Abstract: A control element, in particular, a switching device for the manual actuation of functions in a motor vehicle, having a handle. The handle is mounted on a carrier such that the handle is adjustable in two different directions from a neutral position into adjustment positions. The control element furthermore can detect the adjustment positions, with the control element having a code carrier for the detection of the adjustment positions, which encodes the adjustment positions, and a sensor which senses the coding, in such a way that all adjustment positions can be detected by way of the one code carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shift operating element, specifically for a motor vehicle, having an actuation surface which can be moved by the manual application of force by means of an element, wherein the element is specifically the finger of a human hand. The shift operating element comprises a sensor which interacts with the actuation surface such that the sensor, upon the movement of the actuation surface by means of the element, generates a signal. The signal is specifically employed to shift and/or trigger a function, in the manner of a shift signal. A mechanical damping and/or restoring element is provided which interacts with the actuation surface upon the movement thereof. The mechanical damping and/or restoring element is a constituent of the sensor, specifically the mechanical damping and/or restoring element is integrated into the sensor.

Abstract: A locking device including a blocking member movable between first and second positions for locking a component. In the first position, the blocking member (i) engages the component in a blocking manner and/or (ii) is brought into engagement with the component in a blocking manner. In the second position, the blocking member is not in engagement with the component. A drive element moves the blocking member between the two positions. The locking device also includes a securing mechanism for the blocking member that cooperates with the blocking member in the first position in the manner of a back pressure securing element for the blocking member for preventing manipulation, and also cooperates with the blocking member in the second position in the manner of a securing device for securing the blocking member in the second position against unintended movement into the first position.

Abstract: A dispenser control device, comprising: at least a first light emitter and at least a first light detector, a memory component, a calculation component and a signal transmitter. The dispenser control device configured to conduct one or more of (1) calibration, (2) receptacle-type conjecturing, (3) stopping-intensity value determination, (4) receptacle filling status assessment, and (5) dispensing-termination signal transmission. Also methods comprising one or more of (1) calibration, (2) receptacle-type conjecturing, (3) stopping-intensity value determination, (4) receptacle filling status assessment, and (5) dispensing-termination signal transmission.

Abstract: An encoder, comprising a first element, a second element, and a plurality of components, in which the first element is movable among a plurality of positions relative to the second element, each position is adjacent to at least one other position, each component generates a signal at each of said positions, and movement of the first element from any position to any adjacent position results in a change in a signal from only one of said components. Also, an encoder that comprises a multi-detector element which comprises two or more sub-detectors that generate sub-signals, the sub-detectors spaced from each other a distance (rotational and/or translational) that is smaller than a distance between two positions of a first element. Also, a method of detecting a position of a first element relative to a second element, comprising moving a first element relative to a second element from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical switch, in particular for a motor vehicle, such as for an electric parking brake in the motor vehicle, having a movable operating member, in particular in the manner of a rocker, and a contact system, such that the operating member interacts with the contact system in a switching manner. The operating member interacts via an operating element, which is loaded with an elastic force, with a slotted link for generating a resetting force during the movement of the operating member out of an inoperative position. A further slotted switching link is provided. The operating member has a further operating element in such a manner that each of the two operating elements interacts with one slotted switching link each.

Abstract: An apparatus for activating an electrically or electronically controlled appliance from an energy-saving passive state, especially a locking system for locking and/or unlocking, in particular for an access and/or authorization and/or for other services for a wireless remote control, for controlling of front doors, for motor vehicles, or the like comprising a first device in the appliance and an associated second device designed in the type of an electronic key, an ID-transponder, a chip card or the like, wherein both devices for the intended operation have transmitters and/or receivers for electromagnetic signals is suggested which allows a large operation distance and a long battery lifetime of the second device. This is achieved in that the first device transmits a first cyclic repeated signal for the activation and/or authentication of the second device with a first data protocol within a first transmission time interval and with a first cycle time.

Abstract: A lock system for access authorization in a motor vehicle, having a first device which has at least two states and is embodied as a control device, and having an associated second device which is embodied in the manner of an electronic key, an ID signal transmitter, a chip card or the like. The two devices have transmitters and/or receivers for electromagnetic signals. At least one of the signals transmitted between the second device and the first device is an encoded operating signal for authenticating the second device, with the result that after a positive evaluation of the transmitted operating signal when the second device is authorized it is possible to bring about a change in the state of the first device.

Abstract: An apparatus for locking and/or unlocking, for an access and/or drive authorization in a motor vehicle of a keyless entry/go functionality, for a wireless remote control of a first device in the motor vehicle and an associated second device designed as an electronic key, an ID-transponder or a chip card, with both devices for the intended operation having transmitters and/or receivers for electromagnetic signals which allows a large operation distance and a long battery lifetime of the second device. The first device transmits a first cyclic repeated signal for the activation and/or authentication of the second device with a first data protocol within a first transmission time interval and with a first cycle time.

Abstract: A control element, in particular a shifting device for manually selecting and/or triggering functions in a motor vehicle, having a handle that is mounted in such a way on and/or in a housing that the handle can be moved manually. A drive is situated in the housing, such that the drive is in operative connection and/or can be brought into operative connection with the handle, and the handle can be positioned non-manually by the drive and/or the manual movement of the handle can be blocked and/or the manual movement of the handle can be enabled. An elastic element is provided on the drive and/or in the housing, such that the drive is decoupled acoustically from the housing.

