Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for reading off predetermined positions of a gear lever (11). A sensor arrangement (1) with a first sensor component (10) moves with the gear lever (11) and a plurality of second sensor components (S21-S25) interacts with the first sensor component (10), wherein in each of the predetermined positions of the gear lever (11), the first sensor component (10) interacts with at least one second sensor component (S21-S25). A position determination unit (30) compares the current sensor output values with stored sensor output values in a table (40). When a faulty condition is detected in one of the sensor components (S21-S25), the stored sensor output values for the faulty sensor component are updated with the faulty output value of the faulty sensor component in the table (40) of expected sensor output values.

Abstract: A gearshift assembly comprises a shift lever pivotable about first and second axes, a sensor assembly comprising first and second paths of sensors, and a sensor triggering element mounted on an element carrier moveably mounted in a housing and coupled to the shift lever to enable movement of the sensor triggering element along the sensors in response to movements of the shift lever. The element carrier is moveably supported by a guide structure in the housing and coupled by a hinge connection to a link with the link connected to the shift lever. The element carrier performs linear movement in response to pivoting of the shift lever about the first axis to move the sensor triggering element along the first path of sensors, and is pivoted in response to pivoting of the shift lever about the second axis to pivot the sensor triggering element along the second path of sensors.

Abstract: An electrical heating element (1) comprises a core string (2) and an electrically conductive wire (4), which is wrapped about the core string (2), follows the core string (2) and is electrically insulated with respect to the core string (2). A path (10) defined by the core string (2) includes a sequence of alternating first (11) and second (12) sections, wherein the wire (4) is wrapped in a pitch which, in the first sections (11), is generally smaller than in the second sections (12). The electrical heating element (1) can be used, e.g., in a heatable seat assembly.

Abstract: A shift-by-wire shift unit for shifting a transmission of a vehicle between R, N, D and P states includes a mono-stable selector element that can be moved in opposite directions. The transmission states R and D can be reached by moving the selector element horizontally from the mono-stable position in a first and a second, opposite direction, respectively. The shift unit also includes a separate input element for changing to transmission state N. The transmission state is changeable from D to R directly by moving the selector element in the first direction, and from R to D directly by moving the selector element in the second direction. The selector element also includes a button element, and the shift unit is arranged such that, when the vehicle is at rest and the transmission is in D or R, actuating the button element effects a change to the transmission state P.

Abstract: A gearshift assembly comprises a base and a shift lever having an overmoulded ball portion comprising a pattern of recesses having straight side walls. A socket is fixed in the base and shaped to receive the ball portion of the shift lever. The socket has a sidewall with an inner surface forming part of a sphere to provide a pivotal mounting for the ball portion for pivotal movement of the shift lever over a pivotal movement range. Vertical slots in the sidewall which have parallel vertical side edges that are open at their upper ends to allow a sidewall portion between adjacent vertical slots to elastically flex outwardly during insertion of the ball portion into the socket. The pattern of recesses of the ball portion is arranged such that all sidewalls are inclined with respect to side edges of the vertical slots over the pivotal movement range.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling a plurality of components of a vehicle that are configured to emit heat when activated. A controller receives heat demand information about the activated components and determines from the heat demand information, an amount of power available for consumption by all of the activated components. The controller actively allocates power between the activated components according to the determined amount of power available such that an actual amount of power consumed by all of the activated components does not exceed the determined amount of power available.

Abstract: A shifter for controlling a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a rotatably mounted actuation element, a sensor assembly including a first element having a plurality of binary sensors and a second element having a trigger device. A control unit determines an angular position of the actuation element based on an input signal from the sensor assembly. The binary sensors and the trigger device are arranged such that each binary sensor corresponds to one trigger line comprising a plurality of trigger elements. The trigger elements are distributed along the trigger line such that at least one the binary sensors is able to detect a presence of a trigger element for each angular position of the actuation element. At least one trigger element from each trigger line together form a trigger pattern, and the trigger pattern is repeated at least twice on the trigger device to initiate a shift command.

