Abstract: A method is provided of transferring satellite digital audio channel information to a radio display module. The method includes: broadcasting radio display type information on a in-vehicle communication network; storing a value in the radio display module to indicate a current version of at least one channel information table in the radio display module; sending a value to the radio display module to indicate the current version of the channel information table stored in a satellite receiver module; requesting the satellite receiver module to send the current channel information table; transforming the channel information table into a message protocol structure within a data stream whereby the data stream is transmitted to the radio display module; and storing the data stream into an address in the radio display module.

Abstract: A vehicle control device activates an adjustable drive unit of a motor vehicle dependent upon at least one control signal. In a constant driving mode, a virtual control signal is created and used instead of the real control signal for activating the drive unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pedal bearing block for receiving a pedal. The pedal bearing block has a basic body, a connecting point for fastening the pedal bearing block to a front wall, and a bearing point 13 for receiving a pedal bearing. In order to produce the pedal bearing block compactly and favorably, the basic body of the pedal bearing block has a shell 1 and a reinforcing element 11 assigned to the shell 1.

Abstract: Piston pin for a connecting rod in a reciprocating internal combustion engine, wherein the piston pin carries at least in the area of the running surface a thermal sprayed slide layer of a metallic bearing material or slide bearing material, as well as reciprocating internal combustion engine with a connecting rod with small and with large connecting rod eye, wherein at least the running surface of one of the piston pins is formed of a thermal sprayed slide layer of a metallic bearing material, which exhibits a lower hardness than the running surface of the corresponding connecting rod eye and process for manufacturing a described piston pin with the steps of a extrusion molding or machining a piston pin preform, introduction of a recess in the area which will later become the running surface, roughening the outer surface in the area of the recess, application of a coating of a bearing material by a thermal spray process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection system for a motor vehicle having a vehicle seat with airbags which are integrated into lateral areas of a seating part and of a backrest, the air pressure of the airbags being adjustable by means of a compressed air regulating device. According to the invention, a coordination system is provided which evaluates the data which is relevant to the safety of the driving operation, and times the actuation of the compressed air regulating device in such a way that at least one airbag of the vehicle seat is inflated before the occurrence of an anticipated accident.

Abstract: A porous carbon electrode as well as a process for manufacture thereof enables large freedom in design with respect to shape and porosity of the electrode. The process includes these steps: applying a layer of carbon particles upon a target surface; radiating of a selected part of the layer, corresponding to the cross section of the electrode, with a beam of energy or with a stream of liquid, so that the particles in the selected part are joined or bonded to their respective neighbors, wherein micropores remain between the neighbors; repeating the steps of applying and radiating for a plurality of layers, so that the joined or bonded parts of the adjacent layers are bonded, in order to produce an electrode.

Abstract: In a method for limiting a boost pressure of an internal combustion engine which is supercharged by the compressor of an exhaust gas turbocharger including a control unit in which a desired boost pressure value is compared with a limiting value and when the desired boost pressure value exceeds the limiting value, the boost pressure is limited to the limiting value, and the limiting value is determined by a simulation model in the form of a group of a characteristic curves established as a function of an existing operating state of the internal combustion engine, a temperature, a pressure (p1), and a air mass flow rate which occur upstream of a compressor of the exhaust gas turbocharger.

Abstract: In a secondary air delivery device for an internal combustion engine comprising a secondary air charger with a compressor and a turbine which is driven by the vacuum generated in the engine intake duct and which drives the compressor that delivers secondary air to the engine exhaust duct, wherein the engine intake air duct includes an air filter for filtering the air supplied to the engine, a separate air filter structure is provided for filtering the air supplied to the compressor and to the turbine which air filter structure is accommodated in the housing of the secondary air charger.

