Abstract: A control device and a method for controlling a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises an energy storage device, an electric motor, and at least one service brake configured to brake a vehicle wheel. The method comprises, in case it is predicted that the energy storage device will have an insufficient capacity for a desired regenerative braking power during an upcoming braking event, applying a braking force by activating the service brake. The service brake is activated either simultaneously with application of a propulsion force by the electric motor, or in a plurality of consecutive brake phases during which a propulsion by the electric motor is temporarily interrupted, the brake phases separated by a vehicle acceleration phase during which a propulsion force is applied by the electric motor.

Abstract: A metal piece for a motor vehicle has a generally elongated shape according to a longitudinal direction. The piece includes at least one edge extending according to the longitudinal direction, at the intersection of two walls of the piece, and at least one area having a mechanical strength lower than the rest of the body of the piece, wherein the at least one area is formed through local thermal control of the piece. The lower mechanical strength area of the piece undulates along the edge, extending alternatingly along each of the walls forming the edge. A method for making the metal piece is also disclosed.

Abstract: Press systems for manufacturing hot formed structural components are provided. The systems comprise a fixed lower body, a mobile upper body and a mechanism configured to provide upwards and downwards press progression of the mobile upper body with respect to the fixed lower body. The system further includes a cooling tool configured to cool down a previously heated blank. The cooling tool includes upper and lower mating dies, the lower die connected to the lower body with one or more lower biasing elements and/or the upper die connected to the upper body with one or more upper biasing elements. The system further includes a press tool configured to draw the blank, wherein the press tool is arranged downstream from the cooling tool. Moreover, methods for hot forming structural components are also provided.

Abstract: Press systems for manufacturing hot formed structural components are provided. The systems comprise a fixed lower body, a mobile upper body and a mechanism configured to provide upwards and downwards press progression of the mobile upper body with respect to the fixed lower body. The system further includes a cooling tool configured to cool down a previously heated blank. The cooling tool includes upper and lower mating dies, the lower die connected to the lower body with one or more lower biasing elements and/or the upper die connected to the upper body with one or more upper biasing elements. The system further includes a press tool configured to draw the blank, wherein the press tool is arranged downstream from the cooling tool. Moreover, methods for hot forming structural components are also provided.

Abstract: In a press-hardening plant, a contact-cooling press (12) is provided between the furnace (11) and the press-hardening press (13). Preselected parts of the blank (18) are contact-cooled such that corresponding parts of the finished product are softer and display a lower yield point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a B-pillar for a vehicle including a main section (20) with a hat-shaped section (21) comprising a central flange (22), two web portions (23, 24) and two side flanges (25, 26). At least the hat-shaped section (21) is press-hardened and has a breaking strength in excess of 1400 MPa and the side flanges (25, 26) of the hat-shaped section (21) have a breaking strength below 1100 MPa along at least part of the length of the side flanges (25, 26). The B-pillar (13) includes a cover plate (40) welded to the side flanges (25, 26) of the hat-shaped section (21) so as to form a closed profile, the cover plate (40) having a breaking strength below 1100 MPa at least in the region in which it bears against the side flanges (25, 26). The side flanges (25, 26) of the hat-shaped section have a breaking strength below 1100 MPa in the region in which the side flanges bear against the cover plate (40).

Abstract: An A-pillar for a vehicle includes a first part (15) extending as far as the windscreen and supporting the door hinges and a second arcuate part (16) extending up along the windscreen and continuing towards the back in order to serve as a roof beam (19) above the door. This second part consists of two open sections (23, 24) with flanges (25, 26; 27, 28) welded together so as to give the pillar a closed profile. At least one of the sections (23) is press-hardened and has a breaking strength in excess of 1400 MPa and the flanges (25, 26; 27, 28) of the sections have a breaking strength below 1100 MPa in a portion (35) situated above the door.

Abstract: In a press-hardening plant, a contact-cooling press (12) is provided between the furnace (11) and the press-hardening press (13). Preselected parts of the blank (18) are contact-cooled such that corresponding parts of the finished product are softer and display a lower yield point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a B-pillar for a vehicle including a main section (20) with a hat-shaped section (21) comprising a central flange (22), two web portions (23, 24) and two side flanges (25, 26). At least the hat-shaped section (21) is press-hardened and has a breaking strength in excess of 1400 MPa and the side flanges (25, 26) of the hat-shaped section (21) have a breaking strength below 1100 MPa along at least part of the length of the side flanges (25, 26). The B-pillar (13) includes a cover plate (40) welded to the side flanges (25, 26) of the hat-shaped section (21) so as to form a closed profile, the cover plate (40) having a breaking strength below 1100 MPa at least in the region in which it bears against the side flanges (25, 26). The side flanges (25, 26) of the hat-shaped section have a breaking strength below 1100 MPa in the region in which the side flanges bear against the cover plate (40).

