Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting surface condensation which includes a carrier (2), a metal layer (3) applied to the carrier (2) to form an interdigital structure, a passivation layer (6) formed over the metal layer (3), and a hydrophilic layer (7) applied over the passivation layer (6), where the hydrophilic layer (7) increases a surface tension of the passivation layer (7).

Abstract: A rotary switch or controller is structured to have a so-called impact criteria or characteristic by having members with predetermined yield, or breaking, points (5, 6) which are integrated into the rotary switch (1) so that when a high force acts on the rotary switch (1), a top part (2) of a rotary switch or rotary controller (1) is allowed to be collapsed into a front panel (4) of a passenger vehicle or commercial vehicle on which the rotary switch is used. These yield elements (5, 6) may be structured as ribs (6) that have intended breaking points (6.1) therebetween, or may be structured as spring elements (5).

Abstract: A capacitive angle sensor that is used preferably in motor vehicles includes a sensor housing (2) having a cover (2′) covering the sensor housing (2). A stator (3) and a rotor (4) are positioned in the sensor housing (2), each respectively including a ceramic plate and lying in a plane parallel to the other. The ceramic plates are preferably of an Al2O3 ceramic. Printed electrode structures of electrodes (5, 6), as sensor capacitances and coupling capacitances (7), are located on sides of the stator (3) and of the rotor (4) facing respectively outward. The electrode structures are printed on back sides of the ceramic plates, so that the electrodes (5, 6, 7), upon assembly into the angle sensor (1), are located on the sides of the stator (3) and of the rotor (4) that face respectively away from each.

Abstract: A control element for control functions within a passenger area of a vehicle having several turning knobs whose positions are indicated by an illumination display, includes an LED (Light Emitting Device) and a light-guide coupled directly with the LED and having a light-exit surface that is coupled with a light-entry surface leading to at least one turning knob, a light-conducting plate (7) adjacent the light-guide, and a housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Mushroom-shaped light guide for a homogeneous illumination of a circular scale of a motor vehicle operating device by means of a light source (LED) arranged opposite a light input surface of a mushroom-shaped cone, wherein a light input surface has a cylindrical recess, and edge of which is rounded off in a circle with a radius R between a lateral surface and an axial surface, and a base of which is provided in a form of a ball surface which projects centrally, whereby the mushroom-shaped cone has a conical end section. This produces an increased parallel alignment of the light beams, which effects an improved illumination of the dial.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing housing or control-components parts of metal including the steps of: manufacturing a housing or control-component part (1, 3) as a forged or cast blank (4, 5), stamping a recess (6) in the blank for an indicator insert with a stamping die in a stamping device, thereby creating a protrusion (7) on a back wall surface (8) of the part in the stamping direction, constricting the recess (6) with peeled protrusions of the peripheral walls (9) defining the recess (6), injecting a transparent plastic (2) into the recess (6) and, if applicable, into a mold connected with the recess (6) for forming a collar (10) on a front wall surface (11) in the stamping direction, and ablating the back wall surface (8) and the protrusion (7) by a fixed thickness amount (12), which results in exposure of the recess (6) and of the transparent plastic (2).

Abstract: A control element for switching and controlling an electrical appliance having a cover panel includes a support (4) for receiving a top part, which can be attached and removed. The support can be glued onto the front panel (2), which need have no openings. Elements (14, 15, 16, 17) are in the top part for causing an indirect control transmission through the front panel, with sensors (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22) behind the front panel (2) electrically sensing the indirect control transmissions and carrying out operational functions of the electrical appliance.

