Abstract: A stowage-space arrangement for vehicles with a folding roof, especially for convertibles with a solid roof that can be folded in two parts, includes a stowage space which is arranged between side walls of the body and into which at least one rearward roof part of the folding roof can be retracted. The rearward roof part includes a rear-wall area which slopes obliquely relative to the roof surface. To allow the rearward roof part to be made longer and to provide an improved facility for stowing luggage in the interior space of the vehicle, the stowage space has at its bottom end a large-size floor area which, with the folding roof stowed, is covered by the rear-wall area of the rearward roof part. A free space that can be used as a luggage space is provided above the rear-wall area of the retracted roof part.

Abstract: A hydraulically supported power steering system is disclosed for motor vehicles including a double-acting hydraulic displacement unit or piston/cylinder unit for generating an auxiliary hydraulic force. For this purpose, the displacement body working spaces or piston working spaces can be acted upon by controllable hydraulic pressure or relieved of hydraulic pressure by means of associated conduits controlled by a servo-valve. The displacement unit or piston/cylinder unit also undertakes the function of a steering damper by means of damper valves arranged on the conduit connections. The damper valves include a perforated disc type of support part which can be clamped in the manner of a spacer ring between a bearing surface of a connecting mouthpiece arranged on a housing of one of the servo-valve and the displacement unit and an opposite bearing surface of a connecting part of a conduit, said connecting part being detachably connected to the connecting mouthpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for defining the initiation sensitivity of an automatic braking procedure, in which method the threshold value for the initiation of an automatic braking procedure is reduced as a function of the pedal distance which has been traversed. The object of the invention is to ensure that in the event of actuation of the brake shortly after the automatic braking procedure has terminated, the automatic braking procedure is again initiated rapidly and easily. For this purpose, the initiation threshold value for the automatic braking procedure is reduced within a time period after the satisfaction of the interruption criterion.

Abstract: Method for tire pressure warning in a motor vehicle in which, instead of direct pressure measurement, the tire pressure is monitored indirectly by recording the dynamic rolling circumference of the tire and, in this way, to dispense with sensors, in particular if wheel speed sensors have already been installed in the vehicle.The method works on the basis of a wheel speed balance, within which speed scaling factors are determined. By comparing these scaling factors in pairs, determining the maximum deviation and checking whether a particular threshold value has been exceeded, a reliable tire pressure warning can be implemented with little outlay, in particular in the case of a wheel speed balance for each axle.

Abstract: A constructional unit for the region of the scuttle and the cockpit of a passenger car, particularly of a small two-seater, reduces the production costs and saves weight. The constructional unit is formed from two composite parts which consist of deep-drawn sheet metal, preferably of steel, and of plastic, preferably PA 6/GF 30, injection-molded thereon. One composite part forms the scuttle as the front end wall of the passenger space, and the other composite part forms the dashboard carrier. The sheet-metal component of each composite part is shaped to allow for extensive forceflux during the absorption of the operating load within the composite part and at the connection points with the body. Bores or the like at specific locations constitute points for anchoring the plastic injection-molded on in relation to the sheet-metal part. The injection-molded on plastic is shaped to form a ribbing stiffening the sheet-metal parts and also suitably shaped receptacles for various add-on parts.

Abstract: An instrument panel with knee restraint for motor vehicles has a pair of deformation bars which can be deformed in a defined manner with respect to three zones, a load-distributing panel, and a large-surface-area impact-absorption member arranged in front of the load-distributing panel. In order to achieve an inexpensive knee restraint which does not require a redesign of the instrument panel configuration when the knee restraint is mounted on the instrument panel, the deformation bars are arranged on that side of the instrument panel remote from the vehicle interior and are supported, by one leg on the rear surface of the instrument panel and another leg on the transverse carrier fixed to the bodywork. The impact-absorption member is a shell-like carrier part positioned on that side of the instrument panel facing the vehicle interior. A cavity is defined and completely filled by an energy-absorbing insert, e.g. consisting of foam, which forms the energy-absorption element.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling an automatic selector device of a change-speed gearbox has two selecting connections engageable alternately by selecting actuators operated by pressure medium can be actuated into two non-transient and two transient selector conditions. This alternate engageability is provided by an electronic control unit by way of just one electromagnetic control valve. The arrangement also uses three pressure systems and two multi-way valve arrangements.

