Abstract: The mounting component (2) includes a module rack (4), on which components (6, 10) of a vehicle electrical system have been mounted beforehand, and is intended for installation in the motor vehicle (18) together with the previously mounted components (6, 10). At least one additional module of the vehicle electrical system (11) that extends beyond the spatial limit of the module rack (4) is connected by prior assembly with the components (6, 10) arranged on the module rack (4). The module rack (4) also serves as a self-contained transportation base for both the pre-assembled components (6, 10) and the additional electrical system module (11). This configuration enables a high degree of pre-assembly and thus also simplifies final assembly.

Abstract: The mounting component (2) includes a module rack (4), on which components (6, 10) of a vehicle electrical system have been mounted beforehand, and is intended for installation in the motor vehicle (18) together with the previously mounted components (6, 10). At least one additional module of the vehicle electrical system (11) that extends beyond the spatial limit of the module rack (4) is connected by prior assembly with the components (6, 10) arranged on the module rack (4). The module rack (4) also serves as a self-contained transportation base for both the pre-assembled components (6, 10) and the additional electrical system module (11). This configuration enables a high degree of pre-assembly and thus also simplifies final assembly.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine with a crankshaft which can be connected, via an interposed clutch, to a gearbox input shaft of a change-speed gearbox, and having an electric machine—for example an electric motor or a starter-generator—which is provided in the drive arrangement and which has a stator and a rotor. The electric machine, in order to step down its rotational speed, is operatively connected to the crankshaft and/or the gearbox input shaft via a step-down gear mechanism. The step-down gear mechanism is designed as an epicyclic gear mechanism, which has a sun gear, an internal gear and a number of planet gears. The epicyclic gear mechanism can be switched or clutch-operated via two clutches.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a float arrangement for liquid tanks in a housing with a cylindrical or prismatic cavity, one or more inflow openings being disposed at the bottom of the cavity and there being arranged at the top thereof at least one outlet opening that can be closed by the top of the float; according to the invention, disposed at the top and the bottom of the float are guiding elements of reduced cross section, extending approximately coaxially with the longitudinal axis thereof and cooperating with counterparts at the top or the bottom of the cavity.

Abstract: An electric machine which can be operated optionally as a motor or generator and in particular can be installed in the drive train of a motor vehicle with a hybrid drive. The machine includes a stator and a rotor of substantially cylindrical shape, The rotor is positioned about the stator to form a circumferential air gap between the stator and the rotor. An integrated switchable clutch is provided for the transmission of torque. The rotor is arranged on the outside (external-rotor machine) of the stator and the clutch is arranged within the stator.

Abstract: A process for changing the speed of a vehicle with driving wheels and with a continuously adjustable speed/torque characteristic in the drive train, in particular a vehicle with electric motor drive, corresponding to a change in the position .alpha.(t) of an accelerator pedal carried out by the driver of the vehicle, in which every position .alpha.(t) of the accelerator pedal is associated with a determined drive output P.sub.v (.alpha.)=f.sub.1 (.alpha.).times.P.sub.max (where P.sub.max =maximum drive output of the vehicle) and/or driving torque M.sub.v (.alpha.)=f.sub.1 (.alpha.).times.M.sub.max (where M.sub.max =maximum driving torque of the vehicle) which is desired in the sense of a predetermined value and acts on the vehicle. To provide a process and a device for implementing the process permitting the driver to change the actual speed of the vehicle to a different desired value in the most uncomplicated and reliable manner, the predetermined value P.sub.v (t) and/or M.sub.

Abstract: A passenger automobile or truck contains a unit which is formed by an internal combustion engine and a generator and which powers electric motors coupled with driving wheels of the vehicle via an energy distributor in the form of power electronics. An accumulator which can likewise be coupled with the electric motors via the energy distributor is provided as an additional power source. An electronic control unit receives driving signals from an accelerator pedal, in particular a position signal and a speed signal. The position signal of the throttle is interpreted as a request for a determined permanent output to be supplied by the internal combustion engine.The internal combustion engine is revved up to a new operating point in an "optimal" manner (e.g. with favorable fuel consumption), for example when a higher output is requested, while the generator is entirely or partially uncoupled from the load. Energy for accelerating the vehicle is provided in the meantime by the accumulator.

