Abstract: A sensor device is provided for generating an electrical output signal in dependence on the position of a light source in relation to the sensor device. The sensor device has a three-dimensional switch carrier with several adjacent faces oriented in different directions, on which faces at least two sensors are arranged. On the two sides of a central face, there is arranged in each case a face, with an infrared light (IR) photodetector in each case, oriented at an angle to the central face, whereby the faces on which the IR photodetectors are arranged are not directly adjacent to one another.

Abstract: A sensor device for determining the intensity of incident light is provided. The sensor device includes a characteristic element, through which light striking the sensor device can pass depending on the direction from which light strikes the sensor device; a light-sensitive sensor element, which can detect the light having passed through the orientation characteristic element; and an absorption element, which can absorb the light striking the sensor device and/or the light having passed through the orientation characteristic element in such a way that the amount of light striking the light-sensitive sensor element does not exceed a predetermined value, whereby the absorption element is a reflective surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a level control system for a motor vehicle wherein the controllable valves (8a to 8d and 10) are controlled by a first control unit (24). The first control unit (24) transmits a signal to a second control unit (36) at time intervals. If the second control unit (36) does not receive the signal expected from the first control unit, then the second control unit (36) assumes the control of the valves (8a to 8d and 10) in such a manner that the motor vehicle is transferred into a dynamically safe driving condition.