Abstract: An apparatus for controlling and sensing a closure member (20) movable between an open position and a closed position, more particularly an electrically powered window pane (20) of a motor vehicle (10) is provided with a sensor. The sensor comprises a sensor electrode (40) generating an electric field (F) in an opening range of the closure member (20) and a controller (22) connected to the sensor which senses any change in capacitance of the sensor electrode (40) in providing a control signal. For detecting a film of moisture (23) formed by condensation on the closing member (20) by simple and relatively low-cost means, the controller (22) detects a change in capacitance of the sensor electrode (40) caused by the presence of a film of moisture (23) on the closure member (20).

Abstract: A system for visually indicating, in real time or post hoc, values of a physical property detected over a period of time along a dimension of an organism to a user on a temporal plot and a profile plot, either individually or concurrently. The detected values may be visually indicated on the temporal plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, a contour technique, a line trace technique or a mesh plot technique. Further, the detected values may be visually indicated on the profile plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to a contour technique, a line trace technique or a histogram technique. To provide a finer spatial resolution, values may be interpolated for locations between the locations at which values were detected, and these values may be displayed on the temporal plot and the profile plot.

Abstract: A sealing profile (10a, 10b) for sealing a powered window pane (11a, 11b) in a door (12a, 12b) of a motor vehicle. The sealing profile (10a, 10b) includes a base body (18) made of an elastomeric material on which at least one sealing portion (19a, 19b) and at least one fastening portion (20) for attaching the sealing profile (10a, 10b) to a door flange (21) are provided. The sealing profile (10a, 10b) also includes at least one trim strip (22) that has a finishing portion (23) and a fastener (24), which protrudes therefrom and which can be fixed to the base body (18) in a positive manner. The trim strip (22) is curved in the longitudinal direction thereof. The fastener (24) is provided in the form of an elongated insertion limb, which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the finishing portion (23). The fastener (24) is additionally provided with at least one appendage (25a, 25b).

Abstract: A system for visually indicating, in real time or post hoc, values of a physical property detected over a period of time along a dimension of an organism to a user on a temporal plot and a profile plot, either individually or concurrently. The detected values may be visually indicated on the temporal plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, a contour technique, a line trace technique or a mesh plot technique. Further, the detected values may be visually indicated on the profile plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to a contour technique, a line trace technique or a histogram technique. To provide a finer spatial resolution, values may be interpolated for locations between the locations at which values were detected, and these values may be displayed on the temporal plot and the profile plot.

Abstract: A hybrid tactile sensor includes a flexible cloth-based tactile sensor array including a plurality of electrodes, each of the electrodes connected to a corresponding connecting zone of an intermediate connecting harness made from a flexible film such as Kapton®. The harness includes a common bundle of parallel conductors etched or printed onto the harness and connecting each of the connecting zones to a common terminal for further attaching to a control unit of the sensor. The use of the harness allows repeatable manufacturing of sensor arrays with large number of electrodes or when they are located close to each other. Each connecting zone may include an interconnecting pad for crimping, soldering, or adhering the electrode thereto using a conductive epoxy. Alternative embodiments describe the use of U-shaped malleable connectors, jumper wires including those equipped with U-shaped clips, and other means of attaching electrodes to corresponding connecting zones.

Abstract: The invention relates to a weatherstrip assembly which is used particularly for sealing a folding hardtop (10) of a motor vehicle and comprises a joint consisting of sealing section (21) and fastening section (22) parts. The sealing section (21) is provided with a sealing lip (23), which is made of elastically deformable material, can be moved from the first position (I) to the second position (II) thereof and is provided with at least one restoring element (40). In order to ensure a durable, efficient and reliable restoring response of the sealing lip (23), it is provided with a tensioning element (50) in the form of a hose on the end thereof.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for detecting and amplifying sensor and sensor array (102, 104) output signals are presented. According to some aspects, a nonlinear feedback loop containing a sensor element provides a nonlinear transformation that compensates for a corresponding nonlinear response of the sensor element thereby providing a linearized final output signal. In other aspects, idle sensors are coupled to a reference on non-idle sensor elements. Other aspects include sensor and amplification circuits which operate without traditional filtering or switching elements, such that a higher throughput is achieved and no settling time is required due to traditional transients, thus allowing for faster scanning of larger sensor arrays. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to variable gap capacitive sensor arrays and the signal processing electronics.