Abstract: An ice level sensor in an appliance that includes an ice storage housing and an ice maker. The housing receives ice from the ice maker. The ice level sensor includes a control circuit and one or more electrode arrays capable of detecting ice in the housing. The electrode arrays each contain one or more sense electrodes, and the control circuit detects ice in the housing based on a measurement of capacitance of the sense electrode(s). When the sensor detects that ice in the housing has reached a threshold level, the sensor can stop the ice maker from depositing more ice into the housing, to prevent overflow. The ice level sensor detects that ice has reached a threshold level by detecting changes in capacitance of a sense electrode or by detecting that the capacitance of a sense electrode reached a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric switch, in particular a rocker switch, comprising a contact system and comprising a movable actuating element for switching over the contact system between two switch positions, in particular an on position and an off position. The switch has a drivable actuator, which is operatively connected to the actuating element in such a way that the actuating element in at least one of the two switch positions is moved, on driving of the actuator, into the other switch position by the actuator for switching the contact system. In particular, the actuating element is moved by the actuator from the on position to the off position of the contact system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical assembly having a printed circuit board and having a component. The component can be, in particular, an electromechanical component, such as an electrical switching contact, an electrical switch, a relay or the like. The component is electrically and/or mechanically connected to the printed circuit board. A fork-shaped element is arranged between the component and the printed circuit board for the purpose of electrically and/or mechanically connecting the component to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shift operating element, specifically for a motor vehicle, having an actuation surface which can be moved by the manual application of force by means of an element, wherein the element is specifically the finger of a human hand. The shift operating element comprises a sensor which interacts with the actuation surface such that the sensor, upon the movement of the actuation surface by means of the element, generates a signal. The signal is specifically employed to shift and/or trigger a function, in the manner of a shift signal. A mechanical damping and/or restoring element is provided which interacts with the actuation surface upon the movement thereof. The mechanical damping and/or restoring element is a constituent of the sensor, specifically the mechanical damping and/or restoring element is integrated into the sensor.

Abstract: A carrier for electrical and/or electronic components is provided, in particular, a printed circuit board, having a broadside for accommodating electrical conductor tracks, and having a narrow side. At least one electrically conductive contact area is provided on the carrier, the contact area, in particular, being used as a fixed contact for an electrical switch. The contact area is arranged on the narrow side.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric switch, in particular a rocker switch, comprising a contact system and comprising a movable actuating element for switching over the contact system between two switch positions, in particular an on position and an off position. The switch has a drivable actuator, which is operatively connected to the actuating element in such a way that the actuating element in at least one of the two switch positions is moved, on driving of the actuator, into the other switch position by the actuator for switching the contact system. In particular, the actuating element is moved by the actuator from the on position to the off position of the contact system.

Abstract: A switching control arrangement, in particular for a motor vehicle, having a movable actuating surface that interacts with a displacement element in such a way that the actuating surface can be moved substantially linearly, over at least one distance, out of an initial position and into an actuating position. The displacement element has at least one elastic element arranged so as to be clamped in place. The actuating position can be designed as a switching position, such that the actuating surface, when in the switching position, has a switching effect on a switching element, a sensor, or the like. The elastic element is designed as a planar element with a small thickness in the form of a membrane, such that it is possible for the elastic element to be elastically deflected substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the membrane.

Abstract: An operator control apparatus, in particular for a motor vehicle, having an operating surface for manual action by an element, particularly the finger of a human hand. A sensor interacts with the operating surface such that the sensor generates a signal when the element approaches the operating surface and/or when the operating surface is touched by the element and/or when pressure is applied to the operating surface by the element. The signal is used for switching and/or triggering a function in the style of a switching signal. The actuator is operatively connected to the operating surface, such that a haptic event is producible for the operating surface by means of actuation of the actuator. The actuator is driven electrically and operable by a PWM (pulse width modulation) actuation signal, such that the operating surface is movable in a preselectable manner within a preselectable displacement and/or time.

Abstract: A closing element for a motor vehicle, including an opening mechanism, and a handling element for the closing element actively connected to the opening mechanism such that the closing element can be moved for the purpose of opening. The closing element includes a locking mechanism for locking and/or unlocking the opening mechanism. The locking mechanism can be actuated by a closing system, in particular for the authorization of access to the motor vehicle. A coupling mechanism is provided for interacting with the locking mechanism and/or with the opening mechanism in the manner of an emergency release. The coupling mechanism can be actuated by an actuator. For the operation of the actuator a separate energy storage device is provided that can be used on demand.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical switch, in particular for a motor vehicle, such as for an electric parking brake in the motor vehicle, comprising a movable operating member, in particular in the manner of a rocker, and comprising a contact system, wherein the operating member interacts with the contact system in a switching manner. The operating member interacts via an operating element, which is loaded with an elastic force, with a slotted link for generating a resetting force during the movement of the operating member out of an inoperative position. A further slotted switching link is provided. The operating member has a further operating element in such a manner that each of the two operating elements interacts with one slotted switching link each.