Abstract: In a method of making an exhaust gas collector, a collector housing is made from a tubular blank, and subsequently, an inlet duct is formed through a widening process to provide a substantially rectangular cross section with rounded narrow sides. The inlet duct is provided with a head flange. At the outlet side, the collector housing is necked by a press-forming process so as to shape an outlet duct having a substantially circular cross section which is reduced in size compared to the cross section of the collector housing. Attached to the outlet duct is an end flange.

Abstract: A side impact beam to be integrated in a motor vehicle includes at least one elongated bar, which has a trapezoidal cross section and terminates on both ends in ramp-like end portions, wherein the elongated bar has a central web, flanks diverging outwardly from the central web, and flanges connected to the extremities of the flanks, and terminal attachment zones. For manufacturing such a side impact beam, a semifinished flat blank is cut to size of constant width from a sheet metal material band of constant thickness and includes an elongated center portion of constant width and a length which is at least half a length of the blank, wherein the center portion terminates on opposite ends in tongue-shaped end portions.

Abstract: A side impact beam for incorporation into the structure of a motor vehicle comprises a sheet metal profile with flaring end portions and two longitudinal beads extending along the sheet metal profile and wherein the end portions that are provided with cross beads that are stamped in an additional tooling step during manufacturing and after the longitudinal beads have been formed, and are arranged in transverse disposition to the longitudinal beads and wherein the longitudinal beads and the cross beads are oriented in the same direction and the length of one cross bead corresponds approximately to the width of the two longitudinal beads, such that the so configured cross beads provide a stabilizing effect of the end portions and ensure the flattening of the connecting surfaces, thereby leading to a reduction of assembly problems.

Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle, includes a cross member for attachment to longitudinal members of a vehicle chassis. The cross member is defined by a length and has a shell element extending over a major part of the length of the cross member, wherein the shell element has incorporated therein at least one deep-drawn reinforcement member of cup shape configuration.

Abstract: A side impact structure for incorporation between an outer shell and an inner door panel of a door of a motor vehicle, includes an elongate section member having an attachment element. Secured to the attachment element is a blocking element which at least partially bridges a spacing between the outer shell and the inner door panel to thereby prevent access to the actuating mechanism of the door lock via a gap in the outer shell.

Abstract: A twist-beam axle for motor vehicles, includes two longitudinal control arms, and a transverse strut interconnecting the longitudinal control arms and having over a major portion of its length a doubled-walled cross section of V-shaped or U-shaped configuration, thereby defining an inner profile and an outer profile. The inner and outer profiles support one another at least over predetermined portions to define a contact zone therebetween for receiving a friction-reducing additive.

Abstract: In a method of making a structural member for the automobile industry, a blank of boron steel is pre-formed at ambient temperature into an intermediary part of a configuration which substantially corresponds to an end shape of a finished structural member. The intermediary part is then coated with aluminum or an aluminum alloy and exposed to a temperature above the upper transformation line in the TTT curve. Subsequently, the intermediary part is formed in a mold into the finished structural member while being hardened at the same time.

Abstract: A control arm includes a connection tube and two mounting eyes respectively attached to opposite ends of the tube. Each mounting eye has a sleeve and a rubber-metal element vulcanized into the sleeve. In a method of making such a control arm, an elongate tubular member is sized to a sleeve blank of a length commensurate with the tube. Parallel thereto, an extruded profile is made with a cross sectional configuration of the sleeve and subsequently sized to the axial height of the sleeve. Rubber-metal elements are vulcanized into the sleeve blanks which together with the tube are then clamped, axially shiftable, in a friction welding machine for subsequently fabricating protruding collars on the sleeves through material removal and joining the end surfaces of the protruding collars with the end surfaces of the tube. While still chucked, the tube and the mounting eyes are calibrated through cold upsetting and the joints are smoothed.

