Abstract: The invention relates to an anisotropic stray light or sun screen for a camera in a motor vehicle, wherein this sun screen shields the camera lens from stray light coming from the vehicle interior or is reflected by a window of the vehicle. The sun screen is thereby however designed in such a manner that a vehicle occupant can see the surroundings of the vehicle through the shield.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for assisting the driver of a vehicle in maintaining a traffic lane limited by traffic lane markings, the traffic lane markings and the position of the vehicle in the traffic lane are detected. Upon an actual or impending change of traffic lanes a lane change warning is output to the driver of the vehicle in a first step, and a course correcting actuating intervention counteracting the lane change is carried out in a second step. The actuating intervention is carried out only if the change of traffic lanes is impermissible due to the type of traffic lane marking to be crossed during the traffic lane change, or if the lane change is not possible without danger due to collision-endangering objects present on the side of the traffic lane.

Abstract: The opening of vehicle doors often leads to collisions with stationary obstacles that are not visible to the occupants or with moving obstacles that approach the vehicle without being noticed. Thus to avoid collisions when vehicle doors are opened, the aim of the invention is to take any modifications to the environmental situation of the vehicle as a result of a movement of the vehicle and the detected objects into consideration. This allows a collision of the vehicle doors with the objects to be reliably avoided. To achieve this, in a first step the probable trajectory of a vehicle is determined. In an additional step, the objects in the vicinity of the vehicle are detected and probable trajectories of said detected objects are determined. Respective probability ranges are then defined both for the vehicle and the pivoting zone of the vehicle doors and for the detected objects.

Abstract: A steering system (1) of a vehicle, having a steering wheel (2) which is connected mechanically to the steerable vehicle wheels (11) via a steering column (3). A superimposition actuator (26) which can be actuated independently of the driver by a control device (25) is provided for generating a superimposition variable (U). A superimposition device (6) superimposes a steering wheel variable (?H) which describes the steering actuation of the steering wheel (2) and the superimposition variable (U) to form an output variable. A steering actuator (19) sets a steering angle (?L) at the steerable vehicle wheels (20) as a function of the output variable. An actuating device (27) is provided which is actuated by the control device (25) in order to generate an actuating device torque (MS) which acts on the steering column.

Abstract: The opening of vehicle doors often leads to collisions with stationary obstacles that are not visible to the occupants or with moving obstacles that approach the vehicle without being noticed. Thus to avoid collisions when vehicle doors are opened, the aim of the invention is to take any modifications to the environmental situation of the vehicle as a result of a movement of the vehicle and the detected objects into consideration. This allows a collision of the vehicle doors with the objects to be reliably avoided. To achieve this, in a first step the portable trajectory of a vehicle is determnined. In an additional step, the objects in the vicinity of the vehicle are detected and probable trajectories of said detected objects are determined. Respective probability ranges are then defined both for the vehicle and the pivoting zone of the vehicle doors and for the detected objects.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the longitudinal movement of a vehicle (3), in particular by means of a longitudinal movement control system, wherein, for vehicle speeds above a threshold speed, the vehicle speed is adjusted to a higher selected set speed if no vehicle (8) traveling in front is detected, and if a vehicle (8) traveling in front is detected the distance from this vehicle (8) traveling in front is adjusted, below the threshold speed the longitudinal movement of the vehicle (3) is controlled only if a vehicle (8) traveling in front is detected. As a result, an inter-vehicle distance control system can be implemented over a relatively large speed range.

Abstract: 1. Method and device for assisting the driver of a vehicle during a parking maneuver. 2.1. Known devices for assisting the driver of a vehicle during the execution of a parking maneuver usually comprise surroundings-sensing means for sensing and measuring potential parking gaps, means for determining a parking strategy and information means for outputting instructions to the driver, which instructions guide him into the parking gap. The new method and the new device are intended to provide the driver with better assistance during the execution of the parking maneuver. 2.2. For this purpose, a parking situation image on which the parking gap, an optimum setpoint position and a first and second vehicle are represented in a plan view is displayed to the driver on an image display device.

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 control method and apparatus for combating knocking in internal combustion engines which automatically adapts itself to the internal combustion engine to be controlled and, as a result of the automatic adaptation, is capable of employment, without adjustments, on different model-lines and on the individual examples of the internal combustion engines, within these lines and falling within the permissible scatter-range.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for an adjusting installation of a seat adapted to be actuated manually or programmed, especially of a vehicle seat, with adjusting motors and with an electronic circuit which gives priority to the manual seat adjustment over a programmed seat adjustment, which, in case of a relay or adjusting motor defect, opens up the corresponding circuit, which in case of a simultaneous actuation of several position buttons, interrupts a programmed seat adjustment and which after interruption of the energy supply permits a programmed seat adjustment only after renewed storage of a seat position.

Abstract: A device for detecting the failure of a sensor which is installed on machine elements which are fitted with rotating parts, a reference signal being obtained from the output signal of the sensor, the reference signal being compared, in a comparator, with the output signal of the sensor, the output pulses from the comparator being employed to trigger a retriggerable one-shot multivibrator circuit. The absence of the output signal initiates an alarm and/or an adjustment of certain machine sub-systems. The arrangement can be employed for monitoring the most diverse types of sensor, for example for monitoring knock sensors in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A device for detecting undesirable combustion processes in internal combustion engines having spark-ignition systems, an acceleration sensor and a band-pass filter tuned to a frequency of a knocking vibration, with an output value of the filter being compared with a reference value, whereby results of the comparison are compared with undesirable combustion processes to be detected. Body noise signals received by the acceleration sensor pass through a band-pass filter. A series circuit composed of a band-blocking filter tuned to the frequency of the knocking vibration, including an r.m.s. rectifier and an amplifier, is provided through which the body noise signal received by the acceleration sensor is converted into a reference signal. A comparator is provided when the reference signal and the knocking signal are compared with one another, whereby an output signal appears when the knocking signal exceeds the reference signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting undesirable combustion characteristics in spark-ignited internal combustion engines. A sensor and band-pass filter tuned to the frequency of the knock vibration are provided with an output of the band-pass filter being compared with a reference value. The result of the comparison is correlated with undesirable combustion characteristics to be recognized. A rectifier is provided for solid borne sound signals received by the sensor with the signals passing through the band-pass filter. The signal is rectified in the rectifier to a knock signal and a series circuit composed of a band-stop filter tuned to the frequency of the knock vibration, an r.m.s. rectifier, and an amplifier is provided by means of which the sound signal received by the sensor is converted into a reference signal. A comparator is provided when the reference signal and the knock signals are compared and an output signal is generated if the knock signal exceeds the reference signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting undesirable combustion characteristics in spark-ignited internal combustion engines. A sensor and a band-pass filter tuned to the frequency of the knock vibration are provided with an output of the band-pass filter being compared with a reference value. The result of the comparison is correlated with undesirable combustion characteristics to be recognized. A rectifier is provided for solid-borne sound signals received by the sensor with the signals passing through the band-pass filter. The signal is rectified in the rectifier to a knock signal and a series circuit made up of a band-stop filter tuned to the frequency of the knock vibration, an rms rectifier, and an amplifier is provided by means of which the sound signal received by the sensor is converted into a reference signal. A comparator is provided when the reference signal and the knock signal are compared with each other and an output signal appears if the knock signal exceeds the reference signal.