Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a heating and air conditioning system in a vehicle. The evaporator of the air conditioner is switched off below a predefined external temperature threshold in order to prevent the risk of icing. The external temperature threshold for switching off the evaporator as a function of the external temperature, is also defined, preferably variably, below the freezing point.

Abstract: An operating system and method for a vehicle having an automatically closing hatch, includes an operating switch, a programmable electronic controller, and a device for monitoring the hatch opening when the hatch is open. The operating switch generates an operating request signal for closing the hatch when the switch is actuated, the signal being an input signal to the controller. The monitoring device is a light barrier device having at least one light-emitting actuator and at least one light-detecting sensor arranged at the edge region of the hatch opening and also connected to the controller by electrical cables. The controller is programmed such that, when the operating request signal is present and the hatch is open, the controller outputs a pivot command to a closing system for closing the hatch only if the presence of an obstacle is not detected by the monitoring device for the hatch opening.

Abstract: A vehicle has a device for setting an open position of a tailgate, which can be pivoted upwards and, after an opening command to a first control unit, can be adjusted into a predefined open position via an adjusting device. The vehicle has a device for setting a predefined vehicle height, which device includes a second control unit for actuating an active wheel suspension system. Lowering of the vehicle height is performed at the same time as the opening of the tailgate, by way of a communications link between the first control unit and the second control unit and by way of corresponding programming of at least one of the two control units. The simultaneous opening of the tailgate and lowering of the vehicle height are prevented if a blocking command for this function is present in one of the two control units.

Abstract: A method is provided for welding in an automated way a sphere onto a metal sheet. The method includes the following steps: providing a sphere; providing a first electrode; picking up the sphere by use of the first electrode; providing a metal sheet; providing a second electrode; pressing the metal sheet and sphere together such that the sphere is pressed against the metal sheet by the first electrode, and the metal sheet is pressed against the sphere by the second electrode; and welding the sphere and the metal sheet together by generating a welding current between the two electrodes.

Abstract: A locking device for a connecting arrangement between a connecting piece and a plug-type connector, which connecting piece has, radially on the outside, at least one first undercut region extending in the circumferential direction, which plug-type connector has, radially on the inside, at least one second undercut region which is suitable for corresponding with the first undercut region in an engagement position and can be elastically deformed in the radial direction such that the first undercut region and the second undercut region can be engaged or disengaged. The locking device is suitable for preventing a radial elastic deformation of the plug-type connector at least to such an extent that, in the connecting position, the first undercut region and the second undercut region are fixed in the corresponding engagement position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system for a vehicle, comprising an internal combustion that releases mechanical and thermal energy and a device for converting the thermal energy, wherein the device is designed to directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy and to transfer thermal energy to a working medium intended to act on an expansion apparatus.

Abstract: In order to enable the temperature in the region of at least one of the cell terminals that are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner by a cell connector to be determined in a simple and reliable manner, there is proposed a cell connector for connecting a first cell terminal of a first electro-chemical cell and a second cell terminal of a second electro-chemical cell of an electro-chemical device in an electrically conductive manner which comprises a base body and a temperature sensing element that is fixed to the base body.

Abstract: A fixing arrangement for fixing a first motor vehicle component to a second motor vehicle component includes first second fixing elements. The first and second fixing elements are connectable to each other in a positive locking manner. The second fixing element has a pin configured as a ball; and the first fixing element has a sleeve that fits over the spherical pin to produce a positive locking engagement. The first fixing element has a securing device designed as a cap, which is mounted on an outer shell sleeve surface such that the cap is movable in the axial direction. The sleeve is locked on the spherical pin by axial relative movement of the cap from a defined first position into a defined second position.

Abstract: A holder apparatus is provided for a portable electronic device, in particular in a motor vehicle. The portable electronic device is designed for bidirectional data transfer with the motor vehicle, wherein the holder apparatus has a base element which can be fixed in the motor vehicle and which has a plurality of holder elements, and at least one wall and/or cover element which is coupled to the holder elements such that it can be reversibly plug-connected. The portable electronic device can be secured in the holder apparatus in an interlocking and/or force-fitting manner by the base element and the at least one wall and/or cover element.

Abstract: An arrangement of a catalytic converter in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine which can be operated with fuel containing manganese is provided, wherein the catalytic converter is arranged in the exhaust tract in an exhaust gas flow path from the internal combustion engine. A sacrificial disk, which is permeable to exhaust gas, is arranged in the exhaust tract upstream of the catalytic converter in the flow direction of the exhaust gas. When the exhaust gas back pressure becomes too high for normal internal combustion engine operation owing to manganese deposits, the relatively inexpensive sacrificial disk can be replaced other than exchanging and/or cleaning the relatively expensive catalytic converter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing data in one or more control devices of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. According to the invention, a data protection mode for the control device(s) can be activated by a user of the vehicle. In this data protection mode the predetermined data, to which the control device(s) has and/or have access during usage of the vehicle, are prevented from being transmitted out of the vehicle; or transmission of said predetermined data is permitted exclusively after entry of a confirmation requested by the user of the vehicle. As an alternative or in addition, in the data protection mode the predetermined data, which are stored in the control device(s) during usage of the vehicle, are deleted after a predefined period of time.

