Abstract: An air dryer desiccant cartridge, the cartridge comprising a base having an inlet and an outlet, and a casing connected to the base to define a cavity there between, wherein the cavity contains a filter and a desiccant, the filter being arranged upstream of the desiccant such that during normal operation fluid flow entering the cartridge through the inlet passes through the filter and then on to the desiccant before reaching the outlet, and during purging of the cartridge purge flow entering the outlet passes through the desiccant before reaching the filter, wherein further the cartridge includes a valve operable to permit a portion of the purge flow to bypass the filter.

Abstract: An air dryer cartridge (10) is provided with an inlet connectable to a compressed air source, an outlet connectable to a reservoir and a desiccant (18) provided intermediate the inlet and outlet adapted to remove moisture from air passing through the air dryer cartridge (10), wherein the air dryer cartridge (10) further includes a filter (20) to capture oil droplets present in air received from the source, and wherein further the filter (20) is positioned downstream of the desiccant (18).

Abstract: A method for the control of the drive slip in a vehicle with rear wheel drive, particularly when traveling on difficult terrain or in deep snow, involves independent detection of wheel speeds of both the rear/drive wheels and the front/non-drive wheels. Dynamic values, such as wheel acceleration values, of the front wheels are used as a criterion for increasing the drive slip value of the ASR. The drive slip value of the rear wheels is increased if the difference between the dynamic values, e.g., acceleration values, determined for the front wheels exceeds a threshold value. The increased drive slip value of the drive wheels under the difficult travel conditions results in increased traction as well as increased available engine power.

Abstract: A pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle includes a compressed air accumulator, a compressed air transport device, at least one pneumatic bellows and an electrically controllable reversing valve used to connect the compressed air accumulator to a suction connection of the compressed air transport device, in order to increase the amount of air in the pneumatic bellows in a first switching position, and to connect an outlet connection of the compressed air transport device to the pneumatic bellows, also used to connect the pneumatic bellows to the suction connection of the compressed air transport device and the outlet connection of the compressed air transport device to the pressure accumulator in a second switching position in order to reduce the amount of air in the pneumatic bellows. The reversing valve can be pre-controlled with the compressed air of the pneumatic suspension system.

Abstract: An improved method and associated system for controlling the brake system of a vehicle train including a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle, wherein a control device disposed in the tractor vehicle is adapted to initiate automatic braking of the trailer vehicle, and wherein the conditions of the driving roadway, especially the coefficient of friction, are taken into account in braking of the trailer vehicle. The intensity of braking of the trailer vehicle is reduced by the control device when a coefficient of friction smaller than a predetermined minimum value is detected between the vehicle train or parts thereof and the driving roadway. One application of the invention is in load trains equipped with means for preventing rollover or overturning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data interchange between a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle coupled thereto. A first electronic device provided in or on the tractor is connected via a data link to a second electronic device provided in or on the trailer; the first and second devices being connected to sensors and/or actuators for controlling operating functions of the vehicle allocated thereto and for measuring status information. Initiated by an information request, the first device sends request data via the data link to the second device. The first device receives status information via the data link sent by the second device in response to the request data. The first device outputs, in a manner that correlates with the trailer, the received status information by means of an output device disposed on or in the tractor. The same output scheme is used for both the tractor and trailer.

Abstract: An electric plug contact for setting a contact between a component, in the form of an electrovalve or a sensor, and a base plate is provided. The plug contact includes fork-shaped contact elements which are fittable with each other by a 90° rotation and form an at least four-point electroconductive connection in plugged-in position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device for a parking brake, especially a commercial-vehicle parking brake, with a handle that can be moved between a pulled position for engaging the parking brake and a pushed position for releasing the parking brake, and to such a parking brake. The handle is subjected to a preload force toward a central position when it is in the pulled or pushed position. Depending on the position of the handle, an evaluation device outputs different control signals for an actuating device of the parking brake.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing magnet armatures which are used mainly in brake-pressure modulators of electronically controlled brake systems and which are provided on their entire surface with a plastic coating, for reasons of dimensional stability and sliding properties. Magnet armatures of this type are constructed as cylindrical members and are usually provided in the region of one of the two end faces with an elastomeric sealing element, which according to the prior art is bonded to the magnet armature by vulcanization, an adhesive elastomer-to-metal bond being formed between the magnet armature and the elastomeric sealing element during vulcanization. Since bonds of this type are not possible for a completely coated magnet armature, the elastomer for the elastomeric sealing element is, according to the invention, vulcanized onto the armature without using an adhesion promoter.

Abstract: A piston compressor has a cylinder including a traveling piston sealed therein. A drive motor acts on a crankshaft, a drive shaft thereof being received by a bore of the crankshaft. A connecting rod provides for articulated connection of a crankshaft-journal of the crankshaft with the piston in a connecting rod bearing. The connecting rod is disposed relative to the drive shaft in an angled orientation that counteracts bowing deflection of the drive shaft that occurs during operation to protect against undesirable wear of the piston seal and of the connecting rod bearing.

Abstract: A collision warning system and method for a motor vehicle. A measuring device in the vehicle is provided for measuring the distance dx to a second vehicle traveling ahead, the distance signal being delivered to an evaluation device in the first vehicle. The evaluation device continuously calculates a deceleration asubject vehicle demand, which is applied by the vehicle after expiration of a driver reaction time Treaction in order that a remaining distance dxremaining to the second vehicle traveling ahead can be maintained. If asubject vehicle demand exceeds an instantaneous deceleration that can be achieved by an adaptive cruise control (“ACC”) system, a system limit warning is transmitted, prompting the vehicle driver to brake with additional appropriate force. If asubject vehicle demand exceeds an assumed vehicle deceleration that can be generated by braking on the part of the driver, a collision warning signal is transmitted independently of the ACC system.

