Abstract: Method for detecting the presence of a driver's hands on the steering wheel is described. By a mathematical model, at least one part of a steering system of the motor vehicle is modeled. In addition, a rotational angle of a lower end and/or an upper end of a torsion bar of the steering system is determined. A torque acting on the torsion bar is determined by a measuring device. A sum of a torque with which the driver acts on the steering wheel and a counter-torque generated by friction in the upper part of the steering system is estimated by a Kalman Filter. In addition, the counter-torque is estimated, and the estimated sum of the torque and the counter-torque are used to determine whether the driver's hands are on the steering wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a driver's hands on a steering wheel of a vehicle. In one step, a steering system is excited to vibrate. The oscillations of the steering system are determined in a steering wheel remote area. The oscillations of a steering wheel near area of the steering system of the vehicle are determined. In a further step, the determined oscillations of the steering wheel near area are compared with stored characteristic oscillations of the steering wheel near area, which occur during the same excitation in a state in which the steering wheel is not touched.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a driver's hands on a steering wheel of a vehicle. In one step, a steering system is excited to vibrate. The oscillations of the steering system are determined in a steering wheel remote area. The oscillations of a steering wheel near area of the steering system of the vehicle are determined. In a further step, the determined oscillations of the steering wheel near area are compared with stored characteristic oscillations of the steering wheel near area, which occur during the same excitation in a state in which the steering wheel is not touched.

Abstract: A method for debouncing an electrical input signal (xin) includes following steps: (1) an input signal (xin) is received and a present value of the input signal (xin) is ascertained; (2) ascertaining whether the present value of the input signal (xin) is above or below at least one predefined limit value (xG); (3) producing a debounce status variable (xE) having a defined initial value; (4) altering the value of the debounce status variable (xE) on the basis of at least whether the value of the input signal (xin) is above or below the at least one limit value (xG), (5) generating an output signal (xout) on the basis of whether the value of the debounce status variable (xE) corresponds to the minimum value (Wmin), to the maximum value (Wmax) or to a value between the minimum value (Wmin) and the maximum value (Wmax).

Abstract: A method for debouncing an electrical input signal (xin) includes following steps: (1) an input signal (xin) is received and a present value of the input signal (xin) is ascertained; (2) ascertaining whether the present value of the input signal (xin) is above or below at least one predefined limit value (xG); (3) producing a debounce status variable (xE) having a defined initial value; (4) altering the value of the debounce status variable (xE) on the basis of at least whether the value of the input signal (xin) is above or below the at least one limit value (xG), (5) generating an output signal (xout) on the basis of whether the value of the debounce status variable (xE) corresponds to the minimum value (Wmin), to the maximum value (Wmax) or to a value between the minimum value (Wmin) and the maximum value (Wmax).

Abstract: A method for determining a sensor offset of a sensor in a device, in particular in a steering system for a motor vehicle. The device has a first component, a second component which is movable with respect to the first component, a resetting element, an actuator and a sensor for determining the relative motion between the first component and the second component. The method comprises the following steps: firstly, a predetermined relative motion between the first component and the second component is generated by the actuator. The resulting relative motion is measured by means of the sensor, and the sensor data obtained from the measurement are stored. A constant sensor offset of the sensor is then determined on the basis of the stored sensor data. Furthermore, a device is described whose sensor offset can be determined by means of the method.

Abstract: Method for detecting the presence of a drivers hands on the steering wheel is described. By means of a mathematical model, at least one part of a steering system of the motor vehicle is modeled. In addition, a rotational angle of a lower end and/or an upper end of a torsion bar of the steering system is determined. A torque acting on the torsion bar is determined by means of a measuring device. A sum of a torque with which the driver acts on the steering wheel and a counter-torque generated by friction in the upper part of the steering system is estimated by means of a Kalman Filter. In addition, the counter-torque is estimated, and the estimated sum of the torque and the counter-torque are used to determine whether the drivers hands are on the steering wheel.