Abstract: A process for steering a motor vehicle having a superimposition steering system, in which a steering angle input by the driver and an additional angle (supplemental angle) are detected, and in which the steering angle input can be superimposed with the supplemental steering angle in accordance with additional values, particularly driving dynamic values, by a superimposition actuator, such as an electrical motor, and can be superimposed by a superimposition gear in order to adjust a resulting steering angle. A value for a gear input angle of the superimposition gear is determined in accordance with the resulting steering angle of the steering system and in accordance with a value that is directly dependent on the supplemental steering angle or describes the supplemental steering angle.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a wheel lock angle of a wheel of a motor vehicle, in particular of a rear wheel, wherein at least one wheel guide member, by means of which a wheel carrier of the wheel is connected to a vehicle body, wherein the wheel carrier can pivot about a rotational axis which runs substantially parallel to the plane of the wheel and the wheel guide member is coupled to the wheel carrier at a distance from the rotational axis, and wherein the length of the wheel guide member can be adjusted by an actuator, wherein at least one actuator is driven by a motor and at least one control unit, and the control unit includes a computer unit with a memory and a communication interface, and the control unit transmits and receives data via the communication interface by means of at least one communication bus.

Abstract: A method of steering a vehicle with a superimposed steering system, wherein a steering angle input by the driver and an additional angle (additional steering angle) is determined and wherein the additional steering angle can override the input steering angle according to further quantities, in particular diving-dynamics quantities, by means of an electric motor, is characterized in that the method includes a steering angle control with a subordinated current or torque control of the electric motor.

Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system with a steering gear and a hydraulic actuator for supporting a steering wheel actuation by the driver of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, includes components for actively applying an additional steering torque, the components for actively applying an additional steering torque including at least one additional torque actuator and a steering torque detector being mounted as a module on a steering wheel shaft that connects the steering wheel to the steering gear.

Abstract: Steering handle, in particular steering wheel, for motor vehicles, on which means are provided for recognition of a contact between at least one hand of the vehicle driver and the steering handle (free hand recognition).

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic power-assisted steering system comprising a steering gear and a hydraulic actuator for assisting actuation of the steering wheel by the driver of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising an electric motor which is coupled to the steering column and used as an additional torque actuator for actively applying an additional steering torque, also consisting of an electronic control and regulating unit (ECU), which includes a determination unit for determining a steering torque and an evaluating and selecting circuit, by means of which a total value for applying the additional steering torque is determined in consideration of the determined steering torque or a quantity derived therefrom and a selected basic characteristic curve of steering (basic characteristic curve), with the total value of the additional steering torque to be applied including a driver-dependent component and a driver-independent component.

Abstract: A process for steering a motor vehicle with a superimposition steering system, in which a steering angle input by the driver and an additional angle (supplemental angle) are detected, and in which the steering angle input can be superimposed with the supplemental steering angle in accordance with additional values, particularly driving dynamic values, by means of a superimposition actuator, particularly by means of an electrical motor, and can be superimposed by means of a superimposition gear in order to adjust a resulting steering angle, characterized in that, a value for a gear input angle {circumflex over (?)}T (53) of the superimposition gear is determined in accordance with the resulting steering angle of the steering system and in accordance with a value that is directly dependent on the supplemental steering angle or describes the supplemental steering angle.

Abstract: In a piezoelectrically actuated fluid valve the bending transducer includes another bearing point at its second end remote from the immovable bearing and the valve closure member points to the valve seat in a defined partial span width between the two ends of the bending transducer.

Abstract: A heating device includes an electrical heat source for heating a fluid in a fluid line of a motor vehicle, and a heat conducting device which is in connection with the heat source. The heat conducting device is connected with a hose clamp for connecting the heat conducting device to the fluid line. The heat conducting device may include a metal strip, the one end of which is in contact with the heat source and the other end is connected to the clamp. This metal strip facilitates the heat transfer from the heat source through the clamp to the fluid line.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and control systems for controlling an electronically controllable brake actuating system for automotive vehicles, with a depressurized pressure medium supply reservoir, with at least one pressure source which can be controlled by an electronic control unit. The pressure source is used to apply pressure to the wheel brakes of the vehicle, with pressure sensors and pressure control valves being associated with the wheel brakes. The pressure control valves are controllable in an analog manner by means of an electric variable in dependence on the differential pressure applied to them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling an electrically actuated parking brake. Especially, a tip switch is provided which is movable to adopt a tensioning position, a release position, and a neutral position. For example, when the tip switch is moved by the driver to adopt the tensioning position, the control unit increases a nominal value of the actuating force of the parking brake. By actuating the tip switch, the driver is thus able to determine which actuating force is used to actuate the parking brake.

