Method for reliably operating a motor vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for providing a reliable operation of a motor vehicle which utilizes signals of a road speed sensor during operation of the engine including during start-up, the method comprising the steps of:
- checking the functional operability of said sensor, said sensor emitting a base signal when the variable said sensor measures takes on a base value with the base signal being identical to the signal the sensor emits when defective;
starting a first substitute/emergency-function as soon as the sensor emits a base signal;
then checking as to whether the sensor is with certainty functionally inoperative; and
, if the sensor is functionally operative, discontinuing said first substitute/emergency-function; and
,if functionally inoperative, then maintaining the substitute/emergency-function until the sensor is again functionally operational.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Sensors for motor vehicles emit a base signal when the variable which they measure takes on a base value. For example, a road-speed transducer supplies no pulses when either the vehicle is at standstill or when the sensor is defective. A method for providing a reliable operation of a motor vehicle includes the step of starting a substitute/emergency-function immediately when only the base signal is received from the sensor. If it is later determined that the base signal was only emitted because the measured variable took on its base value, then the substitute/emergency-function is again reversed. By starting a substitute/emergency-function basically always when a checked sensor emits no signal, it is ensured that safety measures are taken as rapidly as possible.
14 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for providing a reliable operation of a motor vehicle which utilizes signals of a road speed sensor during operation of the engine including during start-up, the method comprising the steps of:
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checking the functional operability of said sensor, said sensor emitting a base signal when the variable said sensor measures takes on a base value with the base signal being identical to the signal the sensor emits when defective; starting a first substitute/emergency-function as soon as the sensor emits a base signal; then checking as to whether the sensor is with certainty functionally inoperative; and
, if the sensor is functionally operative, discontinuing said first substitute/emergency-function; and
,if functionally inoperative, then maintaining the substitute/emergency-function until the sensor is again functionally operational. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for providing a reliable operation of a motor vehicle which utilizes signals of a road-speed transducer during operation, the method comprising the steps of:
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checking the functional operability of the road-speed transducer by determining the load value of the engine driving the motor vehicle;
the transducer emitting a base signal when the variable said transducer measures takes on a base value with the base signal being identical to the signal the transducer emits when defective;starting a first substitute/emergency-function as soon as the transducer emits a base signal; then checking as to whether the transducer is with certainty functionally inoperative by concluding that the road-speed transducer is functionally inoperable when the determined load value is greater than the maximum possible load value at zero load on the engine and maintaining the substitute/emergency-function until the transducer is again functionally operational; and
,if the transducer is functionally operative, discontinuing said first substitute/emergency-function. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for providing a reliable operation of a motor vehicle which utilizes signals of an engine speed transducer during operation, the method comprising the steps of:
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checking the functional operability of the engine speed transducer by determining whether the drive wheels of the motor vehicle are connected to the engine thereof and measuring the road speed; and
,starting a first substitute/emergency-function as soon as the transducer emits a base signal; then checking as to whether the transducer is with certainty functionally inoperative by concluding that the engine speed transducer is functionally inoperable when the detected road speed is greater than a minimal speed and maintaining said substitute/emergency-function until the transducer is again functionally operational; and
,if the transducer is functionally operative, discontinuing said first substitute/emergency-function.
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10. A method for providing a reliable operation of a motor vehicle which utilizes signals of an engine speed sensor during operation including during start-up, the method comprising the steps of:
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checking the functional operability of said sensor, said sensor emitting a base signal when the variable said sensor measures takes on a base value with the base signal being identical to the signal the sensor emits when defective; starting a first substitute/emergency-function as soon as the sensor emits a base signal; then checking as to whether the sensor is with certainty functionally inoperative; and
, if the sensor is functionally operative, discontinuing said first substitute/emergency-function; and
,if functionally inoperative, then maintaining the substitute/emergency-function until the sensor is again functionally operational. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for providing a reliable operation of a motor vehicle which utilizes signals of no-load contact sensor during operation including during start-up, the method comprising the steps of:
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checking the functional operability of said sensor, said sensor emitting a base signal when the variable said sensor measures takes on a base value with the base signal being identical to the signal the sensor emits when defective; starting a first substitute/emergency-function as soon as the sensor emits a base signal; then checking as to whether the sensor is with certainty functionally inoperative; and
, if the sensor is functionally operative, discontinuing said first substitute/emergency-function; and
,if functionally inoperative, then maintaining the substitute/emergency-function until the sensor is again functionally operational. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification