Abstract: A plug-in tongue (10) for a seat belt includes an inserting portion (12) adapted to be inserted in a belt buckle and a deflecting portion (14) for a webbing (16). The deflecting portion (14) includes a webbing passage (20) as well as a clamping element (22) for the webbing (16). The clamping element (22) can be displaced between a home position in which the webbing (16) is freely movable and a locking position in which the clamping element (22) is displaced against a wall (30) of the webbing passage (20) such that the webbing (16) is clamped between the clamping element (22) and the wall (30) of the webbing passage (20). The webbing passage (20) extends substantially in the longitudinal direction (L) or at an acute angle with the longitudinal direction (L) of the plug-in tongue (10). The clamping element (22) is displaceable at an acute angle with the webbing passage (20) and/or with the longitudinal direction (L) of the plug-in tongue (10) from the deflecting position into the locking position.

Abstract: In a load limiting device (10), especially for a seat belt in a vehicle, comprising a controllable braking device (16) which has a fluid-filled compartment (24) including a conduit (34) through which the fluid (23) can flow, an element to be decelerated (32) which is coupled to the seat belt, at least one sensor (18) for detecting vehicle operating data, especially an acceleration sensor, a sensor (20) for detecting the webbing extension, and a controller (22) for controlling the braking power of the braking device (16) as a function of the vehicle operating data measured and the webbing extension measured, the fluid (23) is a magnetorheological fluid and a control magnet is provided which is adapted to generate a variable magnetic field inside the conduit (34) and to vary the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid inside the conduit (34).

Abstract: A casing shell (10) for a belt buckle is described including at least one sidewall (12, 14, 16) which has an outwardly facing lateral face (22, 24, 26). A groove (23) extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal orientation (L) of the casing shell (10) completely over the lateral face (22, 24, 26) is provided on the lateral face (22, 24, 26). Furthermore a casing for a belt buckle is described.

Abstract: A Control system, which is adapted for application in a vehicle and intended to detect following vehicles on the basis of environmental data which are obtained from one or several environmental sensors disposed on the vehicle and which reflect the area in front of, laterally next to, and/or behind the vehicle. The control system is adapted to detect a course of the own lane of the vehicle and to store it over a predefined road section, and to detect one or several other vehicles participating in traffic behind the own vehicle with the environmental sensors. A lane associated with each other vehicle, in which the other vehicle(s) drive(s), is detected, taking the stored course of the own lane into account. An occupancy of the own lane and/or of at least one adjacent lane by the other vehicle(s) is determined.

Abstract: Control system, which is adapted for application in a vehicle and intended to detect following vehicles on the basis of environmental data which are obtained from one or several environmental sensors disposed on the vehicle. The environmental sensors are adapted to provide an electronic controller of the control system with the environmental data which reflect the area in front of, laterally next to and/or behind the vehicle. The control system is at least adapted and intended to detect one or several other vehicles participating in traffic behind the own vehicle with the environmental sensors. A lane associated with each other vehicle, in which the other vehicle(s) drive(s), is detected. A traffic density of the own lane and/or of at least one adjacent lane by the other vehicle(s) is determined.

Abstract: A frame (10) for a vehicle seat belt retractor comprises a back part (12), two side legs (16) extending in parallel to each other starting from the back part (12), with a retaining aperture (18) for a belt reel being provided in each side leg (16), and a mounting structure for mounting the frame (10) fixed to the vehicle, wherein the mounting structure includes a retaining bracket (22) having a mounting hole (36) for a retaining means (50) and at least one deformable deformation element (46). Furthermore, in accordance with the invention a vehicle structure for mounting a belt retractor in a vehicle is provided comprising a body part (52) and a frame (10) according to the invention. Moreover, a sheet metal blank for such frame is provided.

Abstract: In an airbag comprising at least one aperture (14) which is provided in an airbag shell (12) and to which a closure element (16) is attached a tether (34) via which the closure element (16) can be maintained in a closed position acts on the closure element (16). The invention moreover relates to a method of operating a vehicle occupant protection system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a recirculating ball nut for a ball screw drive, comprising a base body which includes at least one recirculating ball track, the method comprising the following manufacturing steps: manufacturing the base body by precision forging; and finishing the recirculating ball track by a cutting method subsequent to manufacturing the base body.

Abstract: Control system, which is adapted for application in a vehicle and intended to recognize vehicles driving in front on the basis of environmental data which are obtained from at least one environmental sensor (110) disposed on the vehicle. The at least one environmental sensor (110) is adapted to provide an electronic controller (200) of the control system with the environmental data which reflect the area (115) in front of the vehicle. The control system is at least adapted and intended to detect another vehicle (alter) participating in traffic in front of the own vehicle (ego) with the at least one environmental sensor (110) during a predetermined time period or continuously and to recognize a position change of the other vehicle (alter). If a position change of the other vehicle (alter) is recognized, a signal (255) is output, which is suitable to warn a driver of the own vehicle (ego) of an irregularity in the road surface and/or to adjust a speed and/or a vehicle setting of the own vehicle (ego).

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor of a drive device of a power steering system, in which a temperature sensor senses the temperature of the drive device and transmits information about the temperature of the drive device to an evaluation unit, the evaluation unit estimates the temperature of a gearbox based on the temperature of the drive device, and, based on the estimated temperature of the gearbox, the evaluation unit adjusts a requested torque of the electric motor.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, having a console unit which is vehicle-fixed or articulated to the vehicle, a steering shaft bearing unit which is arranged in the console unit and is axially displaceable relative to the console unit, and a mechanism mounted to the console unit and provided for adjusting and fixing in place the axial length of the steering column. This mechanism, when in an open condition, enables an axial relative displacement between the console unit and the steering shaft bearing unit, and, when in a locked condition, it axially fixes the steering shaft bearing unit in place at the console unit. The steering column further has an energy absorbing unit which, in the locked condition of the mechanism for adjusting the axial length of the steering column, allows an axial displacement of the steering shaft bearing unit relative to the console unit, accompanied by an absorption of energy, the energy absorbing unit being mounted to the console unit.

