Abstract: A system for controlling a positioning unit in a motor vehicle includes various control units that influence the positioning unit coupled thereto. A drive slip control and an automatic transmission control both supply a control signal. Yet another control signal is dependent upon a driver request signal. For a period of time, the control signal from the automatic transmission control takes precedence over the other control signals.

Abstract: Vehicle speed is measured during slip-free travel of the wheels and compared with the wheel speeds to determine correction values which correct for different wheel diameters. The correction values are used to continuously correct the wheel speeds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting road speed in electrically controlled diesel engines. The output signal of the road-speed transducer or, if the road-speed transducer is defective, the output signal of the engine speed transducer is evaluated by means of pregiven thresholds. In the presence of a simultaneous clutch signal and a quantity signal which is less than a pregiven injection quantity a waiting time is made available in advance of the quantity reduction so that when the clutch is actuated, fuel can be metered when the clutch pedal is depressed or the vehicle can be started on a hill. No transmission signal is necessary for limiting road speed whereby manipulations on the road-speed limitation are prevented.

Abstract: All but one of the microcomputers in a multi-computer system are equipped with a rapid-access read-write memory and a fixed content nonvolatile read-only memory. Each of these read-only memories, however, stores a multiplicity of varieties of one or more sets of data, so that, in the case of a computer system for a motor vehicle engine, the same system can be used in any of a large number of vehicle models. One of the microcomputers of the system has a programmable memory which is programmed at the time of installation to designate the portions of the fixed memories that are to be utilized. When the system is turned on, the programmed memory designation number is stored in the read-write memory of all of the computers of the system, with the result that the designated portion of each fixed read-only memory is always referred to in any computer of the system. It is not important that, when the system is turned off, the memory content of the read-write memories is lost.

Abstract: In an automotive engine control microcomputer the frequency of interrupt programs initiated by a pulse from an engine speed tachogenerator is prevented from being excessive as a result of loose connections or other malfunctions or distrubances by blocking the access of tachogenerator pulses to the interrupt port of the microcomputer for a predetermined interval following a successful interrupt from that source. If another signal that would produce an interrupt from that source is received during that interval, a circumstance indicative of probable malfunction, the blocking of interrupts from that source is continued for another interval of the same length.

Abstract: A method for monitoring of a tachometer signal is suggested, wherein the tachometer output signal is not only monitored with respect to its presence, but in addition also with respect to its plausibility. One exemplified embodiment may be realized with the assistance of a correspondingly programmed computer, wherein the tachometer signal change is checked to determine whether it is within predetermined limits. Furthermore, a possibility of reciprocating switching between erroneous and non-erroneous speed signals is eliminated.

Abstract: An emergency control device for a diesel internal combustion engine with electronically controlled fuel proportioning, which enables an optimal emergency driving operation in case of a defect of the transmitter or transmitters for the actual value of fuel volume. In the event of an error, the mechanism determining the desired value of fuel volume during normal operation, and the fuel volume regulating device, are separated from the fuel proportioning device and the latter is controlled by a special emergency driving signal. An error in the transmitters for the actual value of fuel volume is recognized in that this signal does not fall in the allowable area for the actual value of fuel volume. A first signal, which, together with a second signal, gives the emergency driving signal, is formed from the speed and the accelerator position. The second signal consists substantially of the differentiated speed signal.

Abstract: To permit connecting a display characterizing a malfunction, for example malfunction in an automotive vehicle, or another monitored apparatus, and a warning lamp to alert an operator that a malfunction is being indicated to a single connecting line (SL), a coded representation characterizing the malfunction in the form of short pulses (I; 1, 2) is transmitted on the same line, with pulses which are so short that the response inertia of the warning lamp does not perceptively change its brightness (or darkness) level, as controlled by the operating voltage of the warning lamp between a high and a low value. The coded pulse representation is decoded in a microprocessor (MP) and displayed on a display (A) forming part of an evaluation device, coupled to the same single communication line (SL) which may be a single wire with chassis or ground return, or a two-wire connection.

Abstract: A method of safeguarding operation of an internal combustion engine is based on the provision of two electrically controlled fuel supply pumps delivering fuel from a tank to a fuel metering device. During the start of the engine both fuel supplying pumps are activated. During a normal engine operation when rotary speed exceeds an iling value, a random fuel supplying pump is turned off. In a defect situation resulting from malfunction of the active pump both pumps are turned on to maintain fuel supply by the other pump. In an emergency situation when for example actual rotary speed exceeds a maximum value, both fuel supplying pumps are activated in reverse to suck fuel from the metering device and cause the standstill of the engine.

Abstract: To reduce the transmission requirement of transmitting data between brake controlled microprocessors (7, 8, 9; 20-25) and a reference microprocessor, or reference microprocessor section (15) within one of the wheel speed microprocessors, the microprocessors are connected in a ring connection, or ring bus (13; 26, 27). The microprocessors generate, in each processing cycle, a code number based on the then pertaining operating conditions of the wheel or axle with which the respective microprocessor is associated. A code number determines one of several slopes for changing the reference signal. The code numbers are applied to the ring connection and thus to the reference microprocessor, where they are compared with stored code numbers, in which the stored code numbers are arranged in a predetermined priority sequence.