Abstract: A torsionally-rigid compensating coupling between first and second shaft ends has a ball bearing element positioned on the first shaft end and a ball socket element with grooves positioned on the second shaft end, with the ball bearing element including a ball bearing and a drive pin extending through the ball bearing. Pin ends of the drive pin extend out of the ball bearing into the grooves of the ball socket element. The grooves and ball socket of the ball socket element, in a longitudinal direction of the second shaft end, open out into a cylindrical recess that has a guide chamfer. The ball bearing element includes an elastic-force creating member and stops, with the elastic-force creating member driving the drive pin against the stops to fix the drive pin in its working position by elastic force, the drive pin being moveable against the elastic force in a longitudinal direction of the second shaft end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing powdery, vitreous carbon, and a paste made therefrom for producing resistive films having predetermined electrical conductivity. In production methods known in the art, pyrolysis of acrylamides is performed in mixture with water-soluble salts and, following pyrolysis, the powdered portion of the vitreous carbon is recovered by dissolving the salt component in water. The vitreous carbon is then dried, and the powder obtained in this manner is pulverized once again, as needed. A disadvantage of this method is that it is very time-consuming. In the solution now recommended, a preferably aromatic polymer is cured into a resin that is cross-linked in three dimensions, and in this state is ground to a powder prior to pyrolysis. Pyrolysis of the resulting powder is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere, so that powdered, vitreous carbons having different resistivities are obtained by using different final pyrolysis temperatures in each pyrolysis process.

Abstract: A rotatable knob for a control apparatus which is less complex than similar devices and which provides greater self-illumination than do similar devices. In the case of the present rotatable knob, a total reflection surface (13) is established wherein the obverse side (14) of the total reflection surface (13) forms a mantle of a conical or cup-shaped frustum upon which segment-like 90° prisms (16) are radially arranged. Accordingly, the present rotatable knob may be used in operational components for radios, air conditioning units, and the like in motor vehicles.

Abstract: A control knob (1) includes a companion part (2) as a base of the control knob and a control-knob top part (3) having a grip handle (4). The control-knob top part (3) includes a plate (9) having a flexible elastic material coated thereon to form sidewalls (5.1) of the grip handle (4) which can be flexibly deformed when the grip handle (4) is manipulated. This provides improved manipulation and quiet operation of the control knob (1). Additional push-button and switch functions can be included via a flexible facing wall (5.2) on the grip handle (4).

Abstract: An electrical rotary switch for several switch positions having a control knob mounted in a housing supported on first, second and third ball bearings that, guided by a cage disk, roll in a housing groove formed by an axial wall and a radial wall against which the ball bearings are loaded under an applied force of a conical bearing surface of the control knob. Axial and radial wall bearing surfaces respectively have first and second contact segments and first, second and third contact bands thereon that extend out of the housing via terminal lugs, the first contact segment and first contact band being shorted by the first ball bearing in predetermined switch positions. In a last switch position, contact occurs between the second contact segment (19) and the second and third contact bands (20, 21) through the second and third ball bearings (6, 7).

Abstract: A keyboard has keys, or buttons, having guide projections which, when the keys are pushed from an operating side, are shoved along guide plates, with motion being restricted by a locator, the locator having two stops which restrict the motion of the keys between the two stops and with a switch being activated being ON and OFF by the key moving within these limits. This provides a very flat keyboard which is economical to manufacture.

Abstract: Interlocking clamps for protective shields currently available generally allow detachment from one side only. An attaching-detaching tool of this invention, by contrast, is structured with a flat edge profile (13) having a thickness less than a spacing between a supporting surface (11) of an interlocking clamp and a frame rail (1) to which the interlocking clamp is mounted. Thus, the tool can be inserted in a gap (15) between the frame rail (1) and the shield (4) and a wrench recess (16) fitted about an angled lug (8) forming a first element (5) of the interlocking clamp on a side facing away from a second clamp element (10). Wedge-shaped jaws (18 and 19), forming outwardly acute angles (17), defining the wrench recess can be pushed between the angled lug (8) of the first clamp element and forked clamping lugs (6 and 7) of a second clamp element (10). The tool allows for easy detaching of a protective shield.

Abstract: A large key covering several small key fields of a keyboard has a bearing fork projection (9), lever arms (10 and 11) of which each have an bearing pin (12) that engages a grip slot located in each side of an adjacent guide bush pair (14), with a key ram (5) of the large key ram including a clip collar (16) which, when the large key is pivoted to extend the key ram into a guide bush (6) of the guide body (3), snaps over a protrusion ledge (15) in the guide bush. The large key provides an arrangement that is easy to install, is structured as a single piece, and allows for simple verification of assembly; unlike known large keys covering several small key fields which comprise several parts and are difficult to mount.