Abstract: In a belt shaft (12) of a belt retractor (42) of a seat belt comprising a base member (10) extending in the longitudinal direction of an axis of rotation (D) to which the seat belt is fastened, the base member (10) is a stamped and bent part.

Abstract: The invention relates to an occupant restraint system (10) for a vehicle comprising a roof cross member (12) which extends transversely to a longitudinal vehicle axis (A) and is part of a body of the vehicle, an airbag module (14) which includes an airbag (16) and in a non-actuated initial state is accommodated inside the roof cross member (12), wherein the roof cross member (12) has a front side (18) facing a front end of the vehicle and an opposite rear side (20) facing a rear end of the vehicle, and wherein the front side (18) or the rear side (20) of the roof cross member (12) includes a mounting opening (22) for receiving the airbag module (14).

Abstract: The invention provides in a best tensioner (10), especially a rotary tensioner, for a seat belt comprising an elongate and preferably cylindrical pressure cylinder (129, a piston (18) movably supported in the pressure cylinder (12) in the longitudinal direction which is adapted to be pressurized with fluid under pressure and thus to be moved into a tensioning direction (S), a thrust means (20) interacting with the piston (18) and a stop (24) provided on the inside (38) of the pressure cylinder (12) to which the piston (18) can be adjacent in the tensioning direction (S) at an end position at which the piston (18) seals the pressure cylinder (12), that the stop (24) is made of a plastically deformable material and is plastically deformed by the piston (18) at the end position so that the piston is in sealing contact with the inside of the pressure cylinder (12).

Abstract: In a belt tensioner (10) for a seat belt comprising an elongate pressure reservoir (12), a piston (18) movably supported in the pressure reservoir (12) in the longitudinal direction to which piston pressurized fluid can be applied and which in this way can be moved in a tensioning direction (S), a mechanical thrust means (20) interacting with the piston, the thrust means interacting with a gearwheel (22) and driving the same in the case of restraint, and comprising a stop (24) on which the piston (18) abuts in the tensioning direction in a final position, it is provided that between the piston (18) and the thrust means (20) a spacer (30) in the form of a separate member is provided which is dimensioned such that in the final position of the piston (18) the thrust means (20) is urged past the stop (24) by said spacer. Furthermore there is provided a method of mounting a belt tensioner of this type.

Abstract: In a method of folding an airbag (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system, especially of curtain-type side airbag, to form an airbag package (12?), the airbag (10) is rolled and/or folded to form an airbag roll (12) having a first volume (V1). The airbag roll (12) is fed to a pressing device (14) in which the airbag roil (12) is compressed to form an airbag package (12?) having a second volume (V2) which is smaller than the first volume (V1). The airbag roll (12) and resp., the airbag package (12?) is heated within the pressing device (14) and the airbag package (12?) is cooled, with the airbag package (12?) retaining the second volume (V2) when it is removed from the pressing device (14; 114). The pressing device (14) includes a pressing mold or a molding shaft (18) whose height substantially corresponds to the desired height of the finished airbag packages (12?), a heating unit (20) for heating the airbag packages (12?) and a cooling device (22) for cooling the airbag packages (12?).

Abstract: In a vehicle occupant protection device (20) comprising an airbag (22), especially for a passenger, including a fastening portion (24) as well as an inflatable restraining portion (26) being especially adjacent to the fastening portion (24), it is provided that the fastening portion (24) is arranged beside the sitting position of the vehicle occupant (12) and the restraining portion (26) is configured so that in the fully inflated unloaded state the airbag (22) extends in front of the vehicle occupant (12). There is further provided a vehicle seat (10) comprising a vehicle occupant protection device (20) of this type, wherein the fastening portion (24) and/or the inflator (28) are arranged on the side of or within the vehicle seat (10), especially on or within the seat cushion (14).

Abstract: A belt retractor includes a retractor frame (10) having first and second end faces (10a, 10b) between which a belt reel (12) is pivoted. The belt retractor further includes a belt tensioner and a spring cassette (30) having a helical spring (26) coupled to the belt reel (12). The spring cassette (30) is arranged between the first end face (10a) of the retractor frame (10) and at least one component of the belt tensioner. A method of fitting such belt retractor includes mounting the spring cassette (30) on a component of the belt tensioner, especially on an inside of a tensioner casing (22) and mounting the belt tensioner including the spring cassette (30) on the retractor frame (10), especially on an end wall (10a) of the retractor frame (10). An alternative fitting method includes mounting the spring cassette (30) on an end wall (10a) of the retractor frame (10) and attaching the belt tensioner to the spring cassette (30) mounted on the end wall (10a) of the retractor frame (10).

Abstract: A belt buckle for a seat belt system having a support member (12) including a belt buckle mechanism, first and second shells (16, 18) which together encompass the support member (12) and an annular cover member (14) surrounding an end face of the support member (12). Along the periphery of the annular cover member (14) at feast a first structure (24) is formed and in the area of a rim (28) of the first and second shells (16, 18) directed to the annular cover member (14) a respective second structure (26) is formed. The first and second structures (24, 26) are engaged with each other and fix the first and second shells (16, 18) to the annular cover member (14).

Abstract: In an airbag comprising at least one aperture (14) which is provided in an airbag shell (12) and to which a closure element (16) is attached a tether (34) via which the closure element (16) can be maintained in a closed position acts on the closure element (16). The invention moreover relates to a method of operating a vehicle occupant protection system.