Abstract: In a method for changing the acceleration mode of a motor vehicle, the driver can change from a normal acceleration mode into a rapid acceleration mode to increase the supply of air and fuel. The change into the rapid acceleration mode is carried out if the driver exceeds a pedal-speed threshold value when activating the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for braking a vehicle having a vehicle brake system with a brake control device, and an engine whose torque is transmitted via a transmission to driven wheels. When there is a malfunction of the braking system and a demand for a braking operation, the transmission ratio is increased by a transmission control unit, which activates the transmission, to produce increased braking torque at the driven wheels.

Abstract: An automatic brake and steering system and method for a vehicle contains a sensor unit for sensing vehicle state and characteristic variables, and ambient conditions. Furthermore, a control unit and actuator devices are provided for setting the vehicle brake system and/or the vehicle steering system. In order to be able to carry out automatic avoidance maneuvers with maximum safety, an avoidance route is determined if there is an obstacle in the path of the vehicle. Thereby, if there is a further obstacle on the avoidance route, the strategy for determining the avoidance route is applied once more. If it is not possible to find a collision-free avoidance route, that route on which the difference between the remaining braking distance and the remaining distance from the obstacle is smallest is selected.

Abstract: An automatic brake and steering system for a vehicle containing a sensor unit for sensing vehicle state variables and vehicle characteristic variables and ambient conditions. Furthermore, a control unit and actuator devices are provided for setting the vehicle brake system and/or the vehicle steering system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically setting the speed in a vehicle, with the distance and relative speed between the vehicle and an obstacle determined and used as the basis for the calculation of a braking torque and drive torque which are to be generated independently of the driver in order to approximate the vehicle actual speed to a calculated setpoint speed. The speed of the vehicle is adapted to the speed of the obstacle, in which respect a maximum permissible limiting speed must not be exceeded.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle has a detection device for generating signals which describe the operating and vehicle state. The latter signals are supplied to a regulating and control unit which generates actuating signals for switching on and off a vehicle component that influences a brake servo device for automatically producing braking force if the accelerator pedal is not actuated by the driver. This “acceleration—automatic braking” mode is triggered if the brake pedal has been actuated in a prescribed manner within a defined period of time.

Abstract: In a method for classifying the driving style of a driver in a motor vehicle, measured variables indicative of driving style are recorded and driving-style classification figures are determined by a comparison with reference values, parameter settings corresponding to the driving-style classification figures being carried out to adapt the functioning of a regulation and control unit. In order to improve the handling of a motor vehicle with the aid of a driver classification, it is provided that presettings for the driving-style classification figures are stored in the regulation and control unit of the motor vehicle, it being possible to prescribe driving-style classification figures for a plurality of different driver reaction stages, and that the current driver is classified in a prescribed driver reaction stage in the motor vehicle by measuring classifying indicators, and driving-style classification figures corresponding to the driver reaction stage are activated in the regulation and control unit.

Abstract: A braking-force control system and method is provided for a road vehicle having an electrically controllable four-circuit brake system. The braking forces generated by the individual wheel brakes can be adjusted in a wheel-specific way. Adjustment devices on a chassis vary the normal forces acting on the vehicle wheels, with at least one normal-force adjustment device being provided per vehicle wheel. The adjustment devices are configured so that, for the most part, the weight of the vehicle can be supported on one of the front wheels and on the rear wheel of the vehicle which is arranged diagonally opposite the latter. The braking force generated by a front-wheel brake and the rear-wheel brake which lies opposite the latter viewed along the diagonal of the vehicle, corresponds overall to the vehicle weight multiplied by a maximum coefficient of friction which is effective between the carriageway and the braked wheels.

Abstract: A system generates a brake pressure with a pump which delivers a volume into the chamber of a master brake cylinder and builds up a pressure which is used by at least one additional assembly, particularly a power-assisted steering system. The system has at least one distributing and throttling element for admitting a definable pressure to the chamber of the master brake cylinder and/or the additional assembly. The one or more distributing and throttling elements can be triggered, as a function of the brake pedal position and/or of driving condition values and/or of operating values of the vehicle, such that the chamber and/or the additional unit can be acted upon by a pump generated adjustable pressure.

Abstract: A brake master cylinder with a plunger piston is acted upon by a brake linkage. A floating piston is arranged between two working spaces and separates the first and the second working space fluidically from one another. Each of the two working spaces opens into a main brake circuit, and the floating piston is axially movable in the brake master cylinder. A sleeve is axially movable in the brake master cylinder and is provided at least between the floating piston and the wall of the brake master cylinder. The sleeve and the wall of the brake master cylinder each have an opening which, in interaction, connect the first working space, formed by the floating piston and the plunger piston, to a displacement passage at least in the case of a movement of the floating piston into a first position in the direction of a brake actuation. With a movement of the floating piston beyond the first position, the sleeve is moved axially and separates the first working space from the displacement passage.

Abstract: A fluid-mechanical actuator has a cylinder housing and a piston which is guided movably in the cylinder housing. A working chamber can be filled with a fluid and is bounded by the cylinder housing and the piston. By filling the working chamber with fluid, the piston can be displaced in the cylinder housing counter to the effect of a restoring spring and can transmit a force via a working linkage which is arranged on the side of the piston remote from the working chamber. The fluid-mechanical actuator provides both fluid actuation and mechanical actuation. The piston has two sections, a ring and a bushing which is guided out of the working chamber. The working linkage has a supporting ring whose diameter is larger than the inside diameter of the bushing. Thereby a force can be transmitted to the supporting ring by the piston. An actuating linkage is guided in the bushing and is movable relative to the working linkage.

Abstract: In a road vehicle electrohydraulic brake system, each wheel brake is assigned a brake-pressure regulating element which can be controlled by an electric motor. At least one electronic retardation desired-value signal transmitter is actuated by the driver. An electronic control unit produces the required actuating signals for the brake-pressure regulating elements from a comparison of the desired-value input signals with actual-value signals characteristic of the vehicle retardation. The brake-pressure regulating elements each comprises a piston pump. The filling and delivery strokes of these elements are performed in a fixed phase relationship with a pump driving element. The output of the pump per pump cycle is regulated opposite the pressure and, in all cases, is small relative to the output, Q.sub.max, required for coupling the maximum value of the brake pressure P.sub.Bmax into the connected wheel brake.