Abstract: An ambient light sensor system is provided for sensing ambient light and light in the area in front of a motor vehicle, wherein the ambient light sensor system includes a light guide element arranged behind a transparent surface of the motor vehicle and at least two sensors arranged on the light guide element.

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 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 control element including at least four switches for electrical/electronic functions having a precise guidance for operation, where mount arms are disposed in a cross shape on their underside on a tip disposed in a housing, and on their top side in a spherical shell, and a pin is attached to the housing in each corner formed by the arms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a plastic housing, where at least one first plastic housing part with at least one guide or bearing for at least one mechanically movable component, in particular a sensor, is produced in a first molding step, the at least one first plastic housing part is overmolded in a second molding step while a second plastic housing part is being formed, in order to form an integral plastic housing. Moreover, the invention relates to a plastic housing with at least one first plastic housing part including at least one guide or bearing for at least one mechanically movable component, where the at least one plastic housing part is entirely or partially overmolded by a second plastic housing part so that the integral plastic housing is formed.

Abstract: A method for linearizing potentiometric sensors is provided, the method can include the steps of: insertion in a measurement and/or processing station of a potentiometric sensor provided with a resistive track; application of a defined voltage and/or of a defined current across the resistive track; placement of a number of sensing elements composed of metallic contacts distributed at uniform intervals over the length of the resistive track; acquisition of the individual measured values of the sensing elements and determination of the curve of the resistance of the resistive track, and linearization of the resistance of the resistive track by means of sequential adjustment of the resistance of the resistive track.

Abstract: An input device including a control surface and a control element that can be moved over the control surface, with means for detecting the position and/or movement of the control element on the control surface and an evaluation unit for generating a control signal corresponding to the detected quantity, where the control element adheringly rests against the control surface by a magnetic force.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a control element, particularly in a central control unit. A magnet clamping system is integrated into a control element in order to render the function “slider setting” unequivocal. In addition to an actuator head that is positioned on a shaft, which is guided in a cylinder, for example, and at least one circuit board having LEDs, the control element includes a magnetic device having a designated magnet, which is functionally connected to the actuator head. When the actuator head is moved vertically by sliding, the magnetic device lifts off the magnet due to tilting, which causes a code disc attached to the actuator head to be brought into an inclined position such that a light flow on the light barriers formed by the LEDs is disrupted and/or opened up. In a further embodiment, this control element also includes press and rotate functions.

Abstract: The invention concerns an operating element, in particular a pushbutton, for a motor vehicle, having at least of a touch-sensitive pushbutton operating on a capacitive basis and a housing, wherein the pushbutton is movably mounted in the housing, wherein a capacitor that forms the capacitance is composed of a metallic area applied to an inner or outer side of a surface facing the user, and the metallic area forms an electrode of the capacitor that is electrically contacted in the housing.

Abstract: A control knob for use in a motor vehicle is provided, having a hub for attachment of the control knob to a shaft, a torsion-proof part, a rotatable part, a rotation angle sensor, means for generating rotary haptics, and an electronic system by means of which the components, located in the control knob, can be controlled and the signals of the sensors can be evaluated and via which the control knob can be connected to the on-board electronics of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An operating element with wake-up functionality for a motor vehicle is provided, wherein a setting of an operating element can be selected by means of a translationally and/or rotationally movable grip, having at least one wiper contact track divided into sectors, having a wiper contact connected directly or indirectly to the grip, wherein the wiper contact is movable over the at least one wiper contact track by means of the grip, having an electronic analysis unit that can be switched off, and having at least one switching means connected to the wake-up electronics unit by means of which the electronic analysis unit of the operating element can be activated, wherein the switching means can be actuated by means of the grip.

Abstract: Conventional operating elements are relatively expensive to manufacture. For this reason, the invention provides an operating element that is easy and economical to manufacture. This is achieved in that an interior formed by the housing is designed in the shape of a spherical segment on whose walls are arranged contacts, and in that a contact carrier is affixed to the lever in such a way that it is supported in the spherical segment.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement is provided in a motor vehicle for determining solar radiation incident on the motor vehicle, having at least one electro-optic component that is fastened to a one-piece or multi-piece support using MID technology.

Abstract: Sensor unit (1) for a motor vehicle for detecting ambient conditions, comprising at least two sensor modules, wherein a first sensor module (2) has a rain (6) and/or condensation sensor (7), and a second sensor module (3) has at least a light (13, 14) and/or solar sensor (11, 12).

Abstract: A control element for an electric control device is disclosed that includes a freely programmable symbolic system, whereby the symbols are projected into a side of the control element that is facing away from the operator by a controllable display unit and an illuminating device arranged in front thereof, or by a controllable display unit and an optics, or by a controllable display unit and a light guide, and whereby the symbols are made visible by a transmissive layer on the side of the control element that faces the operator, whereby alternating symbols are generated in the display unit.

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: A control element for a motor vehicle is disclosed that includes at least one rotary actuator and one actuating element integrated in the rotary actuator, whereby the actuating element can be moved relative to the rotary actuator, and whereby a connecting member, which interacts with an optical system, is molded to the actuating element. A connecting member extends into the optical system such that the deflection of the actuating element can be evaluated as a signal by the optical system. The optical system includes at least one light-emitting and at least one light-absorbing light guide element, whereby one light guide element is arranged on one side of the connecting member and one light guide element is arranged outside the connecting member so that a deflection of the actuating element is analogous to the absorption of light.

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: In actuating devices such as, e.g., multifunctional actuators, it is necessary in many cases to block at least one specific direction of movement. A simple and reliably operating device is proposed for this purpose, which uses an electromagnet to bring a ball from a rest position into a blocking position. In the blocking position, the ball mechanically blocks the relative movement between two parts.

Abstract: A ratchet device for an electrical component that can be adjusted by rotation, such as a rotary switch or a rotary potentiometer, is provided. The ratchet device includes a leaf spring, resting against a ratchet contour by means of spring pressure, whereby the ratchet contour is applied on an outer side of a symmetrical ratchet disc. The leaf spring substantially encloses the ratchet disc, rests diametrically on the ratchet disc, and the ends of the leaf spring have an essentially radial embodiment, the leaf spring being otherwise free to move.