle being measured, and the laden state being ascertained in view of the measured tire pressure.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the properties of at least one tire (12) on a vehicle (36) is described, means being provided on the tire to store information representing properties of the tire (12) and sensors (20, 22) being provided for acquiring the information. A method for monitoring properties of at least one tire is also described.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a motor vehicle subsystem (42) whereby the vehicle velocity may be influenced includes an evaluation device (14) which determines an actual operating variable of the subsystem (42) according to at least one operating parameter of the vehicle (36) and evaluates the functionality of the subsystem to be monitored (42) on the basis of the determined actual operating variable. It also includes at least one wheel-force sensor device (10) associated with a wheel (12), which detects at least one wheel-force component of the particular wheel (12) acting essentially between the driving surface and the tire contact area as the at least one operating parameter and outputs a signal (Si, Sa) representing the wheel-force component; the evaluation device (14) determines the actual operating variable from the processing of the signal (Si, Sa) which represents the wheel-force component. A corresponding monitoring method is also described.

Abstract: The invention proposes a cooling system of a motor vehicle, in which a closure unit for the cooling air stream, in order to optimize the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine, is monitored as to its function. This closure unit, preferably a flap or louver for controlling the cooling air stream, is monitored as to its function in order to prevent a temperature buildup or a failure to reach the operating temperature. In order to monitor the position of the closure unit (1), the invention therefore proposes using a temperature sensor that is as a rule present, to compare the progression of the cooling water temperature to a stored model progression of the temperature. If the cooling water temperature lies within a predetermined tolerance range, then the closure unit is functioning properly. Otherwise, it is assumed that the closure unit is jammed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for monitoring the operation of a gas flow control element in an internal combustion engine. In this method, the engine rough running is detected and at least one rough-running signal is formed which represents the rough running of the engine. Then, by driving the gas flow control element, a change of the position of the gas flow control element is attempted. Then, a detection of the rough-running signals as a function of the change of the position of the gas flow control element takes place. The change of position is intended by the driving of the gas flow control element. From the above, a function signal can be derived which provides information as to the operation of the gas flow control element. The diagnosis of a gas flow control element by evaluation of the engine rough running in engine controls (which anyway have units for forming rough-running values) permits a diagnosis of the above kind without separate sensors for function monitoring.

Abstract: The invention proposes a cooling system of a motor vehicle, in which a closure unit for the cooling air stream, in order to optimize the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine, is monitored as to its function. This closure unit, preferably a flap or louver for controlling the cooling air stream, is monitored as to its function in order to prevent a temperature buildup or a failure to reach the operating temperature. In order to monitor the position of the closure unit (1), the invention therefore proposes using a temperature sensor that is as a rule present, to compare the progression of the cooling water temperature to a stored model progression of the temperature. If the cooling water temperature lies within a predetermined tolerance range, then the closure unit is functioning properly. Otherwise, it is assumed that the closure unit is jammed. In this instance, the closure unit is intentionally actuated and the subsequent temperature progression is compared to a stored model progression.

Abstract: According to the invention, an apparatus for automatically detecting a motor vehicle's generator type is proposed, in which the characteristic voltage course is measured at a terminal (DF) of the generator (1) and compared with values stored in memory. Via an interface (3), a control unit (5) is connected to the controller (2) or generator (1) and evaluates the voltage change (&dgr;DF) upon a load change. To that end, the voltage at the terminal (DF) is measured and evaluated before the electrical load (8) is turned on, after it is turned, and after it is turned off. By means of this apparatus, advantageously not only the generator type (A, B) but also incorrect installations can be ascertained.

Abstract: The invention proceeds from a system for adjusting the tension of a belt part (for example, a band) of a belt transmission mounted downstream of a vehicle engine. The belt transmission preferably is continuously adjustable with respect to its transmission ratio. A first means is provided for controlling (open loop and/or closed loop) the vehicle engine and a second means is provided for controlling (open loop and/or closed loop) the belt transmission. Here, a first signal is determined by the first means and this signal represents the engine torque of the vehicle engine and this signal is supplied by the first means to the second means. The tension is adjusted by the second means in dependence upon the first signal and a safety reserve. The essence of the invention is that the safety reserve is not fixedly pregiven; instead, it is determined in dependence upon various conditions.

