Abstract: A rotary switch including a control element, a light-emitting device arranged on a printed circuit board and configured to emit light, and at least two receivers arranged on the printed circuit board in correspondence with the light-emitting device and configured to detect switching positions of the rotary switch. Further, the light-emitting device is mounted radially at an outside portion of inside of a hollow cylindrical extension of the control element, and wherein on level with the light-emitting device, the extension includes orifices evenly distributed around a periphery of the extension, and that opposite the light-emitting device, on an exterior side of the extension, the at least two receivers are arranged.

Abstract: A measuring device for detecting a humidity and temperature of a surface of a glass pane facing an interior of a vehicle. The measuring device includes at least one humidity sensor and at least one temperature sensor jointly arranged on the surface of the glass pane, an evaluation unit connected downstream of the humidity and temperature sensors, and a signal conversion and linking unit arranged between the humidity and temperature sensors and the evaluation unit. Further, the converting and linking unit generates a rectangular wave-shaped signal having at least two different impulse lengths, each impulse length being a measure of a detected humidity and temperature.

Abstract: A signal (Snormal) is provided to a heat element of a temperature sensor, which is recorded as a step response (Lruh, Lbew). From the difference of the step response compared with the reaction adaptively determined with the temperature sensor at zero air circulation, air flow or no air flow is determined.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for positioning a positioning element is disclosed that includes an electric servo motor for driving the positioning element, a potentiometer for presetting a setpoint, an actual value sensor disposed at the servo motor, and a motor driver with an integrated evaluation and control unit comparing the setpoint and actual value, whereby a pulse-shaped signal is superposed on the setpoint and the pulse-shaped signal exceeds the motor driver hysteresis in the evaluation and control unit.

Abstract: An indicating instrument including a light guiding system having at least a first and second light guides, a sensor disposed at a first end of the first light guide and configured to receive incident ambient light that has traveled through the first light guide, a light-emitting device disposed at a first end of the second light guide and configured to emit light through the second light guide, and a covering body disposed at a second end of the first and second light guides that is opposite to the first ends. Further, the incident ambient light is incident upon the covering body and travels through the first light guide and is received by the sensor, and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit travels through the second light guide and exits the covering body.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is disclosed for controlling an illuminating device, particularly light-emitting diodes, in a control device of a motor vehicle, comprised of at least one illuminating device, which is integrated in a switching circuit having a semiconductor component, and of a microprocessor, in particular having an integrated non-volatile memory, for generating a pulse-width modulated signal, whereby the pulse-width modulated signal is coupled to a control electrode of the semiconductor component, whereby the microprocessor generates at least two pulse-width modulated signals, the pulse-width modulated signals are coupled to the semiconductor component via a logical system and the logical system can be subjected to the action of an additional control signal via the microcomputer.

Abstract: A signal (Snormal) is provided to a heat element of a temperature sensor, which is recorded as a step response (Lruh, Lbew). From the difference of the step response compared with the reaction adaptively determined with the temperature sensor at zero air circulation, air flow or no air flow is determined.

Abstract: A switching device for detecting a voltage interruption at a control unit in a motor vehicle, with a nonvolatile memory for storage of calibration data for an actuator that can be adjusted by the control unit and a drive unit. The control unit is supplied with an internal voltage through a voltage regulator and a bistable multivibrator is connected ahead of the voltage regulator in the external voltage supply of the control unit, and, whereby a microcomputer is connected with the multivibrator and is integrated in the control unit.

Abstract: An intensity of solar radiation is determined in a vehicle based on an absolute position of the sun, a spatial orientation of the vehicle, and a measured intensity of the sun. A position of the sun relative to the vehicle is determined on the basis of the orientation of the vehicle on the globe. This orientation can be determined by GPS data, at least one acceleration sensor, and/or an additional vehicle compass. The position of the sun relative to the vehicle can be determined based on the individual or combined data and the actual, absolute position of the sun, thereby making it possible to determine the intensity of the solar radiation in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: An indicating instrument including at least one display unit including display segments that are used to represent a currently engaged gear and a background surrounding the display segments, and a control circuit configured to apply a first signal having a first polarity to the display segments and a second signal having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity to the background such that the display segments and the background have different contrasts to indicate the currently engaged gear.