Abstract: A method for the autothermal reforming of a hydrocarbon, in particular of diesel, includes introducing a combustible mixture of the hydrocarbon to be reformed and an oxygen-containing medium into a first reaction zone of a reformer, A gas-phase reaction is ignited. After an operating temperature required for the autothermal reforming process is reached, water or a water-containing medium is introduced into the first reaction zone, and the water content is increased until the conditions for the reforming process of the hydrocarbon prevail. The reforming process then takes place predominantly in a second reaction zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the determination of a stationary and/or moving object, such as a vehicle, acoustic signals emitted by the object and/or reflected by another object are recorded and used to evaluate or identify an object. The object is detected, evaluated and identified acoustically with the aid of noises from it and/or extraneous noises, with respect to its own movement profile in relation to one or more coordinate axes (x, y axes), in the manner of a self-localization based on sound waves.

Abstract: A steering column arrangement has an outer jacket tube as well as an inner jacket tube, which is displaceable within the former, as well as an adjusting device effective between the two jacket tubes for displacing one jacket tube in relation to the other jacket tube. The adjusting device comprises a drive unit and a servo component. The drive unit should be releasably fastened to a guiding device, and the drive unit should be mounted in a fashion permitting displacement along the guiding device.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank in which hydrogen is stored at a pressure above atmospheric and which communicates via a hydrogen supply line with an anode chamber of the fuel cell. An anode circuit, via which unreacted hydrogen is able to be recirculated from a region downstream of the anode chamber into the hydrogen supply line, is provided. At least one pumping device is provided between the outlet of the anode chamber and its inlet in the anode circuit and/or the hydrogen supply line. Between the hydrogen storage tank and the anode chamber, a turbine is provided, which supplies at least a portion of the power required for driving the pumping device.

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. A hydrogen-generating unit enriches the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine with generated hydrogen.

Abstract: Device and method for operation of at least one electrical machine for a motor vehicle. In order to coordinate torque requirements for the propulsion system and voltage requirements for the vehicle power supply system and at least one battery for the vehicle power supply system, a voltage reference variable is formed for the voltage requirements for the vehicle power supply system, and a torque reference variable is formed for the torque requirements of the propulsion system. The voltage reference variable is limited by upper and lower torque limit values which must not be overshot or undershot in the event of changes to the voltage reference variable. The torque reference variable is limited by voltage limit values which must not be overshot or undershot in the event of torque changes.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided having a steering system for selectively operating the vehicle in a zero-steer configuration. The system includes a forward steering assembly coupled to a steering wheel and a forward set of wheels. The forward steering assembly is arranged to receive an input from the steering wheel and includes a selectively actuateable forward motorized mechanism. A rear steering assembly is coupled to a rear set of wheels and includes a rearward motorized mechanism. Upon selective activation, the forward motorized mechanism is arranged to engage the forward steering assembly and rotate the forward set of wheels toward a centerline of the vehicle and the rearward motorized mechanism is arranged to engage the rearward steering assembly and rotate the rearward set of wheels toward the vehicle centerline such that the wheels are positioned to allow the vehicle to turn about a central point of the vehicle in a zero-steer configuration.

Abstract: A data protocol converter has two interfaces, one of which can be connected to a standard vehicle diagnostic interface, and the other permitting wireless message transfer using a diagnostic handset. A data protocol translator converts the messages from the standard vehicle diagnostic interface into messages having a wireless data format, so that they can be received in the diagnostic handset using the latter's wireless interface. The data protocol converter has a further interface so that it can be connected to a second standard diagnostic interface according to a different standard. The data protocol translator can convert the messages from the second standard vehicle diagnostic interface into messages having a wireless data format.

Abstract: A method for influencing the load on a driver while driving a motor vehicle, in which a workload is determined from physiological driver data detected by sensors, and to an apparatus for carrying out the method. The load or the workload on the driver is kept in an optimum workload range and brought back to this optimum range if there is any discrepancy, thus ensuring an optimum driver performance level and attention level. For this purpose, vehicle systems are driven as a function of the detected workload value in such a way that the driver is influenced via his visual, auditory or tactile sense channels in such a way that his workload value returns to a value in the optimum workload range.