Abstract: A steering device which is configured as a steer-by-wire steering device includes a steering shaft disposed for rotation in a circumferential direction, a casing tube at least partially encompassing the steering shaft where the steering shaft is fixed in relation to the casing tube in an axial direction of the steering shaft, a sleeve encompassing the steering shaft, and a locking device. The steering shaft has an external thread which meshes with an internal thread of the sleeve. The sleeve is form-fitted into the casing tube such that the sleeve is displaceable in relation to the casing tube in the axial direction and is fixed in the circumferential direction. A lateral surface of the sleeve has a recess. The locking device and the recess are disposed such that the locking device is engageable into the recess in an axial position of the sleeve.

Abstract: A steering system for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel, a front hollow-cylindrical steering shaft, and a rear hollow-cylindrical steering shaft. The front hollow-cylindrical steering shaft is connected with the steering wheel at one longitudinal end and with the rear hollow-cylindrical steering shaft at another longitudinal end. The steering system additionally has an air conditioning unit with a cavity system and an air duct. The cavity system is formed in the steering wheel and is connected with the air duct in an air-conducting manner. The air duct is partially formed by the hollow space in the rear hollow-cylindrical steering shaft and a hollow space in the front hollow-cylindrical steering shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for immobilizing and identifying pests. The present invention also relates to a device that can be filled with fluid to immobilize pests, means making sure that the level of the fluid in the device stays within defined limits.

Abstract: A sample test cassette includes an inlet configured to introduce a sample liquid into the sample test cassette; an elongate channel configured to receive an elongate lateral flow test strip and configured with a first end that is configured to be in liquid communication with the inlet; and a mechanical transport system that is an integral part of the sample test cassette and is configured to generate a flow of the sample liquid from outside of the inlet and towards the first end of the elongate channel.

Abstract: A spindle drive for the height adjustment of an electrically adjustable steering column and the steering includes an adjustment spindle rotatably mounted in two bearings. The adjustment spindle includes two clamping elements, which have a centering cone on their sides facing one another, and the adjustment spindle is arranged in a tensioned manner on the two bearings by means of the clamping element, in that the clamping elements abut on the outer sides of the centering cones facing away from one other. The outer sides of the bearings are formed having a counter contour to the respectively abutting centering cone.

Abstract: A spindle drive for the height adjustment of an electrically adjustable steering column and the steering includes an adjustment spindle rotatably mounted in two bearings. The adjustment spindle includes two clamping elements, which have a centering cone on their sides facing one another, and the adjustment spindle is arranged in a tensioned manner on the two bearings by means of the clamping element, in that the clamping elements abut on the outer sides of the centering cones facing away from one other. The outer sides of the bearings are formed having a counter contour to the respectively abutting centering cone.

Abstract: A probe having a probe head in which is formed an opening for receiving a sample to be analyzed, the head comprising a pair of optical interfaces disposed at an opposing inner surface of the opening to delimit a path for optical radiation through the opening, wherein one of the pair of optical interfaces comprises a transparent element adapted to permit optical radiation in one or more wavelength regions of interest to travel between the probe head and the opening, the optical probe comprising a movable diaphragm in which one of the pair of optical interfaces is located for movement therewith and an actuator operably connected to the diaphragm to control its movement so as to vary the path length wherein the probe head comprises a hinge system cooperable with the actuator to move the optical interface in the movable diaphragm in an arc to vary the path length.

Abstract: A probe having a probe head in which is formed an opening for receiving a sample to be analysed, the head comprising a pair of optical interfaces disposed at an opposing inner surface of the opening to delimit a path for optical radiation through the opening, wherein one of the pair of optical interfaces comprises a transparent element adapted to permit optical radiation in one or more wavelength regions of interest to travel between the probe head and the opening, the optical probe comprising a movable diaphragm in which one of the pair of optical interfaces is located for movement therewith and an actuator operably connected to the diaphragm to control its movement so as to vary the path length wherein the probe head comprises a hinge system cooperable with the actuator to move the optical interface in the movable diaphragm in an arc to vary the path length.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column includes a bracket fixed to the vehicle and a steering column tube. The steering column tube may be adjusted in inclination relative to the bracket fixed to the vehicle via an adjusting device. The adjusting device includes a lever which is mounted pivotably on the bracket and may be deflected about a pivot axis by a driving device. The motor vehicle steering column may permit a maximum inclination setting irrespective of the available construction space. A deflecting clamp which is connected pivotably to the steering column tube is coupled to an output end of the lever.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column includes a bracket fixed to the vehicle and a steering column tube. The steering column tube may be adjusted in inclination relative to the bracket fixed to the vehicle via an adjusting device. The adjusting device includes a lever which is mounted pivotably on the bracket and may be deflected about a pivot axis by a driving device. The motor vehicle steering column may permit a maximum inclination setting irrespective of the available construction space. A deflecting clamp which is connected pivotably to the steering column tube is coupled to an output end of the lever.

