Abstract: A device and method for stabilizing a combination of a tractor vehicle and least one semitrailer or trailer, the brakes of at least one semitrailer or trailer being set automatically as a function of the yaw rate of the tractor vehicle and the setpoint yaw rate of the tractor vehicle, or as a function of the yaw rate of the tractor vehicle, the speed of the combination and the steering angle.

Abstract: A device and a method for stabilizing a combination of a tractor vehicle and at least one semitrailer or trailer is described, where the trailer or semitrailer is automatically braked if the semitrailer or trailer buckles with respect to the tractor vehicle at a buckling rate which is greater than a predetermined limit buckling rate.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a motor vehicle, preferably to prevent a vehicle from rolling over about a vehicle axis oriented in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. To do so, a quantity describing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle is determined. This quantity is compared with at least one characteristic value, in particular a threshold value, for this quantity. For the case when the quantity describing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the characteristic value, a speed of the vehicle is reduced to or maintained at a preselectable speed value at least by braking measures on at least one wheel and/or by engine measures and/or by retarder measures (SR).

Abstract: A device and method for determining a roadway gradient quantity, which describes the gradient of a roadway on which a vehicle is situated, is described. The device includes a liquid container, which is mounted to the vehicle and contains a liquid, at least one pressure sensor, which is mounted in the bottom of the liquid container and is used to ascertain a pressure quantity which describes the hydrostatic pressure in the liquid container, and an evaluation unit to which the pressure sensor is connected. In the evaluation unit, the roadway gradient quantity is determined as a function of the pressure quantity.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a vehicle combination made up of a tractor vehicle and a trailer or semitrailer. For this purpose, the apparatus contains a first determination arrangement used to determine an inflection angle variable that describes the angle between the longitudinal axis of the tractor vehicle and the longitudinal axis of the trailer or semitrailer. The apparatus also contains a processing arrangement with which a comparison is performed as a function of the inflection angle variable and a comparison variable. The apparatus contains a first actuator arrangement associated with the trailer or semitrailer and with which a brake pressure can be established at at least one wheel of the trailer or semitrailer. The first actuator arrangement is actuated at least as a function of the comparison performed with the processing arrangement.

Abstract: A mass value is determined which represents the mass of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a drive unit and a clutch unit. By the disengagement of the clutch unit, the force flow between the drive unit and the vehicle wheels can be essentially interrupted. At least a first acceleration value is detected which represents the vehicle acceleration at a first time point. Furthermore, at least a first drive value is detected which represents the drive force or the drive torque of the drive unit at the first time point. At least a second acceleration value is detected which represents the vehicle acceleration at a second time point whereat the clutch unit is disengaged. A comparison then takes place of the detected second acceleration value with at least one pregivable threshold value. The determination of the mass value takes place at least in dependence upon the comparison and at least in dependence upon the detected first acceleration value and the detected first drive value.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, having a steering wheel, a steering gear and a steering module, disposed between them, for superimposed steering engagement by a controlled electric motor. The electric motor has an input shaft connected to the steering wheel and an output shaft connected to the steering gear. For the sake of structurally simplifying the steering module, the electric motor is in direct engagement, in line with a clutch that can be engaged and disengaged, with the input shaft via a first gear, and the electric motor is in direct engagement with the output shaft via a second gear.

Abstract: A quantity describing the wheel rpm is determined for at least one wheel in this method of determining a quantity describing the height of the center of gravity of a vehicle. A quantity describing wheel performance is determined for at least one wheel at least as a function of the quantity describing the wheel rpm of the corresponding wheel. A quantity describing the height of the center of gravity of the vehicle is determined at least as a function of the quantity that is determined for at least one wheel and describes wheel performance of this wheel. This method of determining the quantity describing the height of the center of gravity of a vehicle is used as part of a method of stabilizing the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for automatic following guidance, particularly for heavy-traffic automatic following guidance, of a motor vehicle (1), designed to ease the burden on the driver in heavy-traffic situations both by taking over lateral guidance by means of an automatic steering regulation system and by maintaining a set distance from a leading vehicle. The latter function requires an adaptive cruise and braking regulation system with “stop” and “go” function. According to the invention, selection and decision means (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) are provided that select both the regulating parameters and the types of controllers [sic], e.g., following guidance of the motor vehicle (1) on the basis of lane markings recognized by means of a video camera or on the basis of a recognized leading vehicle.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a vehicle in particular to prevent overturning, in which a strategy is selected from at least two different strategies as a function of a quantity describing or corresponding to whether an overturn tendency about a vehicle axis oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle exists, and which may be determined at least as a function of a quantity describing or corresponding to the wheel behavior of at least one wheel, and which may also be determined a function of a comparison which is carried out as a function of a quantity describing or corresponding to the lateral dynamics of the vehicle and of a characteristic value that is determined as a function of a quantity describing or corresponding to the instantaneous friction conditions.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for detecting a tendency of a vehicle to tip about a vehicle axis oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. To this end, a variable is ascertained describing the dynamics of the vehicle linear motion. The detection strategy used for detecting the tendency of the vehicle to tip is selected from at least two detection strategies at least as a function of the variable describing the dynamics of the vehicle linear motion and/or the detection strategy used for detecting a tendency of the vehicle to tip is adapted, at least as a function of the variable describing the dynamics of the vehicle linear motion, to the dynamics of the vehicle linear motion existing at any one time.

