Abstract: In a method for recognizing a loss of pressure in a tire of a motor vehicle, an anomaly in the chassis, such as a loss of tire pressure, is recognized by comparing an indicative value indicative of the chassis anomaly or the tire pressure with a comparative value. An instantaneous indicative value that is indicative of the chassis anomaly or the tire pressure is determined. A comparative value is stored in a learning step when a learning threshold is reached, and previously determined indicative values are used for determining the comparative value to be stored. An anomaly in the chassis or a loss of pressure in a tire is recognized by comparing the instantaneous indicative value with the comparative value. An intermediate value or determined indicative value is stored if the predefinable learning threshold has not been reached.

Abstract: In a driver restraining system in a motor vehicle having an airbag which is integrated into a steering device, in the event of a crash, the positioning of the steering device and a triggering decision about the unfolding of the airbag and an unfolding characteristic of the airbag are determined by a control unit whose input signals include a signal of a crash detection sensor system and a signal of a passenger compartment sensor system which has at least one seat position detection means and a sensor system for sensing morphological data of the driver. Furthermore, in the event of a crash, the control unit additionally actuates a motor-operated seat adjustment device of the driver's seat in an adapted fashion.

Abstract: A test apparatus (1) is provided for examining sheet-like components (8), in particular membrane electrode assemblies for use in a fuel cell, at least in sections and preferably continuously, for perforations (7), which apparatus includes means (9) for applying a test gas (6) to one side of the sheet-like component, means (2) for emitting electromagnetic radiation (12) in a wavelength region adapted to the test gas (6), which means are arranged on that side (11) of the sheet-like component (8) which is remote from the test gas (6), and means (3, 4, 5) for detecting any electromagnetic radiation (12) which has been absorbed by the test gas (6) in a characteristic wavelength region, and a method for carrying out an examination of this type.

Abstract: An illumination device has an illumination means formed by an arrangement of a plurality of semiconductor light sources (2) grouped together to form a field. Sensor elements (3) are arranged at individual positions of the field instead of the semiconductor sources (2). A multifunctional headlight can thus be advantageously created. The headlight can be embodied as a robust, compact, low-space unit. By virtue of the fact that the light sources (2) and the sensor elements (3) do not necessarily use the same lens system (1) i.e. each individual element of the multifunctional headlight can be provided with an individually designed lens system (1), the beam path of the illumination device can be separated from the field of vision of the sensor system and can thus be determined independently over large areas.

Abstract: A membrane module for the separation of hydrogen is configured for parallel flows and contains a plurality of planar membrane cells which respectively comprise two hydrogen-selective planar membranes respectively surrounded by a flat membrane frame. An air-permeable distancing layer is arranged between the membranes for removal of the permeate gas and a supply frame surrounding a supply area for the reformate gas. All membrane frames and supply frames have the same outer dimensions and form a stack with planar side surfaces. Two membrane frames of each membrane cell have protruding edges directed towards each other, enabling them to enter into contact with each other, except for at least one first opening towards a side surface of the stack. The supply frame is disposed, except for second and third openings towards the side surfaces of the stack, in a closely adjacent manner to the edges of the membrane frame of two neighboring membrane cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cover device for a vehicle top storage compartment of a convertible vehicle. A cover can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position. Two side flaps are arranged on sides of the cover that lie opposite each other transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, which side flaps can be pivoted between a passive position, in which they open lateral passage openings, and an active position, in which they close the passage openings. A particularly inexpensive construction is achieved by the fact that the side flaps are mounted on the cover in each case via a bearing arrangement which makes it possible to lower the particular side flap relative to the cover and to pivot the side flap under the cover. A driving device provided for adjusting the side flaps is designed exclusively for the pivoting adjustment about the flap axis, which is defined by the sleeve and the bolt.

