Abstract: A method and associated safety system are provided for the recognition of defects in a drive system of a motor vehicle, having an electronically controllable brake control system and having at least one electronically controlled driving engine, an electronically controllable clutch and/or having an electronically controllable transmission. An electronic braking control device is assigned to the brake control system, which braking control device is connected with an independent monitoring module. The independent monitoring module checks for an occurrence of an implausible braking torque, for detecting a defect in the drive system.

Abstract: A method and associated safety system are provided for the recognition of defects in a drive system of a motor vehicle, having an electronically controllable brake control system and having at least one electronically controlled driving engine, an electronically controllable clutch and/or having an electronically controllable transmission. An electronic braking control device is assigned to the brake control system, which braking control device is connected with an independent monitoring module. The independent monitoring module checks for an occurrence of an implausible braking torque, for detecting a defect in the drive system.

Abstract: An electrical system comprised of at least two control modules as well as at least one power supply module. The present invention improves functional reliability of electrical systems by configuring a power supply module as a smart device and connecting it to at least one of the control modules for the purpose of data exchange and, in case of a malfunction, transforming the control module(s) to one of a stand-alone operating mode and a cut-off state.

Abstract: A method of guiding a multitrack vehicle on a curved path which is defined by the vehicle driver by way of a set steering angle or the like, a curved-path signal representing this desired curved path being guided in a form appropriately revised by an electronic control unit to a steering actuator influencing the steering angle of at least one steerable vehicle wheel is provided. The curved-path signal formed of the set steering angle and of the vehicle speed and, in particular, representing the yaw rate can be used in the sense of a pilot control not only for the appropriate controlling of the steering actuator but also for the appropriate change of the longitudinal force at the wheels of at least one vehicle side, so that, in addition to or instead of the setting of the steering angle, in addition or by itself, a longitudinal force can be applied to at least one vehicle wheel in order to travel the desired curved path.

Abstract: An electrical system comprised of at least two control modules as well as at least one power supply module. The present invention improves functional reliability of electrical systems by configuring a power supply module as a smart device and connecting it to at least one of the control modules for the purpose of data exchange and, in case of a malfunction, transforming the control module(s) to one of a stand-alone operating mode and a cut-off state.

Abstract: A method of guiding a multitrack vehicle on a curved path which is defined by the vehicle driver by way of a set steering angle or the like, a curved-path signal representing this desired curved path being guided in a form appropriately revised by an electronic control unit to a steering actuator influencing the steering angle of at least one steerable vehicle wheel is provided. The curved-path signal formed of the set steering angle and of the vehicle speed and, in particular, representing the yaw rate can be used in the sense of a pilot control not only for the appropriate controlling of the steering actuator but also for the appropriate change of the longitudinal force at the wheels of at least one vehicle side, so that, in addition to or instead of the setting of the steering angle, in addition or by itself, a longitudinal force can be applied to at least one vehicle wheel in order to travel the desired curved path.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a steering handle having a center position, a steer-by-wire system, and a steer feel control system. The steer-by-wire system senses the position of the steering handle and controls the steering angle of a steerable vehicle wheel as a function of the position of the steering handle. The steer feel control system includes a motor that is operatively associated with the steering handle, and has first and second modes of operation. In the first mode, the steer feel control system applies a force to the steering handle as a function of vehicle's operating condition, and in the second mode, the motor may be shorted. The steer feel control system may also include a spring that biases the steering handle towards to the center position. A method is used to provide steering feel to a steering handle of a vehicle having a steer-by-wire system and a steer feel control system, when the steer feel control system fails.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.