Abstract: A sensor arrangement and engine management device for a combustion engine, the engine management device including the sensor arrangement for detecting variables indicative of engine load, a mechanism for determining engine load on the basis of measured values supplied by the sensor, as well as a throttle-valve position control loop. At least two of the sensors of the sensor arrangement, which may include a mass air-flow sensor, an intake-air temperature sensor, an induction-pipe pressure sensor, and a throttle-valve position sensor, are microintegrated in a modular unit. The engine management device is made such that a sensor device with the at least two sensors, the mechanism for determining, engine load and/or the throttle-valve position controller used in the throttle-valve position control loop are microintegrated in a modular unit. The engine management device can be used, for example, for controlling a spark ignition engine in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An engine brake for a supercharged internal combustion engine for driving a motor vehicle is operated such that the working gas compressed during engine braking, prior to the end of the expansion cycle, is drawn at least partially from the working chambers of the engine through at least one throttle valve, with an exhaust turbocharger of the engine having an exhaust turbine with variable turbine geometry. The engine braking power is regulated based upon the travel of the throttle valve and/or an intake cross section of the exhaust turbine as a function of the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine and the vehicle driving speed. Upon issuance of a signal indicating a braking performance requirement from the driver, the required braking power is applied at least preferably through the engine brake.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an air-gap-insulated exhaust pipe having a branch stub, as well as an exhaust pipe produced according to such a method and a tool for forming such an exhaust pipe. Two tubes are inserted into one another to form a double tube. The double tube is placed in a first internal high-pressure shaping tool, and exposed to internal high pressure fluid such that it expands to match the contours of the engraving of the first shaping tool, and a double-walled branch stub is blown out of the double tube. The partially formed double tube is then placed in a second internal high-pressure shaping tool, with the double tube being surrounded, between the two ends including the branch stub, circumferentially and throughout by a corresponding design of the engraving, by an expansion chamber.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an air-gap-insulated exhaust elbow of a motor vehicle exhaust system achieves in a simple manner a manufacturing of space-saving air-gap-insulating exhaust elbows which is reliable with respect to the process and can be precisely reproduced. The exhaust elbow is joined together from several air-gap-insulated exhaust pipes as well as the pertaining entry flanges and the exit flange, which, by way of an internal high-pressure metal forming process, are shaped in an air-gap-insulating manner from one double pipe respectively. The ends of the air-gap-insulated exhaust pipes which are to be connected with one another are first trimmed while opening the respective air insulating gap and are then fitted into one another. In such case, the ends are shaped such that the fitted connections of the outer pipes and of the inner pipes of the exhaust pipes to be connected are made with play.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an air-gap-insulated exhaust pipe having a branch stub, as well as an exhaust pipe produced according to such a method and a tool for forming such an exhaust pipe. Two tubes are inserted into one another to form a double tube. The double tube is placed in a first internal high-pressure shaping tool, and exposed to internal high pressure fluid such that it expands to match the contours of the engraving of the first shaping tool, and a double-walled branch stub is blown out of the double tube. The partially formed double tube is then placed in a second internal high-pressure shaping tool, with the double tube being surrounded, between the two ends including the branch stub, circumferentially and throughout by a corresponding design of the engraving, by an expansion chamber.

Abstract: A method for determining an initiation threshold value for an automatic braking process, in which an automatic braking process is used and a brake pressure is produced which is greater than the brake pressure which corresponds to the operation of the brake pedal by the driver. Short distances between vehicles increase the risk of accidents. If a driver operates the brakes when there is a short distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, in the vast majority of cases, the driver of the following vehicle is often required to perform an emergency braking due to the short distance between the vehicles. To improve the safety of vehicles, an emergency braking is performed, as quickly as possible, when the distance between vehicles is short. This emergency braking, within what is physically possible, ensures rapid deceleration of the vehicle and thus helps to avoid rear-impact accidents.

Abstract: A body segment for a motor vehicle in the area of a side panel has the following characteristics: An open, particularly C-shaped profile part of a constant cross-section which was produced by roll profiling and which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body; and an interior side member mounted on the profile part in the direction of the interior side of the vehicle body. An interior A-column part and an interior B-column part are mounted on the profile part. Furthermore, the vehicle body segment has a side panel covering which is mounted partially over the profile part in the direction of the exterior side of the vehicle body and which has an exterior A-column part, an exterior B-column part and an exterior C-column part. In this case, the profile part is made of a high-strength steel, and its profile has pronounced displacements toward the exterior side of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A method for assessing actuations of the accelerator by a vehicle driver to detect the nervousness of the driver, the cumulative path covered by the accelerator, in terms of amount, being evaluated within a predefined time window when the change in velocity is less than a predetermined threshold value and/or the change in position of the accelerator is less than a predetermined threshold value within this time window. Furthermore, alternatively and/or additionally, the number of reversals of the algebraic sign of the time derivation of the accelerator position can be taken into account.

Abstract: A vehicle frame which enables a lowering of the saddle coupling with improved stability for this, and recesses at the upper side of the lengthwise girders of the vehicle frame extending across the entire width of the frame are proposed. The saddle coupling is fastenably secured to the lengthwise girders.

