Abstract
With modern vehicle dynamics control systems critical driving situations can be avoided by active control of the vehicle's lateral and longitudinal dynamics. For this, in vehicles with hydraulic brake systems the brake pressure in the wheel brake cylinders is modulated with electromagnetic actuators (fast switching solenoid valves). A malfunction of these, e.g. a blocked armature (the armature does not move in spite of electrical excitation), may lead to highly dangerous driving situations. To increase driving safety such a malfunction in a car should be detectable and a warning message should be issued to the driver. Presently the valves mechanical functionality can only be tested in workshops with special technical equipment and with increased effort. This paper shows how the armature movement of the magnetic valve, respectively its switching functionality, can be reconstructed, exploiting the valve's mechatronic properties. For this, only the signals armature current and voltage need to be measured.