Abstract: With electromechanically or electromotively operated brakes, adjusting a clearance presents a problem because with this type of brakes self-actuating reset means of the type provided for hydraulic brakes cannot be used. For adjustment, a neutral position of the actuator must first be determined in which at least one of the friction linings is in close proximity. To this end, the present invention provides for the change in the actuator current (IAkt) and the change in the actuator position (&phgr;Akt) to be evaluated so as to determine the contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically operable brake system and a method for its actuation. The brake system and the method are characterized in that the service brake system can be activated by two brake operating devices which are operable by the driver independently of each other. The main advantage which results is that upon failure of a brake operating device which is e.g. configured as a brake pedal module, braking of the vehicle can be achieved by means of the service brake system by way of the second brake operating device. The additional functions intended for the service brake system, such as ABS, TCS, driving dynamics control, brake assist system, etc., may then be implemented, if so desired. The redundant design of the actuation for the service brake permits achieving a high degree of operational safety because full braking functions can be maintained even in case of emergency braking.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the motion of an actuator of a vehicle brake including establishing an actuator reference coordinate which is associated with a predetermined actuator reference position, defining an actuator actual coordinate in accordance with the actuator reference coordinate and in accordance with the motion of the actuator, establishing a first permitted actuator motion range from a permitted release end coordinate of the actuator for release of the brake and a first permitted brake application end coordinate of the actuator for application of the brake in accordance with the actuator reference coordinate and outputting a signal when the actuator actual coordinate lies outside the first permitted actuator motion range.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a brake for motor vehicles. The present invention relates to a method as well as a system for controlling a brake for motor vehicles, which can be electromechanically actuated by means of an actuator, consisting of an electric motor as well as a drive mechanism positioned downstream of the electric motor. In order to be able to increase motor speed under certain operating conditions, i.e. according to demand, without reducing the available torque, the invention provides for the slope of the speed-torque characteristic curve of the electric motor (4) to be modified by weakening components of the electromagnetic field of said electric motor (4), which affect the dynamics of same, in such a way that a higher speed (&ohgr;′1) is obtained at the same torque (M1).

Abstract: With electromechanically or electromotively operated brakes, adjusting a clearance presents a problem because with this type of brakes self-actuating reset means of the type provided for hydraulic brakes cannot be used. For adjustment, a neutral position of the actuator must first be determined in which at least one of the friction linings is in close proximity. To this end, the present invention provides for the change in the actuator current (IAkt), the change in the actuator position (&phgr;Akt), and the rigidity of the system as derived from the actuator force as a function of actuator position to be evaluated so as to determine the contact.

Abstract: A device for determining set values for the braking forces or braking torque of the brake system of a vehicle comprising an electric drive, a friction brake applying braking forces to all wheels according to corresponding set values, an electrodynamic regenerative brake applying braking forces to at least one axle according to corresponding set values, and an element for determining the set values according to the desired vehicle deceleration, wherein such element for determining the set values according to the deceleration requirement either makes the set value for the electric regenerative as large as possible or sets the set values for the electrodynamic regenerative brake and for the friction brake primarily according to criteria concerning the distribution of the braking forces on the axles. In addition, an element for correcting a set value for the friction brake, preferably at the front axle according to the dynamic behavior of the electrodynamic regenerative brake may be provided.

Abstract: A controlled brake booster that may have an external trigger is provided. The brake booster includes a control circuit, an electromagnet positioned within the control circuit that activates the brake booster, a superordinated function unit and at least one signal processing device for determining a parameter that is related to the temperature of the electromagnet from values processed in the control circuit. Nominal value for the electromagnet, in the form of a mathematical model, and actual values pertaining to the electromagnet are processed in the control circuit. A preferred embodiment of the booster utilizes internal magnetic signals without requiring special temperature sensory equipment.

Abstract: Electrical direct current actuators, which have a distinct low-pass behavior with respect to the actuating signal, are frequently used in electronic control and regulation devices. Typical examples of such actuators are d.c. motors or electromagnets. In order to minimize the power losses when controlling such electric d.c. actuators, the associated power amplifiers usually are controlled by a pulse-width modulated actuating signal in the kHz frequency. In order to ensure that the actuator also is activated with the predefined actuating signal when there are variations in the supply direct voltage, the calculated actuating signal is multiplied by a scaling factor in a first functional module, with this scaling factor being obtained in another functional module on the basis of the relationship between the actual supply voltage and the nominal supply voltage.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electromechanical brake system, in particular for automotive vehicles, which includes a pedal module and at least two brake modules. Further, a central module may be provided. Connection between the aforementioned modules can be made by a data bus. The data bus is provided redundantly. In one embodiment, the central module can evaluate signals of a sensor system and examine them for their errors. Further, the central module can emit a corresponding nominal braking value which then is emitted to the brake modules. Thereupon, the brake modules determine appropriate actuating signals for the actuators which interact with the wheels in order to realize the driver's braking intention.