Abstract: A device for driving a positioning element via a stepping motor is described. This device makes it possible to continue operating the stepping motor in conjunction with its use as an encoder during phases without electrical control, so that the position last reached under electrical control, with a zero-current change in the position, possibly as a result of manual operation of the positioning element that is rotationally or frictionally coupled with the motor rotor, is constantly updated so that the control electronics is informed at all times of the actual position from which the stepping motor is to be controlled electrically to assume a new position. The device not only permits eliminating indexing devices that are subject to wear, but also allows automatic return, for example of a positioning element to its previous starting position after it has been shifted or adjusted from by an outside influence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hat-shaped brake disc made from a castable metal for vehicle wheels. It has, within the friction ring, a nave with a nave casing and nave bottom, the latter having screw-passage holes for screwing the brake disc to the wheel hub. The friction ring contains indentations rounded out on both sides in the region of transition to the nave casing. The brake disc consists completely, up to and including that immediate surface of the friction ring which is subjected to frictional stress during braking, of a particle reinforced composite aluminum material with intercalated hard-material particles of ceramic, particularly of aluminum oxide or silicon carbide (so-called Al-MMC=Aluminum-Metal-Matrix-Composite) and/or of a hypereutectic Al/Si alloy with intercalated silicon crystals. It is designed and produced as a die casting, all the surface parts of the casting being cast with a very small shape and dimension deviation.

Abstract: In a servo valve arrangement for hydraulic power assisted steering systems in motor vehicles comprising a rotary spool connected to a steering shaft and a control sleeve receiving the rotary spool so as to permit some relative rotation between the control sleeve and the rotary spool, an axial endpiece is coupled to the rotary sleeve for rotation therewith by an articulated joint structure so as to accommodate any misalignment in the steering system.

Abstract: In a chain drive particularly for an accessory drive of an internal combustion engine lubricant is supplied to the chain from a lubricant supply through a trunnion carrying the chain gear to a passage extending through the chain gear radially to an area adjacent the chain by way of a groove which is formed in a bearing sleeve disposed on the chain gear hub and which has a flow cross-section of a depth and width selected so as to form a throttle area to limit the lubricant flow.

Abstract: Stackable drawn sheet-metal pieces have spacer knobs which are drawn in a bead-type manner and are integrated in the drawn piece to rise from a wall of the drawn piece. The walls of the drawn piece situated transversely to a stacking direction have a mutual distance such that the walls, which are situated at an acute angle with respect to the stacking direction of the drawn piece, are at most in a loose contact with one another and reliably engage with one another in a no-lock manner. The spacer knobs are arranged in the stack above one another in the same position have a common axis which extends approximately in the center and is situated parallel to the stacking direction. The spacer knobs have the same construction with respect to their dimensions and alignment and that the diameter of the respective knob opening on at least one partial circumferential area is smaller than the diameter of the knob base.

Abstract: In a mounting frame of a vehicle control pedal unit in which a pedal lever is pivotally supported at one end in a pivot support structure arranged at the end of the mounting frame, the mounting frame has at least first and second mounting structures disposed at its back wall and the first mounting structure is disposed at the end of the mounting frame adjacent the pivot support structure and the second mounting structure is disposed at the opposite end of the mounting frame and includes two spaced recesses receiving two tongues projecting from the vehicle body structure and a bolt extending through aligned bores formed in the mounting frame and in the tongues for firmly connecting the mounting frame to the vehicle body structure.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprising a compressor and a turbine with an impeller and a turbine wheel mounted on a common shaft, the exhaust turbine includes radial and semi-axial flow passages through which the exhaust gas is conducted to the turbine wheel and which are separated by a guide ring, and an annular sleeve is mounted in the turbine housing so as to be slideable therein along the axis of the turbine wheel across the radial flow passage for closing the radial flow passage of the turbine.

Abstract: In a control for an automatic clutch disposed between the engine and the drive train of a vehicle for controlling the vehicle movement at start or during transitional phases, the clutch is controlled in such a way that, with a predetermined low engine speed, movement of the vehicle at a predetermined creeping speed is obtained.

Abstract: In an engine block of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with in-line cylinders, a cooling water jacket surrounds the cylinders and is formed between the cylinders and a cooling water jacket wall. A water box is cast integrally with the engine block at one side of the cooling water jacket wall for receiving an oil cooler and the cooling water jacket wall extends at least partially between, and separates, the water space of the water box and the water jacket. The oil cooler is mounted on a cover mounted onto the water box whereby the oil cooler can be mounted onto, and is removable from the water box together with the cover.

