Abstract: A sensor device, including a sensor having a sound transducer to emit sonic waves and convert received sonic waves to electrical signals. A sensor evaluation unit carries out surrounding-area monitoring during a normal operation of the sensor, by evaluating electrical signals of the sound transducer. During a monitoring mode of the sensor, a monitoring unit of the sensor device measures an impedance of the sound transducer for different excitation frequencies of excitation signals produced with a signal generator of the sensor device. The sensor device includes a first and a second signal path, which are each connected to the sound transducer and are connectable to the signal generator. To reset the sensor from normal operation to the monitoring mode, a first control unit of the sensor device is configured to decouple the signal generator from the first signal path and to connect it to the second signal path.

Abstract: A sensor device, including a sensor having a sound transducer to emit sonic waves and convert received sonic waves to electrical signals. A sensor evaluation unit carries out surrounding-area monitoring during a normal operation of the sensor, by evaluating electrical signals of the sound transducer. During a monitoring mode of the sensor, a monitoring unit of the sensor device measures an impedance of the sound transducer for different excitation frequencies of excitation signals produced with a signal generator of the sensor device. The sensor device includes a first and a second signal path, which are each connected to the sound transducer and are connectable to the signal generator. To reset the sensor from normal operation to the monitoring mode, a first control unit of the sensor device is configured to decouple the signal generator from the first signal path and to connect it to the second signal path.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmission and reception device is described. This includes a transmission circuit for generating a transmission signal at its transmission outputs and, an ultrasonic transducer, which is suited for converting electrical signals into sound signals and sound signals into electrical signals, a transformer, the primary side of which is connected to the transmission outputs and of the transmission circuit and the secondary side of which is connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and a reception circuit for processing a received signal present at its reception input.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmission and reception device is described. This includes a transmission circuit for generating a transmission signal at its transmission outputs and, an ultrasonic transducer, which is suited for converting electrical signals into sound signals and sound signals into electrical signals, a transformer, the primary side of which is connected to the transmission outputs and of the transmission circuit and the secondary side of which is connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and a reception circuit for processing a received signal present at its reception input.

Abstract: A sensor device described having a sensor, in particular an ultrasound sensor, having a generating and detecting arrangement to generate and detect waves, in particular sound waves, the detection arrangement converting received waves into electric signals, and the electric signals being evaluable by an evaluation unit. A function-monitoring device is configured to determine an impedance characteristic curve of the sensor as a function of an excitation frequency is provided. Also described is a method for operating the sensor device.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for evaluating and/or for activating sound transducers for application in vehicles, particularly as a part of a parking assistance, the circuit configuration including a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and the windings lead to a transformation ratio of greater than 1, terminals being provided for a sound transducer at the secondary winding and terminals being provided at the primary winding for activating device(s) which generate a voltage that changes with time at the primary winding of the transformer; on the side of primary winding (primary side) an antenna being provided which is suitable for receiving electrical fields generated by interference signals, and which is connected to the side of secondary winding (secondary side) via a coupling path; a device for phase shifting being provided in the coupling path, which brings about a phase shift by 180° in the electrical interference signals received by the antenna.

Abstract: A sensor device described having a sensor, in particular an ultrasound sensor, having a generating and detecting arrangement to generate and detect waves, in particular sound waves, the detection arrangement converting received waves into electric signals, and the electric signals being evaluable by an evaluation unit. A function-monitoring device is configured to determine an impedance characteristic curve of the sensor as a function of an excitation frequency is provided. Also described is a method for operating the sensor device.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for evaluating and/or for activating sound transducers for application in vehicles, particularly as a part of a parking assistance, the circuit configuration including a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and the windings lead to a transformation ratio of greater than 1, terminals being provided for a sound transducer at the secondary winding and terminals being provided at the primary winding for activating device(s) which generate a voltage that changes with time at the primary winding of the transformer; on the side of primary winding (primary side) an antenna being provided which is suitable for receiving electrical fields generated by interference signals, and which is connected to the side of secondary winding (secondary side) via a coupling path; a device for phase shifting being provided in the coupling path, which brings about a phase shift by 180° in the electrical interference signals received by the antenna.

Abstract: A method for functionally testing an ultrasonic sensor in which at least one additional ultrasonic sensor transmits an ultrasound signal, and a functioning of the first sensor is ascertained when the amplitude of the signal transmitted by the first sensor without being reflected off of an external obstacle exceeds a predefined, variable limit value.

Abstract: In a pulse-radar method, in particular for motor vehicles, different time slots of a time frame are predefined. During one time slot, a radar sensor emits at least one radar pulse and receives the echo signal(s). During the remaining time slots the radar sensor monitors whether interference signals occur. On the basis of the interference signals occurring per time slot, a decision is made whether the radar sensor should continue its transmitting and receiving operation in the predefined time slot or should switch to one of the remaining time slots of the time frame. The method is suited for the concurrent operation of a plurality of radar sensors, without this causing interference.