Abstract: A method for error processing in electronic controllers particularly, in motor vehicles, is provided whereby errors determined on each vehicle start are permanently written in an error memory. On repeated recognition of similar errors, an error counter, provided for the error, is increased. In the case where it is determined that the error counter has reached a pre-determined state on a renewed vehicle start, a special “poor maintenance” program is launched, which only permits the start of the monitored function when further tests are carried out and completed.

Abstract: A vehicle-dynamics control method and system for a vehicle train comprising a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle. The vehicle-dynamics control system provided in the tractor vehicle, on the basis of vehicle-dynamics signals measured in the tractor vehicle, delivers brake-demand values (BAW) to the trailer vehicle. The trailer vehicle is equipped with a brake system, in which the brakes of the trailer vehicle can be actuated on the basis of the BAW. The vehicle-dynamics control method and system use data signals received from the trailer vehicle and calculates the BAW and permits activation of the brake system of the trailer vehicle while at the same time avoiding an undesirably large reduction of the cornering forces on the wheels of the trailer vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling brake-application energy in a tractor-trailer vehicle combination, the tractor vehicle having an electronic braking system (EBS), wherein, during braking, a set deceleration value is determined and compared with an actual deceleration value, and a current brake-application energy reference value (kappa) is determined from the comparison. To effect automatic load-dependent brake-force control for the trailer vehicle and to realize rapid adaptation of the control system to driving and load conditions, set brake-application energy values for each of the tractor and trailer vehicles are determined from the set deceleration value, from a value depending on kappa, and from brake-application energy levels for each of the tractor and trailer vehicles, using sets of performance characteristics resident in the EBS to describe the dependencies of the brake-application energy levels for the tractor and trailer vehicles on kappa and/or on the axle-load ratio of the tractor vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing rollover of a vehicle train comprising a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle. A control system is provided in the tractor vehicle which automatically initiates actuation of the braking system of the tractor vehicle and/or of the trailer vehicle if a danger of rollover of the vehicle train is recognized. A data signal from which it is possible to deduce the speed of at least one wheel of the trailer vehicle at the inside of a curve is transmitted from the trailer vehicle to the control system. The control system uses the data signal to recognize the danger of rollover of the vehicle train.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic control of the distance between a vehicle to be controlled and a lead vehicle. The vehicle to be controlled is equipped with a distance-control device having a distance sensor and a brake device with a brake pedal. The distance-control device controls the speed of the controlled vehicle by delivering a brake-actuating signal to the brake device in such a way that the distance between the vehicles does not become shorter than a predefined distance, the distance-control device also generating a warning signal to the driver if the distance becomes shorter than the predefined distance. The distance-control device changes the brake pedal characteristic in such a way that the brake pedal travel required for injection of increased brake pressure is minimized if a criterion that indicates a danger of collision is present.

Abstract: An improved braking method and system for a vehicle equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), a traction control or anti-slip regulation system (ASR) and one or more additional systems capable of effecting automatic braking of the vehicle independently of driver control, e.g., an adaptive cruise control system (ACC) or a rollover stability control system (RSC). Automatic braking takes place by admission of brake pressure to the drive axle. To detect a simultaneous braking demand of the driver, the wheel speeds of the non-driven axle or axles are compared with the wheel speeds of the drive axle or axles. If the wheel speeds of the non-driven axle(s) are less than the wheel speeds of the drive axle(s), or less than a vehicle reference speed, the brake pressure injected in response to driver demand is also fed to the brake cylinders of the wheels of the drive axle(s).

Abstract: A method for exchanging data in a vehicle train having a tractor, at least one trailer coupled to the tractor, and vehicle electronics allocated to the tractor and trailer interconnected via a PLC data bus used to provide programmed input and output functions for the vehicle electronics of the trailer. Data representing the programmed functionality is provided automatically and cyclically via the PLC data bus to the vehicle electronics. The vehicle electronics can be configured as ABS control electronics, the programmed input and output functions providing functionality beyond that of the ABS function. Control of these additional functions in the trailer vehicle electronics equipped with the specific functionality is then exercised via an input/output unit provided in the tractor and connected to the PLC data bus either directly or indirectly via the tractor ABS control electronics.

Abstract: An anti-lock brake system for a tri-axle wheeled vehicle equipped with wheel speed sensors and modulators for adjusting brake pressure. The modulators are actuated by a six-channel electronic control unit. The modulators associated with the front axle of the vehicle are individually actuated. The modulators associated with the two rear axles of the vehicle are side-by-side or axle modulators, each actuated jointly by respective end stages of the six channels. The electronic control unit detects whether the anti-lock brake system in which it is installed is a compatible anti-lock brake system. An error signal indicating improper installation is delivered.

Abstract: A vehicle equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and with anti-slip regulation (ASR) and having the capability of automatically controlling the distance from a vehicle driving in front whereby various vehicle deceleration devices are actuated automatically if the distance becomes shorter than a preset minimum safe distance. For deceleration of the vehicle if the distance from a vehicle driving in front becomes shorter than the preset minimum safe distance, the ASR function used for braking the drive axles of the vehicle is actuated.