Abstract: An optical module includes a lens arrangement which is used to project electromagnetic radiation to a semiconductor element and a light source disposed in the surrounding area of the radiation inlet area of the lens arrangement. The lens arrangement and the light source are provided with a covering which is permeable to electromagnetic radiation. The covering is provided with a radiation barrier that blocks the radiation which is emitted by the light source and prevents a direct injection of radiation which is emitted by the light source into the lens arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for monitoring signals which are guided to a multi-phase motor by an end stage and the pulse width thereof is controlled by a controller. The total of the pulse widths of the signals of each phase is measured by, respectively, a counter, respectively for a predetermined program flow in the controller. The meter reading is read by a counter according to a predetermined period of time and an error signal is produced if the total amount of time exceeds a predetermined tolerance range.

Abstract: Presented is a gas sensor and method for detecting the quantity of a measurement gas contained in a gas mixture. The sensor includes a prechamber, a first pump device disposed in the prechamber configured to set the partial pressure of a free gas component of a detection gas to a predetermined value, and a measuring chamber separated from the prechamber by a diffusion barrier. The measuring chamber includes a detection device configured to determine the concentration of the detection gas. The sensor further includes an inlet chamber separated from the prechamber by a diffusion barrier, a second pump device disposed in the inlet chamber configured to set the partial pressure of the free gas component of the detection gas to a predetermined value, and a third pump device disposed in the measuring chamber and configured to set the partial pressure of the free gas component to a predetermined value.

Abstract: The sensor has only a first contact (1) and a second contact (2). In the first step of the method, current is passed through the sensor element (3) while simultaneously measuring the measured variable using a closed switch (4). In a second step, the measured value is then converted into a digital signal in an analogue/digital converter (5) and the digital signal is transformed into a digital output value in a digital switching mechanism (6) which is connected downstream of the analogue/digital converter (5). In a third step, the digital output value is serially sent via the first contact (1) and the second contact (2) with the switch (4) open or closed depending on the binary structure of the digital output value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a position sensor and to a method for operating a position sensor. In a position sensor, in particular, a selection area sensor in an automatic gearbox of a motor vehicle, wherein a displaceable slot is in magnetic contact in a contactless manner with a line of Hall elements, whereby the slot is arranged in the direction of displacement of each Hall sensor and comprises a strip made of bit-coded permanent magnets, an evaluation system is connected to the Hall elements which are used to transfer measuring signals of each Hall element. The evaluation system is embodied such that it can determine the actual position of the slot based on measuring signals of each of the Hall elements. The aim of the invention is to improve the connection between the position sensor and a respective evaluation system. As a result, the signal outputs of the two Hall elements are combined in order to add the output signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary/push-button controller having a controller ring (18) which can be rotated about a rotation axis (7) and is arranged such that it can rotate on a holding cylinder (6) which is arranged coaxially within the control ring (18). In this case, the holding cylinder (6) is provided at its end with an input and/or display field (14), and the control ring (18) and the holding cylinder (6) can be moved axially with respect to the rotation axis (7) against a spring force from a neutral position to a switch position which operates a switching element. The input and/or display field (14) is mounted so that it can rotate about the rotation axis (7). A rotary transmitter ring is arranged coaxially on the control ring (18) and is arranged coaxially alongside a rotary transmitter (17) which is firmly connected to the holding cylinder (6) with the relative rotation position of the rotary transmitter ring with the respect to the rotary transmitter (17) being recordable.

Abstract: An exhaust gas catalytic converter is laden with oxygen until it is saturated at least upstream of an exhaust gas probe. A predefined first rich air/fuel ration is set in a combustion chamber of a cylinder. A first oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the measurement signal of an exhaust gas probe and the predefined first rich air/fuel ratio. The exhaust gas catalytic converter is laden with oxygen until it is saturated. A predefined second rich air/fuel ration is set in the combustion chamber of the cylinder. A second oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the measurement signal of the exhaust gas probe and the predefined second rich air/fuel ration. A corrected oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the first and second oxygen storage capacity values.

Abstract: A device for measuring a temperature of an exhaust gas flow in an exhaust branch of an exhaust gas section of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A sub-region of the exhaust branch is configured as a parabolic mirror having a focal point positioned outside of the exhaust branch. The device includes a side channel member attached to the exhaust branch and having an open end adjacent to the exhaust branch and a closed end; and a radiation sensitive sensor disposed in the side channel member and at the focal point. The open end is in fluid communication with an interior of the exhaust branch through a cutout of the exhaust branch so that the sensor is coupled to radiation of the exhaust gas flow for measuring a temperature of the exhaust gas flow. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow sensor for use in a main duct is disclosed. The flow sensor includes a main body having a bypass duct having an inlet and an outlet, a pressure loss element fixedly attached to the main body, and a sensor element disposed in the bypass duct. When the flow sensor is operatively mounted in the main duct, the inlet and the outlet are oriented perpendicularly with respect to a main flow direction of a fluid mass flow in the main duct, the pressure loss element is disposed in the main duct, downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet, and the sensor element is operable to generate a measurement signal which is a representative of the fluid mass flow.

Abstract: Presented is a method for selecting a label from a multiplicity of labels stored in a memory element. The method includes inputting a handwritten character into a handwritten input apparatus, associating an alphanumeric character with the handwritten input character using a character recognition apparatus, adding the associated alphanumeric character to an already input character string to produce an extended character string, comparing the extended character string with the labels stored in the memory element, and selecting one or more of the stored labels using the comparison. The alphanumeric character is selected from a dynamically alterable character set which contains only characters which, in addition to the already input character string, produce an extended character string, which is an initial component of at least one of the stored labels. Also presented is a motor vehicle navigation system in which address database entries are selected by the above described method.