Abstract: A safety steering column (1) is provided for a motor vehicle, which has a telescopic steering spindle (2) with an upper spindle part (3) which is near to the steering wheel and a lower spindle part (4) which is remote from the steering wheel, and is rotatably mounted in a jacket tube (5). The jacket tube (5) is of telescopic design and has an upper tube part (6) which is near to the steering wheel and a lower tube part (7) which is remote from the steering wheel, the lower tube part (7) being mounted so as to be pivotable about a first axis (10) on a bracket (9) which can be arranged fixed to the vehicle. In addition, an adjustment device which serves to vertically adjust the safety steering column (1) and has an actuating element (12) which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a second axis (14) is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering-column assembly 1, in which the telescopic spindle 5.1 is fastened to the inner casing tube 2.1 via a crash element 4. The telescopic spindle 5.1 moves into the crash element 4 by virtue of the fact that the spindle nut 5.6 is fixed to the crash element 4, which permits reduced installation space for the telescopic spindle 5.1. In order to improve acoustic decoupling, the spindle nut 5.6 is composed at least partially of plastic. By mechanical decoupling of the tensile and compressive forces of the telescopic spindle 5.1 from the torque which acts on the telescopic spindle 5.1, the possibility is provided of using plastic for a drive shaft 5.4 of the telescopic spindle 5.1 and for the bearings 5.7, 5.7? of the telescopic drive 5.3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety steering column for a motor vehicle, with a column tube which is arranged concentrically to a steering spindle and is fastened to the vehicle body and which, during an axial impact action, can be shortened, while absorbing energy, and at the same time cooperates with at least one energy absorption element. According to the invention, the at least one energy absorption element is a chip removal element which, in the event of a relative movement of the column tube with respect to the vehicle body, caused by the axial impact action, breaks down energy by chip removal.

Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle has a steering shaft rotatably mounted in a tubular jacket. The tubular jacket is secured on two rails extending substantially in an axial direction and fixed on the bodywork. The tubular jacket is guided between the rails in the event of an axial displacement in case of a crash. At least one rail is assigned at least one deformation element which is secured at least at one end on the rail and is plastically deformable, with absorption of energy, in the event of an axial displacement of the tubular jacket in a manner such that it is deformed by rolling friction via deflection structure fixedly disposed on the tubular jacket.

Abstract: A positional adjustment apparatus is provided for a steering column of a motor vehicle. A tubular jacket is fixed on two rails disposed substantially opposite one another, the rails extending in an axial direction of the tubular jacket and having slots extending in the axial direction for longitudinal adjustment of the steering column. Clamping bolts are provided that are guided through the slots in the rails and extend substantially in a radial direction away from the tubular jacket. At least one clamping bolt passes through a rail for vertical adjustment. Longitudinal and vertical adjustments are secured and released by means of an operating lever. The securing and releasing of the longitudinal and vertical adjustments takes place via a cam disc actuatable by the operating lever.

Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle has a steering shaft rotatably mounted in a tubular jacket. The tubular jacket is secured on two rails extending substantially in an axial direction and fixed on the bodywork. The tubular jacket is guided between the rails in the event of an axial displacement in case of a crash. At least one rail is assigned at least one deformation element which is secured at least at one end on the rail and is plastically deformable, with absorption of energy, in the event of an axial displacement of the tubular jacket in a manner such that it is deformed by rolling friction via deflection structure fixedly disposed on the tubular jacket.

Abstract: A positional adjustment apparatus is provided for a steering column of a motor vehicle. A tubular jacket is fixed on two rails disposed substantially opposite one another, the rails extending in an axial direction of the tubular jacket and having slots extending in the axial direction for longitudinal adjustment of the steering column. Clamping bolts are provided that are guided through the slots in the rails and extend substantially in a radial direction away from the tubular jacket. At least one clamping bolt passes through a rail for vertical adjustment. Longitudinal and vertical adjustments are secured and released by means of an operating lever. The securing and releasing of the longitudinal and vertical adjustments takes place via a cam disc actuatable by the operating lever.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the number of particles or cells in a liquid sample. The method comprises a) determining the number of particles or cells in a first volume of the liquid sample, b) determining the statistical uncertainty of the determined number of particles in said first volume, c) if the determined uncertainty is larger than a pre-determined value, determining the number of particles or cells in a further volume of the liquid sample, d) adding the numbers of cells or particles determined in steps a) and c), e) determining the statistical uncertainty of the number of particles determined in step d), f) repeating steps d) and e) with a further volumes of the liquid sample, until the uncertainty determined in step e) is lower than said pre-determined value or until a pre-determined total volume of the liquid sample in which the number of cells or particles has been determined exceeds a pre-determined volume being larger than said first volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the number of particles or cells in a liquid sample. The method comprises a) determining the number of particles or cells in a first volume of the liquid sample, b) determining the statistical uncertainty of the determined number of particles in said first volume, c) if the determined uncertainty is larger than a pre-determined value, determining the number of particles or cells in a further volume of the liquid sample, d) adding the numbers of cells or particles determined in steps a) and c), e) determining the statistical uncertainty of the number of particles determined in step d), f) repeating steps d) and e) with a further volumes of the liquid sample, until the uncertainty determined in step e) is lower than said pre-determined value or until a pre-determined total volume of the liquid sample in which the number of cells or particles has been determined exceeds a pre-determined volume being larger than said first volume.