Abstract: In a circuit arrangement for the dimmable operation of a fluorescent lamp at the operating frequency (f1), having an apparatus for switching the operating frequency (f1) on and off at a dimming frequency (f2), the pulse width (W2) of the dimming frequency (f2) being variable, and where f2<f1, it is provided that the fluorescent lamp current is simultaneously adjustable by the apparatus by the supply voltage being switched on and off at a switching frequency (f3) with a variable pulse width (W3), where f3>f1.

Abstract: A magnetoelastic torque sensor for measuring the magnitude of torque applied to a member, comprising a magnetoelastic element which is disposed on and encircles the member, an outer flux guide extending across the magnetoelastic element in an axial direction and adjacent to the opposite end regions thereof, and an inner flux guide located between the first and second end regions, wherein the inner and outer flux guides provides a magnetic path to an axial component of the magnetic field produced by the magnetoelastic element in response to a non-zero value of torque. The inner flux guide is formed by cutting or etching an amorphous metal foil in a flat annular configuration with symmetrically projecting coil core tabs. The one-piece inner flux guide is supported by a support assembly comprising base and cover pieces. When assembled, the coil core tabs are sandwiched between two complementary semi-cylindrical mandrel portions projecting from the cover and base pieces, around which sense coil wires are wound.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for a motor vehicle includes a sensor housing and a base. A pressure bore through the base leads to a pressure space delimited on one side by the base and on the opposite side by a diaphragm connected sealingly to the base. An actuating element is carried on a side of the diaphragm facing away from the pressure space. The actuating element actuates a sensor element in the sensor housing via a non-contact actuation. For protection against leakage due to a break in the diaphragm, a sealing cap surrounds the diaphragm and the actuating element and is sealingly connected to the base.

Abstract: A valve for a fuel delivery unit has a counterholder pressed into a housing. A spring is supported on the counterholder and is intended for prestressing a closing part against a valve seat. The valve according to the invention can be fitted in a particularly simple manner.

Abstract: According to the invention, in the case of a multifunctional valve for a vehicle container, comprising a first opening which can be closed by means of a first closing body as a function of the filling level of the container and is intended for ventilating the tank as it is being filled, a second opening which can be closed by means of a second closing body and is intended for ventilating the tank during operation, the two closing bodies automatically going into their closing position if the vehicle takes up an excess sloping position or undergoes a roll-over action, the two closing bodies (13, 18) can be brought into the closing position by a respectively assigned first or second float body (11, 17) which are of lower density than the medium in the container, and in the event of a roll-over action, a mechanical device (ball 19) acts upon the two float bodies (11, 17) to counter their buoyancy and keep the closing bodies (13, 18) in the closing position.

Abstract: In a control device (1) having an actuator (2) which can be activated manually, an arresting element (8) is used to provide haptic feedback for a rotating sensation which is associated with the selected function. This rotating sensation, for example individual latching steps, is represented visually by means of display (9) which is arranged on a rotary actuating element (3) of the actuator (2). As a result, the user is quickly provided with an overview of the avaliable, position of the actuator (2) which it is possible to set.

Abstract: In a ventilation box (2) of a motor vehicle, the ventilation box being composed of a plurality of housing parts (5-7), housing parts (6, 7) arranged in the region of a steering column (3) are formed to be fastened selectively on the left or the right side of the motor vehicle. As a result, the ventilation box (2) can be converted for the respective motor vehicle, irrespective of the position of the steering column (3).

Abstract: The locking device (10) for doors, in particular of vehicles, has an inside door opener and an outside door handle (12) which can be used to actuate at least one lock for locking the door. Locking devices of this type are conventionally very complicated mechanically, since the mechanical connection between the outside door handle (12) and the lock is meant to be uncoupled as a function of various functional positions. In order to reduce the mechanical complexity, only the inside door opener should act mechanically on the lock, and the outside door handle (12) should act via an electric control on an actuating drive (18), which actuates the lock. In this case, the opening command is instigated only if at least one defined allowable precondition is present. The required additional functions of locking devices can very easily be controlled by the electric control, so that additional mechanical elements are not required.

Abstract: In a feed pump designed as a side-channel pump, an impeller is held so as to be slightly pivotable with respect to a shaft about an axis running transversely to the shaft. The impeller is thereby adaptable to tolerances of a casing. Rubbing of the impeller on the casing is also prevented as a result. The feed pump consequently generates a particularly low level of noise.

