Abstract: For the acquisition and evaluation of safety-critical measured quantities, for example, of yaw rates (GR) as an input quantity of an automotive vehicle control system, the measured quantities are produced by way of two measuring channels (M1, M2) which are independent of each other. One measuring channel (M1) covers the entire measuring range, and the other measuring channel (M2) is set to a partial measuring range. To identify errors, the output quantities of the measuring channels (M1, M2) are checked for correlation with the measured quantities acquired by the measuring channels and/or for plausibility of the measurement results.

Abstract: A device for detecting the rotational behavior of a vehicle wheel includes an encoder with permanent magnet areas, a stationary measurement transducer sensitive to magnetic fields, and electric circuits for evaluating the output signals of the measurement transducer. The permanent magnet areas are embedded into the tire wall of the vehicle wheel or applied to the tire wall. The measurement transducer includes two or more measuring elements which are arranged at a different radial distance from the axis of rotation and positioned in such a manner that upon distortion of the tire as a result of forces acting upon the tire, there is a change of the phase position between the measurement signals issued by the measuring elements. This change of the phase position is evaluated as a measure of the torque transmitted from the wheel to the road surface and/or as a measure of the instantaneous coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement for detecting and evaluating yawing movements of an automotive vehicle, serving as an input quantity of an automotive control system, comprising yaw rate sensors (GRS) and electronic circuits (SCU) for processing and evaluating the information obtained by the yaw rate sensors (GRS) and representing the yawing movement of the automotive vehicle, and for generating control signals. Moreover, one or more electronic compass systems (KB, KH) are provided that detect yawing movements of the vehicle independently of the information obtained by the yaw rate sensors (GRS). By comparing the information supplied by the compass systems (KB, KH) to the information supplied by the yaw rate sensors (GRS), the operation of the measuring systems or measuring channels (KB, KH, GRS) is monitored.

Abstract: In so-called active sensors which transmit an output signal to an electronic controller, the amplitude of the output signal depending neither on the speed of the encoder nor on the distance between the sensor and the encoder, the problem is that the output signal does not permit identifying whether the air slot size set between the sensor and the encoder is chosen sufficiently small to ensure an appropriate amplitude of the input signal, generated in the sensor, even when dynamic increases in the air slot occur. If the input signal induced by the encoder in the sensor is too low, a sensor-inherent hysteresis threshold is not exceeded, and no output signal is generated. To prevent the sensor from being inadvertently operated at the limits of its maximum permissible air slot, according to the present invention, the sensor-inherent hysteresis threshold is changed over to the higher hysteresis threshold for testing purposes.

Abstract: In normal operation, a sensor element emits information only as to whether two or more field-sensitive components are located in peripheral zones of identical or different electromagnetic field strengths of a pulse generator. In order to permit sensor elements of this type determining immediately upon activation of a supply voltage whether an identical electromagnetic field strength on both components corresponds to a zone of low (L) or high (H) field strength, according to the present invention, the sensor element, upon activation of the supply voltage, is initially operated so that the absolute field strength is measured for a given time. If there is a difference circuit between two field-sensitive components (3, 4), the measurement is carried out because one of the components is temporarily switched off, both components are connected in parallel, or both components are connected in series.

Abstract: A rotational speed sensor system which uses the sensor and a sensor electronic circuit to test the air slot between the speed sensor and an encoder to determine if the air slot falls within acceptable limits.

Abstract: A device for detecting rotary movements includes a measuring data emitter that co-rotates with the part performing the rotary movement, and a stationary transducer which includes a magneto-resistive sensor element with a bias magnet. The measuring data emitter is an encoder having successive permanent magnet areas of alternating polarity in the direction of rotation (Y direction). The sensor element is arranged and the bias magnet is magnetized in such a way that, during rotary movement, in a preferred direction of the sensor element (Y direction) which is orthogonal to the magnetic field component (X direction) produced by the bias magnet, the magnetized areas cause a variable magnetic field component between the adjacent permanent magnet areas which is representative of the rotary movement and passes through the magneto-resistive sensor element in the Y direction.

Abstract: A brake unit for automotive vehicles with electric drive is configured in the shape of a multiple-circuit compound system consisting of hydraulic friction brakes of brake circuits (I, I', I", III, III', III") and of an electroregenerative brake system (circuit II, II', II"). In a vehicle with a driven and a non-driven axle, three brake circuits exist, one brake circuit of which (I, I', I") is comprised of a pedal-actuated hydraulic brake pressure master unit (2) and of friction brakes (3, 4) acting upon the non-driven wheels. The second brake circuit (II, II', II") which represents an electroregenerative brake system is directly or indirectly coupled to the brake pedal and acts upon the driven wheels. The third brake circuit (III, III', III") which is comprised of friction brakes (10, 11) also acts upon the driven wheels. The actuation of the wheel brakes (10, 11) is connected to the second and third brake circuits.

