Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle, with a support structure, by which the airbag can be moved out of a storage position into a retaining position includes an envelope, by which a retaining volume of the airbag formed by the support structure in the retaining position is surrounded. At least one opening is provided in the envelope, which can be at least partially closed in the retaining position of the airbag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for mounting a roof element on a vehicle body, particularly of a passenger car. Relative to a roof frame element, the roof element is moved from a prefixing position into a final mounting position. In the prefixing position, the roof element is held by a prefixing pairing of at least one roof-element-side and at least one roof-frame-element-side prefixing element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lightweight component for a vehicle body, which forms at least one closed frame. The lateral parts of the frame are designed as cast components and joined by at least one reinforcement profile disposed between the lateral parts, the end regions of the reinforcement profile being cast around by the cast components with a positive and adhesive connection. The invention further relates to a method for the production of such lightweight components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell apparatus (1) with at least one fuel cell (2) having an anode region (4) and a cathode region (3) and being accommodated in a housing (6), wherein a flushing medium for flushing the housing (6) can be introduced into a space (7) of the housing (6) outside the fuel cell (2), the flushing medium being an exhaust gas generated in the cathode region (3) in the operation of the fuel cell (2). The invention further relates to a method for the operation of a fuel cell apparatus (1) of this type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a front spring bracket (18) for a truck, wherein said bracket can be attached to the front end of a vehicle frame (10) and comprises a side part (20) associated with a respective longitudinal frame carrier (12, 14) of the vehicle frame (10), which are connected to each other by way of at least one cross-member (22), wherein at least parts (20) of the front spring bracket (18) are configured as aluminum castings.

Abstract: A drive for moving a lamella of a wind deflector is provided. The drive includes at least one coupling mechanism by which the lamella can be adjusted from a non-use position into a use position and vice versa. The mechanism is articulatedly connected at one end to the lamella and at the other end to the roof frame. The coupling mechanism is designed as a crank-rocker mechanism which raises the lamella away from the roof frame into the use position, and lowers the lamella onto the roof frame into the non-use position, in a substantially parallel fashion.

Abstract: The invention is based on a drive train (10) of a motor vehicle in which a control device (16) limits an output torque of a drive machine (14) to a first maximum value or a second, higher maximum value. The object of the invention is to propose a drive train which permits low fuel consumption. According to the invention, the control device (16) has a signal transmitting connection to a roadway information device (camera 53) which supplies information relating to a profile of the roadway in front of the motor vehicle. The control device (16) can thus predictively change from the first maximum value to the second maximum value or carry out shifting back in the transmission (19).

Abstract: A vehicle axle construction comprises a suspension for supporting the axle from first and second frame rail members. Elongated support members extend forwardly from respective locations along the frame rail members that are rearwardly of the axle and are clamped or otherwise coupled to the axle. A single pivot may be utilized to couple the respective rearmost end portions of the supports to the respective frame members. The forward ends of the supports may be coupled to respective air springs. Desirably, at least a portion of each air spring is positioned forwardly of the axle. In addition, at least one lateral stabilizer rigidifies the suspension. An alternative suspension utilizes leaf springs. A double acting rack-and-pinion steering mechanism may be rigidly coupled to the axle for use in steering the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: In an arrangement for strengthening the road grip for a vehicle, particularly for a passenger car, air can be sucked from a vacuum chamber arranged under the vehicle and closed off with respect to the ambient atmosphere. As a result, a vacuum can be generated in a vacuum chamber arranged in a braking plate, and the latter can be changed from an inoperative position away from the ground into a operative position close to the ground, as a result of the generated vacuum.

Abstract: In a roof structure for the body of a motor vehicle with front roof pillars which are interconnected via a roof frame element, the roof frame element is arranged in a center section of the roof structure in relation to the connecting section thereof to the respective roof pillar so as to be set back in the longitudinal vehicle direction.

Abstract: A vehicle has a crash detection device for detecting a crash that introduces a force acting in an effective direction into the vehicle. An acceleration device directly or indirectly cooperates with the crash detection device to absolutely accelerate at least one partial mass of the vehicle against the effective direction in which the force is introduced in case of a crash.

