Abstract: The invention is an actuator which includes at least one control element which has thermally activatable transducer material and which, in response to the supply or dissipation of energy, changes from a first shape state into a second shape state, and a mechanical energy storage, which is functionally connected to the control element. When the control element is in the second shape state, it exerts a restoring force on the control element which returns the control element to the first shape state. The mechanical energy storage includes an elastomer body, which at least in some regions is in direct physical and thermal contact with the control element. The elastomer body is connected in a spatially fixed manner to the control element in at least two spatially separated joining regions along the control element.

Abstract: A device for transmitting or decoupling mechanical vibrations between a first component and a second component with at least one of the first and the second components being free to vibrate in the at least one direction including: a planar coupling element, coupling the first and second components together, having a planar top surface and a planar bottom surface, and having a variably adjustable stiffness extending in the at least one direction; the planar coupling element, having planar dimensions with the planar coupling element being dimensionally stable along the planar dimensions and being elastic in a direction perpendicular to the planar surfaces; the first and second components are rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in the direction perpendicular to the planar surfaces and in which at least one of the components is free to vibrate for adjusting the stiffness.

Abstract: The invention is a torque-limited coupling element including an input and output rotatably mounted about a common rotational axis, at least one Connection which is transferred from a first position into a second position upon exceeding a settable limit torque acting between the input and the output wherein in the first position the at least one connection connects the input and the output in a rotationally fixed manner, and in the second position, the input and the output are rotatably mounted relative to one another. A displacement body is movably mounted within a chamber filled with a magnetorheological fluid with the position of the displacement body resulting from a holding force provided by the magnetorheological fluid being under influence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: The invention is an actuator which includes at least one control element which has thermally activatable transducer material and which, in response to the supply or dissipation of energy, changes from a first shape state into a second shape state, and a mechanical energy store, which is functionally connected to the control element and, when the control element is in the second shape state, exerts on the control element a restoring force which returns the control element to the first shape state. The mechanical energy store includes an elastomer body, which at least in some regions is in direct physical and thermal contact with the control element, the elastomer body is connected in a spatially fixed manner to the control element in at least two spatially separated joining regions along the control element.

Abstract: The invention is a device for transmitting or decoupling mechanical vibrations, comprising a first component and a second component, which are connected to each other by means of a coupling element that has a variably adjustable stiffness in at least one direction of action in which at least one component is supported in a vibrating manner With the coupling element by a planar element having a top side and a bottom side and extending in a longitudinal direction with the planar element being dimensionally stable in the longitudinal direction and elastic lateral to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing a frictional and/or form-fitting connection between first and second components which are linearly or rotationally movable relative to one another for transmitting forces and/or force moments that act between the first and second components in a linear and/or rotational manner. The first component surrounds the second component, at least sectionally, with at least one inner wall that faces the second component. The second component features at least one active-face element that can be transferred in a force-loaded manner from a first position, in which the active-face element is spaced apart from the inner wall, into a second position, in which the active-face element produces the frictional and/or form-fitting connection with the inner wall.

Abstract: A torque-limited coupling element is described, comprising an input part and an output part, each mounted rotatably about a common rotational axis, and at least one connecting means. If a predeterminable limit torque acting between the input part and output part is exceeded, the connection means can be transferred from a first position, in which the connecting means non-rotatably connects the input part and output part to one another forming a positive engagement, into a second position, in which the input part and output part are mounted rotatably relative to one another. Furthermore, a method for torque-limited coupling and uses for such a coupling element are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle for protecting vehicle occupants when there is an impact of energy directed laterally at a motor vehicle door due to a collision, having a connecting structure which has at least two parts with a first part permanently connected with the motor vehicle door and a second part permanently connected with an energy-absorbing region of the motor vehicle body located in the vehicle interior. Both parts via at least one common joint region can be operationally connected with each other to conducting-away of at least part of the energy input laterally acting on the motor vehicle door in the region of the motor vehicle body. The energy impact acting on the motor vehicle door is conducted away from the pivot bearing by a force acting linearly and horizontally via the first and the second part to the first end of the second part permanently connected with the motor vehicle body.

Abstract: The invention is a device for increasing occupant protection in a motor vehicle during a lateral impact, in which the energy input acts laterally on a partial area of the motor vehicle door wherein a motor vehicle seat is situated on the side of the motor vehicle door facing away from the energy input. The motor vehicle door is provided with an interior lining facing the motor vehicle seat and at least one partial area of the interior door lining is conveyable from an initial state into an extended state projecting by a drive unit into the motor vehicle interior. The drive unit is connected to the motor vehicle door and to the partial area of the interior door lining.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a bi-directional displacement of a means or a connecting element, along a guide, which can be reversibly moved between at least two positions along the guide, with a means for driving that can be engaged with the means or connecting element, which is capable along the guide to displace the means or connecting element in a direction while being subjected to force and an actuator engaged with the means or connecting element, which is capable of displacing the means or connecting element in the opposite direction along the guide while being subjected to the force and wherein the actuator is actuatable by a converter material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle for protecting vehicle occupants when there is an impact of energy directed laterally at a motor vehicle door due to a collision, having a connecting structure which has at least two parts, a first and a second part, of which the first part is permanently connected with the motor vehicle door and the second part is permanently connected with an energy-absorbing region of the motor vehicle body located in the vehicle interior and both parts via at least one common joint region can be operationally connected with each other for the calculated conducting-away of at least one part of the energy input laterally acting on the motor vehicle door in the region of the motor vehicle body.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing a frictional and/or form-fitting connection between first and second components which are linearly or rotationally movable relative to one another for transmitting forces and/or force moments that act between the first and second components in a linear and/or rotational manner. The first component surrounds the second component at least sectionally with at least one inner wall that faces the second component, and wherein the second component features at least one active-face element that can be transferred in a force-loaded manner from a first position, in which the active-face element is spaced apart from the inner wall, into a second position, in which the active-face element produces the frictional and/or form-fitting connection with the inner wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for increasing occupant protection in a motor vehicle during a lateral impact, in which the energy input acts laterally on a partial area of the motor vehicle door, with a motor vehicle seat being situated on the side of the motor vehicle door facing away from the energy input, the motor vehicle door being provided with an interior lining facing the motor vehicle seat and at least one partial area of the interior door lining being conveyable from an initial state into an extendet state projecting into the motor vehicle interior by means of a drive unit connected to the motor vehicle door and to the partial area of the interior door lining. The invention is distinguished by the drive unit being provided with a transducer material which is activatable by energy input.

Abstract: The invention is a device for protecting passengers in a motor vehicle in the event of energy input caused by a collision oriented laterally at a motor vehicle door. The device is provided with a connection structure comprising at least two parts, a first part and a second part of which the first part is firmly connected to the motor vehicle door and the second part is firmly connected to an energy-absorbing region of the motor vehicle chassis. the two parts can be brought into an interactive effects connection via at least one common joint region to selectively divert at least a part of the energy input acting laterally to the motor vehicle chassis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a bidirectional displacement of a means or a connecting element, along a guide, which can be reversibly moved between at least two positions along the guide, with a means for driving that can be engaged with the means or connecting element, which is capable along the guide to displace the means or connecting element in a direction while being subjected to force and an actuator engaged with the means or connecting element, which is capable of displacing the means or connecting element in the opposite direction along the guide while being subjected to the force and wherein the actuator is actuatable by a converter material.