Abstract: A sealing profile (10a, 10b) for sealing a powered window pane (11a, 11b) in a door (12a, 12b) of a motor vehicle. The sealing profile (10a, 10b) includes a base body (18) made of an elastomeric material on which at least one sealing portion (19a, 19b) and at least one fastening portion (20) for attaching the sealing profile (10a, 10b) to a door flange (21) are provided. The sealing profile (10a, 10b) also includes at least one trim strip (22) that has a finishing portion (23) and a fastener (24), which protrudes therefrom and which can be fixed to the base body (18) in a positive manner. The trim strip (22) is curved in the longitudinal direction thereof. The fastener (24) is provided in the form of an elongated insertion limb, which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the finishing portion (23). The fastener (24) is additionally provided with at least one appendage (25a, 25b).

Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing arrangement, especially for sealing window panes (13) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a weatherstrip (20) that is provided with a sealing section (21) and a fastening section (22), and a trim (40) which is connected in a non-positive manner to the fastener section (22). Said fastener section (22) encompasses a retaining segment (23) which can be pivoted from a first position (I) into a second position (II) so as to fasten the trim strip (40). In order to obtain a flat embodiment of the trim (40) and be able to reliably fix the trim strip (40) to the weatherstrip (20) while using relatively little mounting force, one end of said trim strip (40) is provided with a first hook section (41) while the other end thereof is provided with a second hook section (42). The second hook section (42) rests in a non-positive manner against the retaining segment (23) while the first hook section (41) catches on a first contact area (24) of the fastening section (22).

Abstract: Circuits and methods for detecting and amplifying sensor and sensor array (102, 104) output signals are presented. According to some aspects, a nonlinear feedback loop containing a sensor element provides a nonlinear transformation that compensates for a corresponding nonlinear response of the sensor element thereby providing a linearized final output signal. In other aspects, idle sensors are coupled to a reference on non-idle sensor elements. Other aspects include sensor and amplification circuits which operate without traditional filtering or switching elements, such that a higher throughput is achieved and no settling time is required due to traditional transients, thus allowing for faster scanning of larger sensor arrays. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to variable gap capacitive sensor arrays and the signal processing electronics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for sealing and guiding a powered window pane (40), particularly of a motor vehicle. Said sealing arrangement is provided with a seal (20) produced as a single part from an elastically deformable material. The inventive sealing arrangement is also provided with a sash (10) which frames the window pane (40) and to which the seal (20) can be fixed. Said sash (10) comprises an inner flange (11) and an outer flange (12). The seal (20) comprises an inner side section (21) that can be fixed to the inner flange (11), an outer side section (22) that can be fixed to the outer flange (12), and a base portion (23) located outside the cavity portion (13). The aim of the invention is to achieve a universal embodiment of the seal (20).

Abstract: According to the invention, in order to vary the pressure exerted by this seal on the door or window and on the related frame, in order to thereby reduce the transmission of low-frequency chassis noises into the interior of the car, the tubular portion (8) of this seal has at least one wall whose thickness varies along the length of the seal.

Abstract: A device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element (13), more particularly an electrically powered window pane (13) or sunroof of a motor vehicle (10), comprises a sensor electrode (20), a base electrode (21) spaced away from the sensor electrode (20), and a control unit (40) connected to the sensor electrode (20) and the base electrode (21). The sensor electrode (20) and the base electrode (21) generate an electric field (F) in the opening range of the closure element (13) and are spaced away at a constant distance from each other in a first operational mode. The control unit (40) detects in the first operational mode a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an obstacle in the electric field (F) and providing at least one control signal (Is, Ip) for a drive (50) powering the closure element (13). The device is characterized by high reliability in operation and availability.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air vent module for window panes (13), in particular window panes of a motor vehicle (10). Said module comprises a tubular-shaped flow channel (20). The flow channel (20) extends along a window pane (13) and is provided with at least one outlet (21), which is arranged opposite the window pane (13). Said outlet (21) extends in a vertical manner (z) approximately parallel to the window pane (13) and is defined by an upper edge (22) and a lower edge (23). The flow channel (20) is arranged in a shaft (14), which receives the window pane (13) and comprises a low sealing lip (30), which is adjacent to the window pane (13). Said lower sealing lip (30) is arranged in the region of the lower edge (23) such that the air flow exiting from the outlet (21) flows against the window pane (13).