Abstract: An indicating instrument including a light guiding system having at least a first and second light guides, a sensor disposed at a first end of the first light guide and configured to receive incident ambient light that has traveled through the first light guide, a light-emitting device disposed at a first end of the second light guide and configured to emit light through the second light guide, and a covering body disposed at a second end of the first and second light guides that is opposite to the first ends. Further, the incident ambient light is incident upon the covering body and travels through the first light guide and is received by the sensor, and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit travels through the second light guide and exits the covering body.

Abstract: An operator element having freely programmable symbols, which includes a keycap, a display unit arranged at a distance and behind the keycap in a housing of the operator element, whereby the display unit interacts with a light-guiding element so that symbols are projected onto the keycap, and a diffusion layer attached to an inner face or outer face of a top part of the keycap. Further, the display unit is self-illuminating or is a transmissive, a reflecting, or is a self-illuminating display unit that is transilluminated and/or illuminated directly by a light source or via an optical system. In addition, the keycap is made of a black-transparent material.

Abstract: A measuring device for detecting a humidity and temperature of a surface of a glass pane facing an interior of a vehicle. The measuring device includes at least one humidity sensor and at least one temperature sensor jointly arranged on the surface of the glass pane, an evaluation unit connected downstream of the humidity and temperature sensors, and a signal conversion and linking unit arranged between the humidity and temperature sensors and the evaluation unit. Further, the converting and linking unit generates a rectangular wave-shaped signal having at least two different impulse lengths, each impulse length being a measure of a detected humidity and temperature.

Abstract: A measuring device for detecting a humidity and temperature of a window surface including at least one moisture sensor and at least one temperature sensor placed on the window surface, an evaluation unit connected downstream from the moisture and temperature sensors, and a signal converting and linking unit placed between the moisture and temperature sensors and the evaluation unit. Further, when the temperature sensor detects a change in a temperature of the window surface or the moisture sensor detects a change in a moisture of the window surface, a frequency of an oscillator included in the signal and converting unit is changed.

Abstract: A rotary switch including a control element, a light-emitting device arranged on a printed circuit board and configured to emit light, and at least two receivers arranged on the printed circuit board in correspondence with the light-emitting device and configured to detect switching positions of the rotary switch. Further, the light-emitting device is mounted radially at an outside portion of inside of a hollow cylindrical extension of the control element, and wherein on level with the light-emitting device, the extension includes orifices evenly distributed around a periphery of the extension, and that opposite the light-emitting device, on an exterior side of the extension, the at least two receivers are arranged.

Abstract: A diagnostic circuit for a potentiometer that connects a load resistor (laboratory resistor) to the slider of the potentiometer to allow a constant comparison of the contact resistance to measured values in the loaded and/or unloaded state when the slider is being adjusted, or when it is being paused at a critical point. This is accomplished by connecting a pull-up resistor to an input of the microprocessor, to which a load resistor is connected, and which is electrically connected to the slider. The slider itself is connected to an additional input of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A solar sensor is provided that has microspheres on an interior face of a protective cap or of another radiation-transparent area above a transducer of the sensor. The microspheres scatter the light but at the same time have a much lower damping effect. Preferably, the microspheres are glued to or sealed into the interior face.

Abstract: A control element for control devices for motor vehicles is provided. The control element includes a rotary actuator seated in bearings, and a stationary key located inside the rotary actuator, and a means for forming a click-stop arrangement, whereby by the bearing, particularly a ball bearing, the rotary actuator is rotatably positioned on an axis that houses the interior key.

Abstract: An operational control is provided for setting an actuating variable, more particularly a set point for a motor vehicle air conditioner, having a rotary knob, having at least two contact tracks and one elastic wiper contact element that is in contact by means of at least one wiper contact with a contact track, wherein the contact tracks are joined to the rotary knob so as to be nonrotatable with respect thereto and in that the wiper contact elements are provided with an additional elastic wiper contact facing the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A variable resistor of modular design having a hub-flange and at least one housing frame having a central opening. A spring carrier provided with a contact spring is arranged in the central opening of the housing and is rotatable by means of an actuation shaft. A carrier plate, on which the resistor course and the collector course are mounted, is positioned adjacent the spring carrier such that the contact spring provides an electrical connection between the resistance and the collector courses. The housing frame has a pot-shaped front side for receiving a rotor. Means is provided for arresting rotation of the rotor to within predetermined angular limits, and the rotor has a contoured rim for engaging a click-stop device.