Abstract: A high current end power stage (PA) comprises at least four power transistors (T), two electrical supply lines and at least a safety fuse (S). The at least four power transistors (T) have each a diode (D) which is blocked during normal operation of the respective power transistor (T). The two electrical supply lines couple the at least four power transistors (T) with a supply potential (Up) and a reference potential (Un) in such a way that two of the at least four power transistors (T) are at a time connected in series to each other, to be precise connected electrically between the supply potential (Up) and the reference potential (Un). The at least one safety fuse (S) is connected in series to the at least four power transistors (T) in at least one of the two electrical supply lines.

Abstract: A first energy control unit has a pilot controller with an applied setpoint energy and outputs a pilot control signal, and a regulator outputting a regulator signal as a function of the setpoint energy and an actual energy of the piezo actuator. The energy control unit creates a control signal representative for a current threshold of a charge current, depending on the pilot control and regulator signals. Furthermore, there is a second energy control unit for another setpoint energy and another control signal. A power output stage sets a charge current for the piezo actuator as a function of the predetermined control signal and performs this for the predetermined time. A scheduling unit predetermines, for setting the setpoint energy, the control signal and the time to the power output stage, and for setting the another setpoint energy, the another control signal and the time to the another power output stage.

Abstract: A method for producing a cooling body including cooling ribs for an electronic housing, in particular for the automotive industry, includes producing extruded profile slabs having cooling ribs which extend in a parallel manner. The profile slabs are disposed next to each other in relation to a surface which includes cooling ribs that are disposed in parallel. The profile slabs are cut to length by a profile circular saw having step profiles. In this way, the production process for producing a cooling body from extruded aluminum is variable for the first time in relation to the shape of the cooling body in such a way that the individual requirements in the electronic housing in relation to heat which is to be withdrawn, sealing between the housing and cooling body, and size of the cooling body, are taken into account. It is particularly suitable for use in the automotive industry.

Abstract: An air mass sensor arrangement is disclosed. The air mass sensor arrangement includes a duct having a recess and an outer face; a sensor comprising a main body and a baseplate extending radially outward from the main body, the sensor being releasably attached to the duct by a screw connection so that the main body is partially inserted into the recess and the baseplate faces the outer face; and a sealing arrangement disposed around the recess for sealing between the duct and the sensor. The sealing arrangement includes a first web formed on one of the baseplate and the outer face and completely surrounding the recess.

Abstract: A device is designed for determining a pre-set air/fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The device is further designed for determining a filtered, pre-set air/fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of the cylinder by filtering the pre-set air/fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of the cylinder by means of a filter which models the dynamic behavior of the upstream region of the exhaust gas catalyst relative to the arrangement of the exhaust gas probe in the exhaust gas catalyst, in particular its storage, reduction and/or oxidation properties. The device is further designed for determining an adjustable variable by means of a regulator as a function of the filtered and pre-set air/fuel ratio, and of a sensed air/fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of the cylinder.

Abstract: At least one antenna is disposed and fixed in a vehicle seat. The at least one antenna is formed from a conductive textile or nonwoven formed separately from a seat cover of the vehicle seat. Preferably, the at least one antenna can be coupled to a transmitting or receiving unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for monitoring signals which are guided to a multi-phase motor by an end stage and the pulse width thereof is controlled by a controller. The total of the pulse widths of the signals of each phase is measured by, respectively, a counter, respectively for a predetermined programme flow in the controller. The meter reading is read by a counter according to a predetermined period of time and an error signal is produced if the total amount of time exceeds a predetermined tolerance range.

Abstract: Presented in an apparatus for controlling a brushless DC motor with a permanent magnet arranged on a rotor and a stator with windings. The apparatus includes an observer that is adapted to determine an estimated temperature of the permanent magnet as a function of the temperature of the windings, and determine at least one actuating signal for controlling the DC motor as a function of the estimated temperature of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling at least one air conducting element (15) in a motor vehicle. Said device comprises a first gas sensor (51) and a second gas sensor (52) which generate signals in accordance with the harmful gas concentration in the ambient air. An output signal that is used for triggering the air conducting element is generated with the aid of a signal evaluation unit. The aim of the invention is to create a method and a device which are used for controlling an air conducting element, accurately detect and distinguish the different development of harmful gas concentrations in the atmosphere and trigger the air conducting elements accordingly, and are embodied in an inexpensive, reliable, and durable manner. Said aim is achieved by configuring an electronic decision unit (4) that determines which of the two sensor signals is fed to a single signal evaluation unit during the current interval.

Abstract: To improve coolant sealing or reduce the risks in the event of leakage for an electronic unit, e.g. an engine control unit, containing electric and/or electronic components which are disposed on an upper side of a thermally conductive electronic base plate and thermally coupled to the base plate, the base plate in turn being thermally coupled to a coolant passage, there is provided a particular configuration and arrangement of the components delimiting a coolant passage. Advantageously, the underside of the base plate can come into direct contact with a coolant (“direct cooling”). By making a ridge running in an annularly closed manner and being formed in one-piece with the base plate, coolant escaping from the coolant passage is prevented from passing directly to the underside of the base plate. Accordingly, the coolant passage may be sealed by a “double sealing arrangement” on the underside of the base plate.