Abstract: The most important aspect of brake systems in motor vehicles functioning according to the brake-by-wire principle is that the driver's braking requirements are detected quickly and reliably. Fulfilling this requirement primarily depends on the pedal sensor system associated with the brake pedal and its measuring devices for determining the characteristic values of the brake pedal actuation. The present invention provides for at least two measuring devices for determining the braking requirement, with such measuring devices sensing the same characteristic value of the brake pedal actuation, e.g. the brake-pedal actuation force, brake-pedal travel or brake-pedal angle. These braking requirement signals are compared to a signal from a third measuring device in order to monitor the braking requirement measuring devices.

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: A driver-assist system on a motor vehicle with a servo-assisted steering systems, whereby environmental data for an instantaneous traffic situation are detected or estimated, instantaneous movement data of the vehicle are detected or estimated, and the detected or estimated environmental data are compared with the movement data of the vehicle and the zero point of the characteristic curve for the steering action is displaced according to said comparison.

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: 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: 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: The vehicle steering system includes a steering operating device operable by the driver, in particular a hand steering wheel, each one electromechanical actuator for controlling of each steerable wheel of a wheel pair on a steerable vehicle axle at the right and left side of a vehicle body, means which, in the event of failure or a malfunction of one of the two actuators associated with a steerable vehicle axle, ensure the control of the two vehicle wheels of this vehicle axle by the respectively other, still functioning actuator, at least one set-value transducer for a steering angle being adjusted that is operable by the steering operating device, at least one actual-value transducer recording the steering angle of the vehicle wheels, a central control unit which controls the electromechanical actuators in dependence on a comparison of a signal of the actual-value transducer (actual value) with a signal of the set-value transducer (set value), and a data transmission unit which establishes a data communicat

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.

Abstract: Electronic brake systems are functionally split-up safety-critical real-time systems which are subject to high standards with regard to error detection and error handling. This invention describes a method and corresponding device for error handling in such systems which permits only a few defined system conditions, inclusive of a pre-check, with the transition from one system condition to the next condition only being possible if certain defined events take place.

Abstract: An electromechanical brake system, particularly for motor vehicles, with a pedal simulator and brake modules is disclosed. A central module is also provided. The connection between the aforesaid modules can be provided by a data bus. The central module evaluates the braking request signals from a sensor device and checks them for errors. Also, a central module supplies and appropriate desired braking value based on the braking request and possibly higher functions such as ABS or ASR. The desired braking value is then conveyed on to the brake module, which then determines the corresponding control signals for the actuators, which interact with the wheels in order to brake the vehicle as the driver requires.

Abstract: There is the problem of adjusting a clearance in electromechanically or electromotively operated brakes because automatic resetting means, which are provided for hydraulic brakes, cannot be used in brakes of the above type. Initially, it is necessary to determine a neutral position of the motor which is defined by the friction elements just abutting the brake disc in this position. This situation is determined by a detection device which exhibits the following operation in one preferred embodiment. The motor is driven from an unknown position by a constant motor torque so that the friction linings are moved towards the brake disc. The motor will speed up because the resistances remain constant in the starting stroke. An abrupt deceleration of the motor will be caused when the friction linings are applied to the brake disc. The zero passage of the angular acceleration can be sensed and interpreted as an application of the friction linings on the brake disc.