Abstract: A motor vehicle preventive protection system comprises a plurality of safety devices which are actuated as a function of information from at least one vehicle surroundings detection device. The time remaining prior to a collision is determined when the information from the vehicle surroundings detection device represents an anticipated collision with a collision object. Associated activation times for at least two of the actuators assigned to the safety devices are stored and the time remaining prior to the collision is compared with the activation times. At least one safety device is activated if the time remaining prior to the collision is shorter than or equal to at least one of the activation times of the actuators.

Abstract: In a drive unit for a motor vehicle having a vehicle body, an electric machine which is supported by the vehicle body, a sprung wheel suspension and a wheel supported thereby, and the wheel being drive-connected to a device for transmitting torque between the electric machine and the wheel, the wheel suspension comprises a strut unit and the device for transmitting torque is arranged between the electric machine and the wheel and extends coaxially with respect to the axis of the strut unit so as to form a compact design with small unsprung masses while providing for the possibility of a torque transfer between the electric machine and the wheel.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing concentrations of reactants in gases flowing through an exhaust system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises creating a turbulent flow of gases along a periphery region of an exhaust pipe, the turbulent flow created by the gases transported over a wire mesh residing in the periphery region; and mixing the gases in the periphery region with a reactant gas being transported in a flow-through region, the mixing caused by the turbulent flow of gases, such that concentration of the reactant gas is reduced as the reactant gas is transported through the exhaust system.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement which contains for a vehicle control system, comprises a buffer for geographic information, whereby the geographic information is suitable to describe at least one possible route of the vehicle. An input interface selects subsets of the geographic information stored in the buffer in response to at least one position-related parameter which is entered at the input interface. An output interface selects subsets of the geographic information corresponding to the parameter values provided, which subsets are transmitted for further processing in the vehicle control system.

Abstract: An air supply mechanism for a vehicle seat comprises a control device for driving a fan and a heating element connected downstream of the fan. When the vehicle is unlocked, a vehicle door is opened and/or a folding-top switch is actuated in order to open the folding-top, the control device causes a heating element to be preconditioned. When there is a switching-on signal for the air supply mechanism, the control device ends the preconditioning and switches on the heating element and the fan. The heating element and fan are subsequently regulated by the control device as a function of vehicle speed and external temperature. In this manner, a seat occupant does not experience an initial draft or a delayed switching-on reaction but rather experiences a pleasant warmth even immediately after the air supply mechanism is switched on.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having a turbine wheel connected, by means of a shaft, to the compressor wheel of a compressor which includes a variable inlet geometry comprising a plunger and a sleeve-shaped partition for controlling an auxiliary duct leading radially to the compressor wheel, which is provided with compressor wheel blades to which air is supplied axially via an axial inlet passage and radially via a radial wheel inlet area, the compressor wheel includes a contoured ring provided at its outer circumferential surface with auxiliary blades disposed over, and aligned with, the compressor wheel blades in the radial and the axial wheel inlet region of the compressor wheel.

Abstract: The potential energy from a hydrogen tank is used in a gas jet pump, which draws in anode waste gas via an inlet and recirculates it to an anode inlet. To ensure that this system operates effectively even under low loads, a part of the waste gas is supplied to a compressor, and the compressed waste gas is supplied to the motive jet inlet of a gas jet pump, which may be the same one to which the hydrogen from the tank is also supplied. Different gas jet pumps may also be used, for the hydrogen from the tank on the one hand, and the compressed waste gas on the other hand.

Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment installment and associated exhaust gas aftertreatment method utilizes a nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter and an SCR catalytic converter. A particulate filter is provided upstream of the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter or between the latter and the SCR catalytic converter or downstream of the SCR catalytic converter. The time of regeneration operating phases of the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter can be determined as a function of the nitrogen oxide content of the exhaust gas downstream of the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter or of the SCR catalytic converter and/or as a function of the ammonia loading of the latter. Moreover, a desired ammonia generation quantity can be determined for a respective regeneration operating phase. The installation and method are adopted for use for motor vehicle internal combustion engines and other engines which are operated predominantly in lean-burn mode.