Abstract: A dashboard support for a motor vehicle, includes a support beam extending between windshield pillars of a motor vehicle body. Associated to the support beam is an active arrangement, which includes ceramic piezoelectric elements and a controller operatively connected to the piezoelectric elements, for implementing a vibration damping.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe includes first and second length portions, each having an outer pipe and an inner pipe positioned relative to one another to define an annular gap therebetween. The length portions are placed in confronting disposition with their adjacent first ends interconnected for relative movement in a longitudinal direction. An end piece of the outer pipe of the first length portion is disposed in surrounding relationship to an end piece of the outer pipe of the second length portion at interposition of an end portion of the inner pipe of the first length portion, wherein the end pieces of the outer pipes of the first and second length portions and the end portion of the inner pipe of the first length portion are positioned for relative movement in the longitudinal direction, so as to define a triple sliding fit.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning a metallic article, in particular for removing oxide deposits, whereby the metallic article is made of a hardenable steel having a carbon content of at least 0.1% by weight and is at least partially hardened, the metallic article is placed in a vessel containing a liquid cleaning agent with a pH value in the range of 4 to 8, and exposed to sound waves.

Abstract: In a method of making a hardened sheet metal article, a blank is formed with at least one through-passage with a projecting collar. Thereafter, the blank is heated and hot-formed in a press mold to a sheet metal article. Still within the press mold, the sheet metal article is hardened. The shaping of the blank in the press mold is accompanied by a calibration of the through-passage to final shape.

Abstract: In a method of making a hardened sheet metal article, at least one pot-shaped depression is formed in a sheet metal blank. Thereafter, the sheet metal blank is hot formed in a press mold to a sheet metal article, and the sheet metal article is hardened. The press mold provides hereby a calibration of the depression to provide the final shape.

Abstract: In a method of making a sheet metal article with varying thickness for fabricating a structural part for a motor vehicle, a blank of sheet metal is machined at least on one side along predetermined zones with a geometrically defined cutting tool to provide indentations of reduced thickness. Subsequently, the machined blank is subjected to a cold forming process or hot forming process.

Abstract: An arrangement for treating exhaust emitted from an Otto engine with direct fuel injection, includes an engine-proximate catalytic converter and a NOx adsorber which is linked to the catalytic converter by an exhaust pipe. An outer tube with a flexible length portion in the form of a metallic bellows surrounds the exhaust pipe at formation of a circumferential gap therebetween. Provided in the gap is a metal powder which releases or adsorbs hydrogen gas in dependence on a temperature in the gap, wherein the gap is evacuated to provide a heat-insulating atmosphere.

Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle; includes a cross member having an U-shaped cross section and intended for attachment to longitudinal members of a vehicle chassis. The cross member includes a web and two legs connected to the web. Received in the cross member is an impact absorber which has a cross member proximal end joined to the web and to confronting ends of the legs.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an airbag disposed in an area of a roof frame of a vehicle body which includes an “A” pillar, a “B” pillar, and a “C/D” pillar. A connecting tube is coupled to the airbag and extends in the area of the roof frame from the “A” pillar to the “C/D” pillar to conduct pressure gas from a pressure gas source to the airbag. The connecting tube is so configured as to provide stiffening for increasing a lateral rigidity of the roof frame and is firmly secured at least to the “A” pillar and the “C/D” pillar.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing an end portion of a tubular workpiece in a mold for internal high-pressure forming of the workpiece, includes a housing having a pressure compartment in fluid communication with an interior space of the workpiece. Hydraulic high-pressure fluid is supplied from a pressure source to the pressure compartment by a pressure application unit which further includes a pressure piston received in the pressure compartment and defined in the pressure compartment by an effective piston area which is greater than a cross sectional area in the interior space of an end portion of the workpiece. At least indirectly connected to the pressure piston is a sealing mandrel which interacts with the end portion of the tubular workpiece. A check valve is disposed in a passageway between the pressure compartment and the interior space of the workpiece for blocking in a direction to the pressure compartment.

Abstract: A side impact beam to be integrated in a motor vehicle includes at least one elongated bar, which has a trapezoidal cross section and terminates on both ends in ramp-like end portions, wherein the elongated bar has a central web, flanks diverging outwardly from the central web, and flanges connected to the extremities of the flanks, and terminal attachment zones. For manufacturing such a side impact beam, a semifinished flat blank is cut to size of constant width from a sheet metal material band of constant thickness and includes an elongated center portion of constant width and a length which is at least half a length of the blank, wherein the center portion terminates on opposite ends in tongue-shaped end portions.

Abstract: A structural chassis or body part, in particular axle support, includes at least two steel components having different strengths, with one of the components being heat-treated. The components have different strengths, whereby the heat-treated component can have a yield strength of about 900 MPa. The components may each be made of separate parts, with the separate parts as well as the components themselves being joined together, for example by welding.