Abstract: A coupling for a belt retractor with a belt tensioner comprises a hub that can be driven by the belt tensioner and has several contact surfaces, and comprises several clamping rollers that are arranged in the hub in such a way that they can be urged radially inwards by the contact surfaces. The coupling further comprises a shaft that can be coupled to the hub by means of the clamping rollers. At least one return element is provided that urges the clamping rollers into a position out of engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising a skeleton, a gas bag module which is axially movably coupled with the skeleton in such a way that by pressing against the gas bag module a contact is closed for actuating a horn, and a resilient return element for the gas bag module. The gas bag module comprises a gas bag with an opening edge defining an inflation opening as well as comprises a flange clamping the opening edge on an inside of the gas bag for fastening the gas bag. Bearing pins are provided which directly engage the flange and which are attached to one of the skeleton and a part stationarily mounted directly to the skeleton.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle comprises at least one fuel filling opening, at least one fuel delivery pump, at least one operational vent means and at least one refuelling vent valve. The vent means and vent valve are connected to a fuel vapor filter by way of at least one vent conduit. At least one bead removal container is connected on the upstream side of the fuel vapor filter. At least the bead removal container and the refuelling vent valve are combined to form a functional unit in the form of a vent unit adapted to fit into an opening through the wall of the tank.

Abstract: A gas bag module for installation in a vehicle steering wheel comprises a carrier, a gas generator mounted to the carrier, and a multi-function conductor film. The multi-function conductor film is disposed on a rear side of the gas generator and on a rear side of the carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing wood fiberboard by pressing wood fibers which have been treated with binder, in which the wood fibers are boiled and milled at elevated temperature under steam pressure in a refiner unit, subsequently are transferred to a blow-line, then dried and finally pressed under pressure and, if desired, at elevated temperature to produce boards, wherein the treatment with binder is carried out using a multi-component binder, preferably with one component A) containing functional groups which are nonreactive at elevated temperature and a second component B) containing functional groups which are reactive at elevated temperature the component A) being added in the refiner unit at a temperature of from 120° C. to 200° C. prior to the milling step, during the milling step, or shortly after the milling step in the front section of the blow-line and component B) being added at a lower temperature of not more than 150° C.

Abstract: A drive system for a covering device, which can be rolled up or folded, for motor vehicles is equipped with a control device. The control device has a current sensor for detecting the current applied to an electric motor of the drive system in the course of moving the covering device. The control system measures a current parameter at the start of the movement of the covering device and switches off the current to the motor as soon as switch-off criteria derived from the current values measured at the start of the movement have been reached.

Abstract: In a visor for a helmet, particularly a motorcycle helmet, comprising an outer plastic pane and an inner plastic pane which are held spaced apart relative to one another through a sealing edge under inclusion of an air cushion, provision is made, to attain a simple producibility while avoiding frame parts, for the outer pane to be extruded of plastic and to have edge regions that project toward the inside, into which an inner pane that is punched from a flat, plate-shaped plastic material can be inserted in a form-fitting manner.

Abstract: Thermoplastic mixture based on biopolymers for producing shaped biodegradable articles with improved properties, preparation of the mixture, and also its use. A novel thermoplastic mixture based on biopolymers, in particular on starch, features the presence of lignin and is used for producing shaped biodegradable articles with improved properties, preferably with improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for manufacturing metal powder from a molten mass. The process occurs in an apparatus that includes at least one metallurgical vessel adapted to at least one of treat and prepare a batch of the molten mass, and an atomizing chamber including a nozzle part adapted to sputter a portion of the molten mass, a feed side coupled to the metallurgical vessel, and a discharge side. The atomizing chamber has a longitudinal axis arranged inclined downwardly from the feed side to the discharge side. The apparatus also includes a separator adapted for classifying the metal powder, and an encapsulating facility including at least one container. The metal powder is to be inserted and enclosed within the at least one container. A conveyance unit for powder transport includes an ascending pipe oriented to guide the metal powder upwardly.

Abstract: A mounting element with a connecting pin and a fastening sleeve, wherein the fastening sleeve can be fixed in place in a bore of a workpiece. So that the mounting element can be dependably and securely mounted, the connecting pin is held in a pre-plug-in position in a receptacle of the fastening sleeve. The connecting pin has a detent which, in the pre-plug-in position, rests against a shoulder of the fastening sleeve, and rests against the fastening sleeve in the direction of the insertion movement of the connecting pin into the fastening sleeve. The connecting pin and/or the fastening sleeve has a triggering device, by which the connection between the connecting pin and the fastening sleeve can be released.

