Abstract: A passive force element on the basis of electrorheological liquids includes a piston with a piston rod guided in a cylindrical housing, and a force introduction element connected with the piston rod. The piston forms, in the cylindrical housing, two variable-volume working chambers, which are filled with electrorheological liquids, and which are connected by a fluid connection including a valve arrangement with an electrorheological liquid valve for controlling the throughflow characteristic. A regulated damping characteristic can be adjustedly set and force peaks are avoided, because the force introduction is achieved via the force introduction element, and the piston is coupled onto the force introduction element via an elastic element.

Abstract: A passive force element on the basis of electrorheological liquids, in which there is arranged a piston with piston rod, which is guided in a cylindrical housing, whereby the piston rod is connected with a force introduction element, and whereby the piston forms, in the cylindrical housing, two variable-volume working chambers, which are filled with electrorheological liquids, and which are connected by a fluid connection, and whereby the fluid connection comprises a valve arrangement for controlling the throughflow characteristic, which comprises an electrorheological liquid valve, is to be further embodied in such a manner, that a regulated damping characteristic can be adjustedly set and force peaks are avoided. This is achieved in that the force introduction is achieved via a force introduction element and the piston (11, 12, 13, 14) is coupled onto the force introduction element via an elastic element.

Abstract: A steering spindle (1) has a thin-walled container (5) which is filled by an incompressible flowable material (7). In the event of a crash, the container (5) is opened up by means of a, for example, pyrotechnic device (13). As a result, the flowable material (7) emerges and the container (5) deforms, whereby the forward vehicle intrusion is uncoupled from the behavior of the steering column.

Abstract: A switchable flap valve having at least one valve plate (2, 2a, 2b) disposed for pivoting about a longitudinal axis in a housing part (1) for opening or closing a valve opening (11) provided in the housing part (1) in which a strip element (4, 4a, 4b) is formed on the upper side of the valve plate (2, 2a, 2b) aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve plate. The surface of the strip element (4, 4a) is inclined toward an adjacent housing wall (20) or toward a second strip (4b) and forms a hollow channel with the housing wall (20) or with the strip (4b). The free longitudinal edge (18) of the strip (4, 4a, 4b) is held in a latch mechanism (7, 8) to maintain the valve plate (2, 2a, 2b) in the closed position.

Abstract: A switchable flap valve having at least one valve plate (2, 2a, 2b) disposed for pivoting about a longitudinal axis in a housing part (1) for opening or closing a valve opening (11) provided in the housing part (1) in which a strip element (4, 4a, 4b) is formed on the upper side of the valve plate (2, 2a, 2b) aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve plate, The surface of the strip element (4, 4a) is inclined toward an adjacent housing wall (20) or toward a second strip (4b) and forms a hollow channel with the housing wall (20) or with the strip (4b). The free longitudinal edge (18) of the strip (4, 4a, 4b) is held in a latch mechanism (7, 8) to maintain the valve plate (2, 2a, 2b) in the closed position.

Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column for motor vehicles has an exterior tube, which is stationarily held on the vehicle body, and an interior tube which is aligned coaxially with respect to the exterior tube and is received in an axially displaceable manner. With a motor transmission unit fastened to the exterior tube, the interior tube is driven to move back and forth axially via a spindle drive. In order to achieve a reduction of the required components and of the mounting expenditures, the interior tube has at least one radially projecting web-shaped wing, and the exterior tube has at least one longitudinal slot recess which is penetrated by the wing of the interior tube with little play. The spindle nut of the spindle drive is thus stationarily arranged on the web-shaped wing of the interior tube, and the spindle is stationarily provided on the exterior tube.

Abstract: A motor vehicle adjustable safety steering column for a motor vehicle, including a column with an air bag, has a steering spindle which can be pushed together in a telescope-type manner and is disposed in outer casing tube parts. The steering column are supported by way of a deformation element. The deformation element comprises a first outer casing tube part which, on the end side, is supported on an inner casing tube to envelope the deformation element. This casing tube has a toothed rack into which a pinion of an adjusting device engages for axial displacement of the steering column. Thus, a steering column of compact construction can be both axially adjustable and have an energy-absorbing effect.