Abstract: The invention proceeds from a vehicle having a clutch and a transmission. The clutch is mounted in the drive train of the motor vehicle and the transmission is mounted in the drive train and is changeable with respect to its transmission ratio. Furthermore, means are provided which generate a clutch signal which represents the actuation of the clutch. The essence of the invention is that a change of the transmission ratio is detected. According to the invention, monitoring means are provided by means of which a fault signal is generated in dependence upon the recognized change and the generated clutch signal. The fault signal indicates whether the means, which generates the clutch signal, operates properly. A further variation of the invention evaluates the clutch actuation with the first start of movement of the vehicle after the engine start.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combustion misfire detection and cylinder equalization in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having knock control. In the method, rough-running values are individually determined for each cylinder by measuring segment times with each crankshaft rotation. The segment times include the times corresponding to the piston movement of each cylinder to be measured in which the crankshaft passes through a corresponding circular-segment angular region. Thereafter, the determined rough-running values are compared to a threshold value in a desired value comparison and, on the basis of the deviation between the determined rough-running values and the desired value, cylinder-individual equalization factors (that is, correction factors) are computed in an evaluation unit for the change of injection times or ignition time points of the individual cylinders.

Abstract: The functionality of the device for variably adjusting the cylinder compression ratio can be monitored easily, and without a special sensor, by ascertaining the running irregularity of the internal combustion engine both before and after controlling the device for changing the cylinder compression ratio; and by comparing the two running-irregularity values to each other, in order to determine if the runningirregularity has changed. A change in the running irregularity is an indication that the device for variably adjusting the cylinder compression ratio is functioning correctly.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, especially for a motor vehicle, is described which is provided with a control apparatus. A number of functions can be executed at time intervals and/or in dependence upon the rpm of the engine. Furthermore, a quantity (RA), which defines the utilization of the control apparatus, and a quantity (N), which defines the rpm of the engine, can be determined. The number of executed functions can be reduced by the control apparatus when the quantity (RA), which defines the utilization, is greater than a utilization threshold value (ASW1).

Abstract: A device is proposed for protecting a motor vehicle against theft. At least one signal processing evaluates a sensor signal of a sensor in a first operating mode for generating an activation signal for a functional unit. A signal unit evaluates the sensor signal in a second operating mode, which differs from the first operating mode, for producing an activation signal for an alarm-signal generator. An operating-state detection is provided for detecting whether the motor vehicle is in a deactivated state. The second operating mode is activated when the motor vehicle is in the deactivated state; the first operating mode is activated when the motor vehicle is in the activated state.

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: A method of operating an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle provided with a vacuum accumulator which provides an auxiliary energy required for at least one servo function of the internal combustion engine in form of a vacuum and which is acted upon by a vacuum acting in a suction pipe of the internal combustion engine. The method computes a pressure acting in the vacuum accumulator, supplies mass flows to the vacuum accumulator when at least one servo function is performed, and withdraws the mass flows from the vacuum accumulator when a pressure acting in the suction pipe is smaller than the pressure acting in the vacuum accumulator. The pressure acting in the vacuum accumulator is computed from a mass balance of the mass flows supplied to the vacuum accumulator and withdrawn from the vacuum accumulator.

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: An air mass is supplied to the combustion chambers by an intake manifold (12) in an internal combustion engine (10). An underpressure store (18) of a servo system (20) can be subjected to an underpressure via this intake manifold (12). The air mass flow in the inlet region (30) of the intake manifold (12) is determined by a sensor (32) and is supplied to an electronic control unit (26) for the fill computation. The actuation of the servo system (20) is detected and the determined air mass flow is corrected with or directly after a detected actuation of the servo system (20).

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.

Abstract: In a method for performing a functional diagnosis on a ventilation system of a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, a pulse valve is situated in a vent line. The pulse valve is controlled as a function of the pressure in the crankcase, the pressure being determined by a pressure sensor. In response to a high pressure, the pulse valve is opened to allow the vapors to be discharged via an intake pipe. In this context, the pulse valve is controlled as a function of operating requirements, exhaust gas requirements, and/or load conditions. Based on the pressure characteristic, it can be detected, for example, whether the oil level is sufficient, whether there is a leak in the closed ventilation system, or whether the internal combustion engine exhibits increased wear. As a result of an optimized operating method, blowby gases can be reduced, as well as emissions, and friction losses in the crankcase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combustion misfire detection and cylinder equalization in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having knock control. In the method, rough-running values are individually determined for each cylinder by measuring segment times with each crankshaft rotation. The segment times include the times corresponding to the piston movement of each cylinder to be measured in which the crankshaft passes through a corresponding circular-segment angular region. Thereafter, the determined rough-running values are compared to a threshold value in a desired value comparison and, on the basis of the deviation between the determined rough-running values and the desired value, cylinder-individual equalization factors (that is, correction factors) are computed in an evaluation unit for the change of injection times or ignition time points of the individual cylinders.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a first controller which is only switched through to an actuator for a turbocharger if a fault recognition device detects no fault in the operation of the engine. A switchover is made from the first controller to a second controller, if the fault recognition device detects a critical fault. In this connection, the second controller receives a system deviation as an input signal that is different from the one received by the first controller. Thus in the event of a fault, the turbocharger can be controlled in a very flexible manner without the danger that the speed of the turbocharger is increased into its critical range.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system comprised of an electronically regulated steering positioner mounted to the steering gear of the front axle or to both front wheels of a vehicle together with an electronic steering regulator and a feedback actuator. A sensor senses the driver's selected direction from the steering wheel. Road feedback can be relayed to the driver through a feedback actuator via the steering wheel. The loss of road feel caused by the absence of the steering column, which normally strongly influences the driver's directional wish, is recreated by the feedback actuator.