Abstract: A method and a device for regulated actuation of a proportionally operated solenoid valve are described. The described method and the described device are distinguished by the fact that the actuation of the solenoid valve takes place under consideration for the regulating processes which were necessary prior to such time in order to operate the solenoid valve according to specifications.

Abstract: A method and a system for ascertaining a mass value representing the vehicle mass of a motor vehicle, particularly of a commercial vehicle, having a drive unit. An acquisition at least of a first and a second acceleration value is provided for this determination. These acceleration values represent the vehicle acceleration at a first and a second point of time. Further, at least one first and one second drive value are acquired. These drive values represent the drive force or the drive torque of the drive unit at the first and the second point of time. At least as a function of the acquired acceleration values and the acquired drive values, at least a first and a second driving-resistance value are then determined. The mass value is ascertained at least as a function of a comparison of the determined first driving-resistance or mass estimated value to the determined second driving-resistance or mass estimated value.

Abstract: A method and a device serve to detect a tendency of a vehicle to roll over about a vehicle axis oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. To do so, a variable describing the wheel rpm is determined for at least one wheel. Furthermore, at least one variable representing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle is determined. For at least one wheel, a variable describing the wheel behavior quantitatively is determined at least as a function of the variable describing the wheel rpm of the corresponding wheel and one of the variables representing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle. Whether the vehicle has a tendency to roll over about a vehicle axis oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is determined at least as a function of the variable determined for at least one wheel, describing the wheel behavior of this wheel quantitatively.

Abstract: A device and method for stabilizing a combination of a tractor vehicle and at least one semitrailer or trailer, the brakes of the at least one semitrailer or trailer being set automatically as a function of the yaw rate of the tractor vehicle and the setpoint yaw rate of the tractor vehicle, or as a function of the yaw rate of the tractor vehicle, the speed of the combination and the steering angle.

Abstract: A device and a method for stabilizing a combination of a tractor vehicle and at least one semitrailer or trailer is described, where the trailer or semitrailer is automatically braked if the semitrailer or trailer buckles with respect to the tractor vehicle at a buckling rate which is greater than a predetermined limit buckling rate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus relate to the detection of a tilt tendency of a vehicle about a vehicle axis oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. For this purpose, for at least one wheel, a variable describing the wheel rotation speed and at least one variable representing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle are ascertained. As a function of one of the variables representing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle, braking torques and/or drive torques are briefly generated and/or modified at at least one wheel. While the braking torques and/or drive torques at the at least one wheel are being briefly generated and/or modified, and/or after they have been briefly generated and/or modified, a variable which quantitatively describes the wheel behavior is determined for that at least one wheel, as a function of the variable describing the wheel rotation speed of that wheel.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling the brake system of a vehicle consisting of at least two component vehicles is described, where the brake system of the second component vehicle is controlled from the first component vehicle. The first time the brake pedal is actuated or the first time the brake pedal is released after the braking force has been built up, actuation pulses for the brake system of the second component vehicle are formed, which are derived from the application point of the brakes of the second component vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular mass is determined, or a signal indicative thereof is generated, in particular for a commercial vehicle having a towing vehicle and a trailer/semitrailer. The vehicle has actuatable braking devices, which act, in particular, on the wheels of the towing vehicle and/or on the wheels of the trailer/semitrailer. At least one first acceleration value representing the vehicle's acceleration before the braking device is actuated, and at least one second acceleration value representing the vehicle's acceleration after the braking device is actuated, are measured. The vehicular mass or the signal indicative of the vehicular mass are determined and produced, respectively, as a function of the first and second measured acceleration values.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling the brake system of a vehicle consisting of at least two component vehicles are proposed, where at least one of these component vehicles is equipped with an electrically controlled brake system. As a function of the actuation of the brake pedal, nominal values for the control of the wheel brakes are formed. An actuating variable for controlling the wheel brakes of the second component vehicle is formed in this first component vehicle. During a braking operation of the complete vehicle, the actuating variable for one component vehicle is modified by a value which, in the event that the brakes of the first component vehicle are not engaged, is determined by adjustment of the actuating variable for the second component vehicle or by adjustment of the nominal values for the wheel brake of the first component vehicle.