Abstract: A process for compensating systematic errors of an acceleration sensor. The result of a sliding average of the output of the accelerometer, determined when acceleration in the primary measurement direction is zero, is subtracted from the output of the accelerometer thus producing a signal representative of acceleration only in the primary direction. A functional check of the accelerometer is provided by aligning the accelerometer in a second direction and comparing the acceleration measured in this second direction to the acceleration measured in the primary direction by a second device for determining acceleration and indicating a malfunction when the two measured accelerations are different and it is determined that acceleration only in the primary direction is present.

Abstract: A partial stiffening of a covering of a folding top is provided by a wide tension-belt element which is stretched between two supporting structure members of the folding top and which, extending underneath the stretched folding-top covering, bears supportively against the folding-top covering on the wide side. The tension-belt element can be used for stiffening a zone of the folding-top covering curved transversely relative to its longitudinal extension, the side of the tension-belt element facing the folding-top covering has, at two spaced supporting locations, a contour matched to the intended transverse curvature of the folding-top covering. Supporting forces are transmitted by a spring prestress directed towards the folding-top covering.

Abstract: An igniting device for protective devices in vehicles has a pyro-electric igniting element which is associated with an electronic lock and a controlled switch for releasing the application of current to the igniter, and can be combined in an integral component. The application of an igniting signal leads to current being applied to the igniting element only after transmission of an unlocking signal to reliably prevent an unwanted triggering of ignition, for example by accidental application of an external voltage to the connections of the igniting device. The reactive igniting substance can be directly connected to a silicon chip which monolithically implements the electronic lock and the controlled switch.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a motor vehicle windshield wiper device has a crank which is driven in a rotating manner and produces a pivoting movement of a windshield wiper via a drive rod. If the movement of the windshield wiper is obstructed by a snow wedge building up in the wiper socket, the drive mechanism provides for an obstruction evading movement of the drive rod in such a way that the crank can fully rotate unimpeded. In order to obtain a low loading of the drive rod and its joints in the event of obstruction of the windshield wiper and to obtain a uniform wiping zone in normal wiping operation, the novel drive mechanism for the drive rod is firmly coupled to the crank and a lost motion drive means is arranged on the wiper shaft.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle seat is disclosed with a spring core resting on a subframe and surrounded by a topframe, each topframe portion pointed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle being supported relative to the subframe via a stay preventing floating movements and limiting lateral compression movements. In order to allow retrofitting and to prevent reactions on the topframe under compression movements the stay consists respectively of a foam block which is fixed to the subframe and which is inserted between two springs stretched from the subframe to the topframe and at least partially surrounds these positively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manually controlling a windscreen wiper drive motor in a motor vehicle in several speed steps, by which the drive motor can also be automatically switched from a manually switched-on speed step into a lower speed step when the speed passes through a predetermined threshold value of the motor vehicle travelling speed from a higher travelling speed. The apparatus and method provide automatic switching of the drive motor from each manually switched-on speed step into a lower speed step when the speed passes through the threshold value, cancellation of the current automatic switching until the speed again passes through the threshold value from a higher travelling speed when the control switch has been operated below the threshold value of the travelling speed and after the drive motor has been automatically switched into a lower speed step, and switching-on of each speed step of the drive motor selected by this operation of the control switch.

Abstract: A locking device for a door lock in a motor vehicle has a locking position which can be selected, even by remote actuation, by an outer security element and in which the influence of outer and inner lock handles and of inner security elements on this locking position is prevented as a result of an interruption of the force flux at disengageable couplings.

Abstract: The wheel carrier of an independent wheel suspension for steerable wheels of motor vehicles is pivotal about a steering axis which is so inclined that the steering point in a plan view on the wheel suspension is located outside of the point of contact of the wheel with the road. In order to prevent that with dynamic wheel load fluctuations about the steering axis, a moment pivoting the wheel carrier can occur which is customarily transmitted by way of the steering arm and steering tie-rod to the steering wheel and which has to be braced by muscle force, a wheel guide member is formed by two individual guide links which extend arrow-shaped in the direction toward the wheel carrier and are cardanically supported.

Abstract: An all-wheel steering control or regulating device for vehicle rear wheel steering, which is motor-driven and permits any desired predeterminable steering angles of the rear wheels as a function of the steering angles of the front wheels or other parameters. In the event of error detection in the system, a drive motor of the rear wheel steering is switched to an inoperative condition and a hydraulic positive coupling between front wheel steering and rear wheel steering is simultaneously established by means of separate piston-cylinder units, with the result that the rear wheels are steered simultaneously with the front wheels.

