Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a multispeed cycle hub comprises a housing adapted to be attached to an end of a hub shaft. A first cam, a second cam, and a pinion having engaging teeth are received in the housing for conjoint rotation. An elongated rack element is mounted for movement along an axis in the housing and is adapted to be coupled to a speed-selection device by a force-transmission member and includes a row of teeth in driving engagement with the engaging teeth of the pinion. A first pivot lever is pivotally mounted in the housing in constant contact with the first cam so as to follow a pivoting motion defined by the shape of the first cam and engages one of two speedchange elements, which are coupled to the transmission in the hub, so as to move the first speed change element upon pivotal movement in response to rotation of the first cam.

Abstract: An adjustable hydraulic vibration damper for motor vehicles includes a hydraulically and/or pneumatically adjustable control body of a damping valve which guarantees a continuous damping force adjustment, whereby when a control pressure falls below a minimum value, a high damping force is automatically generated. For this purpose, there is a control body for controlling passage of damping fluid through a flow channel, which control body has, on the side opposite the channel, a piston which works together with the control body, whereby a control pressure simultaneously presses against the neighboring end surfaces of the control body and of the control piston to provide a desired amount of damping force for control of the flow of damping fluid through the flow passage.

Abstract: The torsional shock absorber which is preferably suitable for a dual-mass flywheel comprises an input part (1) and an output part (21) which is rotatable round a common axis of rotation. Between control edges (43) of the input part (1) and control edges (41) of the output part (21), long load springs (23) designed for load running are arranged in an annular channel (15) which surrounds the axis of rotation and couples the output part (21) torsionally elastically to the input part (1). The output part (21) or optionally spring pots (25) provided at the face ends of the load springs (23) carry a peripherally resilient intermediate element (45) which projects beyond the control edges (41) of the part guiding the intermediate element (45) and rests on the control edges (35) of the other part. The control edges of these two parts are spaced from one another in the rest position of the torsional shock absorber, this spacing forming the operating range of the idling suspension.

Abstract: A device is proposed for the control of a transverse-acceleration-dependent vehicle component, particularly a shock-absorber, dependent upon a control signal representing the transverse acceleration and obtained by means of a computer. In the device of the invention the computer is supplied by a tachogenerator responding to the vehicle speed and by a steering angle sensor responding to a steering lock. The computer is designed for obtaining the control signal taking into consideration values specific to the vehicle, such as mass of the vehicle, wheel suspension rigidity and the like.

Abstract: A pressure plate arrangement (1) for a friction clutch of a motor vehicle is proposed, wherein an adjustment device (19), which automatically compensates for the wear of the friction linings (21), is disposed in the support path between a diaphragm spring (13) and a pressure plate (11), stressed against a flywheel (1) by the diaphragm spring (13) via friction linings (21) of a clutch disk (23). The adjustment device (19) has a pressure path compensating member (31), for example in the form of a radially resilient cone-shaped ring, which automatically compensates for possible play between the diaphragm spring (13) and the pressure plate (11). Distributed in the circumferential direction, a plurality of play transfer devices (37) is axially movably guided and arrested (for example by self-locking). The play transfer devices (37) rest against the flywheel (1) of the clutch housing (9) fixedly connected therewith and have levers (43) which limit the maximal wear compensation path of the compensating member (31).

Abstract: In a double-mass flywheel the flywheels of which are coupled with torsional flexibility by at least one set of at least two helical springs (31, 31'), it is proposed that the end spring (31') of the spring set arranged in a channel (29) encircling the axis of rotation (9) of the flywheels in a circular arc is pivoted to control elements (39, 53) of the flywheels via an endshoe (41). For this purpose, the endshoe (41) and the control elements (39, 53) are provided with guide surfaces which have the cross-sectional shape of a circular segment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a friction lining of a clutch plate which is constructed with an encircling reinforcing ring to increase the stability of speed. This annular part is arranged outside the wear volume and has a considerably smaller radial dimension than the friction lining.

Abstract: A method is submitted for the operative influencing of a damping supporting system mounted between a chassis and a body of a motor vehicle, which system has at least one damping assembly (12) mounted between the chassis and the body of the vehicle, in which method the damping properties of at least a part of the damping assemblies (12) are modified depending upon at least one operational state quantity (BZG) between at least three damping characteristics of different damping intensity. In the method, when a change between a first and a second damping characteristic is desired, both being softer than at least one third damping characteristic, particularly when the second damping characteristic is harder than the first, switching over to the third damping characteristic is effected temporarily in an interval between the effectiveness of the first and the effectiveness of the second damping characteristic.

Abstract: An oscillation damper is provided with a by-pass that includes a by-pass valve. The by-pass valve is switchable between an open position and a closed position. When the by-pass valve is moved between the open and closed positions, the rate of change of the cross-sectional area of the by-pass valve during the time when the by-pass valve is adjacent the closed position is considerably less than the average rate of change of the cross-sectional area during the entire time that it takes for the by-pass valve to switch between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: In a chain driving mechanism a chain runs around a wheel-side sprocket of a set of sprockets and around a pedal crank-side sprocket. The engaged sprocket is located between a sprocket of larger diameter and a sprocket of smaller diameter. The chain is in axial direction adjacent said neighbouring sprocket of larger diameter and projects in opposite direction beyond the neighbouring sprocket of smaller diameter.

