Abstract: A combined punching and welding or punching and bonding apparatus for workpieces (1), e.g. bumpers of motor vehicles, is described. The apparatus has a punching station (3) having at least one punching yoke (4), a welding or bonding station having at least one welding or bonding tool, and a shuttle table (21) which is able to be moved between the stations and carries a workpiece holder (22). In accordance with the invention, the punching yoke (4) and the welding or bonding tools are arranged to be stationary whereas the holder (22) is mounted to be movable up and down on the shuttle table (21) (FIG. 2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing, particularly for a spindle motor, comprising a shaft, a thrust plate connected to the shaft and a bearing sleeve closed at one end by a cover plate, the bearing sleeve enclosing the shaft and the thrust plate with a slight radial spacing forming a concentric bearing gap filled with a lubricant. As is already known, the surfaces of the bearing sleeve and the shaft facing each other form at least one radial bearing region and the surfaces of the bearing sleeve, the cover plate and the thrust plate facing each other form at least one axial bearing region. In the hydrodynamic bearing according to the invention, at least one connecting channel is provided which connects a section between the bearing sleeve and the shaft abutting the radial bearing region and a section of the bearing gap abutting the axial bearing region to each other.

Abstract: A machine tool for machining workpieces (22), comprising three NC-controlled linear axes orthogonal to each other, namely a horizontal X-axis, a horizontal Y-axis and a vertical Z-axis, with a machine base (10), which comprises two vertically upwardly directed side beds (12) that are spaced from each other in the X-axis, with a bridge (28) displaceably guided in the Y-axis on top of the side beds (12), with a Z-slide disposed at the &enter of the bridge (28) in relation to the side beds (12), which slide can be displaced in the Z-axis and carries a tool spindle (46), with an X-guide element (14) disposed on the machine base (10), with a wbrkpiece holder element (16, 18, 20) displaceable on the X-guide unit, and with a tool holder disposed on the tool spindle (46).

Abstract: An apparatus for processing workpieces containing plastics material by welding, stamping, cutting and/or bonding is described. The apparatus includes a loading and unloading station for loading and unloading the workpieces (35), a processing station with a free space for processing the workpieces (35) and at least one interchangeable module (15) which can be inserted and fixed in the free space and which comprises at least one workpiece receptacle (34) and at least one processing tool (37) which are both adapted to a selected processing task. In accordance with the invention the interchangeable module (15) is supported on running wheels (17) and can be inserted in the free space therewith, and the relative position between the receptacle (34) and the processing tool (37) required in the processing is determined by the interchangeable module (15) alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor, particularly for the purpose of driving the platters in hard disk drives having a baseplate, a stator arrangement that is stationary with respect to the baseplate, a shaft and a bearing system to rotatably support a rotary driven rotor connected to the shaft. In order to create a spindle motor in which it is possible to connect the shaft to the rotor with a high holding force and improved running precision, provision is made according to the invention for the shaft to be at least partly formed as a hollow shaft and for the rotor to have a shaft shoulder aligned concentric to its rotational axis which is inserted into the hollow shaft and firmly connected to the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for connecting objects by means of a connecting element which can be plasticised by heat, on which connecting element a rivet head is formed by means of a heatable cap (1). According to the invention, the cap (1) has a small-volume configuration. Its heating is effected with the help of a heating element (3) which is moveable together with it in the direction of the connecting element and is configured as a large-volume heat store, said heating element, after forming the rivet head, but before withdrawal of the cap (1) from the rivet head, is separated from said cap in order to enable rapid cooling of the rivet head.

Abstract: In the case of a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, having at least one four-bar linkage (4), which is defined by four mechanism links, for setting the seat height, and a crash blocking unit (21) which, in the event of a crash, locks at least two of the mechanism links to one another by means of two locking members (23, 25), the crash blocking unit (21) has a passive or switchable element (51) which is separately activated prior to or at the beginning of the crash.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing having a shaft, a bearing sleeve that encloses the shaft with a short radial spacing forming a concentric bearing gap, and an equalizing volume that is disposed between an outer circumference of the bearing sleeve and a covering cap at least partly overlapping the bearing sleeve and firmly fixed with respect to the bearing sleeve and connected to the bearing gap via at least one connecting channel or gap, a bearing fluid filling the bearing gap and the connecting channel/gap fully and the equalizing volume at least partially and the bearing fluid forming a continuous fluid film between the bearing gap and the equalizing volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing arrangement which comprises a shaft having a cylindrical section and a conical section, a bearing sleeve having a cylindrical bore to receive the cylindrical section of the shaft and a conical recess to receive the conical section of the shaft, a bearing gap filled with bearing fluid being defined between the opposing surfaces of the shaft and the bearing sleeve so that the shaft and the bearing sleeve are rotatable with respect to one another. A radial bearing formed by the cylindrical sections of the bearing sleeve and the shaft, and a combined axial and radial bearing formed by the conical sections of the bearing sleeve and the shaft are provided, the conical section turning at its largest diameter into a cylindrical section having a smaller diameter, and the end face of the conical section being covered by a cover ring, an annular space being formed in which the bearing gap ends.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, has a multi-bar linkage (4) which is defined by at least four link mechanisms (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) and is intended for setting the seat height, and a crash locking unit (21). The link mechanisms include a frame (5), which is fixed on the vehicle structure, and a rocker (8). In the event of a crash, the crash locking unit (21) locks the frame (5) and the rocker (8) to each other. An additional link mechanism (7) is provided between the frame (5) and the rocker (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system for the particular purpose of rotatably supporting a spindle motor used to drive the disk(s) of a hard disk drive having a stationary shaft, a thrust plate connected to the shaft, a bearing sleeve rotatable about the rotational axis of the shaft and a cover sealing the bearing sleeve, wherein the surfaces of the shaft, the thrust plate, the bearing sleeve and the cover, that face each other and are separated from each other by a fluid-filled bearing gap, form at least one radial bearing region and at least one axial bearing region.

