Abstract: A method for functional testing of a lateral-acceleration sensor in a vehicle equipped with a dynamic stability control system. To simulate dynamic acceleration during driving on a curve, the sensor is checked by gravitational acceleration under static conditions. The method involves positioning the vehicle on a transverse ramp with known angle of inclination and comparing the acceleration force measured by the lateral-acceleration sensor with a preset sensor value determined on the basis of the angle of inclination of the ramp. The comparison is performed on the basis of amplitude and sign, and installation errors can be diagnosed based on an error log.

Abstract: A method for functional testing of a lateral-acceleration sensor in a vehicle equipped with a dynamic stability control system. To simulate dynamic acceleration during driving on a curve, the sensor is checked by gravitational acceleration under static conditions. The method involves positioning the vehicle on a transverse ramp with known angle of inclination and comparing the acceleration force measured by the lateral-acceleration sensor with a preset sensor value determined on the basis of the angle of inclination of the ramp. The comparison is performed on the basis of amplitude and sign, and installation errors can be diagnosed based on an error log.

Abstract: A method of controlling travel behavior of a vehicle provides assistance to the driver of the vehicle before the occurrence of travel conditions which are difficult to control. A vehicle taking a curve tends not to follow the travel curve indicated by steering, often resulting in understeering as the travel speed increases. At very high speeds in a curve, such behavior can lead to conditions that are difficult for the driver to control. Rather than intervening when an unstable travel state is already present and control of the vehicle rendered difficult, as practiced in conventional systems and processes for the regulation of travel dynamics, the wheel brake of a rear wheel of the vehicle on the inside of the curve is already subjected to a weak braking force when a relatively minor tendency to understeer occurs, so that the understeering tendency is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Implementation of a travel dynamics control system in a vehicle is facilitated by integration of same with other operational components of an electrically controlled vehicle braking system. In an embodiment of the invention, travel dynamics electronics are integrated with the braking system electronics. In another embodiment, a yawing speed sensor and a transverse acceleration sensor are integrated with the travel dynamics electronics.

Abstract: A method for the processing of sensor signals in a digital electronic system including a microprocessor, in which computed magnitudes are derived from the signals emitted by the sensors, and wherein the magnitudes are compared with one another to recognize certain travel situations. In order to carry out these comparisons simply and reliably using an economical microprocessor and cost-efficient sensors while applying simple computing steps, the comparison of two magnitudes derived from the sensor signals is carried out first on a level of the representation of one magnitude, for example, an angular yawing speed, and a second time on a level of the representation of the other magnitude, such as, for example, a steering angle. By this method, one comparison result supports the other. The method is advantageously used in a vehicle with a device for the control of travel stability, and preferably for the recognition of reverse travel.

Abstract: A process for reducing yaw during braking in a vehicle having an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traveling on a roadway having different coefficients of friction on opposite sides of the vehicle comprises regulating the braking pressures in the wheels of the vehicle during ABS-controlled braking so that a permissible braking pressure difference (.DELTA.P) between the braking pressures in the high and low wheels is maintained. The permissible braking pressure difference (.DELTA.P) is calculated by an electronic system based on an algorithm that takes into account the frictional value of the road, and/or the load on the vehicle, and/or the wheel base of the vehicle, and/or the wheel gauge of the vehicle, and/or the level of the center-of-gravity of the vehicle. The algorithm increases the value of the permissible braking pressure difference (.DELTA.P) as the frictional value of the road, the load of the vehicle, and the wheel base of the vehicle increase.

Abstract: An apparatus for the recognition of a rising slope is provided in particular for commercial vehicles, such as trucks or busses. The device comprises at least one sensor (1) for the axle load of the rear axle and/or of the front axle, as well as a device (4) for measuring the vehicle acceleration relative to the road. The signals of the sensor (1) and of the device (4) are fed into an electronics (2). The electronics (2) recognizes from these fed-in data, whether the vehicle is disposed on an uphill grade or on a downhill grade or on level ground. The thus generated signal can be further employed in various electronic systems, for example, in an automatic drawbar force control system.