Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic valve which includes a valve housing with a valve seat member and a valve closure member controlled by a magnet armature, a valve coil arranged close to the magnet armature and delimited by a yoke ring, and a housing portion which closes the valve housing and on which the magnet armature is supported. The valve housing, the housing portion closing the valve housing, the yoke ring and the magnet armature are made of a magnetic-flux conductive material, and the magnetic circuit between the yoke ring and the valve housing is closed by way of a ferromagnetic annular piece fitted to the valve housing and/or by way of a ferromagnetic accommodating member which carries the valve housing.

Abstract: A braking pressure boosting device is suggested, in particular for automotive vehicles, which includes a boost sensor for sensing or identifying the point of maximum boosting of the braking pressure boosting device. By using the boost sensor, ad signal is generated reporting the point of maximum boosting. This invention permits the manufacture of high-performance braking force boosting devices requiring minimal space and opens up new potential for economizing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automotive vehicle brake system with wheel slip control which is provided with a so-called filling valve, i.e., a non-return valve, between a secondary and a primary circuit. Initially, both circuits are evacuated for filling the brake system with pressure fluid, and evacuation of the secondary circuit is effected by way of the non-return valve that opens. The present invention suggests providing this valve with a blocking device which becomes effective when the brake is actuated for the first time, thereby causing pressure build-up in the primary circuit. The blocking device retains the valve closure member on the valve seat member, with the result that the non-return valve remains closed in the normal operation of the brake system. It is prevented by this provision that vacuum develops in the secondary circuit during a braking operation.

Abstract: Electronic brake systems are functionally split-up safety-critical real-time systems which are subject to high standards with regard to error detection and error handling. This invention describes a method and corresponding device for error handling in such systems which permits only a few defined system conditions, inclusive of a pre-check, with the transition from one system condition to the next condition only being possible if certain defined events take place.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electromechanically operable disc brake for automotive vehicles which is comprised of a floating caliper and an actuating unit arranged on the caliper. The actuating unit includes an electric motor which, by the intermediary of a threaded roller pinion with return of the threaded rollers, readjusts an actuating element in which one of two friction linings which are mounted displaceably in the brake caliper is moved into engagement with a brake disc. Especially with a view to minimizing the influence of disturbing forces and moments, the spindle of the threaded roller pinion is drivable by the electric motor and the actuating element is formed by the threaded nut of the threaded roller pinion according to the present invention.

Abstract: A vacuum brake force booster for a vehicle brake system, in particular, with a master brake cylinder that can be attached along with the brake force booster to a wall of an automotive vehicle, with a housing comprised of at least two wall elements attached to each other, and with at least one reinforcing element that extends through the interior of the housing and has a thin-walled tubular shape. The essence of the present invention is that the reinforcing element on at least one end passes over into a radially extending fastening portion which extends, at least in a partial zone, in parallel to the associated wall element and is supported on the wall element so that the interior of the brake force booster is separated pressure-tightly from the atmosphere. The present invention permits a simple and low-cost assembly of the brake force booster without the necessity of additional sealing elements which are difficult to mount.

Abstract: Suggested is a disc brake for motor vehicles which can be actuated by means of an electric motor with the interconnection of a reduction gear and which includes a floating caliper with two friction linings arranged within the brake caliper so as to be displaceable therein. The reduction gear is constructed as a threaded roller drive with threaded roller recoil the axially displaceable spindle whereof brings one of the two friction linings into engagement with a brake disc. For the purpose of realizing a clamping or arresting function this invention suggests to provide a clamping or arresting device (34) cooperating with a rotating part (11) of the reduction gear (7) or with a part (21) having power-transmitting connection to the reduction gear (7) so as to lock the latter.

Abstract: An electromechanical brake system, particularly for motor vehicles, with a pedal simulator and brake modules is disclosed. A central module is also provided. The connection between the aforesaid modules can be provided by a data bus. The central module evaluates the braking request signals from a sensor device and checks them for errors. Also, a central module supplies and appropriate desired braking value based on the braking request and possibly higher functions such as ABS or ASR. The desired braking value is then conveyed on to the brake module, which then determines the corresponding control signals for the actuators, which interact with the wheels in order to brake the vehicle as the driver requires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined service and parking brake system, especially for automotive vehicles, which includes a hydraulically clampable combined service and parking brake with a mechanical locking device. The mechanical locking device is electrically operable and thus satisfies in a simple fashion the parking function of the hydraulically clamped combined service and parking brake.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing voltage sags in the battery supply lines of the circuit arrangement which is used to regulate or control the current input of a consumer in an automotive vehicle, wherein the consumer current is regulated or controlled by pulse-width modulation (PWM) and a controllable switch is used. To this end, a circuit is used which influences the edges of a pulse-width modulated signal, and a signal representative of the rate of change in the current in the battery supply lines to the consumer is produced. This signal is fed back to the input signal by way of a capacitor.