Abstract: A control panel assembly for an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle with continuously freely accessible primary actuation elements is provided with selectively accessible secondary actuation elements arranged in an installation shaft recess in the front panel section of the control panel. The recess is covered with a cover element which can be moved about a horizontal axis of rotation. In order to provide access to the secondary actuation elements, an opening movement of the cover element uncovers the installation shaft recess with the control panel of the secondary actuation elements being simultaneously moved into a position which is accessible to the vehicle.

Abstract: In a method of injection fuel for Diesel engine comprising a high pressure injection pump with a fuel supply line for supplying high pressure fuel to fuel injection nozzles wherein a fuel control line extends between the pump and a low pressure fuel supply line for discharge in excess fuel thereto under the control of a magnetic valve which is closed to end the discharge of excess fuel and initiate pumping of fuel, the magnetic valve is opened at the end of fuel pumping at a point corresponding to a piston stroke length h after the upper dead center of the piston such that, when communication between the pump and the low pressure fuel line is established, pressure pulses in the low pressure fuel line are avoided.

Abstract: A device for producing a hollow body according to an internal high pressure metal forming process has a tool which is divided along a mold joint into a stationary tool part and a liftable tool part. The tool has an impression for receiving a tube-shaped blank. A press opens and closes the tool. An axially movable slide is attached to an open end of the blank, through which a pressure medium is introduced into the blank. A hydraulic working cylinder which is angularly and vertically adjustable on a support member has a piston rod which holds the slide and which displaces the slide axially. A pair of pull rods connect the tool and the working cylinder and are arranged on opposite sides of the piston rod at the same level as the piston rod, each pull rod extending into the end-side portion of the mold joint and being releasably anchored to each of the stationary tool part and the liftable tool part in a form-locking manner in corresponding recesses along the mold joint.

Abstract: A system for controlling actuating members in the doors of motor vehicles has at least one electromotive actuating drive and at least one actuating element (switch, button) in the door of the motor vehicle, as well as a control unit located in the vehicle itself. The system employs only a two-wire connection between control unit and actuating drive. The control unit, in addition to an ordinary pole-reversing and evaluation circuit, furthermore contains a source of alternating voltage as well as means for connecting the alternating voltage and a decoder. At least two passive components (resistor, capacitor, coil) of different size are provided to be connected by the actuating element in parallel with the actuating drive into the two-wire connection.

Abstract: A method ensures that, even under wet conditions, the unrestricted intended braking effect is always achieved on wheels of a vehicle brake system. At the same time, the service life of the brake system is not to be influenced appreciably. When a sensor device detects that wet conditions influencing the braking effect are present and it has been detected that the braking effect of a brake could be impaired, a temporary braking operation is carried out on at least that particular brake, in such a way that the deceleration of the vehicle cannot be perceived by the driver.

Abstract: A short range ultrasonic distance warning system is used as a parking aid in a motor vehicle. The entire system is active in the case of reverse gear being selected and low speed, and is deactivated automatically at higher speed. If reverse gear is not being selected, only the system part for front space monitoring is active at low speed of travel, while the system is once again automatically kept inactivated at higher speed. This implements a parking aid which is convenient and avoids unnecessary system activations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery current monitoring system for traction batteries in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, in which battery current monitoring system the maximum battery current is monitored in order to avoid damage to the battery as a result of overheating due to excessively high battery currents and, if appropriate, the said maximum battery current is reduced to a normal value which is permitted for continuous operation. Monitoring is activated if the battery current exceeds a prescribed limit value. The battery current is however not reduced until the battery temperature exceeds a prescribed limit value. It is also proposed not to use the measured average battery temperature as the control variable, but rather to use a reference temperature calculated on the basis of heat balances for individual reaction zones of the battery. The monitoring is terminated as soon as both the average and the calculated battery temperatures drop below a prescribed uncritical value.

Abstract: A process for heating the passenger compartment (10) in a motor vehicle, particularly an electric vehicle, having a heating device (12), which is supplied with an air current (40) extracted, via a waste-air duct (11), from the passenger compartment (10). The air current enters into the passenger compartment (10) from the heating device (12) via an intake-duct (13). In order to prevent internal misting of the vehicle's windows, even with a low heating capacity, at least one partial air current (40a), which is branched off from the air current (40) prior to entry into the passenger compartment (10), flows through a sorbent (15) such as zeolite or the like.

Abstract: A motor vehicle rear axle suspension has an inherently stiff axle guide member. The axle guide member is articulated by a universal joint on the vehicle body in the central longitudinal plane of the vehicle. Lateral guidance is effected by a lateral guide linkage. In order to reduce the tendency of the rear axle to oversteer under the action of a lateral force, an axle tube has a configuration curved in the forward direction of travel and is articulated directly on the body by a universal joint.