Abstract: A wheel braking system includes a fluid source connected to an actuator that applies a force to a friction element for retarding rotation of the wheel. The braking system also includes a hydraulic circuit that has a first fluid passage providing direct communication between the fluid source and the actuator and a second fluid passage in communication with the first passage. The second fluid passage has a first portion and a second portion and includes a reciprocating piston assembly with a first piston fixed to a second piston for selectively amplifying a volume of the pressurized fluid received by the actuator. The first portion of the second passage is in fluid communication with the first piston and the second portion is in fluid communication with the second piston. The first piston has a first diameter and the second piston has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: A drive unit, such as a rear drive unit, for a motor vehicle, such as an all-wheel drive motor vehicle, includes, but is not limited to two drive shafts, of which one drive shaft serves for driving the one wheel and the other drive shaft serves for driving the other wheel of a motor vehicle. Also provided is a transmission operationally connected to the drive shafts, through which a drive torque acting on the input of the transmission can be divided or is divided into at least two output torques and through which the output torque of the transmission acting on the one drive shaft is reversible or is reversed in its operation direction relative to the output torque of the transmission acting on the other drive shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a passenger car, is provided with a vehicle frame having a leaf spring element for the spring suspension of the vehicle, which is mounted on the vehicle frame with two bearing points, which are designed in a manner to adjustably set a spring rate and/or a standing height of the leaf spring element. The leaf spring element is mounted on a frame of the vehicle with the two bearing points and the bearing points are designed adjustable for setting a spring rate and/or a standing height of the leaf spring element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the steering feedback torque of a power steering system within a closed loop control system, whereby the power steering system provides an actual value (TACT) of the steering feedback torque, whereby a nominal value (TNOM) of the steering feedback torque is calculated by first processor using vehicle dynamic related measurements or estimates, whereby a difference between said actual value (TACT) of the steering feedback torque and said nominal value (TNOM) of the steering feedback torque is used as an input for a controller providing an controller output (COUT), and whereby an input for the power steering system is provided on basis of said controller output (COUT) influencing said steering feedback torque in a way that the difference between said actual value (TACT) of the steering feedback torque and said a nominal value (TNOM) of the steering feedback torque is eliminated.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to an adaptive chassis that switches between at least a first and a second operating mode. At least one operating parameter of the chassis has different values in the first and in the second operating mode at the same speed and at the same acceleration of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle also includes, but is not limited to a control unit that is arranged to evaluate the driving style of the driver and to activate the first or the second operating mode according to the result of the evaluation, and a signal generator that is able to be noticed by the driver of the vehicle, to deliver a signal indicating the respectively active operating mode.

Abstract: A suspension control system for a motor vehicle having a chassis and wheels connected to the chassis by a suspension system the stiffness of which is variable under the control of the suspension control system comprises a controller adapted to modify autonomously the stiffness of the suspension system depending on a current state of motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a passenger car, is provided with a vehicle frame having a leaf spring element for the spring suspension of the vehicle, which is mounted on the vehicle frame with two bearing points, which are designed in a manner to adjustably set a spring rate and/or a standing height of the leaf spring element. The leaf spring element is mounted on a frame of the vehicle with the two bearing points and the bearing points are designed adjustable for setting a spring rate and/or a standing height of the leaf spring element.

Abstract: A drive unit, such as a rear drive unit, for a motor vehicle, such as an all-wheel drive motor vehicle, includes, but is not limited to two drive shafts, of which one drive shaft serves for driving the one wheel and the other drive shaft serves for driving the other wheel of a motor vehicle. Also provided is a transmission operationally connected to the drive shafts, through which a drive torque acting on the input of the transmission can be divided or is divided into at least two output torques and through which the output torque of the transmission acting on the one drive shaft is reversible or is reversed in its operation direction relative to the output torque of the transmission acting on the other drive shaft.

Abstract: An adaptive steering control system is provided for a motor vehicle. The system includes, but is not limited to a sensor for detecting a current value of an operation quantity of a steering wheel, an actor for turning steered wheels and a controller for selecting, according to the speed of the vehicle, a map (g1, g2) assigning to a detected current value of the operation quantity a setpoint value of the operation quantity for the actor, and for issuing a setpoint signal to the actor. The controller is adapted to decide whether the vehicle is in a state of motion requiring a high level of attention from the driver or not, to inhibit a switchover of the map (g1, g2) while the vehicle is in the high attention-requiring state, and to allow such a switchover while the vehicle is not in the high attention-requiring state.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided that has an engine, front and rear wheels and a clutch system for selectively distributing engine torque to the front and rear wheels. A controller judges in real time the state of motion of the vehicle and controls the torque distribution by the clutch system according to the judged state.

Abstract: An adaptive steering control system is provided for a motor vehicle. The system includes, but is not limited to a sensor for detecting a current value of an operation quantity of a steering wheel, an actor for turning steered wheels and a controller for selecting, according to the speed of the vehicle, a map (g1, g2) assigning to a detected current value of the operation quantity a setpoint value of the operation quantity for the actor, and for issuing a setpoint signal to the actor. The controller is adapted to decide whether the vehicle is in a state of motion requiring a high level of attention from the driver or not, to inhibit a switchover of the map (g1, g2) while the vehicle is in the high attention-requiring state, and to allow such a switchover while the vehicle is not in the high attention-requiring state.

Abstract: A suspension control system for a motor vehicle having a chassis and wheels connected to the chassis by a suspension system the stiffness of which is variable under the control of the suspension control system comprises a controller adapted to modify autonomously the stiffness of the suspension system depending on a current state of motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided that has an engine, front and rear wheels and a clutch system for selectively distributing engine torque to the front and rear wheels. A controller judges in real time the state of motion of the vehicle and controls the torque distribution by the clutch system according to the judged state.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the steering feedback torque of a power steering system within a closed loop control system. The power steering system provides an actual value (TACT) of the steering feedback torque, a nominal value (TNOM) of the steering feedback torque is calculated by first means using vehicle dynamic related measurements or estimates, a difference between the actual value (TACT) of the steering feedback torque and the nominal value (TNOM) of the steering feedback torque is used as an input for a controller providing an controller output (COUT), and an input for the power steering system is provided on basis of the controller output (COUT) influencing the steering feedback torque in a way that the difference between the actual value (TACT) of the steering feedback torque and the a nominal value (TNOM) of the steering feedback torque is at least reduced and preferably eliminated.