Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a vehicle, comprising an internal-combustion engine, a generator, an electric motor, an electric energy accumulator, and a connection device for establishing mechanical connections between the internal-combustion engine, the generator, the electric motor and the vehicle, and a control device.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a vehicle, comprising an internal-combustion engine, a generator, an electric motor, an electric energy accumulator, and a connection device for establishing mechanical connections between the internal-combustion engine, the generator, the electric motor and the vehicle, and a control device.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for motor vehicles includes a cable separator responsive to a collision sensor for disconnecting an electrical energy source from a power supply circuit for the vehicle. One form of cable separator includes a knife and a source of propellant energy which drives the knife at least partway through a power cable so as to interrupt the flow of current to the vehicle power circuit.

Abstract: An airbag device in a roof frame region of a vehicle includes an airbag and a casing provided with orifices to supply gas to the airbag, the casing being formed by the roof frame region itself, and the airbag forming a constituent part of a roof frame lining in the collapsed condition.

Abstract: A method for controlling a generator associated with an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle such that the generator is connected to provide electricity only under specific operating conditions. The method includes the following steps: (1) inputting engine consumption characteristic map values for various engine operating parameters to a logic module; (2) determining an operating point of the engine as defined by the operating map; (3) determining whether or not the operating point is less than or equal to a predetermined value; (4) connecting the generator to a load circuit associated with the motor vehicle if the operating point is at or falls below the predetermined value; and (5) disconnecting the generator from the load circuit if the operating point is greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a control mechanism for automatic transmission in a motor vehicle to prevent operation of a selector lever under certain conditions. For example, the selector lever can be locked into the park position and shifted out of this position only after the brake pedal has been operated. The locking mechanism includes a manually controllable catch mechanism which cooperates with an electro-magnetically operated mechanism to achieve the desired selector lever control.

Abstract: In a device on a motor vehicle having a brake and brake operating element, a drive assembly and a drive power source with an automatic transmission, a power control element for the drive power source, and a selector mechanism for shifting the automatic transmission from a neutral position and/or a park position into one or more forward or reverse drive positions, means acting on the drive power source and/or the power control element are provided, which means are connected to the brake operating element and the selector mechanism and which disable power output from the drive power source on engagement of a drive position from the N and/or P position unless the brake of the vehicle has been applied.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle body comprising positioning a vehicle body provided with desired configurations and dispositions of interior compartments and components in a wind tunnel facility, depositing fluid entrainable particles on the vehicle body and operating the wind tunnel facility to direct a fluid stream onto the vehicle body laden with such entrainable particles whereby the particles are caused to be entrained by the fluid stream along laminar layers of fluid flow and remain deposited in various stagnant, barrier and wake zones, resulting in a reconfigured vehicle body having optimized aerodynamic characteristics. The particles can be deposited on the vehicle body and the fluid stream may then be directed onto the vehicle body or the particles may be injected into the fluid stream upstream of the vehicle body to be entrained and carried by the fluid stream and deposited on the vehicle body in the stagnation, barrier and wake zones.

Abstract: A method of and system for automatically operating an automotive vehicle in such a manner that a desired distance may be driven with a given quantity of fuel. The system is such that after a rate of fuel consumption has been determined on the basis of the fuel available and the distance to be driven, for instance, a control monitors and adjusts the output of the engine of the vehicle appropriately. Manual operation of the vehicle in this manner is made possible by actuating perceptible warning signals whenever the vehicle is operated in a manner deviating from the desired performance.

Abstract: An electrical, vehicle wiper, motor regulator which prevents the wiper motor from automatically starting up when the vehicle ignition is turned on. The regulation includes a holder circuit which prevents the wiper motor from being driven when the ignition is turned on, even when the wiper ON/OFF switch had previously been left on, in those wiper systems which include a terminal switch for automatically returning the wipers to normal resting position.