Abstract: A single-pivot suspension strut axle for a passenger car, includes a wheel carrier/pivot bearing carrying the wheel and a brake disk non-rotatably connected with the wheel relative to a rotational axis thereof. A suspension strut is fastened to the wheel carrier/pivot bearing and, at another end, is supported at the vehicle body. The wheel carrier/pivot bearing is guided by a supporting joint situated close to the wheel center plane by a lower control arm, representing an A-arm, and by a tie rod. A section of the control arm connected with the supporting joint projects through the ring-shaped brake disk. A leaf spring element oriented in the transverse direction of the vehicle provides proportional support for the vehicle body on the wheel, and is supported, on one side, at the control arm and, on another side, directly or indirectly, at the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle driver assistant with an electronic control device checks the clearance possibility for a vehicle below an upper obstruction as a function of the overall vehicle height, in particular in the case of a roof load. The electronic control device can be connected to an input unit, which is preferably independent of the motor vehicle. This input unit allows at least one overall vehicle height to be entered manually, in particular, for the roof load.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a pedestrian detecting device for a vehicle, wherein an absorber is provided on a bumper of the vehicle. The absorber can deform in the event of a collision with a pedestrian. The deformation is transferred to a connecting element, and the connecting element actuates a sensor that generates a sensor signal. The functionality of the pedestrian detecting device can be monitored by saving the current sensor signal as a target value every time the vehicle is parked, and saving the current sensor signal as an actual value every time the vehicle is restarted. The actual value is compared to the target value, and a deviation of the target value from the actual value is detected and/or displayed.

Abstract: A method and forming tool produce a multi-dimensionally profiled preform from a multidirectional fiber composite material. A tensioning frame envelops top and bottom tool components and fixes the fiber composite material so it is allowed to be subsequently fed-in under frictional engagement. In order to compensate for excess material in regions where a shaping gap has a weaker profile, the tool components have forming elements arranged in the edge trimming zone of the preform and defining between them a drawing-through gap for the material. The drawing-through gap becomes increasingly the shape of a bead in synchronism with the tool components closing movement, and/or the tensioning surface of the tensioning frame is vertically adjusted relative to a tool component inlet surface in the forming phase such that a drawing edge for the material is formed in the tensioning surface.

Abstract: A tank closure system intended for closing a filling opening of a tank includes a tank cap, which closes the filling opening, and a tank flap, which covers the tank cap. The sides of the tank cap and the tank flap that face each other are designed to engage with one another in a positive locking manner by way of a defined shape, when the tank cap is situated in a predetermined position, in which the filling opening is closed, relative to the tank flap.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a support structure formed of a chassis frame and a vehicle body. The chassis frame and vehicle body are bolted together by four bolt locations in the area of upper supports of the spring struts of the front and rear axle. The chassis frame and vehicle body are also glued to each other along segments of the support structure thereof extending parallel to each other, wherein adhesive surfaces are located in the area between the front and rear bolt locations. The adhesive in the middle area of the motor vehicle ensures a large surface area for force application from the chassis frame into the vehicle body and vice versa, which is supplemented by the bolt locations outside of the adhesive joint.

Abstract: A hybrid module includes a housing, an input intended for rotationally coupling to an internal combustion engine, an output intended for rotationally coupling to an input of a gearbox, an electric machine arranged in the housing and having a stator and a rotor arranged within the stator radially, a separation clutch and a torsional vibration damper. The separation clutch and the torsional vibration damper are arranged within the rotor in both the radial and axial directions.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method for processing data in a vehicle in which the data are received by a first processing unit via a network; in which the data are decoded by the first processing unit; and in which a piece of reproduction information comprising an output time or a piece of synchronization information is transmitted to the second processing unit. In addition, an appropriate apparatus is specified.

Abstract: A device for driving an auxiliary unit, in particular a high-pressure pump, includes a rotatably supported drive shaft of an internal combustion engine, wherein the drive shaft and a unit shaft of the auxiliary unit are operatively connected to each other by a coupling. The unit shaft has a first bearing on the side facing away from the coupling, and the coupling is a second bearing for the unit shaft. The device provides a low-cost, acoustically inconspicuous, tolerance-insensitive coupling solution for connecting, for example, a high-pressure pump camshaft to an available intake or exhaust camshaft.