Abstract: A method and a control unit are provided for detecting when the driver of a motor vehicle becomes inattentive. In order to be able to reliably draw conclusions about the presence of inattentiveness of the driver, it is proposed to observe not only a steering inactivity phase but also a steering action which follows the steering inactivity phase. A detected implementation of the steering inactivity phase and of the steering action are logically combined with one another, and the result of this logic combination is then used as a measure of the severity of the inattentiveness of the driver. In addition, the measure of the severity of the inattentiveness of the driver depends on at least one driver-specific parameter which is determined during the execution of the method. The inattentiveness of the driver can also be detected during the time interval in which the at least one driver-specific parameter is determined.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas purification unit for purifying the exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine which is preferably operated in lean-burn mode, in particular a diesel engine used in motor vehicles, has a particulate filter and a SCR catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust pipe in succession in the direction of flow, and a reducing-agent supply. Ammonia can be added to the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine on the entry side of the SCR catalytic converter by the reducing-agent supply. The exhaust-gas purification unit includes a hydrogen-generating unit for enriching the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine with the hydrogen which it generates.

Abstract: A steering column arrangement for motor vehicles includes a steering column designed to be changeable in terms of its inclination and/or length and a clamping system having plate packs for fixing the steering column in a specific position. The steering column arrangement is designed for increasing the frictional force in the clamping system and/or for locking the clamping system, preferably by way of form-fitting engagement, with structure that acts automatically when a threshold load, acting on the steering column in the direction of its longitudinal axis, is exceeded.

Abstract: Improvements in freezing and sub-freezing startup time for an electrochemical fuel cell system may be observed by having a passive coolant microloop using two gear pump heads. During a cold start, a stack valve is initially fully closed and causes all system coolant arriving at the module to run through a driving gear pump head. This causes a driven gear pump head to recirculate coolant inside the module. In an embodiment, the stack valve is a thermostatic valve that begins to open as the coolant begins to warm up. This allows a small bleed of system coolant into the module and decreases the percentage of microloop recirculation. When operating temperature is reached, the thermostatic valve is fully open and system coolant inlet pressure on the driving gear pump head counteracts the pressure on the driven gear pump head, thus stopping recirculation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder crankcase (4) comprising at least one cylinder liner (2) which is integrally cast in the cylinder crankcase (4). The cylinder liner (2) runs in the cylinder crankcase (4) from a cylinder-head side (6) to an oil-chamber side (8) and has an inner side (10) and an outer side (14). The invention is characterized in that the cylinder liner (2), at least at one end, is longer along the inner side (10) in the axial direction (20) than on the outer side (14). The transition from the inner side (10) to the outer side (14) is affected in the form of encircling, concentric steps (22).

Abstract: A method for testing electric motor shut-off including injecting current into an electric motor, applying at least one of a short or an open to the electric motor for a predetermined length of time, calculating the rate of decay of the current and comparing rate of the decay with a predetermined decay criteria. In one implementation, a predefined sequence of opening and short circuiting the electric motor is used, and the shut-off path tests for the motor three phases can be verified with one test.

Abstract: In a toroidal transmission with a continuously variable power transmission ratio, which is adjustable by displacement of a power transmission roller arranged between toric disks along an axis X-X under the control of an adjusting unit including a hydraulic piston, the adjusting unit has a bush which serves on the one hand to seal off the working space and, at the same time, forms two slide surfaces one for the piston and another for the guide bush, all in a small support space pivotally supporting a support member for the power transmission roller.

Abstract: A communications system for registering tolls, with vehicles which have communications devices for wirefree communication between the vehicles and the toll operator which is assigned to them and has a corresponding communications device. In this context, the vehicles transmit toll information relevant to the toll operator in a toll-registration area which is assigned to the toll operator, and the toll operator determines or bills the tolls to be charged therefrom. If the vehicles communicate, by means of their communication devices, with other toll operators outside the toll registration area of the toll operator assigned to them, in order to register tolls, the exchange of toll-related information takes place only when a certificate of the assigned toll operator is successfully transmitted and on the basis of a public key or a private key.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine provided with two exhaust gas turbochargers which each comprise a turbine in an exhaust line and one compressor in an intake section of the engine, two exhaust lines are provided which are each assigned to at least one of the exhaust gas turbines, an exhaust gas recirculation device being arranged between an exhaust line upstream of an exhaust gas turbine and the intake section downstream of a compressor and the two exhaust lines including bypass lines with a control valve for selectively permitting the exhaust gas to bypass the turbine closer to the engine.

Abstract: In a compressor of an exhaust gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine including a compressor wheel with an auxiliary rotor wheel which is rotatably supported adjacent to, and upstream of, the compressor wheel and which is movable axially between a coupled position with the compressor wheel and a decoupled position, wherein, in the coupled position, the auxiliary rotor wheel is rotationally connected to the compressor wheel, without contacting the compressor wheel, by means of a magnetic clutch for transferring a torque from the auxiliary rotor wheel to the compressor wheel in a low engine power operating range in order to maintain the compressor wheel at an increased speed.

Abstract: A door pillar for a supporting frame structure of a vehicle body has an upper section which extends from a vehicle roof as far as a vehicle side edge, and a lower section which extends from the vehicle side edge in the direction of a vehicle floor. In order to improve the door pillar with regard to loading and weight, it has a pillar body which extends at least in the upper section and is made of iron or iron alloy, and a pillar base which is connected fixedly thereto, extends at least in the lower section, and is made of light metal or light metal alloy.

Abstract: In a wheel carrier unit comprising a basic wheel carrier member, a support member connecting the basic wheel carrier member to a vehicle body by way of axle links, and a brake cylinder arranged thereon, the brake cylinder is disposed on the side of the wheel carrier unit remote from the wheel location and a housing for a brake application unit serving as mechanical force transmission unit is formed on the opposite side of the wheel carrier unit.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle seat for a closed motor vehicle, an air supply device is provided for supplying the head, neck and shoulder region of the seat occupant with warm air that can emerge via an air discharge opening on that side of the backrest which faces the seat occupant. In order to surround the head, neck and shoulder region of the seat occupant with a draft-free and inconspicuous air cushion or air space, an air discharge opening that extends at least over approximately one third of the width of the backrest of the vehicle seat is provided.