Abstract: A steering column (10) includes a steering column member (12) connectable with a steering wheel (16) and rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels. A mounting bracket (40) connects the steering column (10) to a vehicle frame. A support (30), through which the steering column member (12) extends, is connected with the mounting bracket (40). The support (30) supports the steering column member (12) for rotation about a longitudinal axis (32) of the steering column member and is movable relative to the mounting bracket (40). A locking mechanism (60) applies a force to lock the support (30) in any one of the plurality of positions relative to the mounting bracket (40). A release mechanism (70) reduces the force applied by the locking mechanism (60) in response to a sensed vehicle condition.

Abstract: A suspension system includes first and second wheel carriers, a stabilizer having a first end and a second end, the stabilizer being coupled to the wheel carriers, a first cylinder/piston unit being arranged between the first end of the stabilizer and the first wheel carrier and a second cylinder/piston unit being arranged between the second end of the stabilizer and the second wheel carrier. Each cylinder/piston unit is a double-acting cylinder/piston unit and the two cylinder/piston units are cross-connected.

Abstract: In an assembly with a gas bag module and a locking check arrangement, the gas bag module has a first detent element adapted for engagement with a second detent element to form a detent connection fastening the gas bag module to a vehicle-fixed component. The gas bag module can assume a not correctly locked state, in which the first detent element and the second detent element are in contact with each other but are not in correct engagement, and a correctly locked state, in which the first detent element is in correct engagement with the second detent element. The locking check arrangement has a movably arranged checking element for checking a locking status of the detent connection and indicating whether the gas bag module is in the not correctly locked state.

Abstract: A device for connecting an electric drive to at least one supply network as well as several methods for producing such a connecting device includes a first contact/terminal unit to which at least one first wire of the supply network can be connected, a second contact/terminal unit to which the electric drive can be connected, and a third contact/terminal unit to which second wire of the at least one supply network can be connected. The first contact/terminal unit is connected to the second contact/terminal unit in such a way that a wire connection can be created between the at least one supply network and the electric drive. The third contact/terminal unit is connected to the first contact/terminal unit or the second contact/terminal unit such that a direct or indirect wire connection can be created between the at least one second wire and the at least one supply network.

Abstract: An improved actuator (24) and bezel (22) are assembled in a mold (140). The actuator (24) is linearly movable relative to the bezel (22). A guide surface (44 or 76-80) on the actuator (24) is formed by being molded against a guide surface (38 or 70-74) on the actuator (24). The bezel (22) is molded of a first plastic material in a mold (140). While the bezel (22) is still in the mold (140), the actuator (24) is molded in an opening in the bezel and is formed of a different plastic material than the bezel.

Abstract: An airbag cover for a vehicle occupant restraint system has an outside that is visible in the installed state and an opposite inside, a plastic cap and a reinforcement insert that, during one of foaming and injection-molding of the plastic cap, is partially embedded therein and partially adjoins the plastic on an inner side and on an outer side of the reinforcement insert. At least a section of the reinforcement insert protrudes outwards through the plastic cap to the visible outside.

Abstract: A gas bag module for an occupant restraint system in a vehicle includes a gas bag and a housing. The gas bag (10) is accommodated in the housing and has a tab (16). The tab (16) is attached on the exterior side of the housing such that the tab (16) separates from the housing during a deployment of the gas bag (10).

Abstract: A steering column (10) includes a steering column member (12) connectable with a steering wheel and rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels. A support (24), through which the steering column member (12) extends, is connected with a mounting bracket (54). The support (24) is movable relative to the mounting bracket (54) through a first range of motion into any one of a plurality of positions. The support (24) has a first position relative to the mounting bracket (54). A locking mechanism (80) locks the support (24) in any one of the plurality of positions relative to the mounting bracket (54). A memory mechanism (130) defines a memory position of the support (24) relative to the mounting bracket (54). The memory mechanism (130) guides movement of the support (24) relative to the mounting bracket (54) through a second range of motion smaller than the first range of motion between the first position and the memory position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-pieced sealing cover (1) made of a thermoplastic elastomer, especially used to seal an opening (22,22?, 22?), comprising a base body (5) with an adjacent peripheral collar (7) which turns into at least one elastic sealing lip adjacent to one side of a carrier (10, 10?). The collar (7)comprises at least one detent ring (12) located opposite the at least one sealing lip (10, 10?).The invention is characterized in that the collar (7) is connected to the sealing lip (10, 10?) by means of an intermediate area (14) extending parallel to a covering surface (F) of the carrier (20, 20?, 20?), whereupon the detent ring (12) protrudes into an inner area (21) formed by the intermediate area (14) and the sealing lip (10, 10?) and an outer area of the sealing lip (10, 10?) can be glued to the covering surface (F) of the carrier (20, 20?, 20?).

