Robert Boschgmbh

Manfred Abendroth

Harry Kaiser

Erich Zabler

Franz Jost

Hans Braun

Klaus Marx

Michael Hofsaess

Kurt Ingrisch

Herbert Keller

Klaus Miekley

Erich Ilic

Joachim Gillert

Ulrich Hipp

Georg Fetzer

In a method for checking the proper functioning of a component in a vehicle by evaluating the system state of the component with the aid of a sensor, a state variable is measured first and then the measured state variable is examined for at least one characteristic feature that is descriptive of the system state of the component.

Method for checking the correct functioning of a component in a vehicle

The invention relates to an inertial sensor arrangement (), in particular for installation in a motor vehicle, having a sensor module () which is fitted to a carrier () and comprises a micromechanically produced inertial sensor and an evaluation circuit. The invention provides for the sensor module () to be connected to the carrier () by means of an elastic coupling element ().

Inertial sensor arrangement

An apparatus for determining a rotation rate has an oscillatory body on which a plurality of electromechanical converters A, A&prime;, B, B&prime;, C, C&prime;, D, D&prime; are mounted. At least a first converter A, A&prime; is caused to oscillate mechanically by an electric driver signal U generated in a first circuit arrangement . Further, at least a second converter D, D&prime; is caused to oscillate mechanically by an electric damping signal U generated in a second circuit arrangement . At least a third converter C, C&prime; emits an electric sensor damping signal U which corresponds to the oscillation of the body in the location where the at least third converter D, D&prime; is mounted. The damping sensor signal U is fed back to the input of the second circuit arrangement . A voltage divider is provided, by means of which the signal U generated in the second circuit arrangement can be reduced.

Apparatus for ascertaining a rotation rate and for performing a self-test

Method and device for angular measurement of a rotatable body

The apparatus for determining turning rate, particularly of a motor vehicle, includes two sensor systems (1,3), each of which generate at least one output signal depending on the turning rate. The sensor signals from both sensor systems are combined by a microcontroller including a memory to determine the turning rate accounting for offset drift and sensitivity drift. The first sensor system (1) includes an electronic compass with at least two sensor components (10) each including at least one magnetoresistive element (19) arranged in a Wheatstone bridge for detecting an X-component, a Y-component or a Z-component of the earth's magnetic field. The second sensor system (3) generates a sensor signal according to a Coriolis force experience by an oscillating structure. Each sensor component (10) of the first sensor system also includes an integrated field compensation coil (L.sub.F) and a set/reset coil (L.sub.C) located next to the Wheatstone bridge, a preamplifier (12) with offset compensation connected across the Wheatstone bridge (11), a flip source connected to the field compensation coil, a demodulator receiving output signals from the preamplifier and a current controller connected to the set/reset coil and demodulator.

Apparatus for measuring a turning rate, particularly of a motor vehicle

The sensing device for determination of a steering wheel angle of a steering column of a vehicle includes a first coded disk which is read by a first group of receiving devices to form a fine code signal and which rotates at the same speed as the steering wheel. A second coded disk rotates with a fourth the speed of the first disk and has two or more pole change positions which are detected by a second group of receiving devices to form a gross code signal. Hall elements are used as receiving devices. Magnetically coded disks having a predetermined sequence of alternating North and South pole regions are used as the coded disks. These regions are distributed around the periphery of the disk and have different arc lengths. Hall switching devices are used as receivers which cooperate with the magnetic regions of the coded disks. An accurate angle position signal for the steering wheel is produced by a device for combining the fine and gross code signals produced by the Hall switching devices which includes a microcomputer .mu.C.

Sensing device for determining an angular position of a steering wheel

An acceleration switch has a housing having a housing recess, an elongated tilting body located in the housing recess and operating as a seismic mass, a magnetic system, and a reed switch. The tilting body is arranged so that upon exceeding of a predetermined threshold value a control signal is released by interaction of the magnetic system and the reed switch. The magnetic system includes at least two permanent magnets having opposite polarization directions and connected with a magnetic flux conducting body at an end side facing away from the reed switch. The reed switch has contacts located in a magnetic field between the permanent magnets. The polarization directions of the permanent magnets extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tilting body. The contacts of the reed switch are arranged in a tilting direction of the tilting body.

Acceleration switch

Sensor including hall element, movable magnetic body and permanent

A tilt-actuated switch features a housing 11 and a contact element 14 movable within the housing between a stable first position and a second position in which the contact element electrically connects two fixed contact elements secured to the housing. The movable contact element responds to tilting of said housing beyond a predetermined critical angle, with respect to the vertical, by flipping from the stable first position through an unstable position (FIG. 2) into a second position (FIG. 3) which is stable. Unlike prior art tilt-actuated switches, this improved switch applies sufficient force against the fixed contacts, even when the tilting is gradual, to assure reliable electrical contact, necessary for applications such as a 'dead-man-switch' in a portable radio transceiver.

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Marbach, Germany

Manfred Abendroth