Robert Boschgmbh

Stefan Knoll

Robert Kaster

Thilo Leineweber

Joerg Heckel

Darin Rohrkemper

Eric Stuckey

A distance controller having an automatic stop and/or start function for motor vehicles, having a distance-measuring remote region sensor, a distance-measuring ultrasound sensor, and a control unit designed to intervene in the longitudinal guiding of the home vehicle as a function of the distance, measured by the remote region sensor, from a vehicle traveling ahead. If the measured distance is smaller than the range of the ultrasound sensor, on the basis of the signal of the ultrasound sensor it is verified whether this sensor is functional. If yes, the signal of the ultrasound sensor is evaluated in the context of the stop and/or start function. According to the present invention, the stop and/or start function has an operating mode in which a distance controlling takes place on the basis of the signal of the ultrasound sensor. In this way, the distance from the vehicle ahead can be reduced during stop and go operation.

Distance controller with automatic stop function

A steering angle sensing system includes at least one steering angle sensing device for outputting an analog signal representative of a steering angle position of a steering wheel. A first processor is operably coupled to the at least one steering angle sensing device and is disposed proximate the at least one steering angle sensing device. The first processor receives the analog signals output by the at least one steering angle sensing device, computes a steering angle value based upon the analog signals, and outputs a pulse width modulated signal representative of the computed steering angle value. A second processor is disposed non-proximate the at least one steering angle sensing device and is operably coupled to the first processor to thereby receive the pulse width modulated signal representative of the computed steering angle value.

Steering angle sensor assembly with pulse width modulated output signal

A steering angle sensor assembly is for use with a vehicle having a rotatable steering mechanism. The assembly includes a first rotational indexing member operably couplable to the steering mechanism for rotation therewith. The steering mechanism and the first indexing member are each rotatable through a rotational range including a plurality of revolutions. The first indexing member defines a first rotational axis. A plurality of indexing elements are disposed on the first indexing member and circumscribe the first rotational axis. A first sensing device is positioned to sense the plurality of indexing elements as the first indexing member rotates. The first sensing device outputs a first signal representative of a rotational position of the first rotational indexing member within one of the revolutions. A second rotational indexing member defines a second rotational axis. A reduction gear mechanism operably couples the first and second indexing members. A rotational displacement of the second indexing member is less than a corresponding rotational displacement of the first indexing member. A second sensing device senses a rotational position of said second rotational indexing member and generates a second signal indicative thereof. A logic module receives the first and second signals. The logic module identifies in which one of the revolutions the first indexing member is positioned based upon the second signal and determines the rotational position of the first indexing member within the identified revolution based upon the first signal.

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West Bloomfield, MI, United States of America

Stefan Knoll