Abstract: A device for detecting steering wheel contact comprises at least a first electrode (12) which is provided in a steering wheel (10) and which forms, together with a human body acting as a second electrode and a dielectric situated therebetween, at least one sensor capacitor (26). The device also comprises an evaluation circuit (24) having a reference capacitor (30) of known capacitance which can be connected parallel to the sensor capacitor (26), a direct current voltage source (34) which can be connected to the reference capacitor (30), and a measuring device for measuring the voltage at the reference capacitor (30).

Abstract: A device for detecting steering wheel contact comprises at least a first electrode (12) which is provided in a steering wheel (10) and which forms, together with a human body acting as a second electrode and a dielectric situated therebetween, at least one sensor capacitor (26). The device also comprises an evaluation circuit (24) having a reference capacitor (30) of known capacitance which can be connected parallel to the sensor capacitor (26), a direct current voltage source (34) which can be connected to the reference capacitor (30), and a measuring device for measuring the voltage at the reference capacitor (30).

Abstract: A method for covering a vehicle interior part with leather, particularly a vehicle steering wheel, includes the following steps: A leather piece being cut to size and having a front side, a rear side, and edges is provided with a thermoplastic layer on the rear side. The leather piece is fastened on the vehicle interior part by a high frequency welding process in a region of the thermoplastic layer.

Abstract: A method for the production of a steering wheel with a multi-colored foam surrounding includes the following steps: formation of a first foam surrounding (12) by surrounding a steering wheel skeleton in a first mold with a first foam, the first foam in solidified state having a first color; covering of particular regions of the first foam surrounding (12); and formation of a second foam surrounding (14) by introducing a second foam into a second mold, the second foam in solidified state having a second color different from the first color.

Abstract: A method for describing one or more relations in a physical or other system on me oasis of an algebraic model of the system comprises the steps of: a) collecting data comprising measurements of different quantities relating to the system; b) interpreting the measurements of the different quantities as evaluations of different variables, which together comprise a polynomial ring; c) calculating an ideal of the ring, the generators of which substantially vanish on the collected data; d) interpreting the generators as polynomial relations between the variables of the system; e) reformulating at least one of the polynomial relations as an algebraic model for one of the variables in terms of the other variables involved in this relation; and f) the algebraic model is induced to generate one or more governing relations between parameters that govern the system using only measured data of the system.

Abstract: A heatable steering wheel includes a steering wheel blank, a heating mat wrapped around the steering wheel blank, a first, visible hard sheathing whose surface is refinished after having been installed, a second, visible softer sheathing, both of the sheathings abutting each other in an abutting area, and a coupling element in the abutting area. The coupling element, as seen from the outside, has a depression and that, starting from the first sheathing, extends under the abutting area all the way to an abutting edge of the second sheathing. The heating mat extends continuously under the first sheathing and under the coupling element all the way to under the second sheathing.

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 method for covering a vehicle interior part with leather, particularly a vehicle steering wheel, includes the following steps: A leather piece being cut to size and having a front side, a rear side, and edges is provided with a thermoplastic layer on the rear side. The leather piece is fastened on the vehicle interior part by a high frequency welding process in a region of the thermoplastic layer.

Abstract: A device for damping oscillations in a steering wheel or in a gas bag module includes an absorption mass, a damping means (14) which is connected to the absorption mass and comprises a damping element (16), and a control means for changing the mechanical oscillating properties of the device and which is coupled to the damping means (14). The control means includes a shiftable mechanical control element (22) which cooperates with the damping element (16). The shifting of the control element (22) permits the adjustment of the intrinsic frequency of the device.

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 (10) includes a gas bag (12), the gas bag having a front wall (14) facing an occupant (16) in an inflated state of said gas bag (12) and being engaged by a first end (18) of a destructible retaining element (20), the retaining element (20) at least partially preventing an unhindered motion of the front wall (14) when the gas bag (12) is inflated. The gas bag module further includes a gas generator (22) for filling the gas bag (12), the gas generator (22) having a first discharge section (24) for a through flow of a first quantity of gas.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device includes a steering wheel part coupled non-rotatably to a steering column and a central part which is stationary with regard to a rotation of the steering wheel part. The steering device further includes a gas bag module including a gas generator unit. The gas generator unit in the installed state of the gas bag module is a component of the steering wheel part. Another vehicle steering device also includes a steering wheel part coupled non-rotatably to a steering column and a central part which is stationary with respect to a rotation of the steering part. A gas bag module including a gas generator unit is housed in the stationary central part. The gas generator unit is connected electrically via a supply line with a control unit arranged outside the steering device. The supply line is guided from a first clock spring arranged in a stationary section of the steering device via a second clock spring arranged in the rotatable steering wheel part to the gas generator unit.

Abstract: A gas bag protection device comprises a gas bag which has an outer wall made of a first material. The outer wall has at least one outflow opening. A membrane made of an extensible, second material is provided which is fastened to the outer wall and covers the outflow opening in the not fully inflated state of the gas bag. The gas bag protection device further comprises a device provided outside the gas bag and serving for destroying the membrane. The gas bag and the device are arranged spaced so far apart from each other that the membrane meets the device only when a predetermined internal pressure of the gas bag has been reached.

Abstract: A gas bag module (10) includes a gas bag (12), the gas bag having a front wall (14) facing an occupant (16) in an inflated state of said gas bag (12) and being engaged by a first end (18) of a destructible retaining element (20), the retaining element (20) at least partially preventing an unhindered motion of the front wall (14) when the gas bag (12) is inflated. The gas bag module further includes a gas generator (22) for filling the gas bag (12), the gas generator (22) having a first discharge section (24) for a through flow of a first quantity of gas.

Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a gas generator, a carrier part for the gas generator, a gas bag associated with the gas generator and a covering for the gas bag. The carrier part or the covering or both comprise at least one layer composed of a polymer matrix and exfoliated layered silicate particles dispersed therein, the exfoliated layered silicate particles having a thickness of 0.5 to 2 nm and a surface diameter of up to 10 ?m.

Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a rigid component (10). The rigid component (10) has a discharge opening (12) formed therein through which gas can escape. A control arrangement through which gas can pass is provided at the discharge opening (12). The control arrangement is designed so that the quantity of the gas passing through depends on the speed of flow of the gas.

Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a rigid component (10). The rigid component (10) has a discharge opening (12) formed therein through which gas can escape. A plate (14) is arranged over the discharge opening (12) and overlaps the discharge opening (12) at a distance. The plate (14) is mounted elastically on the rigid component (10).

Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a rigid component (16). The rigid component (16) has a discharge opening (14) formed therein through which gas can escape. A control element (10) is arranged at the discharge opening (14). The control element (10) assumes a rolled-up state in the case of low pressure action and assumes an unrolled state in the case of greater pressure action.

Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device includes a rigid component (10). The rigid component (10) has a discharge opening (12) formed therein through which gas can escape. The discharge opening (12) is covered by a flat covering part (14). The flat covering part (14) includes an extensible material and has at least one hole (16).

Abstract: An assembly unit includes an airbag module, a vehicle steering wheel, horn contacts for a vehicle horn, and attachment devices by means of which the airbag module is attached to the steering wheel. A first detachable attachment device is provided which comprises a first holding part provided on the airbag module and a second holding part provided on the steering wheel. The holding parts engage with each other and allow pivoting of the module in a direction towards the steering wheel in order to close a second attachment device. The second attachment device is a detachable latching connection and the airbag module, in its attached state, is able to be moved axially in order to close the horn contacts.