Abstract: The invention is based on a heating system for a motor vehicle, which is driven by an internal combustion engine (10), in which a heater (30) includes a combustion chamber (32) with a fuel injection device (34) and an ignition device (35) and also includes an air blower (40), and is triggered as a function of operating parameters and/or ambient parameters of the motor vehicle and/or of the internal combustion engine (10) or by actuating signals. It is proposed that the combustion chamber (32) is connected to the exhaust system (62) of the internal combustion engine (10) in the region of an exhaust manifold (62) of the internal combustion engine (10), between outlet valves (24) and a exhaust gas catalytic converter (56), via an exhaust line (42).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method as well as an arrangement for determining cylinder-individual differences of a control variable in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. It is provided that a determination of cylinder-individual charge differences is carried out.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for monitoring the operation of a gas flow control element in an internal combustion engine. In this method, the engine rough running is detected and at least one rough-running signal is formed which represents the rough running of the engine. Then, by driving the gas flow control element, a change of the position of the gas flow control element is attempted. Then, a detection of the rough-running signals as a function of the change of the position of the gas flow control element takes place. The change of position is intended by the driving of the gas flow control element. From the above, a function signal can be derived which provides information as to the operation of the gas flow control element. The diagnosis of a gas flow control element by evaluation of the engine rough running in engine controls (which anyway have units for forming rough-running values) permits a diagnosis of the above kind without separate sensors for function monitoring.

Abstract: A method and a device are proposed for diagnosing flow resistance in the intake tract of internal combustion engines, which permit ascertaining the flow resistance in the intake tract with sufficient accuracy, using only one pressure sensor, in order, for example, to be able to diagnose a fouled air filter. This is done by measuring the suction pipe pressure in unthrottled operation at low and at higher air mass flow, and the flow resistance in the intake tract is inferred from the pressure difference.

Abstract: An internal combustion has an exhaust gas line, an exhaust gas heat exchanger through which exhaust gas withdrawn through the exhaust gas line passes so as to take heat energy, a heating heat exchanger to which the withdrawn heat energy is made available and which is connected to a cooling fluid circuit of the internal combustion engine, an exhaust gas turbocharger provided with a turbine housing and a turbine wheel rotatable in the latter, the exhaust gas turbocharger being arranged in the exhaust gas line, the exhaust gas heat exchanger being connected heat conductively with the turbine housing of the exhaust gas turbocharger for withdrawing of heat from the exhaust gas which passes through the turbine wheel.

Abstract: In a method and a device for operating an electrical supercharger, the electrical supercharger is actuated for cooling and/or diagnostic purposes in the non-combustion operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method of controlling and/or regulating the slip of a clutch, for example, a clutch of a transmission, for example, a CVT transmission, is provided, the clutch including a driving element and an output element. The method measures at least one driving rotational speed and at least one output rotational speed for the controlling and/or regulating of the slip of the clutch, at least one driving rotational speed being measured when the clutch is closed, and at least one output rotational speed being measured when the clutch is closed; and the method determines a corrected driving rotational speed and/or a corrected output rotational speed for considering errors in the measured driving rotational speeds and in the measured output rotational speeds, by considering the at least one driving rotational speed measured when the clutch is closed and the at least one output rotational speed measured when the clutch is closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting combustion misfires in multi-cylinder internal combustion engines having several simultaneously igniting cylinders wherein, for each crankshaft rotation, rough running values are determined by measuring segment times, the segment times including the times, which correspond to the piston movement of individual cylinders after their ignition time point, wherein the crankshaft passes through an associated circular segment angular region. A combustion misfire is determined in the affected crankshaft circular segment regions from the determined rough running values LUT for crankshaft segment regions having several simultaneously igniting cylinders via a desired value comparison to a threshold value SW2, which is lower in value than the threshold value SW1 for the misfire check in crankshaft segment regions having individually igniting cylinders.

Abstract: A method checks the effectiveness of at least one measure (M) for heating a catalytic converter in the exhaust-gas system of an internal combustion engine. A measure (M) is activated and a signal (SA) in the exhaust-gas system of the engine is detected. The signal (SA) is evaluated to determine an index (Tact) for an increase in temperature of the catalytic converter after activating the measure (M). An expectation value (Tmodel) is determined for the increase of the temperature from operating characteristic variables of the engine and a temperature model. The index (Tact) is compared to the expectation value (Tmodel). The measure (M) is evaluated as ineffective when the index (Tact) is clearly less than the expectation value (Tmodel) with the expectation value (Tmodel) having been formed under the expectation of an effective heating measure.