Abstract: In a pulse-radar method, in particular for motor vehicles, different time slots (21, . . . , 24) of a time frame (20) are predefined. During one time slot, a radar sensor (1) emits at least one radar pulse and receives the echo signal(s). During the remaining time slots (22, 23, 24) the radar sensor (1) monitors whether interference signals occur. On the basis of the interference signals occurring per time slot (21, . . . , 24), a decision is made whether the radar sensor (1) should continue its transmitting and receiving operation in the predefined time slot (21) or should switch to one of the remaining time slots (22, 23, 24) of the time frame (20). The method is suited for the concurrent operation of a plurality of radar sensors, without this causing interference.

Abstract: A mailing container having upper and lower plain paper layers padded with at least two layers of globular paper is made with feed and unwinding devices for upper and lower paper webs and an unwinding device for the padded webs. A device connects the paper webs with padded webs adjacent an edge of the mailing containers. A device cuts the mailing containers to a predetermined format. A station for globular paper includes at least one supply roll to be unwound from the upper paper web and a lower paper web. A reactivatable hot melt adhesive is applied along predetermined zones, on at least one of the globular paper webs and on at least one web of the upper and lower paper webs before the webs are brought together. The hot melt adhesive applied to the predetermined zones between the upper and lower paper web and/or between the globular paper webs causes these webs to be permanently joined.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with four driving wheels and driven differential gearing for the drive, where (in the case of rotational-speed differences occurring between the wheels) a control device intervenes to distribute the drive power of an engine to the permanently driven wheels and/or the other driven wheels. This intervention occurs for a particular holding time which is progressively extended if a new intervention by the control becomes necessary after a test disconnection of the respective intervention. In addition, or alternatively, the control device can respond more sensitively and thus more quickly to rotational-speed differences of the wheels which may later occur during, or after, a test disconnection.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing air-cushion dispatch packages, the apparatus comprising an unwinding mechanism for paper webs and air-cushion foil webs. The apparatus introduces air-cushion foil webs between the paper webs and seals each paper web to a foil web over a large area. Transverse and longitudinal sealers seal the edges of the packages. After each sealing operation, the webs are subsequently cooled. Pulling rollers press the paper webs in the edge regions of the packages and advance the webs. Cutters cut the dispatch packages to the desired format. Web controllers correct deviation of the paper webs. A cycle controller is included.

Abstract: The subject-matter is a motor vehicle having a drive system which acts on the wheels of an axle via an automatic limited-slip differential (ASD) in dependence on the driving speed and on the slip of the driving wheels, rotational-speed sensors being provided for each vehicle wheel and a control logic circuit being provided which processes the signals of the rotational-speed sensors and other signals to form control signals for connecting and disconnecting the limited-slip differential, taking into consideration the driving-dynamic aspects in the respective driving condition, the limited-slip differential being combined with a wheel slip control (ASR) which exclusively acts on the drive torque of the vehicle engine in order to ensure a high measure of traction and driving stability overall with low expenditure.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automatic engagement and disengagement of the drive components of a motor vehicle, particularly of the drive of at least one additional axle and/or of locks for auxiliary gear and/or differential gear. The apparatus has sensors for sensing the rotary speeds of the wheels and the steering angle of the vehicle and a control unit which activates the drive components individually, simultaneously or in a given sequence as a function of: The travelling speed; the vehicle acceleration; the slip of the wheels; and the movement condition of the vehicle as a function of the steering angle. The apparatus also has an adaptively operating matching electronic system for accounting for the rotary speeds of the wheels and for the steering angle. An advantage of this apparatus is the engaging of required drive components automatically with narrow limit values and tolerances in necessary situations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for damping pendulum oscillations of a trailer hitched to a coupling of a motor vehicle. For this purpose, the coupling at the rear of the motor vehicle is horizontally adjustable at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and damping means serve for adjusting the coupling, in proportion to the deflection of the trailer drawbar, from a position lying on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the direction of the side of the motor vehicle into which the trailer is swerving.Transverse movements of the coupling relatively to the superstructure of the motor vehicle cause a continuous shifting in the instantaneous fulcrum or center of rotation of the trailer drawbar forwardly along the longitudinal vehicle axis, whereby interfering forces impairing the driving direction of the trailer are counteracted and driving stability is ensured.

Abstract: A steering arrangement for motor vehicles wherein two steerable wheels are coupled with a steering gear arm which is connected to a steering column. The steering gear arm is divided into at least two parts with one part of the steering gear arm being associated with each steerable wheel. At least one sun gear is mounted to the steering column which mates with planetary gears of a pair of planetary gear carriers. The planetary gear of each planetary carrier mates with an outside gear which forms a secondary drive for a part of the steering gear segment arm. A locking device is provided in order to enable an alternative locking of the planetary gear and the outside gear.