Abstract: A device for controlling a steer-by-wire steering system in a vehicle, in which redundantly generated sensor signals for regulating a steering motor and for a feedback actuator that transfers the restoring torques from the road to the driver via the steering wheel are received by a control device and plausibility checks of the sensor signals are performed therein and in an operatively associated monitoring module. Microcomputer module and monitoring module monitor each other reciprocally. An auxiliary level for the SbW steering system is monitored by the control device which, in the case of error, switches to this auxiliary level or a mechanical auxiliary level. To further increase safety, the steering wheel motor is triggered via control signals for its phase currents and by a steering wheel motor enable signal, and the steering motor is triggered via control signals for its phase currents and via a steering motor enable signal.

Abstract: A method for checking a microprocessor for correct operation, the microprocessor having a plurality of gates, each having a plurality of transistors, in which during the intended running of a computer program on the microprocessor a self-test is cyclically executed, and as part of the self-test, gates in the microprocessor are checked for correct operation. In order to check the microprocessor for correct operation in such a way that the functional check is able to detect at an early stage such errors which occur only during the intended operation of the microprocessor, and to the extent possible not to make use of models of the open-loop or closed-loop control algorithms, at least those gates of the microprocessor whose state has an impact on the intended running of the computer program on the microprocessor are checked during one run of the self-test.

Abstract: A control unit, for controlling safety-critical applications, includes a microcomputer, a monitoring unit (check unit), and peripheral circuits (input/output), and in which, to improve the reliability of the error detection for such control units, and to expand the detection to additional error types, the monitoring unit includes a first apparatus, arrangement or structure for measuring the quiescent current of the microcomputer; at least one quiescent current handshake line for controlling the measurement of the quiescent current running between the first apparatus, arrangement or structure of the monitoring unit and the microcomputer; the monitoring unit including a second apparatus, arrangement or structure for applying a test data input signal to the microcomputer, for processing the test data input signal, and for comparing the corresponding test data output signal of the microcomputer to the corresponding test data output signal of the monitoring unit; and at least one test data signal transmission line

Abstract: A computer device for controlling applications critical with regard to safety is provided, which computer device has at least one processor unit and at least one self-test unit assigned to the processor unit, a memory unit for storing programs and process data, a memory management unit for controlling memory accesses in the computer device, an error detection unit for detecting errors in the memory unit, and connection means for connecting the processor units to one another and to the memory management unit. The processor units are positioned together with the memory unit on a shared chip surface area.

Abstract: A method and a device for transmitting information in a network having at least three subscribers, as well as a corresponding network, the information being transmitted in at least a first frame of a predefined length and structure, and the first frame on a first transmission path being transmitted in a loop to the next, second subscriber in each instance, given a predefined transmission direction, the information being additionally transmitted in a second frame having the same length and structure as the first frame, the second frame on a second transmission path being transmitted to a one-after-the-next, third subscriber, the second transmission path and, thus, the second frame skipping the second subscriber, and an assessment being made in dependence upon at least one criterion, thus information, length or structure.

Abstract: A method for steering a vehicle and a steering system are provided, in which a variable torque support of the driver's steering wish and intervention in the position of the steered wheels triggered by a driving dynamics regulator are implementable without mutually interfering with one another. In addition, further additional functions, such as the lane guidance system of the vehicle, may be integrated into a steering system easily and either with or without compensation of the steering feel at the steering wheel.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system is proposed, having a steering wheel actuator and a braking device that acts on the steering column (3). The braking device is activated when the vehicle steering wheel is to be blocked or at least sharply braked, such as when the steering stop is reached or a wheel goes over the edge of a curb. The braking device functions like a switchable freewheel.

Abstract: A device for controlling a steer-by-wire steering system in a vehicle is described. The redundantly generated sensor signals (&dgr;v1, &dgr;v2, &dgr;H1, &dgr;H2) for regulating a steering motor (LM) and for a feedback actuator (LRM) that transfers the restoring torques from the road to the driver via the steering wheel are received by a control device having the form of a microcomputer (RM) and plausibility checks of the sensor signals are performed therein and in an operatively associated monitoring module (ÜM). Microcomputer module (RM) and monitoring module (ÜM) monitor each other reciprocally. An auxiliary level for the steer-by-wire steering system is also monitored by the control device (RM) which, in the case of error, switches to this auxiliary level or a mechanical auxiliary level.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, having a steering wheel, a steering gear and a steering module, disposed between them, for superimposed steering engagement by a controlled electric motor. The electric motor has an input shaft connected to the steering wheel and an output shaft connected to the steering gear. For the sake of structurally simplifying the steering module, the electric motor is in direct engagement, in line with a clutch that can be engaged and disengaged, with the input shaft via a first gear, and the electric motor is in direct engagement with the output shaft via a second gear.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for automatic following guidance, particularly for heavy-traffic automatic following guidance, of a motor vehicle (1), designed to ease the burden on the driver in heavy-traffic situations both by taking over lateral guidance by means of an automatic steering regulation system and by maintaining a set distance from a leading vehicle. The latter function requires an adaptive cruise and braking regulation system with “stop” and “go” function. According to the invention, selection and decision means (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) are provided that select both the regulating parameters and the types of controllers [sic], e.g., following guidance of the motor vehicle (1) on the basis of lane markings recognized by means of a video camera or on the basis of a recognized leading vehicle.

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 system for testing a computer built into a control unit. A power supply unit is provided for the voltage supply for the control unit and the computer. In addition, the test result can be indicated by a device and/or means may be provided for shutting down the system regulated and/or controlled by the control unit. The control unit contains means that can bring the computer into certain operating modes. In addition, sensing means are provided that detect the current or voltage in the power supply circuit of the computer, whereupon the current or voltage detected is compared with at least one preset threshold value in comparator means. For actuation of the device and/or the cutoff, there are actuator means that indicate an error depending on the result of the comparison or cause all or part of the system to be shut down in reaction to such an error.

Abstract: Timing increment signals produced by an engine driven tachogenerator are used for controlling both ignition timing shift and the dwell time of the interruptor switch of the ignition system. Counting of increment pulses by the ignition coil primary current rises to a predetermined value (Io) are measures a dwell time fraction and provides a count result that goes into a computation of which the result measures the duration of a counting of increments between the end of one dwell time and the beginning of the next. For better dynamic behavior the count value representing the dwell time fraction (.beta.t) is corrected in a calculating stage (16-18) by a factor which represents the proportional change in the duration of an increment signal (such a signal at a fixed point in the cycle to the most increment signal).