Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a mirror housing, a wiper motor, and a wiper arm which is driven by the wiper motor via a wiper mechanism and bears a wiper blade for cleaning a mirror surface. The wiper mechanism generates an essentially parallel reciprocating movement of the wiper blade. It is essential here to the invention that the wiper mechanism has a first L-shaped pivot arm and a second L-shaped pivot arm which are respectively mounted rotatably in a fixed position at their elbows and are mounted rotatably, at their limbs on the wiper side, on an inner parallel wiper arm. Furthermore, an outer parallel wiper arm which is connected to the inner parallel wiper arm and bears the wiper blade is arranged on the inner parallel wiper arm. The two pivot arms are driven by the wiper motor to which they are connected in terms of drive at their limbs on the drive side.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drive (16) of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine (10) and an electric motor (24). A main transmission (16) having an output shaft (18) is connected to a driveshaft (19) of the motor vehicle, and an input shaft (14) is connected to the internal combustion engine (10). The electric motor (24) is coupled to the input shaft (14) or the output shaft (16) of the main transmission (16) by an intermediate transmission (22) having at least two transmission ratio steps. In order to accelerate the motor vehicle from rest, the drive is initially effected solely by the electric motor (24) with the intermediate transmission (22) in its lowest transmission ratio step. The drawing is then taken over by the internal combustion engine (10) before a shift operation in the intermediate transmission (22). In this case, the intermediate transmission (22) is preferably a claw shift transmission.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a mirror housing, a wiper motor, and a wiper arm which is driven by the wiper motor via a wiper mechanism and bears a wiper blade for cleaning a mirror surface. The wiper mechanism generates an essentially parallel reciprocating movement of the wiper blade. It is essential here to the invention that the wiper mechanism has a first L-shaped pivot arm and a second L-shaped pivot arm which are respectively mounted rotatably in a fixed position at their elbows and are mounted rotatably, at their limbs on the wiper side, on an inner parallel wiper arm. Furthermore, an outer parallel wiper arm which is connected to the inner parallel wiper arm and bears the wiper blade is arranged on the inner parallel wiper arm. The two pivot arms are driven by the wiper motor to which they are connected in terms of drive at their limbs on the drive side.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drive (16) of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine (10) and an electric motor (24). A main transmission (16) having an output shaft (18) is connected to a driveshaft (19) of the motor vehicle, and an input shaft (14) is connected to the internal combustion engine (10). The electric motor (24) is coupled to the input shaft (14) or the output shaft (16) of the main transmission (16) by an intermediate transmission (22) having at least two transmission ratio steps. In order to accelerate the motor vehicle from rest, the drive is initially effected solely by the electric motor (24) with the intermediate transmission (22) in its lowest transmission ratio step. The drawing is then taken over by the internal combustion engine (10) before a shift operation in the intermediate transmission (22). In this case, the intermediate transmission (22) is preferably a claw shift transmission.

Abstract: A method of generating a pulse-width-modulated three-phase voltage or alternating voltage (2) from a direct voltage (1) by at least one converter or inverter. The direct voltage (1) is sampled with variable pulse width intervals (t1, t2, t3). This method makes it possible to suppress interfering noise in the audible range.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid drive system of a motor vehicle includes the steps of operating the traction drive using an electrical motor (3) with power supplied from an auxiliary power unit (8), supplying power from an energy storage device (7) to the electric motor (3) when the traction drive demands power which are greater than the maximum possible power output of the auxiliary power unit (8), and supplying power from an internal combustion engine (2) only when the traction drive's power demand is greater than the total maximum possible power output from the auxiliary power unit (8) and from the energy storage device (7).

Abstract: An air bag system for a passenger car, in particular a convertible, with at least one inflatable air bag is disclosed. To increase the protection of the passengers, the air bag is housed in a roof frame of the car enclosing at the top a windshield of the passenger car. When the air bag is actuated, it unfolds in the opposite direction of travel of the car in such a manner that, after it unfolds, the air bag is located above the head of the driver and/or the passenger.

Abstract: A motor vehicle drive includes an electric motor and at least one clutch in the drive line between the electric machine and the driven wheels of a motor vehicle. If the special case occurs in which high torques have to be supplied by the electric motor when the vehicle speed is very low or when the vehicle is stationary, the clutch is operated in a torque-transmitting slipping manner, ensuring that neither the electric machine nor the clutch are thermally overloaded.

Abstract: A motor vehicle drive includes an electric motor and at least one clutch in the drive line between the electric machine and the driven wheels of a motor vehicle. If the special case occurs in which high torques have to be supplied by the electric motor when the vehicle speed is very low or when the vehicle is stationary, the clutch is operated in a torque-transmitting slipping manner, ensuring that neither the electric machine nor the clutch are thermally overloaded.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid drive system of a motor vehicle includes the steps of operating the traction drive using an electrical motor (3) with power supplied from an auxiliary power unit (8), supplying power from an energy storage device (7) to the electric motor (3) when the traction drive demands power which are greater than the maximum possible power output of the auxiliary power unit (8), and supplying power from an internal combustion engine (2) only when the traction drive's power demand is greater than the total maximum possible power output from the auxiliary power unit (8) and from the energy storage device (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive train for motor vehicles containing an engine output shaft of a travel drive engine, a gearbox which is arranged along a theoretical axial center line axially with respect to the engine output shaft, and an electric machine which has, or can have, a drive connection to the gearbox of the travel drive engine, the electric machine being arranged remotely from the travel drive in the force flux downstream of the gearbox.