Abstract: A fuel tank having two tank spaces spaced from one another and connected to one another at a distance above their bottom. One tank space is equipped at its bottom with a retaining vessel having a closed shell. To assure that both tank spaces are reliably emptied, each tank space is equipped with a jet pump charged with fuel via a supply line. Both of the jet pumps, which are parallel or series connected to each other, deliver fuel to the retaining vessel.

Abstract: In a drive-slip control device on a road vehicle equipped with an anti-lock system and having a hydraulic dual-circuit brake system, in which at least on the brake circuit of the driven vehicle wheels, the ABS works on the return-flow principle and the ASR on the principle of decelerating a vehicle wheel tending to spin by subjecting its wheel brake to pressure. For the drive-slip control mode, a return pump of the ABS (assigned to the brake circuit of the driven vehicle wheels) is utilized as an auxiliary-pressure source. By means of an ASR control valve, the affected brake unit can be shut off from the main brake line of the brake circuit of the driven vehicle wheels. The return pump is connected to the return line of the brake circuit of the driven vehicle wheels. By means of an accumulator isolating valve the return line can be shut off from a buffer accumulator provided for receiving brake fluid bled from the wheel brake and from the inlet of the return pump during normal braking.

Abstract: Two side pieces, each assigned to one longitudinal side of the vehicle, of rear axle supports for passenger vehicles are customarily connected to one another by two transverse tie bars arranged at a distance from one another, In a known type of vehicle, the rearward transverse tie bar, which is designed to be flexible, as seen in the direction of travel, is provided in front of a body cross-member which is directly adjacent to a spare wheel pan, near the rear crumple zone of the body at the floor. In the case of a crash, the spare wheel strikes the rearward transverse tie bar via the spare wheel pan. To increase this crumple zone in the body floor region, the rearward transverse tie bar is provided with lateral clearance between the body cross-member and the spare wheel pan. The body cross-member can thus be arranged at a correspondingly large distance from the spare wheel pan, and a corresponding free path for the spare wheel can be achieved.

Abstract: Resiliently compliant swivel bearings have particular resilience in one radial direction are used in vehicle construction, for example, for link mounting. An elastomeric spring element is firmly adhered between inner and outer bearing elements. Two diametrically opposite, elongate recesses passing axially through a space between the two bearing elements are molded into the springing element. Two radial webs remaining due to these molded recessed support upright forces, with the maximum radial resilience made possible by the recesses being selected so that the radial webs are not overloaded by shear stress. The outer bearing element is connected in resiliently compliant fashion, in each case adjacent to one of the elongate recesses of the springing element, to a carrier which can be secured on a vehicle part in order to impart to the inner and outer bearing elements a radial resilience greater than the maximum possible radial deflection of the inner bearing element relative to the outer bearing element.

Abstract: A fuel tank having a trapping device arranged in its filler pipe for trapping fuel vapors during refuelling which has an internal closure flap which not only closes off an end of the filler pipe but also closes off connection to an activated carbon filter. Insertion of a fuel nozzle opens the flap valve.

Abstract: A four-stroke internal-combustion engine for a motor vehicle having inlet and exhaust valves is provided with additional outlet valves for each cylinder, which valves are adjustable by means of an actuating device and with a throttle flap arranged in the exhaust outlet, also adjustable by means of an actuating device. The actuating devices are operated by at least one directional valve, in response to actuation of a brake switch. Braking of the internal-combustion engine occurs as a result of the opening of the additional outlet valves and a throttling of the exhaust gases during the braking operation. The braking of the internal-combustion engine is speed-dependent in that engine braking is cancelled below a minimum specified speed.

Abstract: A split flywheel for reducing the transmission of vibrations from the engine to the drive shaft at certain frequencies of the flywheel is provided. Included are two flywheel elements drivingly connected to one another wherein one of which is connected or can be connected in a driven manner to the engine and the other of which is connected or can be connected in a driven manner to the drive line. The resonant frequency of the split flywheel unit is well below the frequency of engine vibrations which occur during normal traveling, so that only slight amplitudes of vibration occur between the flywheel elements during normal travel operation. However, during start-up of the engine, the resonant frequency of the flywheel is passed through. The drive connection between the elements a slip clutch having a greater friction contact than the maximum torque of the engine, placed in series with a spring mounting and positioned between the two flywheel elements.