Abstract: A front steering gear (18) is connected with steerable front wheels (12 and 14) of a vehicle (10). A rear steering gear (28) is connected with steerable rear wheels (30 and 32) of the vehicle (10). A torque sensor (40) connected with a steering wheel (16) provides an output to a controller (42). The controller (42) effects operation of the rear steering gear (28) in response to an output of the torque sensor (40) corresponding to manual application of at least a predetermined force to the steering wheel (16). Alternatively or in addition, the controller (42) may effect operation of a rear wheel brake (50 or 52) which is disposed on a radially inner side of a turn in response to the output from the torque sensor (40).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating training samples for a classification system associated with a vehicle occupant protection system. A three-dimensional virtual reality scene is generated (138) from a cockpit model having a set of at least two user configurable parameters (132) and an occupant model having a set of at least two user configurable parameters and a plurality of points of articulation (134). A plurality of training samples are generated from the virtual model (142). Each of the plurality of training samples has a first set of parameters associated with the cockpit model, a second set of parameters associated with the occupant model, and an occupant pose defined according to the points of articulation associated with the occupant model.

Abstract: An optical sensor device includes a photoconductor structure having first and second partial members (16, 18) and a coupling surface (20) for coupling the optical sensor device to an opposing counter surface of a pane (22), particularly a windscreen of a motor vehicle. The optical sensor device further includes an optical transmitter (10) coupling a beam of rays into the first partial member (16), an optical receiver (12) receiveing a beam of rays emerging from the second partial member (18), and a printed circuit board (14) arranged parallel to the coupling surface (20). The transmitter (10) and the receiver (12) are arranged on the printed circuit board (14). The photoconductor structure is designed so that the central ray (28) of the transmitter (10) enters into the first partial member (16) perpendicularly to the coupling surface (20) and emerges from the second partial member (18) perpendicularly to the coupling surface (20).

Abstract: A device (10) for fastening a component to a steering column jacket (20, 20?), comprises a fastening sleeve (12) and an equalizer (14) associated with the fastening sleeve (12). The fastening sleeve (12) has at least one mounting section (18) and convexities (22) adjoining the mounting section (18). The mounting section (18) has a first mounting cross-section to receive the steering column jacket (20; 20?), and the equalizer (14) comprises equalizing jaws (16) laterally movable in the fastening sleeve (12), which are movable between a first position in which they are received in the convexities (22), and a second position in which they lie at least partially in the mounting section (18) and define a second mounting cross-section for the steering column jacket (20; 20?), which is smaller than the first mounting cross-section.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring apparatus includes a pressure transducer and a valve stem. A spring member connects the pressure transducer to the valve stem. The spring member facilitates relative movement between the pressure transducer and the valve stem.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing a stereo disparity map representing an imaged subject. A plurality of sensors (102 and 104) are operative to produce a plurality of images. Each image has an associated exposure according to an exposure level of an associated sensor. A system control (106) determines exposure levels for the plurality of sensors according to an exposure selection algorithm. A disparity processing component (112) is operative to generate a stereo disparity map from a plurality of images. An image merger (110) is operative to merge a plurality of images to produce a composite image having an increased dynamic range.

Abstract: A gas bag module (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a gas generator (14) for filling a gas bag (16), and a gas conduit device arranged inside the module. The gas conduit device forces a predetermined, uniform flow direction at least on a portion of the gas emerging from the gas generator (14).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bearing shell assembly for a ball joint includes the following steps: a) a bearing shell having a plastic extension is produced; b) a spring element is arranged in a region of the plastic extension; and c) the spring element is fastened to the bearing shell by deformation of the plastic extension. The invention further relates to a bearing shell assembly for a ball joint, including a bearing shell and a spring element, the spring element being non-detachably connected with the bearing shell.

Abstract: A method for active actuation of a servo valve assembly in an electrohydraulic vehicle steering system includes the following method steps: a) a steering-wheel angle and a steering wheel angular velocity are determined as input variables; b) a pinion angle and a pinion angular velocity are determined as further input variables; c) a setpoint is specified for the steering-wheel angle; d) the input variables and the steering-wheel angle setpoint each are multiplied by an amplification parameter; e) by summing the amplified input variables and the amplified steering-wheel angle setpoint, a control variable is determined for a servo valve actuator which actuates a valve component of the servo valve assembly; f) the servo valve actuator is actuated corresponding to the control variable.

Abstract: A rotary switch in a motor vehicle has a stationary central part, a rotatable outer part, a control part and a contact unit (16). The control part is coupled to the rotatable outer part so as to transfer a rotary movement of the outer part directly into the contact unit (16).

Abstract: A steering system for a motor vehicle, including a steering gear and at least one tie rod, is characterized in that an actuator is provided, which can move an end section of the tie rod transversely to the direction in which the end section can be adjusted by the steering gear. A method of controlling a vehicle, in which steerable wheels of a vehicle are acted upon, is characterized in that a correction steering angle is superimposed on a steering angle of the steerable wheels which is given by a steering gear, which correction steering angle is brought about by an actuator which acts on one of the steerable wheels.