Abstract: It is proposed to design a compression-type refrigeration system of a motor-vehicle air-conditioning unit having a supercritical process, with a compressor (6), driven by an electric motor (5) with motor-control device (12), a gas cooler (27), an expansion member (8) and an evaporator (9) and also connecting elements for a circulation of a refrigerant, in such a way that the heat loss of the motor and/or of the motor-control device is essentially dissipated to the refrigerant. In particular, the refrigerant may flow around the motor and/or the motor-control device. This results in especially efficient cooling of the components, as a result of which their heat loss is reduced at the same time. Furthermore, in order to achieve a high efficiency of the entire unit, provision is made for the superheating of the refrigerant at the inlet of the compressor to be kept at a virtually constant level by a controlled expansion member.

Abstract: A shield cleaning system has a fluidic nozzle body (5) which is connected to a nipple (1) for the supply of cleaning fluid. The nipple (1) has at least one holding part (2) for invariable fastening to a body part. At its end facing the fluidic nozzle body (5), the nipple (1) has a spherical head (4). The fluidic nozzle body (5) is held on the latter by means of a ball socket (6) sealingly, but so as to be pivotable on all sides and rotable about its longitudinal axis relative to the nipple (1).

Abstract: A means and a process for protecting an electric circuit from ambient influences, the circuit being surrounded with a thermoplastic polymer which is applied by injection molding, the thermoplastic polymer comprising oriented macromolecules. The components of the circuit are aligned with their axis most sensitive to alternating tensile loading on average parallel to the respective direction of flow of the injected polymer in the vicinity of the components.

Abstract: In a steering column (1) which is telescopic in the event of a crash, an outer column tube (6) is connected to a stem (7) by means of a shearing body (10). This two-piece shearing body (10) has a shearing area which is reduced relative to its external dimensions and is determined by a projection connecting its two sections (11, 12). The shearing body (10) can therefore absorb relatively large axial forces, for example for assembly purposes, and yet permits maximum admissible shearing forces which can be set largely as desired and which at the same time can be reproduced with high accuracy.

Abstract: A fuel tank (1) possesses, for the introduction of fuel, a filler pipe (5) which is led through an orifice (6) of the fuel tank (1) with all-round clearance. The orifice (6) is sealingly closed by means of a sleeve (4) bearing against the fuel tank (1) and against the filler pipe (5). The orifice (6) can thereby be made relatively large, so that it can be additionally used also as a service or assembly orifice after the sleeve (4) has been removed. The number of orifices necessary on the fuel tank (1) can be reduced as a result, so that both the maximum filling quantity and the permeation tightness can be increased.

Abstract: The invention proposes an emergency call system for a motor vehicle for automatically transmitting an emergency call to an external receiving station. The motor vehicle has measuring means, for example in the form of a radar system (6), for determining the relative speed and the distance of the vehicle in relation to another vehicle or an obstacle. If the current relative speed exceeds a predetermined limit value for a given distance, it is assumed that a collision is unavoidable, and an emergency call by a transmitter (3) provided in the motor vehicle is activated. Advantageously, the vehicle position, ascertained by means of a navigation system (4), is transmitted to the receiving station with the emergency call. The invention also provides for the emergency call system to be connected to further sensors (6), suitable for detecting a collision, so that the emergency call can be revoked if an actual collision is not reported by such a sensor within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: In an electronic device having a housing containing electronic components and a front part connected to the housing and having control elements, the connections between the electronic components and the control elements are made using a first transmitter and a second receiver on the front part respectively aligned with a second receiver and a second transmitter on the housing. This arrangement obviates the need for mechanical connections which are susceptible to faults between the housing and the front part.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes an outer shielding mounted on a main printed circuit board. To prevent electronic components from affecting one another, at least one inner shielding is arranged within the outer shielding.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system includes various interlinked facilities including a user input/output facility and a position determining facility. The navigation system is arranged to physically interface with a data communication facility pertaining to a personal digital assistant that includes a coordinate driven display, a geometrically or coordinate-wise organized input mechanism, and input keys.

Abstract: A feed pump designed as side-channel pump has a shaft for a rotationally fixed connection to an impeller. Two flattenings are arranged on the shaft so that they are nonparallel to one another. The impeller is thereby mountable on the shaft only in an intended position so that the impeller is rotated in an intended direction of rotation in a casing. The feed pump may therefore be assembled in a particularly simple way.