Abstract: A method and a device for generating an error signal in a motor vehicle. In this context, the vehicle has a drive engine as well as an actuating arrangement which can be actuated by the driver of the vehicle, and with the assistance of which a braking system is activated. Further, a detecting arrangement detects an actuation of the actuation arrangement. A wheel drag torque quantity is determined which represents the drag torque caused by the engine at the vehicle wheels. Moreover, a deceleration quantity is determined which represents the longitudinal deceleration of the vehicle. Furthermore, a braking quantity is determined which represents the operating state of the actuating arrangement. The error signal is then generated as a function of the determined drag torque quantity, the determined deceleration quantity, and the determined braking quantity. Thus, it is possible to perform diagnostics on the safety-relevant brake lights switch without requiring additional outlay for hardware.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for equalizing torque contributions of different cylinders of an internal combustion engine to the total torque of the engine. The engine can operate in an overrun mode and in a fired mode. First quantities (Ka) are provided of a rough running of the engine in the overrun mode and second quantities (Kvi) are provided in the fired mode. Third quantities (Ksi) for a rough-running component based on torsion vibrations are also provided. Cylinder-individual fourth quantities (Kki) for the rough running are formed from the first, second and third quantities with the fourth quantities being independent of the rough running in the overrun mode and independent of the rough-running component based on the torsion vibrations. The torque contributions are equalized on the basis of the fourth quantity.

Abstract: A separate irregular-running determination is carried out for each cylinder bank. Each ascertained irregular-running value is compared to a lower and an upper threshold value, the upper threshold value being set in such a way that all irregular-running values below it are not caused by combustion misses. A defect is signaled in one of the exhaust trains when, for at least one of the two cylinder banks, an irregular-running value is ascertained lying between the lower and the upper threshold value, and the difference between the irregular-running values of the two cylinder banks exceeds a threshold. This method makes it possible to ascertain a defect in one of the two cylinder banks very early.

Abstract: A method of determining diagnostic threshold values for a particular motor vehicle type is proposed, the motor vehicles of the motor vehicle type being equipped with an electronic computing unit and the electronic computing unit having a programmable memory module and a microcomputer, as well as an interface for data communication with an external computer. The diagnostic data of each available motor vehicle of the particular motor vehicle type are transmitted to an external central computer and stored there in a database of the central computer. Then a statistical distribution is formed on the basis of the diagnostic data compiled there. Then at least one diagnostic threshold value for a certain diagnostic data item is established on the basis of this statistical distribution. A suitable electronic computing unit, which programs the newly established diagnostic threshold values into the programmable memory module, is likewise proposed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for evaluating the operability of a catalytic converter operated in the exhaust-gas channel of an internal combustion engine. The invention utilizes the recognition that the conversion-begin temperature of the catalytic converter is that much higher the more the catalytic converter has deteriorated. In improved embodiments, the realization is utilized that the more a catalytic converter has deteriorated, the less heat is converted by combusting oxidizable exhaust gas components per unit of time. In a first embodiment of the method, a check is made as to when a catalytic converter starts converting and then evaluating the converter as being operable when the determined temperature is less than a comparison temperature. A second embodiment provides that the catalytic converter is operated at precisely pregiven operating conditions and a check is made as to how long is required until the converter begins to convert.

Abstract: A method is proposed for monitoring operations of an internal combustion engine to detect combustion misses for internal combustion engines having dual spark coils. A method is provided for the primary-side monitoring of the spark voltage and/or of the spark duration, and a method is provided for detecting irregular operations. If a faulty ignition is detected in one cylinder at one spark plug by monitoring the spark voltage and/or the spark duration, the second spark plug in this cylinder is then cut off (de-energized) and the reaction to this cut-off is monitored by means of the method for detecting irregular running. If the irregular running detection confirms faulty operation of the internal combustion engine, then the faulty ignition at the first spark plug of a cylinder was correctly recognized and appropriate emergency measures are introduced.