Abstract: In the case of a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, having at least one four-bar linkage (4), which is defined by four mechanism links, for setting the seat height, and a crash blocking unit (21) which, in the event of a crash, locks at least two of the mechanism links to one another by means of two locking members (23, 25), the crash blocking unit (21) has a passive or switchable element (51) which is separately activated prior to or at the beginning of the crash.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing system for use in spindle motors having a shaft and a bearing sleeve. At least one bearing member is mounted an outer surface of the shaft. A fluid trap member is further provided in the bearing system, the fluid trap member being integrated into the bearing member. A fluid trapping cavity is formed between the fluid trap member and a surface of the bearing member.

Abstract: In the case of a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, having a multi-bar linkage (4) which is defined by four link mechanisms and is intended for setting the seat height, and a crash locking unit (21) which, in the event of a crash, locks a frame (5) fixed on the vehicle structure and a rocker (8) to each other as two of the link mechanisms (5, 6, 7, 8, 9), a further link mechanism (7) being provided between the frame (5) and the rocker (8).

Abstract: A lightweight, plastic coated component is in the shape of a three-dimensional shaped part with a metal layer provided with access apertures through which the plastic may flow. The component includes stiffening ribs created by the plastic that are positioned within hollow areas of the three-dimensional shaped part, and whose plastic extends through the apertures of the metal insert. The component is formed as a metal insert spray-covered with plastic for the purposes of optimizing the plastic spray process and to achieve an inner bond between the metal insert and the stiffening ribs. The metal insert includes a large number of evenly-distributed holes, and these holes form a flow resistance and also a flow enabler for the molten mass of plastic during spraying. There are projections present at each of the holes that are covered by the plastic coating.

Abstract: A combined punching and welding or punching and bonding apparatus for workpieces (1), e.g. bumpers of motor vehicles, is described. The apparatus has a punching station (3) having at least one punching yoke (4), a welding or bonding station having at least one welding or bonding tool, and a shuttle table (21) which is able to be moved between the stations and carries a workpiece holder (22). In accordance with the invention, the punching yoke (4) and the welding or bonding tools are arranged to be stationary whereas the holder (22) is mounted to be movable up and down on the shuttle table (21) (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A flange connection between a longitudinal beam of a vehicle as a first component and a carrier element, which can be mounted to it, as a second component, whereby a flange plate operatively mounted to either the first or second component and a counter flange plate operatively mounted to the other of the first or second component. To hold the flange plate tight to the counter flange plate, a wedge effect is used. A connection bolt having a wedge slope protrudes from the flange plate, wherein the wedge slope extends in a cross direction. The counter flange plate has a feed-through opening for the connection bolt, and wherein a locking component is placed at its inner side. In the connected position, the locking component surrounds the locking bolt and establishes a wedge surface that interacts with its wedge slope. Furthermore, the locking component exhibits at a side opposite the wedge surface, a clamping screw that can be tightened against the connection bolt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor, particularly for the purpose of driving the platters in hard disk drives having a baseplate, a stator arrangement that is stationary with respect to the baseplate, a shaft and a bearing system to rotatably support a rotary driven rotor connected to the shaft. In order to create a spindle motor in which it is possible to connect the shaft to the rotor with a high holding force and improved running precision, provision is made according to the invention for the shaft to be at least partly formed as a hollow shaft and for the rotor to have a shaft shoulder aligned concentric to its rotational axis which is inserted into the hollow shaft and firmly connected to the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing having a shaft, a bearing sleeve that encloses the shaft with a short radial spacing forming a concentric bearing gap, and an equalizing volume that is disposed between an outer circumference of the bearing sleeve and a covering cap at least partly overlapping the bearing sleeve and firmly fixed with respect to the bearing sleeve and connected to the bearing gap via at least one connecting channel or gap, a bearing fluid filling the bearing gap and the connecting channel/gap fully and the equalizing volume at least partially and the bearing fluid forming a continuous fluid film between the bearing gap and the equalizing volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing, particularly for a spindle motor, comprising a shaft, a thrust plate connected to the shaft and a bearing sleeve closed at one end by a cover plate, the bearing sleeve enclosing the shaft and the thrust plate with a slight radial spacing forming a concentric bearing gap filled with a lubricant. As is already known, the surfaces of the bearing sleeve and the shaft facing each other form at least one radial bearing region and the surfaces of the bearing sleeve, the cover plate and the thrust plate facing each other form at least one axial bearing region. In the hydrodynamic bearing according to the invention, at least one connecting channel is provided which connects a section between the bearing sleeve and the shaft abutting the radial bearing region and a section of the bearing gap abutting the axial bearing region to each other.