Abstract: A switchable solenoid valve is disposed between the master cylinder port and the wheel caliper port for an anti-lock brake system. The switchable solenoid valve includes a valve housing, a valve seat that includes a center orifice and a plurality of perimeter bores, and an axially moveable valve plate and tappet for sealing against the valve seat. The switchable solenoid valve is movable between a normally open position, a closed position and an intermediate position that occurs when the brake system is in anti-lock mode. In the open position, both the valve plate and tappet are spaced away from the valve seat to allow unrestricted pressure fluid flow between the master cylinder and the wheel caliper. When the solenoid valve is moved in to the closed position, the valve plate is in face-to-face engagement with the valve seat to seal the perimeter bores while the tappet is simultaneously sealingly engaged with the center orifice.

Abstract: A multi-way pressure control valve for an electromagnetically actuatable multi-way control valve for slip-controlled hydraulic automotive vehicle brake systems, for providing a flow connection between at least one wheel brake and a high-pressure source or a low-pressure accumulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire with a sidewall having a magnetized outer layer. The sidewall outer layer is peripherally divided into sections with radially extending ribs between each adjacent pair of sections. The ribs protrude above the sections. In the peripheral direction, the ribs are significantly narrower than the sections. The sections are magnetized in a peripheral direction, but with alternating polarity. The ribs close the circles of magnetic flux by allowing lines of magnetic flux to enter and exit the sidewall outer layer after moving through the surrounding air and the magnetized sections, respectively. The ribs focus the location of the entry and exit of the lines of magnetic flux into and out of the sidewall outer layer. This focused entry and exit is achieved by the accumulation of magnetized material in the ribs which causes the lines of magnetic flux moving through the ribs to point in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the tire sidewall.

Abstract: A gemstone includes a pavilion portion, a crown portion and a girdle portion provided between the pavilion portion and the crown portion. The crown portion includes a plurality of facets provided on a surface thereof. The crown portion can have eight longitudinal sections which collectively define it. At least one of the longitudinal sections includes a predetermined number of particular facets of the plurality of facets. Each of the particular facets has at least one edge that borders the girdle portion. A single facet of the particular facets is formed from cutting at least portions of at least two further facets of the particular facets. The gemstone can also be subdivided into two longitudinal half sections, with the crown portion of which having 12 facets that border the girdle portion of the longitudinal half section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a load-responsive brake force regulator which, for the installation into the vehicle, has a clearance compensation element in the shape of an elastomeric element that automatically moves the actuating lever into the required stop position. After the installation of the brake force regulator into the vehicle, a fixing device is fixed on the pin by means of a screw so that a defined distance is adjusted between the housing of the brake force regulator and the end of a load-responsively acting tension spring. The rubber band is redundant after the fixation. In contrast to the state of the art which proposes the provision of a clearance compensation spring on the lever-side end of the pin and, after fixation, the dissection of the pin at its redundant end by way of a nominal breaking point, the present invention prevents damage to the pin due to transport or improper handling because no nominal breaking point is required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a maneuvering assistance system for automotive vehicles and a method of maneuvering automotive vehicles which permit a simple and safe maneuvering of the automotive vehicle particularly during a parking procedure. The present invention is especially advantageous when the automotive vehicle needs to be maneuvered, for example, on a steep positive or negative gradient. According to the present invention, a preselected or adjustable maneuvering speed is chosen such that the driver is not surprised by unwanted reactions of the automotive vehicle. The present invention especially comprises an accelerator pedal sensor [(5)] for detecting an accelerator pedal position [(&agr;)] and a device for determining a speed [(vref)] of the vehicle.

Abstract: The speed variation of the driven wheels is analyzed in a method of recognizing critical drive train oscillations which require countermeasures during an (ABS) controlled brake maneuver. The occurrence of oscillations having a frequency typical of drive train oscillations is established. When oscillations with this frequency occur, the duration of the oscillating process is established on each individual wheel, or the number of the successive oscillations or semi-wave oscillations is counted. When a predetermined counter reading is reached, an oscillation recognition is indicated if, at that time, the vehicle acceleration is above a predetermined limit value and if oscillation recognition has not yet been triggered on the other driven wheel. To dampen the oscillations, switch-over to a special control is effected for a defined interval. The commencement of the special control prevents braking pressure reduction, the pressure is maintained constant, or at most a delayed pressure increase is allowed.

Abstract: A brake caliper has a caliper bridge and two legs that are arranged at right angles to the caliper bridge. A housing having a bore for a brake piston is mounted on one leg. The caliper bridge has at least one hollow chamber inside, which is delimited on all sides by supporting walls. Even though the brake caliper exhibits considerable flectional strength it is lightweight.