Abstract: A two-tube shock absorber for automotive vehicles is furnished with a shock absorber valve positioned at the lower end of its power cylinder and comprising a pilot control stage, a main stage to adjust its "soft" characteristic curve which is desired for reasons of driving comfort, or a special characteristic curve out of a field of potential characteristic curves. According to the invention, in a lower range of piston speed the shock absorbing power is determined exclusively by the variable cross-sectional area of flow of the pilot control stage wherein the main stage remains closed. In an upper range of piston speed the shock absorbing power is determined by the variable flow cross-sectional areas both of the main stage and of the pilot control stage.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the boiling temperature of a brake fluid to in turn determine the water content therein includes an electrically heatable sensor element (13) immersed into the fluid under test, a power source (12) supplying a current of a constant amplitude, and a measuring system (15) for measuring the voltage drop on the sensor element (13). A stable cellular convection heat transfer mechanism into the surrounding fluid arises, with the voltage drop across the sensor element (13) being indicative of the boiling point of the fluid. The sensor element is in the form of a linear conductor (13', 20, 21) clamped on either end. The sensor element also may comprise a plurality of linear conductors (13', 20, 21) of this type connected in parallel or in series.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pedal assembly (1), useful in automotive vehicles includes an accelerator pedal (6), a brake pedal (7) and a clutch pedal (8), each of the three pedals (6, 7 and 8) actuating an associated, electronically controlled device (potentiometer 9, 10; switch 11), the said pedal assembly (1) being pre-assembled and being connectible via electric connections with an energy supply unit (2) and a data bus (4).The present invention affords a pedal assembly (1) which lends itself to ease of mounting and manages without splashboard apertures in the pedal area. Further, this pedal assembly (1) satisfies the demands of modern industrial production such as modular type of construction or just-in-time supplies.

Abstract: A process and a system for multi-channel gathering and evaluation of measured data in which measured data channels are distinguished into analog data channels and into digital or event channels. By means of a signal derived from the events, or rather from event signals, and processed in the event channels the analog measured data are synchronously sampled, (i.e. picked up, converted into a digital value and stored). Each time an identification number is stored for the event signal triggering the sampling operation, or rather of the corresponding event channel, the phase time between this sampling signal and the preceding sampling signal, the associated sampled measured data and the time sequence of the sampling operations. The signal triggering the synchronous sampling operation is preferably formed by OR-linking of all event signals which are scaled down, if applicable.

Abstract: A controllable vibration damper for automotive vehicles is disclosed having a damping piston which is axially slidably and sealedly guided in a damping tube, and which subdivides the damping tube filled with a damping medium into two working chambers. The connection between the two working chambers is provided with at least one non-regulated first valve and at least one controllable second valve, which valves are arranged acting hydraulically in parallel in respect to one another. In order to be able to regulate the effective damping force continuously in wide ranges, for the adjustment of damping hardness, the controllable valve will periodically open and close in rapid sequence in dependence upon pulsed control signals.

Abstract: To determine the boiling temperature of a liquid, e.g. a hygroscopic brake fluid, a probe (1,1') is immersed partly, that is to say until an exactly predefined depth, into the test liquid. The probe (1,1') contains a measuring unit (14) which incorporates a temperature sensor (17) and which is in communication with the test liquid via a supply bore (13). The upper part of the measuring unit (14) forms a condensation zone (15) which is connected to the atmosphere via discharge openings (16). On ebullition of the test liquid, a bubbles or foam boiling zone (22) is formed directly on top of the surface (21) of the liquid, and on top of the zone (22) a condensation zone (15) is formed, out of which the condensate flows off to the outside. The temperature in the bubbles boiling zone is measured by means of the temperature sensor (17).

Abstract: A sensor for automotive vehicles with electronic control of the driving and braking behavior and/or of vibration damping in dependence on the rotational wheel speed and on the vertical acceleration of the vehicle, the sensor designed as a dual-function or multiple-function sensor by combining and structurally uniting an inductive or magnetoresistive transducer for monitoring rotational wheel velocity and a vertical acceleration sensor system for monitoring vertical vehicle body motion and, if applicable, other sensors. The measured signals are led from the sensor to signal processing circuitry via common output signal line.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for determining and checking a state or condition of a hydraulic fluid contained in a brake system, including a state of hydration and/or age such that the fluid boiling point is reduced. The boiling point or a characteristic value of the fluid which depends on the boiling point, on the one hand, and the instantaneous temperature value of the fluid, on the other hand, are measured by means of sensor elements. These two values represent a range of permissible comparative temperature values, including a thermal reserve which is within that same range and is determined for further permissible heating of the fluid. A warning signal is released when a predetermined minimum value of the thermal reserve is reached. The sensor elements have hollow spaces with open walls permitting fluid flow-through and have such a design as to ensure that, after heating-up, there comes about a stable cellular convection in a temperature range lying below the boiling temperature.

Abstract: A brake system with anti-skid control and/or traction slip control is disclosed. This system includes a pedal-operated braking pressure generator and an auxiliary-force-generating system connected between the brake pedal and the braking pressure generator for generating auxiliary forces for assisting the pedal force or for generating an opposed force dependent on the brake pedal travel, the rotational behavior of the wheels and on predetermined control patterns. Control elements in the form of electric linear motors or hydraulically or vacuum-driven servomotors are used for generating the auxiliary forces.

Abstract: For the automatic weighing of a beam balance with electromagnetic force compensation, substitution control weights and digital recording are used. An indicator signals the position of balance beam to a microcomputer. The load compensation is carried out with a limited number of variable electromagnetic compensation forces of constant amplitude, which are produced by means of a corresponding number of discrete constant currents. The currents are graded according to decreasing powers of a numerical system of a suitable basis; as a rule, just like decimally organized figures according to units and powers of ten of these units. Starting out from upper to lower decades, a count is made in each decade as to how many compensation units are needed in order to overcompensate the load. For this purpose, a decision is made merely in the case of every compensation step--without determining precisely the rest position of the balance beam--as to whether the load applied is larger or smaller than the compensation force.