Abstract: A method for the cleaning of SiO2 grain is known whereby SiO2 grain comprising contaminations is heated to a temperature at which the contaminations soften or form melting agglomerates with the SiO2 grain, thus separating the contaminations and the SiO2 grain. On this basis and to specify a method which achieves high grain purity at comparatively little expenditure of time, material and costs, and to provide a simple device suitable for the implementation of the method, it is proposed according to the invention that the SiO2 grain is fed to and heated in a gas stream which is directed towards an impingement plate, the SiO2 grain being accelerated in the direction of the impingement plate such that softened contaminations or melting agglomerates adhere to the impingement plate and cleaned SiO2 grain is removed from the impingement plate.

Abstract: A car seat having a seat portion linked by means of connecting rods to a rail for longitudinal adjustment has a dampening element to transform kinetic energy into frictional or deformation energy. The dampening element is embodied as a separate component and has, on the one hand, an articulated link to a component on the seat portion as well as, on the other hand, to another component on the rail for longitudinal adjustment. The components include a threaded rod and a nut that can rotate around it, as well as a sleeve-shaped component that surrounds at least a part of the nut. The nut can be moved longitudinally relative to the sleeve-shaped component while overcoming a force of friction or deformation.

Abstract: An air cooled internal combustion engine with a crankshaft that rotates about a vertical axis is provided. The engine may be a single cylinder diesel motor. The internal combustion engine includes an encapsulation which surrounds a plurality of cooling air channels. A flywheel is positioned at the top end of the crankshaft and is combined with a radial blower. An air distribution housing, which is joined to a top front wall of the crank case, forms a pressure chamber of the radial blower. At least two substreams of cooling air branch off from the pressure chamber. A first substream is guided through the housing encapsulation, which surrounds the cylinder and the cylinder head. A second substream is guided in a lining on the outside of the sidewall of the crankcase and the oil pan facing the cylinder. Both substreams are collected on the downstream side and exit through a common air-extractor shaft.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for active reduction of rotational nonuniformities of a shaft, especially the drive shaft (10) of an internal combustion engine or a shaft that is coupled or can be coupled to it, with at least one electric machine (4), which is coupled or can be coupled to the shaft, wherein the electric machine (4) is controlled such that it generates a rapidly varying torque, to reduce the rotational nonuniformities, and it superimposes on this torque a positive or negative torque in order to further achieve a driving action or braking or generator type action. The invention is also oriented to a corresponding method for active reduction of rotational nonuniformities.

Abstract: A restraint module for a motor vehicle, comprising a compressed gas source (10) and an elongated side-impact gas bag (14) being in flow connection therewith, the side-impact gas bag (14) being translatable by means of compressed gas from a collapsed condition arranged in an ejection channel (16) into a deployed condition in which one longitudinal rim (18) of the gas bag (14) freely extends in the interior of the motor vehicle, each of both ends (20, 26) of this longitudinal rim (18) of the gas bag (14) being connectable to a vehicle-fixed tensioning point (24, 32), and a tensioning device (30) being provided cooperating with one of the ends of the longitudinal rim (18), is characterized in that the tensioning device (30) is arranged on the ejection channel (16) and is connected to said end (26) of the longitudinal rim (18) via a traction means (28) which is deflected at a vehicle-fixed point (32).

Abstract: A frequency estimator for estimating the frequency of a digital input signal (x(k)) includes a phase detection device (2) for determining the phase (&phgr;(k)) of the input signal (x(k)), a differentiator (3) for generating the phase difference (&phgr;diff1(k)) between adjacent samples of the phase (&phgr;(k), &phgr;(k-1)) and a filter (4) for averaging the phase difference (&phgr;diff(k)) and having a trapezoidal pulse response (hM(k)). The trapezoidal pulse response (hM(k)) is generated by superimposing a first triangular pulse response with a second triangular pulse response which is offset in time with respect to the first triangular pulse response.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a skeleton for a steering wheel rim made of sheet metal, the method comprising the following steps: a flat metal blank is cut in such a way that it has a ring-shaped section, the ring-shaped section is deformed in such a way that it acquires a hollow profile which in cross-section encloses an angle of more than 180°, and the deformation is carried out at least partially in that the ring-shaped section is moved between two rotatable rollers. The invention further relates to a steering wheel produced by the method proposed. Such a steering wheel has a hollow steering wheel rim including a center channel for delivering cooling air. The channel is defined by the open hollow profile and by a shell part placed onto the profile.

Abstract: A device to actuate a drive gear of an adjustment mechanism of a vehicle seat includes a stepped switching mechanism manually operable in two directions by means of a swiveling lever that is rotationally connected with the drive gear in order to rotate it. The rotational connection between the stepped switching mechanism and the drive gear is releasable to facilitate a greater range of seat back adjustment.