Abstract: A drive unit for a motor vehicle exhibits an internal combustion engine and a transmission. The drivable wheels of the motor vehicle can be driven by means of the rotary motion of the output shaft of the transmission. The drivable wheels of the motor vehicle can be driven alternatively or additionally by an electric motor, which can be mounted in such a manner that its rotor forms a part of the output shaft of the transmission. The electric motor is dimensioned in such a manner in its outer dimensions that it can replace a part of the output shaft of the transmission.

Abstract: An air bag system for a passenger car, in particular a convertible, with at least one inflatable air bag is disclosed. To increase the protection of the passengers, the air bag is housed in a roof frame of the car enclosing at the top a windshield of the passenger car. When the air bag is actuated, it unfolds in the opposite direction of travel of the car in such a manner that, after it unfolds, the air bag is located above the head of the driver and/or the passenger.

Abstract: In a method for detecting the charge balance of a storage battery for an electric drive vehicle by measuring and summing the charge and discharge currents over time, a plurality of current measuring arrangements are provided. Individual electrical power consumers are each assigned to one of these current measuring arrangements, and the currents detected by the current measuring arrangements are added over time. The consumers are assigned mainly on the basis of their power draws. It is also possible to replace one or more current measuring arrangements by a pulse generator. The power draw of the corresponding consumer is then multiplied by its operating time, determined with a given factor. The current draw of the electric drive is measured in any case.

Abstract: A method for forming a signal in a device having an internal combustion engine and an associated catalytic converter, the signal representing the instantaneous temperature of the catalytic converter. The internal combustion engine is controllable by an electronic engine control unit as a function of the load, the engine speed and other operating parameters. Air may be supplied to the internal combustion engine via an intake port, whereas the exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine may be carried away via an exhaust duct in which a catalytic converter is arranged. The internal combustion engine may be cooled by a radiator having a coolant circulation. The coolant temperature, the outside air temperature, the load and the engine speed are detected by sensors and corresponding signals are supplied to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit ascertains the exhaust-gas flow and the exhaust-gas temperature over time by calculation from the load and the engine speed.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for accessory assemblies of a reciprocating internal combustion engine having a switchable planetary transmission which is positioned concentrically to the crankshaft and is driven by the latter. To prevent the noise- and wear-producing vibrations of the free end of the crankshaft from reaching the planetary transmission, a vibration isolator which functions as a cross-recess coupling is provided between the crankshaft and the planetary transmission.

Abstract: A route finder device for a motor vehicle contains a data input unit for inputting one or more destinations for a journey, a road network memory for storing the locations on the network of roads which can be used by the vehicle, a computer unit for determining one or more possible routes from the location to the destination or destinations including energy supply processes which may be required at one or more energy supply locations as a function of the quantity of energy present in the energy accumulator, the energy supply network and the route specific energy consumption, as well as a display unit for displaying the routes determined by the computer unit. When used in electric vehicles, this device permits optimum routes to be found, taking into account charging processes for the traction battery.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for braking a hybrid drive vehicle, kinetic vehicular energy is converted by the driving electric motor into electrical power, which alternatively can be absorbed by charging a traction battery or by driving a combustion engine via a generator coupled to the engine, which is functioning as a motor. According to the invention, engine braking is activated if the traction battery is fully charged, if its temperature lies outside a predetermined charging temperature range, or if the charging current due to the electrical power supplied by the driving electric motor exceeds a predetermined limit value.

Abstract: A closing device for the filler neck of a motor vehicle tank, in which device an orifice of the filler neck, opening into the tank interior can be closed by means of a cap which can be placed sealingly onto the orifice edge under a closing force. The closing force is exerted by a spring. The nozzle of a filling pump to be introduced into the filler neck can operate opening movement of the cap. The cap can be displaced between the closing and the opening position via an actuating mechanism by means of a variable transmission ratio having a value decreasing from the closing position of the cap to its open position and by means of a variable closing force having a value increasing from the open position of the cap to the closing position.

Abstract: A method for assisting the driver of a vehicle in the optimum use of the on-board energy supply, by consumption-oriented driving-power limitation, especially for electric vehicles. A permissible consumption rate related to the remaining distance is determined continuously starting from the available energy supply and this section consumption is used, taking into account the driving resistances, to determine a set point value which controls a device for driving-power limitation. In a preferred embodiment, an electronic accelerator pedal is provided, with a pedal travel divided into two angular ranges, the second angular range requiring an increased actuating force and being allocated to a power range inhibited in accordance with the set point value. The division into the two angular ranges is adjustable by means of a positioning motor as a function of the permissible section consumption.