Abstract: A brake control system for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, includes a service brake for braking the wheels of the vehicle. To increase operating safety, the service brake is equipped with an electronically actuatable brake unit for each wheel for actuating the brake of the respective wheel. Two redundantly connected central control devices are connected via control lines to the brake units so as to actuate the brake units independently of one another.

Abstract: An operating system for a vehicle, including a display screen containing a plurality of representation regions for representing inputs of a menu structure with a plurality of levels, a manual actuating means for selecting and/or activating at least one input in a current level of the menu structure, and voice control means for a redundant selection and/or activation of at least one input from the menu structure. The voice control means evaluate the current menu level and/or an active representation region and/or a current cursor position, and determine an operating purpose according to the evaluation. Once the voice control means have been activated, they start at least one voice dialogue associated with the determined operating purpose for selecting and/or activating at least one input from the menu structure.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system and a method for actuating a vehicle occupant protection device in a vehicle are provided. The distance from an obstacle is sensed, a braking deceleration which is necessary to avoid a collision is determined, and the determined braking deceleration is used to determine whether a predefined event has occurred. When the predefined event occurs, the vehicle occupant protection device is actuated in order to trigger it or to activate it for the purpose of triggering, the necessary braking deceleration being determined or the determined necessary braking deceleration being evaluated for the occurrence of the predefined event, only if a driver of the vehicle has activated a brake activation element in order to initiate a braking operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a prescribed heat exchanger, such as a catalytically active radiator, in a motor vehicle are performed, during operation of the motor vehicle. The temperature of a heat-exchanger medium is observed together with further current operationally relevant parameters of the motor vehicle for a prespecified time window. An expected temperature gradient over time of the heat-exchanger medium is detected, as well as the current temperature gradient over time of the temperature of the heat-exchanger medium. The presence of a prescribed heat exchanger is detected taking into account the expected temperature gradient and the current temperature gradient.

Abstract: A sound insulator for a motor vehicle passenger compartment is disclosed. The aim of the invention is to develop a sound insulator which makes it possible to obtain an improved damping effect within a frequency range less than 300 Hz. In that respect, the invention relates to a sound insulator for a motor vehicle passenger compartment, which comprises an air cushion consisting of a dampingly active envelope which is made of an elastic material and disposed between a sound-generating component and the compartment internal space. The invention provides for a sound damping layer (25) which matches the shape of said component (13), acts as a spring material system and is covered on the compartment side by a heavyweight film (26), thereby forming the first shell of the air cushion (29).

Abstract: An information system in a vehicle includes a storage medium for storing data, a drive mechanism for driving the storage medium, a control device configured to control the drive mechanism of the storage medium at at least two different speeds, a first speed being higher than a second speed. The control device may be configured to store data on the storage medium by driving the drive mechanism to determine the standstill state of the vehicle using sensor data and to control the drive device at the first speed if the vehicle is at a standstill.

Abstract: In a method of operating a reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine with a combustion chamber in which a fuel mix with fresh gas is provided via intake ports and combustion exhaust gases are discharged through exhaust ports which can be opened by intake valves and, respectively, exhaust valves which are actuated by a valve operating mechanism, wherein an operating mode with external ignition, in which the fuel mix is ignited by a spark plug, is provided in part of the load range of the internal combustion engine, and an operating mode with compression ignition, in which the control of the gas exchange valves is altered so as to retain combustion exhaust gases in the combustion chamber for participation in the formation of the fresh mix is provided in another load range of the internal combustion engine, during a change in the operating mode the valve lift of at least one of the gas exchange valves is altered.

Abstract: A device for controlling electrical systems of a means of transportation that is encapsulated within a housing provided with an external interface and that has a microcomputer for executing control programs and storage means on which control programs for actuating an electrical component and signals of the component can be stored, the signals being exchanged via an internal interface by actuation software of the electrical component. According to the invention, a test module is provided within the housing and at the internal interface of the component, which test module evaluates the signals of the component which are exchanged via the interface, in order to test the satisfactory functioning of an internal component or of the control program.