Abstract: A method for recognizing a spontaneous demand by a driver of a motor vehicle for a dynamic response, the extent of the actuation of an operating device being compared to a threshold value, and the demand for a dynamic response being recognized when the extent of actuation lies above a specific threshold value, and, when comparing the extent of actuation to the threshold value, allowance being made for the manner in which the vehicle driver normally actuates the operating device.

Abstract: A brake unit including a brake disc of a material having a high thermal loading capacity and a brake pad that cooperates with it in tribological fashion. The brake disc is essentially made of a short-fiber reinforced ceramic material, whose thermal conductivity, in particular transversely to the disc surface, is at least 20 W/mK, preferably about 30 to 45 W/mK. The brake disc is combined with a brake pad having an organically bonded matrix. The brake pad may be a conventional series brake pad. The brake unit provides an optimal pairing of a brake disc, having a high thermal loading capacity, with a conventional brake pad in light of a reasonably expected brake pad service life, and in light of other tribological requirements, such as the friction coefficient.

Abstract: A brake unit having a brake disc of ceramic and a hub of a different material, which radially overlap one another with their mutually facing rims and are mechanically joined by a wreath-type rim of mounting bolts that axially penetrate the overlapping rims. The mounting bolts are uniformly included in the transmission of torque. Entrainment bores or slots provided in the brake disc are plastically lined with a metal or plastic sleeve, or the disc material is formed specifically to certain areas in this region as a plastically deformable C/C structure. A method is disclosed for manufacturing a partially ceramized molded article, in particular a brake disc having a C/C structure in the area of the entrainment bores or slots. A completely non-metallic brake unit and a method for its manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A brake unit includes a brake disc of a ceramic material and a brake pad that cooperates with it in tribological fashion. The brake pad is made of a sintered metal material or of an inorganically bound material having a ceramic binding phase and metal particles. The brake unit has a high thermal loading capacity, very good performance characteristics in terms of comfort, and an acceptable service life.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collision protection device, especially for passengers in vehicles and more especially in motor vehicles, consisting of a cushion or a cover plate, an air bag, a securing component, electronic or mechanical devices and a gas generator, in which the air bag consists of a coated or uncoated fabric, a lower section (2) with a gas inlet aperture, which may be fitted with a flame guard, an upper section (1), one or more multi-layer safety stop bands (3), where the ends of the safety stop band(s) is/are secured by sewn seams (4) to the upper section, the lower section, other components or, if there are more than one of them, together, in which the sewn seams are substantially circular or oval within the ends of the safety stop band(s).

Abstract: An exhaust manifold flange for an internal combustion engine, for sealably connecting at least one stub pipe of an exhaust manifold to a wall of the engine, the flange has a basic part made of sheet steel provided with a bead which extends substantially around the entire outer contour of the basic part, at least one receiving hole with another bead therearound for securely receiving the at least one stub pipe in the manifold which has holes which are arranged for attaching the exhaust manifold flange to the wall of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A device for connecting two tubular pipe sections. A sealing device is arranged between the pipe sections. At their ends, the pipe sections in each case have a flange-type end piece. The pipe sections are held together by a spring device using a pre-tensioning force, the spring device having a mid-section extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the pipe sections. The spring device has a spring element, from whose transverse sides of the mid-section, which extend at right angles to the longitudinal axes of the pipe sections, spring limbs extend. Forming an at least approximate U-shape with the mid-section, the spring limbs extend at least partially over the periphery of the pipe sections, the spring limps each having a centrical cut-out that is adapted to the outside diameter of the pipe sections and in which a pipe section is accommodated in each case in the mounted state of the spring element.

Abstract: A processor unit for a data-processing-aided electronic control system in a motor vehicle, in which the processor unit operates in real-time and contains within its functional structure a scalable computing unit and a vehicle interface unit, as well as (preferably) a communication coprocessor as separate structural components.

Abstract: A signal-processing method for a motor-vehicle radar arrangement is specified, which method provides more extensive information on the traffic situation in observation direction by evaluating echo signals deflected at the road surface.

Abstract: A method for driver-behavior-adaptive control of a variably adjustable motor vehicle accessory. One or more parameters indicative of driver behavior are sensed and a pertinent driver behavior is ascertained therefrom. Accessory adjustment is performed variably as a function of the driver behavior that was ascertained. The driver behavior is ascertained in terms of a long-term driving manner component, and a short-term dynamic demand component and/or a steady-speed request component. Accessory adjustment is performed, if a short-term dynamic demand exists, in accordance with an adjustment characteristic having a dynamic level corresponding at least to that dynamic demand. When a constant-speed request exists, accessory adjustment is performed in accordance with a relevant low-dynamic adjustment characteristic. Otherwise, accessory adjustment is performed in accordance with an adjustment characteristic determined by the long-term driving manner component.

Abstract: A claw-pole machine has a stator and a rotor, and an exciter coil that is wound on a solid core in the rotor. The solid core extends in the radial direction into two claw magnet wheels that end in a plurality of claw-pole fingers, having a plurality of solid, radially-outward-oriented parts, and has a plurality of tangential side surfaces, which alternate axially, starting from two sides, wherein a plurality of U-shaped metal sheets are attached to the solid, radially-outward-oriented parts of the claw-pole fingers. The U-shaped metal sheets are layered one on top of the other in the axial direction to prevent eddy currents.