Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a structural component for motor vehicles by hot forming of a plate-shaped semi-finished product reinforced of thermoplastic material with embedded continuous fibers (“organo-sheet”) regions of the organo-sheet (2) provided for accommodating the organo-sheet (2) in a hot forming device (1) and/or portions (21, 22) of the structural component (5) manufactured from the organo-sheet (2), which are exposed to an increased load, are structured more strongly and/or are subjected to a particular thermal treatment during hot forming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling a capacitive anti-trap system of a vehicle. At least two transmission electrodes and one reception electrode of the capacitive anti-trap system are used for detecting an obstacle, and an electrical field is generated by a pair comprising transmission electrode and reception electrode by actuation of the respective transmission electrode by alternating electric current, said electrical field being influenced by an obstacle such that an electrical capacitance is measurably changed. A changing electrical capacitance is determinable on the basis of a signal received via the reception electrode and this signal is evaluated by means of an electronic evaluation unit at least during closing of the vehicle closing element in order to determine the presence of an obstacle in the displacement path of the vehicle closing element.

Abstract: A door handle system for a vehicle door has a door handle and at least one flap for reversibly closing a grip recess set back to the rear of the door handle. An actuating device pivots the one or more flaps between a closed position that covers the handle recess and an open position that exposes the handle recess. A distance sensor is disposed on the flap. A control and evaluation unit uses a first measurement signal that is output by the distance sensor in the closed position, to deduce that a vehicle user is approaching so as to activate the actuation device to move the one or each flap into the open position. A second measurement signal that is output by the distance sensor in the open position indicates that the door handle is grasped by the vehicle user.

Abstract: A device for actuating a door of a vehicle in a contact-free manner includes a capacitive proximity sensor. The proximity sensor has at least one sensor electrode for emitting an electric detection field in a detection area in front of the sensor electrode. An insulated electric conductor is arranged in front of the sensor electrode for shaping the detection field.

Abstract: During operation of a capacitive proximity sensor that is provided with at least two measuring electrodes, a first capacitance measurement variable and a second capacitance measurement variable are detected. The first capacitance measurement variable is correlated with the capacitance of at least one of the measuring electrodes to earth, while the second capacitance measurement variable is correlated with the capacitance between at least one of the measuring electrodes and at least one further measuring electrode. A change in the first capacitance measurement variable is evaluated together with a synchronous signal profile of the second capacitance measurement variable in order to distinguish a proximity of a conductor coupled electrically to earth from the proximity of dielectric matter. In this manner, a body part passing into the detection space of the proximity sensor can be distinguished effectively from other substances and objects, particularly water.

Abstract: A method operates an electromotive adjusting device of a motor vehicle. The adjusting device contains a relay which has two contacts. The relay is switched by an electric current flow across the contacts or by an electrical voltage drop between the contacts given a first condition. The relay is switched without an electric current flow across the contacts or without an electrical voltage drop between the contacts given a second condition. An electromotive adjusting device of a motor vehicle, in particular an electromotively operated tailgate, contains such a relay which has two contacts.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor for a motor vehicle contains a transmission electrode for producing a measurement field and a reception electrode for detecting at least part of the measurement field. Furthermore, the proximity sensor contains a screen electrode that is disposed to form the measurement field between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode. The proximity sensor is in particular provided for use in a collision protection device for the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An actuating apparatus for adjusting a first vehicle door which can be automatically adjusted between a closed position and an open position is used in a vehicle. To this end, the actuating apparatus has a capacitive distance sensor for detecting a movement of a person who is in the vicinity of the vehicle, and also has a control and evaluation unit. The control and evaluation unit is configured to identify a first door actuation request on the basis of the detected movement, and to trigger adjustment of the first vehicle door when the first door actuation request is identified. In this case, a sensor electrode of the capacitive distance sensor is arranged in a vehicle corner region which is associated with the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: An actuating apparatus for a vehicle part contains an actuating motor for generating an actuating force under the action of which the vehicle part can be adjusted between a closed state and an open state along an actuating path. The actuating apparatus also contains a control unit which is configured to carry out an actuating method in which, according to the method, a position measure is continuously ascertained when the vehicle part is adjusted, the position measure being characteristic of the current actuating position of the vehicle part along the actuating path. Furthermore, the position measure is set to a prespecified reference value when the vehicle part is in the closed state and when a further condition is additionally met, the further condition being linked in a reproducible manner with a specific actuating position.

Abstract: An electrical assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing and two groups of electronic components that are installed in the housing and are encased using a thermosetting potting compound. Furthermore, the assembly includes two groups of connecting contacts. One of the connecting contacts is allocated respectively to one of the two groups of the electronic components. The connecting contacts are guided through the housing so as to electrically contact the respective electronic component. At least one of the groups of connecting contacts is surrounded on the inner side of the housing by a sealing collar that protrudes from the housing. The sealing collar is embedded during the process of assembling the assembly entirely or in part in the potting compound prior to the curing of the thermosetting potting compound.