Abstract: A device for sensing an obstacle in said opening range of an automotive closure element movable between an open position and and closed position, more particularly an electrically powered door window (20) or sunroof is provided with a weatherseal (30) sealing the window pane (20). The weatherseal (30) is made of an elastomeric material and secured to a frame (12) of the motor vehicle (10). The device comprises in addition a sensor for sensing an obstacle in the opening range of the closure element (20), the sensor comprising at least one electrical conductor (40) generating an electrical field (F) in the opening range of the closure element (20). The device achieves by simple ways and means an engineered orientation of the electrical field such that any interference by the closure element (20) to the capacitive change in the electrical field (F) is precluded by reason of conductive means (50) comprising a conductive surface (51) made of an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sealing extruded section designed to be mounted on a projecting part. Said extruded section comprises: two elastomer or plastomer shells (1, 2), including each a wing (1a, 2a) and an adjacent part (1b, 2b) forming a portion of the section base, said two shells being separated from each other by an opening (3) arranged through the section base and extending longitudinally along the median part thereof; a flexible material layer (7) inextensible or hardly extensible, applied inside the two shells (1, 2) so as to secure the two wings (1a, 2a) and the adjacent parts (1b, 2b) to the section base; a wedging shim (4) with cross-section substantially identical to that of the opening (3) separating the shells (1, 2), wherein it is forced in engagement, the cross-section of the opening (3) being such that, when the wedge (4) is fixed, it brings about a tilting movement of said shells relative to each other, thereby bringing closer together the free ends of the two wings of the section.

Abstract: A reinforcing carrier, serving particularly to strengthen an elastomeric weatherstrip (10) comprises a first flanking portion (21), a second flanking portion (23) and a middle portion (22) extending parallel in a longitudinal direction (x) and having in each case a width (b1, b2, b3) in a transverse direction (y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (x). The middle portion (22) connects the first flanking portion (21) and the second flanking portion (23) in the transverse direction (y). The first flanking portion (21), and/or second flanking portion (23) and/or the middle portion (22) have a plurality of perforations (24, 25, 26) each comprising a closed circumference and having in the transverse direction (y) a first diameter (d1) and in the longitudinal direction (x) a second diameter (d2).

Abstract: A device for sensing an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element of a motor vehicle, more particularly an electrically powered window pane or sunroof is defined. The device is provided with at least one sensor electrode generating an electrical field in the opening range of the closure element. It is furthermore provided with a control unit for detecting a change in the capacitance of the electrical field caused by the presence of an obstacle in the opening range of the closure element, the control unit providing a control signal for a drive powering the closure element. The sensor electrode is connected to the control unit either directly or via a shielded conductor. The control unit is arranged on an electronic controller of the drive and compensates the influence of the shielded conductor on the electrical field.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling and sensing a closure member (20) movable between an open position and a closed position, more particularly an electrically powered window pane (20) of a motor vehicle (10) is provided with a sensor. The sensor comprises a sensor electrode (40) generating an electric field (F) in an opening range of the closure member (20) and a controller (22) connected to the sensor which senses any change in capacitance of the sensor electrode (40) in providing a control signal. For detecting a film of moisture (23) formed by condensation on the closing member (20) by simple and relatively low-cost means, the controller (22) detects a change in capacitance of the sensor electrode (40) caused by the presence of a film of moisture (23) on the closure member (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaped seal for sealing a power-operated closing device comprising a jam-protection zone, which has at least two electrically conductive areas, situated at a distance from each other. According to the invention, to save space and reduce weight and cost, the carrier is used as a metallic conductor for the conductive area so as to reduce volume resistance. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a frame can be used to which the shaped seal can be fixed.