Abstract: A ball pin connector includes a sleeve-like housing having a cavity with an elastic ball bearing. The elastic ball bearing is axially moveable between a lifted up position, and a lower locking position. Cooperating surface structures are provided on an inner wall of the housing and on an outer wall of the elastic ball bearing as a plurality of projecting surface structures arranged circumferentially distributed with gaps in between such that in a first rotational state of the elastic ball bearing within the housing the projecting surface structures are aligned to be able to come into engagement such that the elastic ball bearing is held in the lifted up position, and such that in a second rotational state of the elastic ball bearing the projecting surface structures of the elastic ball bearing are aligned with gaps of the projecting surface structures of the housing.

Abstract: An electrical heating assembly (1), in particular for use in a heatable seat device, comprises a plurality of heating wires (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) and a support structure (8) adapted to fix the heating wires (11, 12, 13, 14, 15). The heating wires (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are arranged to form a plurality of hot points (10), a respective hot point (10) being defined by a circular area of 6 mm in diameter in which there are present at least three sections of heating wire (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) which are not interconnected to each other within the area of the hot point (10).

Abstract: A gear shifter assembly for a vehicle is described herein. The gear shifter assembly includes a base to be fixed in a vehicle, a shifter yoke mounted to the base by a main pivot shaft, a shift lever mounted to the shifter yoke by a pivotal bearing arranged to allow pivotal movements about a second pivotal axis perpendicular to the first pivotal axis, and an intermediate joint that provides the pivotal bearing of the shift lever. The intermediate joint is attached to the lower end of the shift lever by receiving select pivot pins projecting from the shift lever in recesses of the intermediate joint. The intermediate joint comprises opposite through holes aligned with an aperture in the shift lever for receiving the main pivot shaft. The intermediate joint is made of material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the materials of the shift lever and the shifter yoke.

Abstract: A shifter assembly including a shift lever pivotally mounted to a housing, a shift lever, a first pivot mechanism, a gimbal ring, and a second pivot mechanism. The lever is movable in a first gate along a first plurality of paths, a second gate along a second plurality of paths, and a bridge gate between the first and second gates. The first pivot mechanism is mounted to the lever to permit movement about a first pivot axis within one of the gates. The gimbal has an aperture and is disposed about and coupled to the lever. The second pivot mechanism is mounted to the gimbal to permit movement about a second pivot axis within another one of the gates. The axes are spaced from each other. The gimbal has receivers recessed from the inner surface with the first pivot mechanism engaging the receivers to couple the lever to the gimbal.

Abstract: A massage device includes a linear series of inflatable massage cells, a common supply and venting line, an air pump, a controllable valve, a control unit, and a passive flow restrictor. The cells are arranged in succession and adapted to be disposed beneath a seat cover. The cells include a primary massage cell and a secondary massage cell arranged in a longitudinal direction. The line is in communication with the primary and secondary massage cells. The pump is connected to the line. The control unit is arranged for carrying out massage functions by controlling the compressed air pump and the valve according to a predetermined sequence set by a user for the controlled inflation and controlled venting of the linear massage cells. The flow restrictor interposes the line, and is spaced between the primary massage cell and the secondary massage cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a massage device for a vehicle seat including: a linear sequence of inflatable massage cells which may be arranged in succession below a of the vehicle seat, supply lines and venting lines to and from the massage cells, a compressed air pump connected to the supply lines, a valve arrangement for the selective supply of massage cells with compressed air and for the selective venting of massage cells and a control unit controlling the compressed air pump and the valve arrangement, and that the massage cells are designed such that in the inflated state they are wedge-shaped in cross section in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the linear sequence of the massage cells, wherein the wedge shape of all of the massage cells in the linear sequence is oriented in the same direction.

Abstract: A gearshift assembly for a transmission includes a shift lever which is mounted for pivotal movement in a select direction between a shifting gate for automatic mode and a shifting gate for manual mode. The gearshift assembly also includes a return mechanism including a push member, an electric motor mechanically acting on the shift lever through the push member, a driven member connected to the push member, a spring acting between the push member and the driven member, and a blocking element which can be actuated to move out of a blocking position in which the blocking element blocks the movement of the shift lever from the shifting gate for automatic mode to the shifting gate for manual mode. The return mechanism also includes a wheel drivable for rotation by the electric motor.

