Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a three-phase brushless DC motor. The motor control apparatus comprises a power converter which has, for each phase of the brushless DC motor, an electrical half-bridge having two electronic switches, and an application-specific integrated circuit for actuating the electronic switches of the power converter. The application-specific integrated circuit can be controlled by a programmable control unit in a normal mode, has a first interface for receiving an error signal signaling a malfunction and is designed to change the power converter to a defined final operating state independently of the programmable control unit after receiving the error signal.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a three-phase brushless DC motor. The motor control apparatus comprises a power converter which has, for each phase of the brushless DC motor, an electrical half-bridge having two electronic switches, and an application-specific integrated circuit for actuating the electronic switches of the power converter. The application-specific integrated circuit can be controlled by a programmable control unit in a normal mode, has a first interface for receiving an error signal signaling a malfunction and is designed to change the power converter to a defined final operating state independently of the programmable control unit after receiving the error signal.

Abstract: A device for actuating and/or monitoring a brushless DC motor, preferably for safety-relevant applications, preferably while operating or controlling a vehicle or components of a vehicle and a method for reliably checking the functional capability of the device are provided. The device can be actuated by a motor control unit by using a control signal for actuating and/or monitoring a brushless direct current motor by using a converter circuit includes a switching-off apparatus, a driver circuit which acts on the converter circuit and a testable diagnosis unit for monitoring the device and/or the converter circuit and/or the brushless direct current motor. The switching-off apparatus acts on the driver circuit. The testable diagnosis unit can be tested for a malfunction by using a testing command transmitted by the motor control unit.

Abstract: A method for operating a three-phase brushless DC motor with a pulse-width modulation controlled electronic commutation in the event of a malfunction. A maximum number (n) of commutation steps, a direction of motor rotation and at least two possible operating end states are specified, and one of the operating end states is chosen. Following indication of a malfunction, the rotor of the brushless DC motor is rotated at the specified maximum number (n) of commutation steps in the specified direction of motor rotation and the brushless DC motor is then set to the operating end state selected.

Abstract: A device for actuating and/or monitoring a brushless DC motor, preferably for safety-relevant applications, preferably while operating or controlling a vehicle or components of a vehicle and a method for reliably checking the functional capability of the device are provided. The device can be actuated by a motor control unit by using a control signal for actuating and/or monitoring a brushless direct current motor by using a converter circuit includes a switching-off apparatus, a driver circuit which acts on the converter circuit and a testable diagnosis unit for monitoring the device and/or the converter circuit and/or the brushless direct current motor. The switching-off apparatus acts on the driver circuit. The testable diagnosis unit can be tested for a malfunction by using a testing command transmitted by the motor control unit.

Abstract: A method for operating a three-phase brushless DC motor with a pulse-width modulation controlled electronic commutation in the event of a malfunction. A maximum number (n) of commutation steps, a direction of motor rotation and at least two possible operating end states are specified, and one of the operating end states is chosen. Following indication of a malfunction, the rotor of the brushless DC motor is rotated at the specified maximum number (n) of commutation steps in the specified direction of motor rotation and the brushless DC motor is then set to the operating end state selected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the fill quantity of an operating medium, in particular of the engine oil in a motor vehicle having a reservoir container of the operating medium and having a data processing device for determining the fill quantity of the operating medium. A fill level sensor for sensing the fill level is arranged in the reservoir container for the operating medium. In order to determine the fill level of the operating medium, operating states of the vehicle such as the temperature of the operating medium and the engine speed are also sensed. According to the invention, a characteristic variable for the engine load, for example the position of the accelerator pedal, the throttle valve position or the torque on the drive train are sensed. The fill quantity of the operating medium is determined from the sensed data by a data processing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the fill quantity of an operating medium, in particular of the engine oil in a motor vehicle having a reservoir container of the operating medium and having a data processing device for determining the fill quantity of the operating medium. A fill level sensor for sensing the fill level is arranged in the reservoir container for the operating medium. In order to determine the fill level of the operating medium, operating states of the vehicle such as the temperature of the operating medium and the engine speed are also sensed. According to the invention, a characteristic variable for the engine load, for example the position of the accelerator pedal, the throttle valve position or the torque on the drive train are sensed. The fill quantity of the operating medium is determined from the sensed data by a data processing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining engine oil servicing dates for a motor vehicle engine as a function of recorded engine operating parameters. According to the invention, the number of engine revolutions and at least one engine other operating parameter relevant to engine oil ageing are continuously recorded and, on the basis of this, a fictitious distance is determined by associating the recorded engine revolutions with the evaluation factors dependent on recorded engine operating parameter(s) relevant to engine oil ageing in accordance with a predeterminable association relationship. From this, a remaining operating distance until the next engine oil servicing date is then calculated by subtracting the determined fictitious distance from a specified total distance potential.

Abstract: A process for determining the quantity of a liquid situated in a largely closed system of a motor vehicle is provided. The filling level of the liquid in the system fluctuates as a function of the driving condition. In the case of a known process of this type for determining the engine oil quantity, the oil quantity determination takes place by filling level measurements while the vehicle is standing and the engine is switched off. The present process determines driving-condition-indicating quantities in the driving operation, determines therefrom the momentary driving condition, and, at least during selected driving conditions in the driving operation, continuously sense the filling level, as well as determines therefrom the momentary filling quantity via a given dependence of the liquid quantity on the driving condition and on the filling level. This permits, for example, a monitoring of the engine oil quantity in the continuous driving operation.