Abstract: Method for actuating a reversible belt pretensioner for pretensioning a belt webbing, unwound from a belt reel, of a seat belt in a motor vehicle, the belt pretensioner having a drive which acts on the belt reel, and the seat belt having, as a belt extraction lock, a locking device which acts on the belt reel in the unwinding direction and whose locking can be released only if the belt reel is rotated about a certain angle of rotation in the winding-on direction. After a triggering of the belt pretensioner caused by a hazardous situation and if a variable indicative of the belt force indicates a decrease in the belt force, an opening mode is initiated in which the belt pretensioner drive is actuated in order to open the blocking device in such a manner that, at the beginning of the opening mode, the belt reel rotates about the specific angle of rotation in the winding-on direction.

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: A locking device for a cover of a glove compartment of a motor vehicle is positioned so as to swivel on an associated frame and is held in the closed condition by two locking sections of the locking bar engaging behind an associated locking contour on the frame. The locking bars can be synchronously displaced from their locked position to the release position in order to open the cover by way of an actuation element. In order to minimize installation space, especially in the area of the cover, the actuation element is positioned on the frame side and, for opening the cover, interacts with its locking section on the associated locking bar, displacing it in the opening direction, while the other locking bar is moved into its release position.

Abstract: A device for severing a hollow profile, shaped according to the internal high pressure forming process, transversely to its longitudinal extent, includes an encircling cutting edge arranged in or at an encircling recess formed in an inner wall of the device. In this case, it is essential that sealing elements are provided on the inner wall, with at least one sealing element being arranged in each case on both sides of and parallel to the cutting edge.

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 control system for a motor vehicle, having a manual actuating means with a plurality of degrees of freedom of adjustment for selecting and/or activating entries in a menu structure with a plurality of menu levels and a screen display having a plurality of display areas for displaying the menu structure, the display areas each including at least one field for displaying one of the entries, wherein, in an active display area in at least one menu level, a plurality of entries are arranged in a display area which is configured as a list. At least one additional field for displaying the position of the currently selected entry in the list can be activated and displayed if a number of entries exceeds a maximum number of entries which can be displayed in the list.

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 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: 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: 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 safety device is provided for a motor vehicle with a tilting roof integrated into a roof area and a servo drive for opening and closing the tilting roof. A coordination unit is provided that evaluates data relevant to driving safety and controls the servo drive in a timed manner so that a closing operation is initiated for the open tilting roof prior to an imminent accident.

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 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: 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: 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.