Abstract: Systems, assemblies and circuits are provided for combined heating and occupancy for vehicle seats wherein a plurality of conductors are arranged in a parallel circuit configuration with respect to each other and are attached to a seat mat. Each of the conductors is configured to generate heat in response to receiving an electrical current. Each of the conductors is configured to generate an electrical field in response to receiving an electrical signal and with the electrical field being recognizable for determining presence of an occupant on the seat. At least one bypass conductor is connected between two of the conductors to preserve heating and/or occupancy detection capabilities of the circuit in the event of breakage in any one or more of the conductors.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuating device for actuating a cable. The actuating device comprises a housing defining an interior and a motor assembly including a shaft. The actuating device also comprises at least two planetary gears and a flex gear having an inner surface and an outer surface with the inner surface partially engaged with the planetary gears. The actuating device additionally comprises an output member having a drive portion and a mounting interface with the drive portion engaged with a section such that the output member is rotatable relative to the housing when the shaft rotates. The actuating device additionally comprises a connector coupled to the mounting interface for securing the cable to the mounting interface. The connector moves relative to the housing and in unison with the output member during the rotation of the output member for activating the cable during operation of the actuating device.

Abstract: A massage system includes a common line, first and second restrictors for flow, an air pump, and first and second pairs of air cells. The line includes, and extends between, first and second portions. The line alternately flows supply and venting air. The first and second restrictors are in series along the line for controlling the alternating flow of the supply and venting air. The air pump provides the supply air, and is in communication with the second portion. The first pair of air cells is in communication with, and individually branches off from, the first portion. The second pair of air cells is in communication with, and individually branches off from, the line between the first and second portions. The second restrictor is disposed between the second pair of air cells and the pump, and the first restrictor is disposed between the first and second pair of air cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gear shifter for a transmission of a vehicle comprising a shift lever (2) which is mounted in a housing to be pivotable about a first axis, a position sensor assembly (4) disposed stationary in the housing and comprising a plurality of position sensors (6) distributed along a path, a sensor triggering element (8) mounted on an element carrier which is moveably mounted in the housing and coupled to the shift lever by a linkage (18) in such a manner to be able to move the sensor triggering element (8) along said path of position sensors (6) in response to pivotal shift movements of the shift lever about the first axis, characterized in that the element carrier (10) is pivotally mounted with respect to the position sensor assembly (4) at a pivot point (12) spaced apart from the sensor triggering element carried by it and spaced apart from the path of position sensors such that a pivotal movement of the element carrier (10) moves the sensor triggering element (8) along the p

Abstract: A shifter assembly for changing gears in a vehicle transmission including a housing, a shift lever, an emitter, a detector, and a link. The lever is pivotally mounted to the housing and is movable in a first gate along a first plurality of shift paths, and in a different second gate along a second plurality of paths. The emitter is spaced from the lever and is movable along a fixed path and the detector can determine a position of the emitter along the path. The link is attached to the lever and the emitter such that movement of the lever in either gate causes movement of the emitter along the path. The link is coupled to the lever and the emitter so to permit movement of the shift relative to the link during movement of the lever.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shift actuator assembly for a vehicle transmission including a shift actuator (2) moveable between a number of predetermined shift positions, a sensor (24) for sensing the shift actuator position, a mechanical detent mechanism (30, 32, 34) such that at the predetermined shift positions a detent engagement feeling is generated, an adaptive braking mechanism (10, 12) acting on the actuator (2) to selectively increase the resistance against shift actuator movements, and a controller (20) receiving the input from the position sensor (24), wherein the controller (20) is arranged to control the adaptive brake mechanism (10, 12), characterized in that the controller is arranged to control the adaptive brake mechanism so that, if the shift actuator (2) reaches any of the predetermined shift positions, the braking force of the adaptive braking mechanism is increased such that the actuator movement is completely stopped for a predetermined period of time, whereafter the adaptive b