Abstract: A vehicle door is provided. The vehicle door comprises a door body which forms a cavity between a door outer panel and a door inner panel with an installation opening, an installation cover closing the installation opening with a lead-through opening for leading through connecting lines from the wet space side to the dry space side of the vehicle door, a multifunctional support for connecting functional elements of the vehicle door to the door body, a covering element connected with the multifunctional support for covering the lead-through opening in the installation cover, a first seal circumferentially extending along the edge of the installation cover, a second seal circumferentially extending along the lead-through opening of the installation cover, clip hooks protruding from the side of the covering element facing the dry space and positionally fixed sealing elements for accommodating the connecting lines.

Abstract: An electronic modular unit having electronics has a printed circuit board, a housing receiving the electronics and an electrical conductor. The conductor is in this connection directly soldered with a flat connection end to a contact surface of the printed circuit board. In order to simplify the soldering process, a spring element is arranged in the housing and presses the connection end of the conductor on the contact surface of the printed circuit board for the purpose of fixing the connection end during soldering. The modular unit is, in particular, a capacitive proximity sensor for a vehicle.

Abstract: A braking device for braking a movement of a first vehicle part and a second vehicle part with respect to each other includes a housing element having an inner bore and a piston element having a shaft extending in the inner bore along a longitudinal axis and being mounted on the housing element such that the shaft is displaceable along the longitudinal axis with respect to the housing element along a displacement path. A braking element is arranged within the inner bore of the housing element and constituted to provide a friction force for braking a displacement movement of the piston element and the housing element with respect to each other at least within a portion of the displacement path. A tensioning device is constituted to radially, with respect to the longitudinal axis, act onto the braking element to provide a radial tensioning force.

Abstract: In the course of an easily implemented anti-trap protection method for an adjustable vehicle part, a test variable is continuously determined by way of a distance sensor during the adjustment of the vehicle part. A direct anti-trap protection test determines, based on the test variable, whether an obstacle is detectable in the adjustment path of the vehicle part. The adjustment is stopped or reversed if necessary. An indirect anti-trap protection test determines on the basis of the same test variable whether the movement of the vehicle part has slowed down irregularly or come to a stop, and the adjustment is stopped or reversed if necessary. An associated anti-trap protection device includes an anti-trap protection control unit, which is designed for automatically performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement for detecting a capacitance of a capacitive component and/or a change in the capacitance of a capacitive component, which circuit arrangement comprises, inter alia a monostable flipflop controllable by a control signal and having at least two inputs and one output, wherein a first input of the flipflop is provided for the control signal, and a second input is connected to a capacitive component. The circuit arrangement further comprises a conversion device, which is connected to the output of the monostable flipflop, and an evaluation unit, which is connected to the conversion device in order to evaluate the signal voltage and from this to generate at least one detection value, which indicates the capacitance and/or a change in the capacitance of the capacitive component.

Abstract: An electronic unit has an electronic assembly that comprises a circuit board, and also having a conductor that is connected to said electronic assembly and is provided with a flat connection end. At least one piercing contact protrudes down from the circuit board and connects the conductor electrically to the electronic assembly. The piercing contact penetrates the connection end of the conductor while forming an electrical connection with a conductor track of the conductor. The electronic component is particularly suited as a capacitive proximity sensor for a vehicle.

Abstract: An anti-trapping method and a corresponding apparatus for a vehicle door that can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position along an adjustment path by an adjustment motor. First, a proximity sensor is used to monitor an adjustment path region ahead of the vehicle door for the presence of an obstacle during a closing movement of the vehicle door. The closing movement is stopped or reversed when an obstacle is identified in the adjustment path region. Second, when the obstacle is identified during the closing movement of the vehicle door, an additional emergency measure is taken at least when the vehicle door is already closed down to a remaining gap having size does not exceed a prespecified threshold value, and when the presence of the obstacle within this remaining gap is detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an adjusting movement of a vehicle closing element of a vehicle to be closed in a manner actuated by an external force, such as a tailgate lid, wherein an obstacle in the path of adjustment of the vehicle closing element can be detected by means of a capacitive anti-trap system in order to prevent this obstacle from being trapped, and the vehicle closing element has a locking part, via which the vehicle closing element can be locked in a closed position. An obstacle in a monitoring region around the locking part provided on the vehicle closing element can also be detected via the capacitive anti-trap system in order to prevent a collision of this locking part with an obstacle at least as the vehicle closing element closes.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for a vehicle includes an evaluation unit as well as a first transmission electrode and a second transmission electrode for transmitting a respectively associated first measurement signal and second measurement signal. The two transmission electrodes are connected to a respective first and second transmitter output of the evaluation unit through an assigned first and second transmission line respectively. The evaluation unit alternately outputs the first measurement signal via the first transmitter output and the second measurement signal via the second transmitter output. The evaluation unit also connects the respective non-transmitting second or first transmitter output to reference potential. Alternatively, a common transmission electrode may output the measurement signal which is then picked up by first and second receiver electrodes.

Abstract: A method for testing the operation of a capacitive anti-trap system for an adjustable vehicle closing element actuated by external force, such as a side door, a window, a sunroof or a tailgate, wherein a body opening of a vehicle can be locked in a closed position and that is can be moved into a closed position by a motorized drive unit. The capacitive anti-trap system is configured for detecting the trapping of an obstacle when closing the vehicle closing element by evaluating an electrical capacitance that is changed by the obstacle. The electrical capacitance, which also changes when the vehicle closing element is opened, is evaluated on the basis of at least one measured value in order to test the proper operation of the anti-trap system.