Abstract: An A-pillar for a vehicle includes a first part (15) extending as far as the windscreen and supporting the door hinges and a second arcuate part (16) extending up along the windscreen and continuing towards the back in order to serve as a roof beam (19) above the door. This second part consists of two open sections (23, 24) with flanges (25, 26; 27, 28) welded together so as to give the pillar a closed profile. At least one of the sections (23) is press-hardened and has a breaking strength in excess of 1400 MPa and the flanges (25, 26; 27, 28) of the sections have a breaking strength below 1100 MPa in a portion (35) situated above the door.

Abstract: A B-pillar (12) for a vehicle is fastened between a roof member (13) and a sill member (15) of the vehicle. The pillar has a martensitic structure and the steel has an tensile strength of at least 1300 MPa. Close to the lower fastening portion (14) there is a soft portion (20) with a tensile strength of less than 800 MPa. This soft portion has a height of at least 30 mm, extend over less than ? of the pillar height, and is so positioned that the lower fastening portion is martensitic.

Abstract: A B-pillar (12) for a vehicle is fastened between a roof member (13) and a sill member (15) of the vehicle. The pillar has a martensitic structure and the steel has an tensile strength of at least 1300 MPa. Close to the lower fastening portion (14) there is a soft portion (20) with a tensile strength of less than 800 MPa. This soft portion has a height of at least 30 mm, extend over less than ? of the pillar height, and is so positioned that the lower fastening portion is martensitic.

Abstract: A method is used for generating a system protocol for control and/or monitoring equipment for one or more machines and/or processes. The equipment comprises a number of modules which can communicate with each other via a serial digital connection in accordance with said system protocol. A first memory location is fed with first data concerning a base protocol and is also supplied with second data concerning one or more additional protocols which indicate possible basic functions for the mutual relationship of the modules in the intercommunication. A second memory location receives third data concerning a base protocol and can also be supplied with fourth data concerning one or more additional protocols which indicate desired basic functions for the mutual relationship of the modules in the intercommunication. The system protocol is based on first, second, third and fourth data in said first and second memory locations.

Abstract: An arrangement is connected to a distributed control system with modules connected as nodes to one or more connections in a communication system that operates with communication protocol. The arrangement comprises two or more interacting computer programs or tools for development, maintenance, etc, of the control system. A first computer program generates data relating to additional information or identification information. A second computer program is arranged to determine, using the identification information, whether the generated data can be processed in the second computer program. A data repository is arranged to store without sorting various data with the identification information, which stored data is arranged in a first data format. The respective computer program can retrieve data from or input data to the data repository. The respective computer program works with a database, and is arranged to change the format from the first data format to the second data format.

Abstract: A knob arrangement for operating parking brakes intended for use in vehicles comprising brake units and an electrically operated tensioning device for applying or releasing braking force to the brake units. According to the invention, a device is arranged to sense the position of the knob and to send control signals to a first electric motor which is arranged to power the tensioning device for generating a braking force corresponding to the position of the knob. The knob is manually adjustable and, in a fully applied position, at maximum braking force, mechanically lockable. A control motor is arranged to automatically displace the knob to the fully applied and mechanically locked position dependent on second control signals applied to the motor. In its fully applied, locked position the knob is only releasable from the locked position by manual operation.

Abstract: A knob arrangement for operating parking brakes intended for use in vehicles comprising brake units and an electrically operated tensioning means for applying or releasing braking force to said brake units. According to the invention, a means is arranged to sense the position of the knob and to send control signals to a first electric motor which is arranged to power said tensioning means for generating a braking force corresponding to the position of the knob. The knob is manually adjustable and, in a fully applied position, at maximum braking force, mechanically lockable. A control motor is arranged to automatically displace the knob to the fully applied and mechanically locked position dependent on second control signals applied to the motor. In its fully applied, locked position the knob is only releasable from the locked position by manual operation.