Abstract: A protection system for a competition vehicle for a competition vehicle driver has shoulder belt parts provided with one shoulder air bag respectively which can be inflated within fractions of seconds and can be emptied again in an energy consuming manner. In the inflated condition, the shoulder air bags are supported on the driver's shoulder regions and support a protective helmet from below against a lateral tilting.

Abstract: A forward structure of a motor vehicle has a cross member which connects the two A-columns with one another and which is used for fixing a steering column and a knee restraint. A strut is fixed on the forward structure and extends from the cross member to a transmission tunnel extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. At least two mutually overlapping strut sections of the strut have a connection area which, under a load during a crash and after overcoming a force threshold, can be elongated in a longitudinal direction while absorbing energy. A force limiting device is provided in the connection area of the strut sections in the force transmission path. Consequently, after the force threshold is exceeded, an energy reduction is achieved during a predetermined lengthening path of the connecting strut and at a constant force level so that a yielding of the impact-loaded knee restraint together with the cross member takes place with a force-limited resistance along a predetermined path distance.

Abstract: An arrangement for the temporary fixing of an object on a vehicle seat which is equipped with a safety belt is provided. For implementing such an arrangement via the simplest devices, a hanging hook is disposed in front of the seat surface of the seat cushion and, on the front side of the seat cushion facing away from the backrest, is arranged below the seat surface. In the area of its lap belt section, the locked safety belt is pulled over the object situated on the seat surface and is hung into the hanging hook via its belt strap.

Abstract: A headrest for a vehicle seat having a backrest is provided which has a head cushion fastened to two supporting rods and two side pieces which are integrated in the head cushion. In the in-use position, the side pieces project laterally on the head cushion beyond its cushion front and, in the not-in-use position are accommodated inside the contour of the head cushion. For implementing a headrest of a compact minimum size and an aesthetically attractive shape which optimally meets the demands made on a headrest with respect to the driving operation and the resting phase, each side piece is swivellably disposed on a vertical tube section which, in turn, is fastened on a supporting rod so that it can be swivelled about a swivel shaft extending transversely thereto. Using an upper and lower cross traverse, the two tube sections are fixedly connected with one another and each carry a cushion enlargement of the head cushion.

Abstract: A coolant filter assembly for attachment to a coolant circulation system of a motor or to a motor housing is provided. The filter assembly includes a housing that accommodates a cylindrical filter cartridge. The housing is sealably connected to the coolant circulation system. The filter cartridge accommodates a sealed chamber between the two opposing ends of the filter cartridge and the inner surface of the filter cartridge. The sealed chamber may be comprised of a continuous sealing layer. As the housing is attached to the coolant circulation system, the sealing layer is punctured or otherwise broken to release liquid coolant additive to the coolant circulation system.

Abstract: In a controllable vane pump for pumping lubricant through a lubricant circulating system of an internal combustion engine wherein a pivotally supported control ring surrounds the vanes which rotate with the pump rotor and engage the inner walls of the control ring to form therewith pump spaces for pumping an amount of fluid which depends on the pivot position of the control ring and means are provided for biasing the control ring with a certain force toward a pivot position for greatest pump volume, the control ring defines with the housing an inlet pressure chamber which is maintained at the pressure of the lubricant at the pump inlet and a discharge pressure chamber which is maintained at the pump discharge pressure whereby the differential force generated by the pressures in said inlet and discharge pressure chambers is balanced by the force applied to the control ring by the control ring biasing means.

Abstract: An armrest for vehicles has a basic body constructed with an upwardly open receiving compartment and a closing flap which covers the receiving compartment. The closing flap is swivellably held on the basic body and has an arm supporting padding and a depositing compartment. For making the depositing tray accessible from the rear seat of the vehicle between the backrests of the two front seats, with a low-cost manufacture and an attractive appearance of the armrest, the arm padding support is provided with a central opening. A sliding blind which covers the depositing tray is longitudinally slidably guided in the closing flap.

Abstract: A belt force limiter for a vehicle seat belt is mounted fixed to the vehicle by one end and, at its opposite free end, secures the shoulder strap approximately at shoulder level. The shoulder strap is displaced forward in relation to the vehicle seat with a limited amount of travel by the belt force limiter when tensile loading occurs due to a crash, tensile energy being absorbed in the belt force limiter. The belt force limiter has a pivot lever which is linked to an energy-absorbing component and in the position of rest is aligned approximately vertically and whose free end can be pivoted forward by the tension on the shoulder strap in the event of a crash, as a result of which the energy-absorbing component is deformed in an energy-absorbing manner.