Abstract: A motor vehicle including a unit (2) consisting of an internal combustion engine, a generator supplying current to electric motors (12, 16) coupled with driving wheels (14, 18) over an energy distributor/power electronics system (8) and a battery which is supplied with energy by the internal combustion engine/generator unit via the energy distributor (2). An electronic control system (20) controls the energy distributor (8) as a function of a driving signal according to boundary conditions, for example, according to the least possible specific fuel consumption. A temporary increase in the power required to drive the motors can be supplied by the battery (22). In the event that the increase in power lasts for longer periods, the internal combustion engine, which as far as possible operates in a state that ensures low fuel consumption, is accelerated in order to cover the demand for high power.

Abstract: In a drive arrangement of a motor vehicle in which the wheels of the motor vehicle are driven by separate electric motors and the electric motors are powered via a d.c. voltage intermediate circuit by a generator arrangement driven by an internal combustion engine, the speed of the internal combustion engine and individual wheels is sensed by speed sensing circuits which respond to pulse signals of commutator circuits of the generator arrangement and electric motors. The commutator circuits generate the pulse signals depending on position transmitters which are arranged at the generator arrangement and at the electric motors. In this way, the speeds can be sensed with great accuracy exclusively on the basis of already existing components of the drive arrangement. In particular, the speed sensing means cooperate with an antilock braking system (ABS) and a drive slip regulating system (ASR).

Abstract: Steering is actively assisted in a turning motor vehicle including a hybrid drive having both an internal combustion engine and a generator unit. The inner and outer wheels are each associated with an individual drive which is controlled in accordance with the steering angle of the steered wheels. Specifically, the torque differential is adjusted such that the percentage actual wheel differentials approach the percentage reference wheel speed differentials. A substantial reduction in the force which must be applied via the steering system to adjust the steering wheels, as compared to an absence of torque differential, is achieved because the outer wheel is driven at a higher output than the inner wheel when making a turn.

Abstract: The drive arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (1) with at least one controlling element (29), an electric generator arrangement (3) driven by the internal combustion engine (1), at least one electric motor (11) which is powered by the generator arrangement (3) and drives the motor vehicle, and an electronic control unit (19) which, depending on the setting of an accelerator pedal (23), controls at least an actuating drive (27) and the electrical output generated by the generator arrangement (3) and/or the electrical output received by the electric motor (11). The arrangement contains a device for detecting an actual value of the speed of the internal combustion engine (1) and component for detecting an actual value of the electrical output generated by the generator arrangement (3).

Abstract: A drive and braking arrangement for a motor vehicle has at least one electric motor which drives the motor vehicle in dependence on the setting of an accelerator pedal. A forward drive or reverse drive selector (15) adjusts the driving direction of rotation of the electric motor, and a sensor is provided for detecting the driving speed of the motor vehicle. In order to control the braking force of a friction brake arrangement acting on at least one wheel of the motor vehicle, an actuating drive is provided which is set to a braking position by an electronic control unit when the accelerator pedal remains in a driving position for longer than a predetermined period of time and at the same time the detected driving speed is zero and/or when the sensor associated with the control unit detects an actual movement of the motor vehicle in the direction opposite to the driving direction selected at the selector.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a critical driving torque and information representing the coefficient of friction at the wheel grip limit for a vehicle having a plurality of driven wheels. It is suggested that torque control devices be assigned to at least two of the driven wheels so that the ratio of the driving torques of the two driven wheels can be varied, wherein torque sensing device generate a torque signal corresponding to the magnitude of at least the greater of the driving torques of the driven wheels. A wheel slip sensing device is associated with the driven wheels and detects an increase in the slip of the wheel with the greater driving torque beyond a predetermined limit. The information on the coefficient of friction is generated depending on the magnitude of the detected driving torque of the wheel whose slip exceeds the limit.