Abstract: A control unit for adjusting heating, air conditioning, and/or ventilation equipment in motor vehicles has turning knobs (5, 6) and the cam wheels (13, 14) which are connected together. There are adjusting levers (10, 11, 12), with each being mounted by means of two bearing pins (15, 16) in a base part (3), and each adjusting arm (10, 11, 12) being structured as a two-armed lever with one lever arm (17, 18, 19) engaging in a three-dimensional cam plate (20, 21, 22) of the cam wheel (13, 14) in a swivel plane E. Between the lever arm (17, 18, 19) and the three-dimensional cam plate (20, 21, 22), a barrel-shaped or spherical follower element (23) is positioned that cooperates with radial motion-causing walls (24, 25) of the three-dimensional cam plate (20, 21, 22). A control unit of this invention is structured to be space saving, easier and less expensive to produce, and to function in an improved manner.

Abstract: In a process and an apparatus for folding a gas bag 15 for a passenger restraint system, a gas bag (15) is introduced, in an uninflated state, to an apparatus that includes a folding tool (12), folding aids (16) and a clamp (19). The folding tool (12) includes a holding plate (1), an intermediate plate (4) with a spiral strip (8) thereon, and a form plate (5) with a spiral slot 10 to accept the spiral strip 8. Prior to a folding process, the gas bag (15) lies on the spiral strip (8), which protrudes through the form plate (5). With help from the folding aids (16), the gas bag is folded into a free space between the protruding strip 8 and the intermediate plate (4). In the process, the gas bag (15) is pressed, as two plies, in spiral shape along the strip (8). The folding occurs uniformly from an inside to an outside. Using a clamp (19), the folded gas bag (15) is brought to a required shape for a housing (25) of the passenger restraint system.

Abstract: In a process and an apparatus for folding a gas bag 15 for a passenger restraint system, a gas bag (15) is introduced, in an uninflated state, to an apparatus that includes a folding tool (12), folding aids (16) and a clamp (19). The folding tool (12) includes a holding plate (1), an intermediate plate (4) with a spiral strip (8) thereon, and a form plate (5) with a spiral slot 10 to accept the spiral strip 8. Prior to a folding process, the gas bag (15) lies on the spiral strip (8), which protrudes through the form plate (5). With help from the folding aids (16), the gas bag is folded into a free space between the protruding strip 8 and the intermediate plate (4). In the process, the gas bag (15) is pressed, as two plies, in spiral shape along the strip (8). The folding occurs uniformly from an inside to an outside. Using a clamp (19), the folded gas bag (15) is brought to a required shape for a housing (25) of the passenger restraint system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing powdery, vitreous carbon, and a paste made therefrom for producing resistive films having predetermined electrical conductivity. In production methods known in the art, pyrolysis of acrylamides is performed in mixture with water-soluble salts and, following pyrolysis, the powdered portion of the vitreous carbon is recovered by dissolving the salt component in water. The vitreous carbon is then dried, and the powder obtained in this manner is pulverized once again, as needed. A disadvantage of this method is that it is very time-consuming. In the solution now recommended, a preferably aromatic polymer is cured into a resin that is cross-linked in three dimensions, and in this state is ground to a powder prior to pyrolysis. Pyrolysis of the resulting powder is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere, so that powdered, vitreous carbons having different resistivities are obtained by using different final pyrolysis temperatures in each pyrolysis process.

Abstract: An operational control for use with a ventilation, heating, or air conditioning unit of a vehicle, that can be actuated by a turn knob comprises: a guide member for being attached to and manipulated by a turn knob, the guide member defining a guiding groove; an adjusting lever for actuating a Bowden cable to which the adjusting lever is linked, the adjusting lever being mounted adjacent the guide member to pivot; a guide pin attached to the adjusting lever for extending into the guiding groove for cooperating with the guiding groove to cause the adjusting lever to pivot when the guide member is manipulated. The adjusting lever is made of a material that can be welded to steel and the guide pin is a weld-on steel ball welded to the adjusting lever.