Abstract: A displacement sensor for an actuating drive, particularly in a vehicle, having an actuating motor and an especially power takeoff member of the actuating drive, comprising a sensor housing having an axis, a drive member drivable by the actuating motor and rotatably supported coaxially to said sensor housing, an intermediate member, rotatably supported coaxially with respect to said drive member, which intermediate member engages the power take-off member and is connected to the drive member via at least one of an overload clutch and a return stroke clutch and a rotary displacement pick-up means, arranged in said sensor housing and adapted to detect the instantaneous rotary position of the intermediate member and to output a signal indicating this rotary position. This displacement sensor is distinguished by a compact, robust embodiment and high-precision displacement detection.

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a planetary gear box is combined with an electric generator of a motor-vehicle. The planetary gear box comprises a free wheel and a gear change clutch. Such, the transmission ratio of the planetary gear box is changeable. The components of the gear box are arranged at least partially in axially overlapping relationship so that a small overall axial dimension is obtained.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a hydraulic disk brake for bicycles is provided which includes a brake caliper 1, 101, a brake piston 8, 108, 208, and a guide cylinder 2, with the aid of which the brake system can be pre-adjusted in a coarse manner with respect to the bicycle frame. The total clearance (=2.times."s"), of the brake linings 18a, 18b is capable of pre-adjustment. The central position of the brake caliber 1, with respect to the brake disk 21, can be adjusted via an adjusting screw 22. The brake is arranged for constant, equal clearance on both sides of the brake disk 21 in the unstressed condition of the brake, such clearance being ensured on the basis of the spring-action, pre-tensioning of the brake piston 8, 108, 208, with respect to the brake caliper 1, as well as of the spring-action pre-tensioning of the brake caliper 1, 101 with respect to the guide cylinder 2.

Abstract: An electrical adjustment device, in particular an electrical chain transfer device for bicycles is disclosed, comprising an adjusting element, a drive device for the adjusting element, a control unit for controlling the drive device and a presetting device connected with the control unit for presetting a plurality of set values, where each of these set values corresponds to an operational position of the adjusting element. In the adjustment device of the invention the adjusting element can be moved into respectively one set position corresponding to a desired operational position for fixing or, if required, correcting of the set values, and the resulting instantaneous value can be stored in the presetting device as the new set value.

Abstract: In a vibration damper for a motor vehicle a flow path connecting a working chamber of the cylinder with a damping behavior control unit is confined by a flow path tube surrounding the cylinder. The flow path tube is provided adjacent its axial end portions with bead-shaped grooves accommodating respective sealing rings. These sealing rings are according to an illustrated example of the invention in engagement with an external surface of the cylinder. The bead-shaped grooves are obtained by non-cutting machining.

Abstract: A vibration damper has a variable damping effect. The variation of the damping effect is obtained by a control valve. This control valve is subject to the pressure force of a damping liquid on the one hand and to a pressure force of a electrorheological liquid on the other hand. The pressure force of the electrorheological liquid is responsive to the viscosity of this electrorheological liquid. The viscosity of this electrorheological liquid is responsive to variation of a high voltage electrical field applied to the electrorheological liquid within a flow path. The pressure force obtained by the pressure of the damping liquid acts in a first direction onto a valve body of the control valve. The pressure force resulting from the pressure of the electrorheological liquid acts in a second direction onto the valve body. The direction of both pressure forces are invariable irrespective of the direction of movement of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder.

Abstract: According to an illustrative example of the present invention, an internal combustion engine is provided with a gear box. This gear box is driven by an end portion of the crank shaft. A belt pulley is provided around the axis of the gearbox. The belt pulley drives through a belt an electric power generator. The gear box contains a planetary gear of variable transmission ratio. The change of transmission ratio is effected by an hydraulically operated clutch. The hydraulically operated clutch is actuated by a hydraulic actuating device. The hydraulic actuating device is actuated by oil pressure. The oil pressure is obtained by a hydraulic pump integrated into the gear box. Further components of the circuitry containing the pump and the hydraulic actuating device are provided outside the gear box. These external components are carried by a carrier plate. This carrier plate contains side by side channels of the hydraulic circuitry.

Abstract: For the protection of an automatized friction clutch of a motor vehicle it is proposed, by means of a computer device (23) to compute periodically data for the instantaneous friction performance of the clutch (5) and to add them up in several also periodically actualized time window stores. The time window stores have different time windows and correspondingly store a range of friction work mean values. Associated with the individual time window stores are respectively several limit values, the magnitude is additionally a function of the air temperature of a clutch casing (37) surrounding the clutch (5). A computer device (23), depending upon the temperature measured by means of a temperature sensor (35) and upon the limit values ruling for this temperature, institutes graded protective measures. For safety reasons, none of the protective measures completely prevents the operativeness of the clutch (5).

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a planetary gear box is combined with an electric generator of a motor-vehicle. The planetary gear box comprises a free wheel and a gear change clutch. Such, the transmission ratio of the planetary gear box is changeable. The components of the gear box are arranged at least partially in axially overlapping relationship so that a small overall axial dimension is obtained.

Abstract: A slip control loop (13) is proposed which compares the actual differential speed between input and output speed of a friction clutch (5) of a motor vehicle with a desired differential value and adjusts a positioning drive (7) of the clutch (5) according to the desired differential speed. To increase the accuracy of control, a desired position signal from a clutch characteristic curve memory (25) is additively superimposed in the sense of an influencing variable on the desired position signal s' calculated by a controller (19) of the slip control loop (13). The clutch characteristic curve memory (25) stores the desired position signal s" as a function of the clutch moment which can be transmitted in this position and is addressed according to the instantaneous engine moment determined, for example, via an engine characteristic map (27). During a load change of the engine (1), the clutch (5) is adjusted to the expected moment before a significant change in the actual differential speed occurs.